The OPPO Reno12 Series 5G is backed by the power of generative AI features. This alone begs the question—how does it fare against the new releases this year?
So today, we’re putting the OPPO Reno12 5G against other AI-powered smartphones we’ve used within the same starting price range.
Granted, most readers should expect AI to be leveraged for optimizing camera systems. However, we’ll also unpack what else OPPO offers to see how it stands out. After all, buyers should be able to make the most with what you’re about to spend.
For reference, we compared the base OPPO Reno12 5G to the TECNO CAMON 30 Premier 5G and HONOR 200. These devices have a similar price range under PHP 25,000.
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TECNO AI Imaging
The CAMON 30 Premier 5G offers TECNO AI Imaging. The imaging features that come with the system include an AI Erase tool, AIGC Portrait, and AI Universal Tone.
The AI Erase tool lets users remove photobombers and unwanted clutter from their shots in one click. It’s pretty plain and simple to use as well.
To use this feature, just edit your photo after you’ve taken it. From there, just press the button on the far right as seen in the photo above. AI Eraser should be found above the initial interface on the far left.
Full disclosure though, we feel like the OPPO Reno12 5G’s AI Eraser 2.0 is a more capable tool. I tried a simple test and took a photo of my hand with a car behind. Notably, OPPO’s generative AI works to intelligently replace images if not to erase them.
I did the same with the TECNO CAMON 30 Premier with a different result. I’m sure the photo speaks for itself. We could only infer that TECNO AI Imaging mainly works to blur them out.
Next, I used the OPPO Reno12 5G to replace a shoe entirely with what seems to be a plate. I liked how it recognized the shoe’s shadow to think about a good substitute.
Meanwhile, the TECNO AI Erase tool couldn’t recognize this as well as I thought it would. I think it’s mainly for removing objects entirely without using context.
This is evident with how sloppy the tool worked to remove the shoe on my fellow producer’s hand. I mean, it does work. It’s just that it works better without considering details like shadows and whatnot. It’s purely an eraser, not a generative tool.
Fair enough, the OPPO Reno12 5G didn’t perfectly make a natural substitute for what it removed from the photo. Nonetheless, it was able to recognize my fellow producer’s hand. I appreciate how it took note of details like shadows even if it wasn’t the main subject of the photo.
Moving on, we have TECNO’s AIGC Portrait feature. Users can find this on the farthest left on the device’s Camera UI. It’s a straightforward tool, where you just have to stay steady between three second intervals while it takes four photos.
Admittedly, I feel like the tool only got my eyes right. It doesn’t feel like a personalized avatar. These photos only show a semblance of my features at best. It’s sad that this tool is limited to four templates as well.
Meanwhile, the OPPO Reno12 5G offers AI Studio. This addresses my issues, giving users more options to make their personalized AI-generated digital avatars. The generated images are more accurate to what we look like too.
To use this, you just need an existing photo that captures your features. From here, users can browse from the selection of themes in a dedicated app afterwards. When ready, the app takes around 10-15 seconds to generate your image with the chosen template.
Lastly, we have TECNO’s Universal Tone. This is imaging technology that ensures accurate skin tone. You can’t really turn it off or on, and it isn’t a beautify feature either. It works on its own to capture accurate colors when needed.
From experience, I’d say this is on par with the OPPO Reno12 5G’s AI Portrait shots. For those interested, below is a shot comparison between the TECNO CAMON 30 Premier 5G and the OPPO Reno12 5G.
There’s not much to nitpick here, as both deliver as advertised. I do have to note that the depth applied to the shot from the Reno12 was more noticeable though.
Considering these shots were taken late in the afternoon, I do TECNO’s AI giving my shot more color. As you can see, I even had more ISO sensitivity applied to my shot for the Reno12 opposed to the CAMON 30 Premier.
HONOR AI Portrait Engine
The HONOR AI Portrait Engine uses advanced algorithms to improve the HONOR 200 Series 5G’s photography capabilities. To put it simply, it makes applying bokeh effects and capturing details in photos much easier.
It takes lighting and shadows into account, optimizing your shots to give users the best possible outcomes. Having reviewed the device myself, I can attest that it produces shots that can rival flagship smartphones.
Here is a shot comparison between portrait photos taken on the HONOR 200 and OPPO Reno12 5G below. There’s a difference in how the devices handle skin tones.
Again, it’s an embedded feature with the camera system. There’s not much to tinker with prior to taking your shots with the HONOR 200. Users can still edit photos with filters and beauty tools once you’re done shooting though.
Similarly, the OPPO Reno12 also has post-production tools where users can adjust the subject’s features. Peep the bokeh comparisons between these three shots.
You can also play around with fixing up your hairline, face shape, and cheekbones. The OPPO Reno12 Series 5G also works to maintain natural skin tones and lighting.
