This story was originally published on March 16, 2022, and last updated on March 19, 2022.
They’re called Portrait Experts, so you know what to expect from the Reno7 series. If you have been following the Reno series through the years, you know this is the primary focus of this smartphone line. The OPPO Reno7 5G and Reno7 Z 5G are designed to give you the best photo experience, especially if you take portraits.
But what do you get if you choose had to choose between the two? Let’s take a quick look at the feature set of each phone to help you decide. (If you want to check out unboxings of the Reno7 and Reno7 Z, check out the links I’ve attached to the model names!)
Camera
Let’s talk camera first! The OPPO Reno7 gets a triple rear camera array that includes a 64-megapixel main, 8-megapixel wide, and 2-megapixel macro lens, while the Reno7 Z has a 64-megapixel primary and 2-megapixel depth and macro lenses. The Reno7 has a 32-megapixel selfie camera, while the Reno7 Z gets a 16-megapixel one.
Since portraits are the bread and butter of the Reno line, let’s talk about the portrait features on these phones. They get Portrait Modes with adjustable blur and live previews before you shoot. They do have slightly different interfaces for this feature. You can’t edit after taking the shot, as far as I can tell.
Both also offer Bokeh Flare Portrait for the front and rear cameras. The Reno7 gets the additional option of having this feature and Portrait Mode work in videos. Another advantage of the Reno7 is that it gets AI Highlight Video, which utilizes OPPO’s algorithms to balance out colors in your videos without any intervention. It’s handy for low-light situations. The Reno7 also gets focus tracking and an Ultra Steady Video option.
Video recording resolutions are also different for both phones. The Reno7 can record up to 4K at 30 frames per second (fps) for the rear and 1080P for the front. The Reno7 Z can record up to 1080p@30fps for both the front and back.
As for the fun AI Color Portrait feature, the availability on both phones varies, too. The Reno7 Z gets it for its Portrait Mode on the selfie camera, while the Reno7 has it for its Portrait Mode on both front and rear cameras and in videos on both cameras. But the video’s resolution is downgraded to 720p.
The Reno7 and Reno7 Z both get AI Scene Enhancement, which tweaks the settings to suit what you’re photographing. They also get Dual-View Video, which records with the front and rear cameras simultaneously. And they have what OPPO calls Portrait Retouching, which includes the beauty filters and makeup that you can add to your photos and videos to show you and your subject’s best appearance. Of course, if you’re not one for these, you can still turn them down.
Both phones also offer 108MP images with the help of some software tweaks/super-resolution algorithms. So, that will come in handy if you want to crop into shots without losing as much detail. Of course, that comes at the cost of a large image file.
I still have individual stories on each phone, so if you have specific questions about it, reach out to me on our social media accounts!
Design
People on the internet already pointed it out, but it’s like OPPO decided to swap the looks from the Reno6 and Reno6 Z. The OPPO Reno7’s design is a bit of a nod to the older Reno5 phone or the Reno6 Z with a slight curve to its back. (it also kind of reminds me of the OnePlus 9.) We got lent the Starry Black option that features a black and blue gradient and the OPPO Glow design that makes it look like it’s sparkling while also keeping a matte finish for a more fingerprint-resistant back. (It also gives Ursula vibes from The Little Mermaid.) There’s also a Startrails Blue option if you want something brighter.
The Reno7 Z is where OPPO experiments a bit more with what it calls an “Ultra-Slim Retro Design” featuring its new Dual Orbit Lights. The design has the Reno6’s boxier look, which I love, with right-angled bezels and a C-shaped frame. OPPO refines its Glow design with a three-layer texture and two-layer coating to give the Rainbow Spectrum option we were lent its distinctive design. The Reno7 Z shows colors like mint green, yellow, purple, pink, and more, depending on how light hits it.
OPPO ditched the typical camera module and applied a patchwork effect around the camera to bring up the first two layers of the coating and create a shiny, reflective surface (which I’ve admittedly mistaken for a peel-off sticker). Getting rid of that camera bump left room for an interesting interpretation of the notification light via the Dual Orbit Lights. There are blue lights underneath the two camera lenses that you can enable to blink when you get a notification or when you’re charging the device. It’s less blinding than flashlight flashing, so I actually really like it.
The phones are similar in weight at 173g, but the Reno7 is thicker at 7.81mm. The Reno7 Z is 6.5mm thin. Both retain the 3.5mm audio jack and have USB-C ports, in-display fingerprint readers, and bottom-firing speakers. The Reno7 has a triple card tray for two nano SIMs and a microSDXC card, while the Reno7 Z gets a dual SIM slot with the second slot a hybrid tray for a SIM card or the microSDXC card.
