Oppo Reno 10 Pro review: Looks high-end, but it is not!

Oppo Reno 10 Pro review: Looks high-end, but it is not!

Rumput & Kerikil       Comment   

 In this review we look at the Oppo Reno 10 Pro. That is a bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing: at first glance it looks like a high-end smartphone, but on closer inspection it is a bit disappointing.

Oppo Reno 10 Pro Phone Review

The Oppo Reno 10 series consists of three devices: the Reno 10, Reno 10 Pro and Reno 10 Pro Plus. Unfortunately, the latter variant does not appear on our market.

This makes the Oppo Reno 10 Pro that we discuss in this review the best smartphone that Oppo will release in the Netherlands this year. We will also not see the absolute flagships of the Chinese company, those in the Find X6 series, in Europe.

The Oppo Reno 10 Pro with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage space has a suggested retail price of 659 euros. That is cheaper than last year's Oppo Reno 8 Pro, which went for 749 euros. Moreover, the device gives a good first impression thanks to its sleek appearance. But there are a few snags.

Design is great

What a nice device. That was our first thought when we got our hands on the Reno 10 Pro. It feels sturdy, yet quite light. The back has a fine pattern that looks classy and is resistant to fingerprints. We are also pleased with the silver-grey color and oval shape of the camera island. It may look business-like, but at the same time very tight.

The second impression is also good, because the smartphone has very thin screen edges, which are bent at the sides. If you didn't know any better, you'd think the Reno 10 Pro is a true flagship.

We like the design better than that of the Oppo Reno 8 Pro, but strangely enough this new model is no longer officially water resistant. It has no IP certification.

Good and smooth screen

The Oppo Reno 10 Pro has a 6.7-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2412 by 1080 pixels. That looks great in almost all circumstances.

Only when the sun shines very hard, which it rarely does this summer, can you have trouble reading the display. The maximum brightness is 950 nits, but that only applies to small parts of the screen. The entire display does not exceed 800 nits.

The refresh rate is 120Hz, which means that the pixels refresh 120 times per second. That looks very smooth. You can also choose to let the screen determine how often the pixels refresh.

Then it switches back to 60Hz if you type an e-mail, for example. That saves the battery somewhat. It is even possible to always run the display at 60Hz, but that looks very stuttery and we therefore advise against it.

There is no layer of Gorilla Glass on the screen, as with many other smartphones, but Asahi Glass AGC DT-Star2 glass. That should protect you from scratches. In addition, Oppo already applies a screen protector at the factory, which is nice.

For its price, hardware is below average

So far we've been pretty excited about the Oppo Reno 10 Pro, but that's about to change, unfortunately. The device runs on a Snapdragon 778G processor. That is an old beast that was already in the Samsung Galaxy A52s two years ago. A smartphone that then, in 2021, cost 449 euros. The Oppo Reno 8 Pro had a much faster MediaTek Dimensity 8100 Max chip.

Why Oppo dares to put a midrange processor from two generations ago in a smartphone of 659 euros, we do not know exactly. Perhaps the company wanted to make a luxury-looking phone for people who don't care much about performance. That's the only reason we can think of: Oppo had to cut back on the hardware because it put so much thought into the exterior.

Is the Reno 10 Pro a slow phone? Not that either. It currently processes most tasks smoothly, although we sometimes saw a small delay when switching between apps.

It gets a bit more difficult with heavy games and we wonder how this device will perform in two years. It especially stings that a much cheaper competitor such as the OnePlus Nord 3 is 50 to almost 90 percent (!) faster in various tests.

It has also been quite a long time since we saw a smartphone in this price range without stereo speakers. Still, the Reno 10 Pro really only has one speaker. It can be loud, but sounds very shrill, which actually forces you to use earplugs. Wireless then, because a headphone jack is missing. Fortunately, the fingerprint scanner under the screen works well.

Awesome main camera

On the back of the Reno 10 Pro we find three usable lenses, which is quite special for a mid-range smartphone. In addition to the 50 megapixel main camera, there is a wide-angle lens (8 megapixel) and a telephoto camera (32 megapixel).

