Bucket Tech: OPPO Reno 15 Series

Last week OPPO announced the South African launch of the Reno15 Series, bringing the Reno15 Pro and Reno15 F to customers nationwide from 7 February.

Building on one of OPPO’s most established and recognised device ranges in South Africa, the Reno Series enters its next chapter with the Reno15. The latest generation brings refined design, improved display and camera performance, and a premium mid-tier experience that delivers real value, while keeping pricing steady at a time when smartphone prices are rising across the market.

“South Africa is an important market for OPPO, and the Reno Series has built a loyal following here because it delivers the experiences people care about most,” says Jace Chen, CEO of OPPO. “With Reno15, we’re pushing design, imaging and performance forward, while remaining disciplined on pricing in a challenging global market.”

Premium mid-tier experience, done properly

Designed for both work and life, the two Reno15 models available locally are slim and comfortable to hold, with large AMOLED displays and smooth 120Hz refresh rates that make everything feel fast and fluid. 

The Reno15 Pro features a 6.32-inch AMOLED display with an impressive screen-to-body ratio and rich, vibrant colours, making streaming, gaming and scrolling a pleasure. The Reno15 F offers a larger 6.57-inch AMOLED display with the same smooth performance and vivid visuals, delivering a premium viewing experience across the range.

Imaging remains at the heart of the Reno experience

The Reno15 Pro introduces OPPO’s most advanced camera system in the Reno lineup, led by a 200MP main camera, supported by a 50MP telephoto lens with 3.5x optical portrait zoom and a 50MP ultra-wide lens. A 50MP ultra-wide front camera ensures detailed selfies and group shots, while a wide range of shooting modes, including 4K video, Dual-View Video and Underwater Photography, support both creativity and everyday capture.

The Reno15 F delivers a versatile camera setup designed for confident everyday photography, featuring a 50MP main camera, ultra-wide and macro lenses, and a 50MP ultra-wide front camera. Across both models, OPPO’s AI-powered imaging features, including AI Portrait Glow, AI Motion Photo, AI Eraser 2.0 and built-in video editing tools, make it easier to capture, refine and share content quickly and naturally.

Performance & battery that keep pace

The Reno15 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8450 chipset, delivering smooth performance for multitasking, gaming and content creation. With up to 12GB of RAM expandable to 24GB, up to 512GB of storage and OPPO’s AI HyperBoost 2.0 technology, the device stays responsive under sustained use. A 6,200mAh battery paired with 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging ensures reliable all-day power. 

The Reno15 F is equipped with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 Mobile Platform and a larger 7,000mAh battery, also supported by 80W SUPERVOOC charging, delivering dependable performance and long-lasting battery life. 

Both devices feature IP69-rated durability and support underwater photography.

The path to local value

The Reno15 Series launches into a global smartphone market shaped by ongoing supply-chain disruption and component shortages. While many brands have increased prices, OPPO has taken a different approach, deliberately keeping Reno15 pricing steady to ensure local users can access a complete premium mid-tier smartphone experience without paying more. 

Price & Availability

The OPPO Reno15 Series will be available in-store from 7 February across Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C, with both models offered on contract and supported by competitive promotional bundles.

Reno15 Pro launch deals include:

● Vodacom (Red3): R899 on a 36-month deal (deal periods: 7 Feb–6 Mar), with Watch S + Pad SE

● MTN (Prime): R899 on a 36-month deal with Yellow Cart options: Watch + Buds or Pad SE (from 7 Feb)

● Telkom (Flexon4): R899 on a 36-month deal (7 Feb–15 Mar)

● Cell C (Elevate2+): R979 on a 36-month deal (7 Feb–15 Mar)

Reno15 F launch deals include:

● Vodacom (Red1): R589 or R599 on a 36-month deal, with Watch S + Pad SE

● MTN (Plus): R599 on a 36-month deal, with Yellow Cart options: Watch + Buds or Pad SE

● Telkom (Flexon2) : R639 on a 36-month deal

● Cell C (Elevate2+): R749 on a 36-month deal

Bucket Tech: OPPO Reno 12 Series launched in SA

 

OPPO today announced the launch of the Reno12 Series, introducing advanced AI capabilities designed to enhance productivity and creativity for South Africans. This new series marks a significant milestone in OPPO's commitment to making AI Phones accessible to everyone.

