OPPO Reno 10 hands-on impressions: So far, so good

On September 6, OPPO launched the Reno10 series in the Kenyan market. The devices are already on store shelves, bringing many new features and design improvements. They also cost more, which will not be a welcome move for some enthusiasts – but we need to remember that the recession is ongoing, not to mention the tanking KES against the dollar. The government also introduced new taxes on devices, including smartphones: while tax was paid for consolidated cargo a few months back, this approach was overturned because importers now must pay tax for every device brought into the country. But today, we are not talking about that.

We have been using the Reno10 5G for a couple of days, and it is a fantastic device. Initial impressions, of course, are great. For instance, this is the first time that OPPO has changed the look of the Reno devices. The camera island looks unique, as there is nothing quite like it in the market. The colour of the device is also appealing and will surely be attractive to many. However, as usual, these colours can be hidden behind a case – which sometimes diminishes the appeal of the phone – but we advise you always to keep your Reno10 in a case because it is a little slippery for the clumsy. And OPPO actually includes a case in the box.

OPPO has finally introduced dual speakers to the Reno10 series, and that is something I had an issue with with previous iterations. They might not be punchy or with more bass, but I am glad they are here, and that is a welcome step. However, there is no headphone jack here – and as usual, you do not get wired earphones in the box. But that is not too bad, considering wireless earbuds are becoming commonplace, and OPPO sells a ton of them at affordable prices.

The screen refreshes at 120Hz, which is great for fluidity and looks darn great, even outdoors. I am also glad that this is ColourOS based on Android 13, which is filled to the brim with features. I am yet to explore all of them, but for the adventurous, there are a lot of adjustments you can do with this software. However, ColorOS is starting to feel a little too familiar, and I would be happy if it receives some cosmetic changes in the future.

Of course, the device charges very fast using its 67W charging brick (my Reno7 Pro charger actually charged it equally fast too). It tops up at a little over 30 minutes, and you know what, OPPO ships the charger with this device. This is an interesting perspective that users should be aware of because Samsung Galaxy A34 and A54 ship with a skinny box that only includes the device and a USB-C cable. These devices are the ones that OPPO wants to compete with, not to mention the Redmi 12 Pro+, which costs a little over KES 50,000.

I haven’t tested the cameras fully to assess their potential, but I am sure they will impress. I will discuss them during the full review of the device, which will be published next week. For now, so far so good.

The devices (Reno10 and Reno10 Pro) can be purchased online (Jumia and Kilimall), as well as OPPO branded stores. The Reno10 costs KES 57,000 while the Reno10 Pro costs 13K more at KES 70,000.

Here are their specifications:

OPPO RENO10 5G

OPPO RENO10 PRO 5G