The latter brings the image 'only' 2x closer. According to Oppo, this is a conscious choice. For example, the camera has a focal length of 46 millimeters. This brings it close to the 50 millimeter lens that many street photographers use.

Whether you believe that is of course the question. The camera may also be slightly cheaper than a copy that zooms in 3x or 5x.

Main camera

There is nothing wrong with the main camera. Photos have a nice contrast, shadows fortunately remain fairly dark and the HDR function also works well. In addition, the colors look very nice.

Wide angle lens

The wide-angle lens is a bit stark compared to that. Due to the low resolution, the level of detail is disappointing and the photos are downright blurry in the corners. It's a nice lens for the side, but you can't shoot more than pictures for social media with it. Because the software tries to compensate for the small sensor, they have an artificial look.

Telephoto lens

The telephoto lens is qualitatively in between the main camera and wide-angle lens. It shoots quite good photos, but we always have reservations about a camera that only zooms in 2x. With a good main camera, such as that of this Oppo Reno 10 Pro, you can easily zoom in 2x digitally without enormous loss of quality.

We would have preferred a lens that brings the image 3 or 4x closer. The app also offers the option to zoom in 5x, but that is purely digital and does not look nice.

Portrait function

On the other hand, the Oppo Reno 10 Pro has an excellent portrait mode that provides fine, blurred backgrounds. Even the photo on the right looks fine, while it must not be an easy job for the software to separate the layers in it.

Night mode

When night falls, we see the same pattern as during the day. The main camera shoots the best photos by far, but the telephoto lens also does quite well. The wide-angle lens falls through the basket. That photo is very out of focus and, moreover, the software has made it much too bright.

Fairly short software support

The Oppo Reno 10 Pro runs on Android 13 with Oppo's own ColorOS skin over it. It fits a lot and looks very busy. Moreover, there are again many apps pre-installed on the phone that you are probably not waiting for.

We will not name them, because then we will advertise even more. That's it, of course: advertising, which these companies probably pay Oppo heavily for.

You only get two major upgrades, to Android 14 and 15. That's scant, just like the three years of security patches that Oppo promises. Competitors such as Samsung and OnePlus are doing better. For example, the aforementioned OnePlus Nord 3, which has a suggested retail price of 449 euros, will receive three new Android versions and four years of security patches.

Fast charging, good battery life

The battery of the Reno 10 Pro has a capacity of 4600 mAh. We achieved a screen time of about seven hours, spread over a day and a half. Of course, these figures depend on your use and how bright you set the screen.

Still, we dare to say that there is nothing wrong with the battery life. Even if you spend all day on your smartphone, you will almost always make it to the end of the day.

If that doesn't work, then there's no man overboard yet. Oppo puts an 80 Watt charger in the box, which takes the device from 0 to 100 percent battery in about 35 minutes.

Fifteen minutes on the charger means that you can go ahead for quite a few hours. Refueling battery juice wirelessly is unfortunately not possible.

Conclusion Oppo Reno 10 Pro review

Form over function. That's the best way to describe the Oppo Reno 10 Pro. The first impression of the device is very good, because the design and screen are fine. If you take a closer look, the smartphone unfortunately turns out not to be as high-end as hoped.

The Snapdragon 778 chip in particular is a disappointment. It is a lot slower than the processor of its immediate predecessor and that of its main competitors. In addition, the Reno 10 Pro no longer has stereo speakers and has to do without an official IP rating.

If you are very fond of the appearance, you can of course consider this device. It has a good main camera and charges nice and fast. Keep in mind the moderate update policy. Only two new Android versions and three years of security patches is on the thin side in this price range.

Samsung Galaxy M20: its European launch is approaching

Samsung Galaxy M20: its European launch is approaching

Rumput & Kerikil       Comment   

Samsung introduced in January the first two models of its new range M. Marketed in India for a few days, the Galaxy M20 could benefit from an international launch, especially in Europe. It remains to be seen if he will arrive in Europe and when?