The Reno12 Pro boasts a sleek, Futuristic Fluid Design with a High-Strength Alloy Framework, offering both style and robust protection against drops, pressure, and water.

Powered by the new 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7300 platform, the Reno12 Pro delivers exceptional power efficiency. It features a 5,000mAh battery with OPPO’s 80W SUPERVOOCTM Flash Charge technology, ensuring ultra-long battery life and lightning-fast charging. The battery can reach 32% in just 10 minutes and 100% in 46 minutes.

Equipped with a 50MP Telephoto Portrait Camera and a 50MP Selfie Camera, the Reno12 Pro takes mobile photography to the next level. The AI Portrait Retouching feature allows real-time adjustments for perfect selfies, while the AI Eraser removes unwanted elements from photos with a simple tap.

“At OPPO, we believe that everyone deserves AI. The Reno12 Pro, with its cutting-edge GenAI features and innovative design, is likely to be the first AI phone for many South Africans. We are democratising access to advanced technology by offering the best-in-market features at an unbeatable price. The Reno12 Pro sets a new standard in smartphone excellence, ensuring that top-tier AI capabilities are accessible to all.” says Liam Faurie, Head of Go-to-market & Operations at OPPO South Africa

Democratising AI 

Earlier this year, OPPO outlined its commitment to bring AI capabilities to everyone, not just those with high-end flagships but across its entire product category outside of just smartphones. In collaboration with tech giants like Google, Microsoft, MediaTek, and Qualcomm, OPPO is spearheading the arrival if new-generation AI phones. 

Breaking down the barriers of exclusivity traditionally associated with high-end devices, the Reno12 Pro marks a significant step forward in this journey. It introduces a suite of GenAI features for everyday uses. With the newly updated AI Eraser, users can effortlessly remove unwanted elements from photos. for creative minds, AI Studio can transform a single photo into digital avatard or artistic portraits, letting users image themselves in various personas such as Amapiano DJs, stars in a local soapie, or many other styles. 

The AI toolbox built on the Google Gemini 1.0 Ultra large language model (LLM), recognises on-screen content and suggests relevant AI tools, like social media content generation or article summaries. Additionally, the AI REcording Summary tool organises voice recordings into clear, actionable notes, making it easier to manage information on the go. 

“We are excited to be pushing boundaries with this device. By collaborating with industry leaders, and integrating AI across all our product lines, we are bringing top-tier technology to the market," says Faurie. 

Strong and Durable: Built to Withstand Water and Impact

The Reno12 Pro’s 6.7-inch, 120Hz OLED display delivers stunning visuals with vibrant colours and smooth motion, enhancing viewing experience for everything from streaming movies to gaming. Supporting up to 1.07 billion colours, this display brings content to life with exceptional clarity and richness.

The low blue light eye protection ensures comfortable viewing, reducing eye strain during extended use. This means you users can enjoy your favourite activities longer without discomfort.

The innovative Fluid Ripple Texture design not only looks stylish but also feels premium. Coupled with Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus® 2, the Reno12 Pro offers superior durability, providing excellent resistance to impacts, drops, and scratches. This ensures that the phone remains protected and looks pristine, even with daily wear and tear.

The Reno12 Pro is designed to work seamlessly even when exposed to water, thanks to its IP65 rating and reinforced components. This makes it a reliable companion for all adventures, whether rain or shine.

Professional-Grade Photography with AI Precision

The Reno12 Pro’s Main Camera, featuring a Sony LYT-600 sensor with omnidirectional autofocus and optical image stabilisation (OIS), ensures the device gives clear, focused shots quickly. Its Portrait Mode with 2x zoom captures stunning, professional-quality portraits with beautiful background blur.

Taking portrait photography to the next level, the Reno12 Pro includes a 50MP Telephoto Portrait Camera and a 50MP Selfie Camera. The new AI Portrait Retouching feature allows users to make real-time adjustments to enhance facial features, ensuring every selfie looks perfect.

The enhanced Flash Snapshot feature automatically adjusts the camera settings for more natural lighting and skin tones. Plus, with 4K video recording at 30fps on both the rear and front cameras, you can capture your favorite moments in stunning high-definition.

