The world is about to enter 5G. It is the successor to the 4G mobile Internet that the phone owns and represents the most important technological advance for many years. Incredible speed that's one of the headlines: 5G enables instant Gigabit speeds. You can bypass these buffer screens for the video stream. But we can't wait to see what 5G's ultra-low latency does for futuristic game streaming services like Google Stadia, and how its turbocharged connectivity opens up smart devices in our homes. The Oppo Reno 5G is one of the first devices that allows you to experience 5G. When Switzerland launched the first European 5G service in April, it was already at the top of the agenda. And now EE offers 5G in the UK, the Reno 5G is one of the only phones that lets you use it. You can buy one from EE today. Oppo has been working on integrating 5G with its phones since 2015, when it strengthened its 5G equipment. The company partners with Qualcomm, Ericsson, and many others to pack all the necessary technologies into a phone that's just 9.3mm thick. 5G is not the only area in which the Oppo Reno 5G is a pioneer. There are a handful.
Beyond 5G
The phone's selfie camera rises from the top of the frame, with the help of a motorized "Pivot Rising" structure from the Oppo-design company. If you ask us, it's about the most finicky technology you'll find in a phone. Oppo has tested it to withstand at least 200,000 uses. That's over five years of real-world use: 100 selfie sessions a day for half a decade. And it's not just there to provide a James Bond-esque gizmo accessory. The Pivot Rising camera frees up the screen of the Oppo Reno 5G and allows you to use it in 6,6 inches for your movies, games and applications. 5G and a "full" mesmerized OLED display make the Oppo Reno 5G show you how a broadcast-ready mobile phone should be designed. Don't worry if you're a bit clumsy and tend to drop your phone every other day. It won't damage the camera because Oppo Reno 5G is equipped with an intelligent anti-drop system. It uses motion sensors to quickly retract the Pivot Rising case when it senses your phone is in free fall.
It's 10 times better to see you
The Oppo Reno 5G rear camera series is just as advanced as the front camera. There are three sensors on the back, with wide and ultra-wide views, and a powerful "periscope" zoom. Our favorite feature is the 10x hybrid zoom. It lets you get up close to the world and capture photos you'd miss with another phone. It might be a surfer cruising the waves on vacation or the cute little ducklings at local parks on your lunch break. We were surprised at how often a zoom camera on a phone is convenient. The 10x zoom of the Oppo Reno 5G uses the periscope camera, which offers the same view of the world as an ultra-long SLR lens. But here all three cameras are lined up with the submerged Gorilla Glass on the back. It looks super slippery. Just below the trio of chambers, is a raised ceramic "O Dot". This looks good on its own and protects the camera lens from damage if you place the Reno 5G on a rough surface. The rear camera of the Oppo Reno 5G is also a master of night photography. Both its main and zoom cameras are stabilized, keeping your photos sharp in low-light conditions. There is also Ultra Night 2.0 mode. This intelligent low-light "ultra" photography mode uses AI-assisted multiple-exposure fusion and HDR to ensure your nighttime images look their best and all your moonlit portraits. It takes having natural skin tones.
Technology matters
The Oppo Reno 5G is also equipped with the powerful Snapdragon 855 processor. The most demanding Android games will run smoothly, and 5G offers the lowest latency necessary for good online gaming. The Oppo Reno 5G is technically packed. But every piece of technology is there to improve the way we use our phones, not just for show. That's what we like to see at TechRadar. This also affects the appearance of first impressions. The Oppo Reno 5G is made of reinforced Gorilla glass and aluminum. It is available in matt or glossy glass, for all tastes. Oppo's Ocean Green variant has dark green tones that appear when the Reno 5G catches the light. And the most discreet Jet Black has shades of blue and gray only when you're near this revolutionary 5G phone. Trust us, you will be. The Oppo Reno 5G is now available online and in stores nationwide in the US.