One of Samsung's great qualities is its incredible adaptability. When the need arises, the Korean group modifies its strategy to recreate a dynamic of growth. Twice, this was the case in telephony. First in 2008, when the advent of touch screens, with the iPhone as a source of inspiration, Samsung gradually abandoned the feature phones to quickly become number 1 worldwide, while Nokia and BlackBerry were sinking.

Then in 2014, the Galaxy S5, successor to the bestseller Galaxy S4, saw its sales figures drastically decline because considered less qualitative and less innovative than the iPhone. A disenchantment that led to an overhaul of Samsung's strategy with the Galaxy S, Galaxy A and Galaxy J. Four years later, the advent of Chinese brands like Huawei / Honor, Xiaomi, Oppo / OnePlus forced Samsung to review again its catalog and the speed of integration of new technologies in its catalog.

The mid-range better equipped and faster

The Galaxy M20 is a very good example of the result of this redesign. First member with the Galaxy M10 of a new family of products, the Galaxy M20 is a low cost smartphone that benefits from a notch screen and a dual photo sensor, two features we would not have seen arrive as fast in the low cost segment two years ago. And it's not its only assets: 5000 mAh battery, Exynos 7904 octo-core, up to 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage, 8 megapixel webcam, and full connectivity.

Not to mention the price: between 135 and 160 euros in India, depending on the configuration. Made in India, the mobile is sold only on the Internet through flash sales. On the occasion of the presentation of the Galaxy M20, we wondered if the smartphone could benefit from a more traditional international marketing. And it seems that the answer is yes. The SamMobile website reveals that the smartphone could arrive in Europe.

Is it adaptable in Europe?

The specialized site has indeed received several versions of the Galaxy M20 firmware for the German, Spanish and Italian markets. If these versions have been developed, they will have to one day serve something. You will notice that in this short list Europe is not quoted. We do not think it will be forgotten. However, in the past, Samsung France has chosen not to market some models to avoid competing with others. And to believe the recent leaks, the Galaxy A30 could be technically very close to the Galaxy M20. So that one of the two could not be launched in the Hexagon.

Xiaomi accompanies the Mi 9 of a "lite" version, the Mi 9 SE

Xiaomi accompanies the Mi 9 of a "lite" version, the Mi 9 SE

Rumput & Kerikil       Comment   

Discovered recently, the Mi 9 SE was present at the press conference of Mi 9 Xiaomi. The mid-range premium smartphone promises to be an excellent alternative to the flagship 9 for those who are looking for a cheaper alternative.

Xiaomi introduced two smartphones today. Choosing the same day as the Unpacked conference was certainly a provocation, but it also confirms how much comparison with Samsung and with Huawei (whose goal is to assume the role of leader by the end of next year maximum) is important. We have already introduced the Mi 9 flagship model of the brand and successor of the Mi 8. It is a high-end smartphone, with all the finery and services expected, for a very modest price.

A value for money always very interesting

Yesterday, we discovered, thanks to the site Gizchina and the online merchant JD, that Xiaomi also expected to accompany the Mi 9 with a light version called Mi 9 SE. And that was confirmed today. This smartphone has been made official with the Mi 9. It succeeds the Mi 8 SE and could, like the latter, remain an exclusivity of the Chinese market. This may seem a shame as the price / quality ratio of Mi 9 SE is interesting. Because the Mi 9 SE presents an evolution facing the Mi 8 SE identical to that of the Mi 9 vis-à-vis the Mi 8.

On the design side, first of all, we find the mineral glass sandwich already crossed in the Mi 9. The two faces are of the Gorilla 5 of Corning. The slices are protected by aluminum. Here too, the fingerprint reader disappears to be reinstated on the inside of the screen. The notch becomes smaller to integrate only the webcam (there was no advanced facial recognition on the Mi 8 SE anyway). The photo block is adorned with a third eye and everything is here also underlined by an LED flash.