Exceptional Performance and Efficiency with AI Optimisation

The Reno12 Pro is the first phone to feature the brand-new 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7300 platform, co-developed by MediaTek and OPPO. This platform delivers outstanding power efficiency and performance, thanks to its advanced octa-core design and innovative collaboration on system-on-chip (SoC), memory, and storage enhancements through the latest 

ColorOS Trinity Engine.

Using AI models to identify user scenarios, the Trinity Engine’s updated CPU-Vita engine smartly allocates resources, ensuring lower power consumption while maintaining system stability and smoothness. This means the phone runs efficiently, adapting to usage without wasting battery life.

The RAM-Vita engine optimises RAM utilisation, speeding up app launches and allowing users to switch between apps seamlessly. It can keep active background apps running smoothly for up to 72 hours. Additionally, OPPO’s RAM Expansion feature can convert 12GB of storage into temporary RAM, providing extra smoothness when needed.

The updated ROM-Vita engine compresses infrequently used apps and manages duplicate files, freeing up storage space and improving memory read/write speeds. This ensures that your phone remains fast and responsive, with plenty of room for your files and apps.

Longer battery life, faster charging

The Reno12 Pro comes with a 5,000mAh battery, providing extended battery life and over four years of optimal battery condition  without increasing the size of the battery or the phones. 

With support for OPPO’s 80W SUPERVOOCTM Flash Charge, this battery can be charged from 1% to 32% in just ten minutes, with a mere 46 minutes needed for a full 100% charge.

AI-Enhanced Connectivity for Reliable Performance

The Reno12 Pro features the latest generation of OPPO’s proprietary AI LinkBoost technology, designed to provide smooth, seamless, and steady connectivity. With nine individual antennas arranged in a 360° surround architecture, AI LinkBoost boosts signal reception and optimises network selection using a system-level AI model that adapts to network environment.

OPPO has conducted extensive local testing and optimisation worldwide to ensure stable connectivity. This includes reducing network latency in areas with weak signals or busy networks, enabling seamless transitions between WiFi and cellular networks, and accelerating signal recovery speeds when exiting elevators or basements.

For challenging situations like flying, commuting in tunnels or busy highways, or hiking Lion’s Head where mobile network coverage is unavailable, the Reno12 Pro introduces BeaconLink. 

This proprietary protocol boosts Bluetooth transmission, allowing one-to-one voice calls over distances of up to 200 meters without network coverage. While not currently available, this feature will be released in a future update.

“We are thrilled to introduce features like AI LinkBoost and BeaconLink in the Reno12 Pro, making it one of the most reliable smartphones on the market," says Faurie. "These innovations ensure that our users stay connected, no matter where they are, showcasing our commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology that enhances everyday life.”

Pricing and availability

OPPO Reno12 Pro will be available at all local operators, at an RRP of R18 999 with contract prices starting from R 749 per month .

New models of the Reno12 series will be introduced in the coming months, with the Reno12FS arriving in July and the Reno12 F 4G hitting stores in August, offering a broader range of choices for customers

Bucket Tech: OPPO Celebrates 3 Years in SA

OPPO South Africa celebrates three years in the country, a significant milestone for the tech giant that has seen its success in Asia and the Sub Continent replicated locally in Southern Africa. OPPO came into the country where other brands already had a stronghold in the market, despite this they still managed to get into the top four smartphone brands in South Africa, underlining its commitment to delivering state-of-the-art technology with accessibility at its core. 

We have hit our target to ship 1 million units within our first three years,” announces Liam Faurie, Head of Go-to-market and Operations at OPPO. This is testament to our success and growing customer base”. 

Our focus now turns to the rest of the continent as we drive innovation, accessibility, and growth. We have established a presence in neighbouring, including Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, and Lesotho. This marks our strides in bolstering our regional presence.  

OPPO's presence across all major South African mobile operators, including Vodacom, Cell C, MTN, Telkom and rain, has played a pivotal role in the brand's impressive ascent. This strategic collaboration has expanded OPPO's reach and made its innovative smartphones readily accessible to consumers from all walks of life.

Faurie underscores this achievement, stating, "OPPO's journey in South Africa has been a story of growth, powered by our dedicated team and valuable partnerships with mobile operators and channel partners who have shared our vision from day one. As we celebrate three years in South Africa, we recognise that our people and strategic alliances are the driving force behind our journey."

OPPO has become a significant employer in South Africa, offering opportunities to over 600 South Africans, a substantial contribution to addressing the country's high unemployment rates.

