The Reno 16 Pro is Oppo's best mid-range smartphone and would perfectly fill this role, if it weren't for the high price.
Oppo is serious about its return to Germany and Switzerland. The expensive top models Find X9 Pro and Ultra are followed by the slightly more affordable Reno 16 series. Surprisingly, its four models have completely different features than those already presented for China with the same names.
With its 6.32-inch display, the Reno 16 Pro is not particularly small, yet it feels very handy and compact compared to other smartphones – for example, the Oppo Find X9 Ultra, which I last tested. Less good: The camera bezel makes the smartphone wobble significantly when lying on a table.
Three mid-range smartphones and one storage variant
The three models – Oppo lists the Reno 16 FS as a single model, but it's just the 16F with more storage – of the Reno 16 series differ in their built-in components, but they are almost identical at the software level.
Only a few AI functions are not fully available on the F models. For me, all Renos belong to different segments of the mid-range – however, Oppo is asking a top-model price, especially for the Pro model.
The Reno 16 models are the first devices in the series to receive the "Snap Key". This additional button on the smartphone's frame is used to store screenshots or voice memos in "Mind Space". This is also available for devices in this series for the first time. An AI analyzes the stored content, processes it, and makes it searchable. Various AI chatbots can also be integrated. If you are not interested in the AI tools, you can assign another function to the Snap Key.
Oppo installs ColorOS 16, which is based on Android 16. The devices are expected to receive operating system updates for five years and security updates for six years.
Good main camera and the others are usable
The cameras of the Reno 16 Pro do not lack resolution. Compared to even more expensive models, the sensors are smaller and the apertures are not as wide open. This is particularly noticeable in the dark.
But not with the 200-megapixel main camera. It delivers good image quality both in sunshine and in the dark. The color reproduction is natural and the detail accuracy is high. It compensates well for strong contrasts but is pushed to its limits by direct glaring sunlight.
In the dark, the image quality decreases. The shots remain presentable, but in terms of sharpness and especially limiting light sources, I have seen better in this price range.
The shots from the 50-megapixel telephoto camera (with 3.5x the focal length of the main camera) look wonderful on the smartphone and can be used without hesitation for social media. Nevertheless, they do not offer the highest level of detail among telephoto cameras.
The ultra-wide-angle camera, on the other hand, hardly satisfies me. Even in daylight, the sharpness leaves something to be desired upon closer inspection, and in night mode, it doesn't get any better even at a brightly lit intersection.
The front camera also reaches its limits in strong backlight. Apart from that, the image quality is okay, but not perfect. If I enlarge the shots, the blur becomes more noticeable. But even in the small view on the smartphone, it is noticeable, for example, in the lettering on the T-shirt.
Decent performance and battery life without rating
Oppo equips the Reno 16 Pro with the Dimensity 8550 Super. The chipset is supported by twelve gigabytes of RAM. This makes the smartphone run smoothly and ready for more demanding calculations. In benchmark tests, it ranks between the top processors of the Oppo Find X9 Pro or the Xiaomi 17 and the significantly cheaper Nothing Phone (4a) Pro.
With its 6000 mAh battery, the Reno 16 Pro is actually well-equipped and should achieve a long battery life. However, in tests, it only lasts about ten hours in several runs. This seems so little to me that I rather believe in an error than in poor battery life. Especially since two other Oppo models lead our best lists. Therefore, I am removing the battery life from my rating. Charging is done via Oppo's Supervooc fast charging technology via USB-C with up to 80 watts.
Comparatively high price
The regular sale of the Reno 16 series starts on July 3rd, and the recommended retail prices are steep. Oppo is asking for sums that other manufacturers charge for devices from their top series. The Reno 16 Pro, for example, is expected to cost 1099 Euros. Even with a discount at the start of sales, the price of 899 Euros is still above the current market prices of the Xiaomi 17 or Samsung Galaxy S26, both of which I would prefer over the Reno 16 Pro.
Background information
Samsung Galaxy S26 vs. Xiaomi 17: compact top-of-the-line smartphones
Jan Johannsen
2822
In a nutshell
Only attractive once the price drops
The Reno 16 Pro performs well to very well across the board, without really standing out. It’s relatively compact and its display looks wonderful. Its performance is more than adequate for everyday use and it comes with long-term software support. If you want, you can find additional AI tools for the photos taken by the three cameras. However, only the main camera impresses across the board. The ultra-wide-angle camera performs poorly, particularly in low light.
My main criticism is the high price. For me, the Reno 16 Pro is a mid-range smartphone. It’s certainly towards the top end of that category, but for a four-figure price, I still expect a top-of-the-range model, despite the rise in storage costs. Even with the launch discount, the Reno 16 Pro is still more expensive than the equally compact and, in my view, more impressive Samsung Galaxy S26 and Xiaomi 17, whose prices have been falling for several months now. If you’re looking to spend less on a mid-range smartphone, the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro would be my recommendation – despite its lower, but still adequate, performance.
Pro
compact size
enough processing power for everyday use and AI functions
As a primary school pupil, I used to sit in a friend's living room with many of my classmates to play the Super NES. Now I get my hands on the latest technology and test it for you. In recent years at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, now at Digitec and Galaxus.
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