The first mobile under Snapdragon 712

The screen of the Mi 9 SE is smaller than that of the MI 9, but slightly larger than that of the Mi 8 SE: 5.97 inches against 5.88 inches. The ratio changes very slightly, the definition is identical (Full HD +) and the resolution too. The screen is Super AMOLED and HDR compatible. Under the screen hides the Snapdragon 712, replacing the Snapdragon 710. This is the first time that the new premium octo-core Qualcomm is integrated into a phone. It comes with 6 GB of RAM and 64 or 128 GB of storage, still without extension. The battery is a model of 3070 mAh (a little behind the Mi 8 SE), always compatible fast charge. But still not wireless charge.

Photo side, we find a triple photo sensor. The main component is the same 48 megapixel model as the Mi 9. It is here also accompanied by a lens that opens at f / 1.8, but a phase-detection autofocus only (no laser for any of the sensors). The second sensor is a 13-megapixel model with wide-angle lens opening at f / 2.4 and phase-detection autofocus. It's a little less bright than the 16-megapixel Mi 9. And the last is an 8-megapixel model with telephoto lens opening at f / 2.4 and phase-detection autofocus. Again, less light. But the 2x optical zoom is always present.

Sold 300 euros in its best version

The whole film in 2160p at 30 frames per second and rises to 960 frames per second in 720p. At the front we find the webcam of Mi 9, Mi 8 and Mi 8 SE: a 20 megapixel model with lens opening at f / 2.0 and HDR compatibility. The overall equipment of the phone also includes an LTE modem, WiFi ac and Bluetooth 5.0, an NFC sensor, a USB type C port, a full GPS sensor and two SIM ports. No jack 3.5 mm here either (or adapter, good things are lost). The colors are three in number: purple, blue and gray.

The price of the phone is relatively low for such services: 1999 yuan (263 euros) version 6 + 64 GB and 2299 yuan (302 euros) version 6 + 128 GB.

LG unveils three mid-range smartphones: the Q60, the K50 and the K40

LG unveils three mid-range smartphones: the Q60, the K50 and the K40

Rumput & Kerikil       Comment   

While it will hold a press conference in Barcelona in a few days, LG has still unveiled its entry and mid-range offer in advance. It is composed of three models: the Q60, the K50 and the K40.

As you know, LG will hold a major press conference at the Mobile World Congress. And more precisely the day before the opening of the show, Sunday, February 24. This event, we look forward to it, because the program of the festivities could be quite rich. Two or even three products are expected. First, the G8 ThinQ which concerns us first and foremost. The successor of the G7 TninQ will be available worldwide, because it will be "only" 4G compatible. But it will ship many technologies as demonstrated by the various teasers presented by the brand these past two weeks.

Beautiful program that must not be overloaded

Then the V50 ThinQ which should be the first model of LG compatible 5G. This mobile should be better equipped, more expensive and exclusive to the US market (launch with Sprint). Chances are very slim (if not zero) to cross in Europe. And there is the famous hybrid smartphone dual screen (no folding screen) supposed to be a cheaper alternative to the Galaxy Fold. With such a program, difficult to leave room on stage for other products.

This is certainly why LG has officially presented, with a little advance, three phones that will be present on its stand in Barcelona. These are three less ambitious models, but which will have the heavy task of representing the brand on the volume segments at the beginning of the year. And with Chinese competition, it's not an easy task.

They are called (from left to right on the visual that accompanies this article) the Q60, the K50 and the K40. Let's start with the Q60 which will certainly replace the Q7 presented a year ago, but maybe also Q8 and Q9 which are newer. It features a 6.26-inch IPS HD + display with a small U-shaped slot, a 2 GHz octo-core chipset, 3 GB of RAM, 64 GB of internal storage, a triple 16 + 5 + photo sensor 2 megapixels (the first being the main with phase-detection autofocus, the second a model with wide-angle lens and the third a sensor for calculating depths), a 13-megapixel webcam, a 3500 mAh battery and a reader fingerprint on the back.

The K50 should replace the K11 Plus, K30 and K10 (2018). It has a data sheet relatively similar to that of the Q60 with some small concessions including the photo and storage. It features a 6.26-inch HD IPS display with a small U-shaped slot, an octo-core 2GHz chipset, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, a dual 13 + 2 megapixel photo sensor (the first with phase-detection autofocus and the second one being a sensor for calculating depths), a 13-megapixel webcam, a 3500 mAh battery and a reader fingerprint on the back.