Empowering Aspiring Creatives and Strengthening Local Partnerships

OPPO's commitment extends beyond smartphones, as exemplified by the recent offering of 50 Reno Academy Bursaries to young women in the Amy Foundation Entrepreneurship Development Programme. The Reno Academy equips aspiring photographers, content creators, and creatives with skills to thrive in the creative industry, contributing to its overall growth.

Strategic partnerships with iconic South African entities, including Orlando Pirates, the Springboks, and SA Fashion Week, exemplify its commitment to embracing local culture and aspirations. These collaborations not only enhance brand visibility but also demonstrate the brand’s role as an integral part of South African culture.

Innovation Tailored for All Stages of Life

OPPO's product portfolio, ranging from entry-level to premium and flagship devices, reflects its commitment to ensuring that every South African, regardless of where they are in their life journey, can experience OPPO's innovation. The brand's focus goes beyond the product; it's about making a meaningful difference at every stage of the customer's life.

Setting Trends: Innovation and Excellence

OPPO continues to lead the charge in innovation with the recent launch of the OPPO Find N2 Flip, a testament to the brand's dedication to pushing boundaries. Stepping into the burgeoning foldable smartphone market, OPPO's entry has been marked by cutting-edge camera capabilities, including AI-enhanced photos and video stabilisation, setting new industry standards.

Moreover, OPPO's SuperVOOC™ flash charging technology has consistently delivered industry-defying charging speeds, ensuring users stay connected and powered up.

“As we celebrate the three-year milestone in South Africa, our vision is clear: to solidify our position as a pioneer among challenger brands in the country. Beyond smartphones, we are committed to nurturing local talent, fostering accessibility, and being a catalyst for change and progress.”, says Faurie. 

Bucket Tech: OPPO A98 5G

OPPO recently introduced the newest addition to its A series family of smartphones, the OPPO A98 5G, in South Africa. A98 5G features flagship-level battery performance with 67W SUPERVOOCTM charging, a large 5,000mAh battery, and OPPO's Battery Health Engine. Furthermore, equipped with an incredible 120Hz Silky Smooth Large Screen, RAM Expansion technology, and the latest ColorOS 13.1, A98 5G delivers an incredibly fast and smooth experience from start to finish.

Battery performance designed for the times smartphone for the times

Designed to go all day, OPPO A98 5G is equipped with one of the best configurations in flash charging and battery in its price range. It is a smartphone that is designed for the times, as South Africa battles with rolling blackouts and loadshedding. 

Upgrades in flash charging and battery mean that the OPPO A98 5G can be charged to 100% in just 44 minutes using 67W SUPERVOOC TM, while a 5-minute charge is enough to enjoy 6 hours of phone calls or 2.5 hours of typical YouTube video viewing. The 5,000mAh battery can provide up to 39 hours of phone calls, 16 hours of YouTube video viewing, or 8.4 hours of gaming on a full charge to deliver a long-lasting, smooth smartphone experience all day. After a full charge, the battery can also last for up to 17.5 days of standby with the Always on Display.

“The A98 5G, demonstrates our commitment to creating devices that prioritise user experience has been the cornerstone of our operations, " says Liam Faurie, Head of Operations & Go-to Markets at OPPO. He continued, "We understand that the South African market is looking for this type of device that can go all day. This device meets this requirement, with one of the best configurations in flash charging and battery in its price range.”

The charging performance is supported by OPPO’s Battery Health Engine, which allows the battery to maintain 80% of its original capacity after as many as 1,600 charging and discharging cycles, thus keeping the battery performing at close to optimal capacity for up to four years of use if charged once per day on average.

Stay Stylish with Premium Cover and High Durability

OPPO A98 5G is available in two color finishes - Dreamy Blue and Cool Black. Both finishes are brought to life with the iconic OPPO Glow process to create a beautiful shimmering crystal effect and fingerprint-resistant finish. Weighing around 192 g and measuring about 8.2 mm in thickness, the handset also features a 3D Curved Back Cover for a reliable yet comfortable grip in a visually thinner body.

“Having passed six major tests designed to measure resistance to physical drops, water, radiation, climate damage, repeated small drops, and signal stability. It is built to stay stylish and durable,” says Faurie.