Display
Screen sizes are the same for both phones at 6.4 inches. They are both AMOLED panels that are Netflix and Amazon Prime Video HD certified, meaning you can enjoy watching content in HD or Full HD on these services. (Our Reno7 Z unit couldn’t get into Netflix, but we’re checking with OPPO if that just has something to do with our review unit.)
If you’re wondering about refresh rates, the Reno7 Z 5G gets the typical 60Hz refresh rate. The Reno7 has a 90Hz refresh rate paired with up to a 180Hz touch sampling rate, which should come in handy for those who enjoy gaming on their smartphones. The Reno7 also gets an SGS Eye Care Display certification, promising a comfortable viewing experience.
Performance
The OPPO Reno7 gets its predecessor’s MediaTek Dimensity 900 processor. At the same time, the company opts to use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset in the Reno7 Z. Both get 8GB of RAM with OPPO’s RAM Expansion tech of up to 5GB. You don’t have to worry too much about using up so much storage for this feature as the Reno7 has 256GB internal storage, and the Reno7 Z gets 128GB of storage. Both are expandable, as I mentioned earlier. Both phones run on Android 12-based ColorOS 12, promising a convenient and inclusive experience. I’ll talk more about my experience on the phones in my separate hands-on stories.
Battery
The OPPO Reno7 and Reno7 Z 5G get slight battery upgrades with 4,500mAh batteries. The Reno7 retains the speedy 65W SuperVOOC charging, promising 100% in 31 minutes. Meanwhile, the Reno7 Z gets a slightly faster 33W SuperVOOC charging, getting you to a full charge in 63 minutes.
First thoughts
OPPO doesn’t make a giant leap from the Reno7 series’ predecessor, but that isn’t surprising. Previous generation owners aren’t typically the target for these phones. They want to go after smartphone users looking for a better smartphone for portrait photos and videos. I’ll report back about my experience with each device soon.
OPPO Philippines will launch the Reno7 series on March 18 at 7 PM over at OPPO Philippines’ Facebook, YouTube, Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok pages. You can expect exciting performances from Yassi Pressman, Gforce, and Armi Millare and get a chance to win OPPO Reno7 Series 5G smartphones, IoT, and a whole lot more.
Both the OPPO Reno7 5G and Reno7 Z 5G are available for preorder now. The Reno7 Z retails for PHP 19,999 (around USD 381 converted) and the Reno7 5G for PHP 26,999 (~USD 514) via OPPO Brand and Online Stores, partner dealers, and e-commerce partners Lazada and Shopee.
Preorder kicked off yesterday, March 18, with OPPO giving away free Q9 Pro Smartwatch for customers who will preorder the OPPO Reno7 Series 5G in authorized OPPO Brand Stores nationwide. Additional freebies like the Q11 Smartwatch will be given to customers who will preorder during Shopee’s Super Brand Day on March 22 to 23 and Lazada’s Birthday Sale on March 26 to 27.
The OPPO Reno7 Z 5G is also available with Smart Signature Plan S at PHP 999/mo (~USD 19/mo) and one-time cash out of PHP 7,100 (~USD 135), which comes with 5GB of mobile data, Unli AllNet Calls and Text, and 50 minutes of calls to PLDT. Customers will also enjoy six months of free Apple Music. This device will come with 2-in-1 earbuds & speakers as a freebie.
Meanwhile, the OPPO Reno7 5G will be available with SMART Signature M Plan at PHP 1,499/mo (~USD 1,499) with 10GB Data, Unli AllNet Calls and Text, and 100 minutes of calls to PLDT, with six months of free Apple Music. Enjoy the device with an AI gimbal as a freebie.
OPPO Reno7 5G will also be available through Globe Telecom. It’s free at GPlan 1999 with 41GB of mobile data. The device will come with an AI tracker worth PHP 1,699 (~USD 32).
Subscribers will also get a 2-in-1 earphones speaker worth PHP 1,899 (~USD 36) during the preorder when purchasing the OPPO Reno7 Z 5G. The unit is free at GPlan 1799 with 37GB of mobile data. Globe subscribers will also enjoy unlimited calls and texts to Globe/TM to other mobile networks, unlimited calls to Landline, and a free one (1) KonsultaMD subscription.
You can also get the OPPO Reno7 5G and OPPO Reno7 Z 5G at 0% interest installment plan with Home Credit for as low as PHP 1,082 (~USD 21) and PHP 802 (~USD 15), respectively.
Buy OPPO Reno7 from Lazada HERE. *
Buy the OPPO Reno7 from Shopee HERE.
The Reno7 Pro isn’t available in the Philippines right now. But if you want to check it out, Isa has a video on it below:
I want to know your questions about these phones. Reach out on social media!
* If you buy something from these links, LiTT may earn a commission, but it won’t cost you extra. Prices are subject to change without prior notice.