The K40 is a smaller version of the K50 and a replacement for the K8 (2018). Here too some concessions, but the essential is always present. This model benefits from a 5.7-inch IPS HD + screen without a notch, an octo-core chipset clocked at 2 GHz, 2 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal storage, a simple 16 megapixel photo sensor with phase detection autofocus, an 8 megapixel webcam with LED flash, a 3000 mAh battery and a fingerprint reader on the back. It will be necessary to wait for the MWC to obtain the date of exit and the price of these three telephones.

Sony Xperia L3: its technical sheet is unveiled

Sony Xperia L3: its technical sheet is unveiled

Rumput & Kerikil       Comment   

In a week and a half, February 25, Sony will unveil its new smartphones for the first half of 2019. Among them could be the Xperia L3, low cost smartphone which here are the first technical details.

Even if it is far from the most qualitative of Sony's smartphones, the Xperia L2 is, in the low-cost segment, a relatively pleasant and well-equipped phone. Sold over 200 euros (its recommended retail price is 229 euros, but you can find a little cheaper now), the Xperia L2 is what is cheaper at Sony, while remaining in some measure, qualitative. Because, if Sony has removed its old E range, it is that it was detrimental to the image of the firm. It would not be necessary that it starts again with the range L.

A little family look

A range that will continue to exist this year to believe the rumors. For several months, they announce that the Japanese firm is preparing a new low cost smartphone called Xperia L3. We talked about it first time last October thanks to a 3D rendering realized by Steve Hemmerstoffer, aka OnLeaks, and published by Pricebaba. We discovered a smartphone with a familiar design of the Xperia line with a large screen of 5.7 inches and a dual photo sensor (which is very rare at Sony, but should be democratized quickly).

And as much to say, with more than four months in advance, the French leaker had a nose. Carcette week, our colleagues WinFuture have published an article on the Xperia L3, with some visuals that accompanies this article. And we can discover a phone physically very close to what we discovered last fall. We can also add some details: a USB-type-C, a fingerprint reader, a 3.5 mm jack and a mono speaker, all installed on the edges of the phone.

Low cost configuration

The leak of WinFuture is accompanied by some technical details. The Xperia L3 would be well equipped with a 5.7-inch HD + screen without notch. The identity of the chipset is not revealed, but it could be a model of MediaTek, because the component is not yet compatible Android 9.0 Pie. The Xperia L3 would indeed come with Android 8.1 Oreo. The processor would be accompanied here by 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage expandable by microSDXC.

The double photo sensor at the back would be a couple 13 + 2 megapixels (the second being devolved to the calculation of depths). The webcam would be a fairly classic 8 megapixel model. It will be necessary to wait for February 25 to know the other photographic details (like the opening of the objectives or the nature of the autofocus). The battery would offer a capacity of 3300 mAh, certainly without fast charge. The shell of the phone would be polycarbonate. The colors proposed at launch would include silver, gray and gold. Finally, its price would be 199 euros. Or a much lower amount than the Xperia L2.

Google Gboard launches new dark or light gradient themes

Google Gboard launches new dark or light gradient themes

Rumput & Kerikil       Comment   

The Google Gboard keyboard is entitled to an update. In this version 7.8.8 beta, the keyboard offers many additional decorations with 25 light gradient and 28 dark gradient themes. Android has forged its reputation against iOS by allowing a very strong customization of its interface. Although today this kind of hacks is not so common, the spirit has remained and we find a certain heritage of this in some applications or even in the interfaces of manufacturers who often offer the choice to the user.

New on Gboard

On Google's Gboard app, you can choose from a selection of themes to apply a color in the background of its virtual keyboard, or even a landscape image. In its new version 7.8.8, currently still in beta, the keyboard brings a touch of novelty with themes with a gradient effect.

Two categories are available: light gradient and dark gradient with respectively 25 and 28 themes in these categories. You will find very standard gradients, vertical, or a little more convoluted, circular and off-center, for a slightly less linear effect.