Upgraded Hardware and Software System Brings Peak Performance to Life

OPPO A98 5G features a 6.72-inch display with a flagship-level 120Hz Ultra High Refresh Rate. With its high refresh rate, the display delivers a much smoother and more responsive experience, no matter whether users are scrolling Instagram or playing the latest games.

Featuring the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 695 5G Mobile Platform, the OPPO A98 5G provides powerful and reliable performance. OPPO A98 5G is equipped with 8GB RAM and 256GB large ROM of storage and supports up to 1TB SD card expansion. With OPPO’s RAM Expansion technology, the phone’s RAM capacity can convert up to 8GB of unused ROM storage into temporary RAM, doubling the amount of RAM available.

In addition to its high performance, A98 5G also passes the 48-Month Fluency Protection tests conducted in the OPPO lab. Recording an average aging rate of less than 10% after four years of daily use, A98 5G offers a 4-year guaranteed fluency compared with the previous generation of A series phones.

Unleash Creativity with the Outstanding Camera System

With its advanced 64MP AI Camera, 32MP Selfie Camera, 2MP Depth Camera and 2MP Microlens, OPPO A98 5G provides photography enthusiasts with an entirely upgraded photography experience to unleash their creativity. The phone is also equipped with other impressive features like Portrait Mode, AI Portrait Retouching, Selfie HDR, AI Color Portrait, and more that deliver stunning, high-quality images in a wide range of situations.

With up to 40-times magnification, the Microlens offers exceptional detail when exploring the microscopic world beyond the naked eye. Users can now dive right into the microscopic world to uncover a whole new perspective on life, exploring more secrets behind everyday objects.

Market Availability

OPPO A98 5G is already available locally, priced at R11 999. 

Bucket Tech: OPPO Reno10 Series Launch

Last night we attend the the launch of OPPO South Africa's newest model, the OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G, to its innovative Reno range. By setting the standard for Ultra-Clear Portrait Camera System comprising a Telephoto Portrait Camera with large sensor, 100W SUPERVOOC™ flash charging, the signature slim, lightweight, and trendy design, and storage, this next-generation premium device is poised to redefine the level of innovation available in South Africa’s mobile market.

Since OPPO first launched in South Africa three years ago, the Reno series has carved a new chapter in excellence for the world-leading smartphone manufacturer, earning the series a solid reputation as an icon in portrait photography and the true creator’s companion, because it redefines the portrait shooting experience on mobile.

With more than 2.13 million portrait photos taken on Reno smartphones daily, Reno is truly the Portrait Expert in your pocket.

The Portrait Pro

Boasting one of the greatest telephoto lenses of any smartphone now on the market, the OPPO Reno10 Pro+ 5G allows the highest quality portraits to be captured with a 64MP Telephoto Portrait camera combined with the Portrait Expert Engine.

“We have worked to create the ultimate portrait shooting experience for our users, which comes down to capturing every bit of visual information and real, raw emotion to restore the moment as close as to what you see. No matter the lighting or how far one is, the Reno10 Pro+ 5G is geared to always make the subject of the portrait the main character, even in a crowded environment. It’s the coup de grace that turns a portrait into a masterpiece.” says Liam Faurie, Head of Go-To-Market and Operations of OPPO South Africa.

The 64MP telephoto portrait camera on Reno10 Pro+ 5G provides a 71 mm equivalent focal length for professional-looking portrait images. Together with its large f/2.5 aperture, 25cm minimum focus distance, and large 1/2″ camera sensor, the telephoto portrait camera creates an unprecedented portrait shooting experience on Reno10 Pro+ 5G, enabling pro-level portraits to be captured with just a simple click. Reno10 Pro+ 5G has the highest megapixels of any smartphone with a telephoto camera currently on the market and the camera is equipped with cutting-edge prime floating OIS for enhanced image stabilization. Thanks to more pixels, the large sensor, 3-times optical zoom, and OPPO’s in-sensor zoom technology, Reno10 Pro+ 5G also offers a second-to-none, ultra-clear 6-times zoom with optical quality. Together, these features enable users to capture excellent close-up portrait shots. 

For the Portrait Phone, OPPO has certainly raised the bar. The Reno10 Pro+ 5G has the most powerful Ultra-Clear Portrait Camera System, the brand-new ultimate Portrait Camera, and Expert-Level Portrait Tuning.

