Oppo Reno 11 5g Review: An Excellent Non-Pro Smartphone

High notes: Appealing design, great display, good imaging in daylight.  Low notes: Inconsistent low-light photography, pre-installed bloatware.

For those who recall the Ocean Green variant of the oppo reno 10x zoom launched back in 2019, the phone left a lasting impression among smartphone enthusiasts not only for its capabilities but also for the remarkable aesthetics characteristic of the Reno smartphone lineup. Known as design and camera-centric phones, the oppo reno series has evolved over the years to become a mid-range lineup of smartphones that are dependable, with a solid battery life. 

Now, Oppo has launched yet another capable device in the form of Reno 11 5g at a starting price of Rs 29,999 for the 8GB ram and 128GB onboard storage version while another variant with 8GB ram and 256GB memory will set you back by Rs 31,999. The phone has been made available in two colour variants: Wave Green and Rock Grey and I received the latter for review. Here's how the latest mid-ranger from Oppo fared in my review.

Oppo Reno 11 5g Design, Display, Looks And Build

Unlike its predecessor, the Reno 10 5g, the Reno 11 looks and feels more vibrant. Oppo deserves credit for keeping the same design language across the Reno 11 series, even though the Reno 11 Pro costs Rs 10,000 more than the non-Pro model. The Pearl White model on the oppo reno 11 Pro, I've heard, is fantastic, and by no means, the Reno 11 5g is any less, in terms of looks and design language. Among the two available colours Wave Green and Rock Grey, the latter looks more sophisticated and has a matte finish on the rear also renders a soft appearance, which looks pleasant. 

The back reflects light beautifully, in a matte fashion, when held at certain angles. No glossy back also means less fingerprint smudges and less dust accumulation. However, the grey variant is darker than the green one, and specks of dust may appear if the device is not taken care of. When held, the phone gives a posh feel, thanks to the curved sides, a glass back, and a metal frame. Last year's Reno 10, had a plastic frame, therefore Oppo has upgraded the Reno 11 5g by making use of more premium materials and has also managed to keep the price of the Reno 11 lower than its predecessor. The curved sides and the display can easily make one think that this is a flagship phone.

In terms of the display, the oppo reno 11 remains consistent with last year's model and that's a good thing. The 6.7-inch AMOLED panel is large, and bright and still provides an excellent content viewing experience. The data-size of the display is also similar to that of the pricier Reno 11 Pro 5G. It is a very capable screen for binge-watching OTT shows and browsing YouTube videos at length. 

Holding and carrying the Reno 11 5g is very comfortable as it is ergonomic and lightweight at 182 grams, which is a tad bit lighter than last year's Reno 10 5G. The phone retains the curved display of the Reno 10 with a silky smooth 120Hz refresh rate, enhancing both gaming and scrolling experience. The panel comes with a peak brightness of 950nits (HDR) and that made sure there were no viewing issues under bright outdoor sunlight.

Oppo Reno 11 5g Camera

Oppo Reno 11 5g Review: An Excellent Non-Pro Smartphone

In terms of imaging, the oppo reno 11 comes with camera configurations of a 50MP sony LYT600 primary sensor, coupled with an 8MP ultra-wide-angle sensor and a 2MP macro lens. This setup makes for versatile imaging, covering a wide range of shooting scenarios. During the daytime, the main camera captures good landscape shots with a great amount of detail and colors, although it may occasionally overexpose the blue skies. 

Indoor photography was also detailed and good, albeit for slightly increased contrast at times. It is pertinent to note that the primary camera as well as the telephoto lens leans towards cooler colour temperature. Low-light photography is something that the Reno 11 5g doesn't handle too well. However, there's the night mode to the rescue and it helps improve results during nighttime, but low-light shots struggled with maintaining consistent details. There's a front-facing camera with a 32MP sensor, which ensures high-quality selfies and video calls. The color accuracy of the selfie shots was better.

Oppo Reno 11 5g Performance, software And Battery

Interestingly, the oppo reno 11 5g boasts nearly 10 percent more battery capacity than its predecessor, the Reno 10, which was fitted with a 4,500mAh battery. This substantial increase enables the phone to comfortably last a tad bit over a day-and-a-half with moderate usage, which includes a range of activities such as browsing Instagram, streaming YouTube videos, checking emails, enjoying OTT content on platforms like Netflix and amazon Prime, and listening to music on Spotify, free from any lag or stuttering.

 I did not notice any heating issues even during my brief gaming sessions and while charging the device, which is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chipset. The substantial 5,00mAh battery is supported by the company's proprietary 67W SuperVOOC charging which is very good and can charge the device from 0-100 per cent in about 45 minutes.

The oppo reno 11 runs on ColorOS 14, on top of Android 14, which brings new features such as File Dock and Smart Image Matting. However, Oppo has yet again, added pre-installed bloatware, and the home screen is cluttered with unnecessary apps such as Dream11, Snapchat, Moj, and Josh. Other popular streaming apps that come pre-installed are Netflix and Spotify.

Oppo Reno 11 5g Verdict

The Reno 11 is undoubtedly a very capable smartphone in the sub-Rs 30,000 segment that offers a great display and solid battery life, supported by quick charging that makes life easier. Like always, this new Reno device is made for those who want to flaunt a good-looking Android smartphone that does not cost a bomb. Other capable alternatives in the same price bracket include the OnePlus Nord 3 5g, which offers a cleaner Android experience, and motorola Edge 40, which comes with an eye-catching design.