Where to download this version of Gboard?

This beta version 7.8.8 Google Gboard is not yet available for everyone, so it is useless to try to force the update from the Google Play Store. Change the keyboard of your smartphone and go for the official solution of Google. Gboard combines just about everything other keyboards.

3 reasons to download this Apps?

1. Integrated google services
2. Customization themes
3. GIF and emojis

You will still be able to download it on APKMirror. If in doubt, you can find the apps here in Gboard installation of an APK.

4 reasons to choose the OPPO RX17 Neo, a perfectly balanced smartphone

4 reasons to choose the OPPO RX17 Neo, a perfectly balanced smartphone

Rumput & Kerikil       Comment   

Once put aside high-end smartphones whose prices are systematically (and now uninhibited) 1000 euros, it becomes increasingly difficult to rely on tariffs to guess the real or supposed qualities of other phones. There is indeed everything - from the best to the worst - in smartphones whose prices are between 300 and 500 euros. So what are the typical strengths that are expected of these smartphones in this price range? Here are four points in which the OPPO RX17 Neo, sold for 349 euros.

Premium design and fingerprint sensor under the screen

In 2018, smartphones under 400 euros have all adopted the same design trends. Large screen notches with IPS LCD panels most of the time and finishes, certainly correct but often tarnished by plastic materials. The case of the OPPO RX17 Neo is interesting, because its design resumes almost trait for that of its big brother, the OPPO RX17 Pro.

There is therefore a slightly curved glass shell, a metal frame and especially an OLED screen with rich colors in the front. Main feature of this OPPO RX17 Neo: it does not have a visible fingerprint sensor. And for good reason, it is one of the first devices to have placed under the screen. A pioneering feature, since it will undoubtedly arrive on the majority of mid-range smartphones next year. Another advantage of the OPPO RX17 Neo compared to expensive flagships: it still has a jack. The latter is located on the lower edge, next to the micro-USB port and the speaker.

Performance: the choice of versatility

In the world of smartphones less than 400 or 500 euros, the most difficult is undoubtedly to know how to decipher the data sheet. Snapdragon 845? 660? 636? How much RAM: 3.4 or 6 GB? How much memory for storage space? The answers are not all obvious and especially not always clear.

In the case of the RX17 Neo, OPPO opted for the most versatile solution, the Snapdragon 660. A mid-range chip released this year, which allows it to run nearly 95% of mobile applications and games of the moment. It is almost as powerful as the top-of-the-line chips of 2017 and allows to play PUBG fluidly in average quality.

Finally, note that OPPO does not hesitate to break a symbolic barrier in the small world of mid-range smartphones by offering a generous storage space of 128 GB, which can also be extended with the help of a microSD card. In the best case, other smartphones offer 64 GB of storage space.

The delicate problem of the camera

The RX17 Neo has a dual photo sensor at the rear (16 + 2 megapixels) and a large sensor 25 MP above the screen. At the back, the photo sensor is more than respectable. The overall rendering is indeed very satisfying, with a rendering of colors and contrasts close to reality. At the front, the selfie device is impressive, provided you disable the auto-beautify feature and is really accurate.

2018 has been a good year to find appliances with a neat design and honorable performance without breaking the bank. But these mid-range smartphones all have the same gap: the photo part. The double sensors - almost systematic - have not changed anything: a lazy software process associated with mediocre photo sensors have never really worked miracles. A mid-range smartphone is primarily a compromise smartphone. The photo is part of it.

The right price of the perfectly balanced smartphone

There remains the question of price. It is generally considered that mid-range smartphones are included in a price range of 300 to 500 euros. The arrival of " flagship killers " has considerably blurred this notion lately. These brands offer powerful devices at low prices, but often with major concessions on the design or camera.

The case of the OPPO RX17 Neo is interesting in this context. Sold 349 euros nine or 50 euros cheaper in some signs that take back your old phone it is certainly not the most powerful that can be found in this price range for this end of the year. But it's one of the best balanced: premium design, honorable performance and quality camera make it one of the most desirable mid-range smartphones of the year.