Combining this mastery of light and shadow in the Portrait Expert Engine, with the ability to capture incredible detail with the Ultra-Clear Portrait Camera System and break the limitations of space, Reno10 Pro+ 5G is undeniably the best portrait smartphone of 2023.

Designed for humankind

The Reno10 Pro+ 5G is the Reno series’s first high-spec screen, with a 1.5K resolution, a super high 94% screen-to-body ratio, HDR10+, with Amazon Prime Video and Netflix certification, and ProXDR Smart Display Control, which uses a high-precision image recognition algorithm to automatically detect light sources based on RAW image data. ProXDR locally adjusts screen brightness up to eight times in select areas of the image (for example, boosting the brightness of the sky, streetlights in the city, or sunset over a hill), which provides a huge lift in dynamic range and brings you images with incredible expression right in the palm of your hand.

Charged to more for longer

The fully upgraded 100W SUPERVOOC™ not only leads in speed but also durability and reliability. It is the fastest-charging phone on the market, charging 50% in 10 minutes and 100% in 27 minutes.

In addition, OPPO’s self-developed Dynamic Computing Engine ensures up to 48-month fluency, which means the Reno10 Pro+ will feel as smooth and fast as it did on the day of purchase, increasing the longevity of the device to an industry-leading standard.

Bringing all these features together in a smart and convenient interface is the updated ColorOS 13 on Reno10 Pro+ 5G, which can be seamlessly connected to multiple devices with ease, such as PCs or TVs using the Multi-Screen Connect feature. With the Reno10 Pro+ 5G, the Multi-Screen Connect has been updated to support the smart connection between Reno10 Pro+ 5G and OPPO Pad Air.

On top of this, the Reno10 series is the first OPPO smartphone series to support IR Remote Control for smart devices such as air conditioners, TVs, set-top boxes, and more, bringing more convenience and efficiency to everyday life through smart technology.

It’s not just about visuals: it’s also about touch and feel, so the Reno10 Pro+ 5G has an entire integrated experience that combines premium colour in Glossy Purple and Silvery Grey, with a comfortable, sophisticated texture.

The Reno10 Pro+ 5G is the most powerful OPPO Reno handset to date, boasting unprecedented Pro Power brought to you by a series of new technology innovations that make it easier for everyone to enjoy a pro-level user experience. It is a pro-grade powerhouse.

OPPO Membership Benefits & Service Benefits

As with any standard Reno product, the Reno 10 Pro+5G comes with ENCO buds, OPPO care, charger, and cable in the box, and a limited launch offer where the user will receive an OPPO Pad Air to the value of R6,999.

In addition to at least two system upgrades and three years of maintenance, you can also enjoy benefits like points credits, IoT product bundles and discounts, and exclusive shopping services. The OPPO Reno Pro+5G will be available from early July with a special launch offer from R899 on a 24-month contract. In August the Reno10 will be available.

If you purchase a Reno10 Series, you could win a trip to France to see the Springboks in action. 

Register your purchase on www.opporewards.co.za to enter that draw.

Bucket Tech: OPPO Reno7 Series Launch

One of the newer brands to hit the local mobile phone market has been Chinese manufacturer OPPO, while their reputation in the Sub-Continent and Middle East surpasses most other brands, it will take some time for local users to get used to the name and their range of devices, but with affordable pricing and great quality tech, that shouldn't be a tough selling point. From a company that started off in humble beginnings making Blu-Ray players (yes, remember those?) to MP3 players and other tech gizmos, OPPO has grew into a cellphone giant today. Owned by BKK Electronics which houses brands such as RealMi, vivo and OnePlus, you can be sure there is cross pollination between the brands for their various devices, it only makes good business practice to do so and hence the popularity of the brand grew. 

Last night saw their first ever launch event in South Africa, to introduce their latest range smart phone devices and their very first smart watch! The Reno7 Series was showcased at last nights gala event which took place at South Africa's iconic Kyalami Racetrack. The Reno7 5G smart phone is a flagship device offering professional imaging capabilities, powerful hardware for a high-performance user experience and OPPO's SuperVOOC Charging technology in an ultra-slim design. 

Some key features on the Reno7 5G are:

• 6.4" AMOLED display with 90Hz refresh rate and 180Hz touch sampling rate. 
• Nteflux HD and Amazon Prime Video Certified 
•  Dual Rear Camera - 108MP Ultra Definition/ 64MP Main Len
• 32MP Front Facing Camera
• IMX 615 Flagship sensor with AI-enabled features
• 4500mAh dual cell battery
• 65W SuperVOOC charging

The AI features on the camera really enhance your captures to give you DSLR-like photo and video content with bespoke bokeh effects. In Portrait mode, OPPO's AI algorithms mimic the optical properties of high-end cameras to create bokeh light sports of different size, colours and brightness according to the distance and depth of field. Users can choose from 25 adjustment levels to change the virtual aperture size and the corresponding size of the bokeh light spots on the background to create stunning portrait photos. Protrait video is another great feature on the Reno7 which allows users to capture full HD video with concentrated subjects and blurred backgrounds with depth of feel. 

The device as mentioned has a 4500mAh dual cell battery which comes with OPPO's SuperVOOC charging technology which enables the device to charge from 0% to a 100% in just 35 minutes! The device has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage as standard but with OPPO-developed RAM Expansion Technology and additional 2GB, 3GB or 5GB of temporary RAM allocated form unused ROM can supplement storage space. This basically means the phone converts ROM space into RAM when the device needs it, as to not slow down the processing power. The Reno7 5G is available in two colours, Startrails Blue and Starry Black.

Other devices which were launched on the night were the Reno7 Z and the OPPO WatchFree, prices and availability of the products are as follows:

• OPPO Reno7 5G - R15,499 (Available Now)
• OPPO Reno7 Z 5G - R11,699 (Available in April)
• OPPO WatchFree - R2,499 (Available in April)

Bucket Tech: OPPO A16s

The ideal accessory to any summer selfie is the smartphone it was taken with. The youth want a smartphone that does more but costs less without compromising on aesthetics and capabilities. Whether it’s a powerful pocket-sized lifeline between studies and internships or a rising influencer’s best friend, they want a device that can do it all and do it well! That’s why OPPO is excited to announce the launch of its latest smartphone, the A16s, perfectly ensuring aesthetic capability fit for the South African lifestyle.

Bigger, better & bolder  

The A16s comes fully equipped with a 5000mAh battery that provides up to two days of use within a single  charge*, so no livestream event will be left halfway through. The intuitive battery uses OPPO’s AI algorithm to learn a user's usage routine and charging patterns to safeguard the longevity of the device. The A16s includes Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which enables immediate contactless payment at accompanying stores and banks, with just a simple tap of the device. This also allows the user to seamlessly send and receive documents and transfer contacts at a tap of a device, affording the user top tier convenience, at an affordable rate. The sleek design houses a powerful triple lens camera fitted with OPPO’s AI Beautification to ensure that each snap is picture perfect every time. An added bonus, apps can be individually locked to ensure that there is no risk of unintended ‘swiping’ from nosey parents or insecure partners. “We’re excited to launch the A16s in South Africa as it perfectly encapsulates the efforts of OPPO to redesign what a smartphone can do when passion leads technology. At OPPO we are dedicated to creating devices that enhance the lifestyle of citizens in a simple, effective way,” says Liam Faurie, Head of Go-to market and operations of OPPO South Africa

 

It Stacks Up

The device includes a system booster with over 10 highly-specialised optimisations to reduce lag time, improve image quality and sustain continued use of the A16s. With immediate translation capabilities, the A16s can effortlessly switch text in internet browsing between English, Zulu, Sotho, Xhosa and Afrikaans to really provide an authentic SA experience, thanks to Google Translate. While with FlexDrop, users can have apps within apps open and running by minimizing the app window for seamless duality. The A16s includes a capacity of 4GB RAM + 64GB ROM (MicroSD up to 256GB) and is compatible with ColourOS 11 and Android 11, allowing for state-of-the-art processing.  The Google Mobile Services access to the Play Store, Chrome, Google Maps and YouTube give it that competitive edge.

“As we continue to grow our brand and expand on our availability, we keep at our centre the purpose to create technology that enables better living without breaking the bank. The A16s highlights that sophisticated technology is an affordable preference for South Africans.” concludes Faurie.

Colours, Pricing and Availability:

The 6,5 inch OPPO A16s comes in  Pearl Blue and Crystal Black . They are available on contract from R 229 and at  RRP of R 3999 from your selected operator and retail channels.