At the time of writing, the HONOR 200 does not come with an AI Eraser. However, it has been announced that it’s getting the tool via a firmware update soon. Sadly, we didn’t have the chance to compare the tools with each other.
My general consensus is that the HONOR 200 does have a bit of a lead in terms of taking photos. It’s only improved further thanks to its AI Optical Effect Enhancements.
The OPPO Reno12 5G, on the other hand, offers more AI-powered tools to help users in post-production. The smartphone line doesn’t even stop with photography, as we continue to dive deeper into what it offers.
OPPO Reno12 Series 5G GenAI
Aside from cameras, the OPPO Reno12 Series 5G comes with a suite of features powered by GenAI. These are tools that separate OPPO’s new releases from other smartphones with AI-powered features.
So far, we’ve covered the AI Eraser 2.0, AI Studio, and AI Portrait features. Again, the OPPO Reno12 Series doesn’t stop at photography. The new line is also geared to help with connectivity, creativity, and productivity.
Live Photo
The OPPO Reno12 Series 5G Live Photos, which help you capture glimpses of your favorite moments. After a recent update, OPPO joins the select few Android devices to support this kind of feature.
Users can take live photos and edit them accordingly. You can start by clicking its icon on the top of the camera’s interface.
Afterwards, feel free to add filters, text, and more. You can even use the AI Eraser for these shots as well. Plus, users can select a frame from live photos to save as a regular picture as well.
We also want to note that if the user didn’t mean to take a live photo, you can disable it. You can find this under settings, and once disabled, it’ll appear like a regular photo.
AI LinkBoost and BeaconLink
AI LinkBoost works as a 360-degree antenna. This boosts signal reception, optimizing network selection with AI for stable 5G and Wi-Fi connectivity.
The OPPO Reno12 5G is great at maintaining connections, making the most out of cellular data or Wi-Fi speeds. Users should have a breeze with calls, downloading or uploading files, and even playing games.
Our reviewers were able to play resource-intensive games like Honkai Star Rail with no issues at all.
As for BeaconLink, it’s insanely good for those rare times when we don’t have Wi-Fi or mobile data. It uses Bluetooth to help the devices connect with any OPPO-supported device within 200 meters to make calls.
AI Toolbox
The OPPO Reno12 5G features an AI Toolbox found on its Smart Sidebar. It includes tools consisting of an AI Writer, AI Speak, and AI Summary.
The tools don’t have a dedicated app or shortcut users can tap into. The toolbox is supported by Google Gemini, which recognizes your current phone activity. I can infer that it uses this context to recommend what AI tool you need.
The AI Writer can be used to either help you write or generate paragraphs entirely. OPPO recommends using it for social media posts, but I’ve used it for email exchanges personally.
It only takes a few seconds for the AI Writer to generate a response. I don’t use AI to write that much, so I felt the need to add changes. Honestly, it does help out with responding to emails though.
As for AI Speak and AI Summary, these are good for alternatives on how to digest online information.
AI Summary can give you the whole gist of an entire article or webpage in bullet points.
If users don’t feel like reading at all, AI Speak is a great option too. The tool narrates the entire article to readers through audio.
I imagine this could be good for studying and the like. I’d use this as some kind of podcast tool to help me know more about things on-the-go while commuting.
The OPPO Reno12 5G can also help you take minutes in meetings. It has this tool called AI Recording Summary, and it’s pretty self-explanatory already.
Productivity-wise, we all have our down days. So, use this if you feel too beat to take notes!
It’s simple to use, users just have to record audio and click the option to generate a summary afterwards. It gives users quick bullets on what was discussed after a few seconds.
I used this tool on one of our YouTube videos playing in the background. It understands context well, which was a pleasant surprise! Bottom line, these are certainly some handy tools.
Final Thoughts
We understand that a huge driving factor in purchasing smartphones nowadays depends on a good camera system. The TECNO CAMON 30 Premier 5G and HONOR 200 are examples of how to effectively leverage AI for flagship-level photos.
However, the OPPO Reno12 Series 5G reminds us that it doesn’t need to stop there. I’d say that the OPPO Reno12 5G alone could rival these devices photography-wise. It even offers a ton of flexibility in terms of editing photos.
Readers should consider that it offers great photography capabilities AND other neat, practical features. The OPPO Reno12 5G has an AI Writer, Speaker, Summarizer, and Recorder that can take notes.
On top of that, it also has AI LinkBoost to help users stay connected. I don’t think it’s up for debate. The OPPO Reno12 Series 5G clearly offers the most bang for your buck.
The OPPO Reno12 5G is priced at only PHP 24,999. We have a written review on the device for those who want to know more about the device.
OPPO Reno12 Pro 5G
Meanwhile, the OPPO Reno12 Pro 5G is priced at PHP 34,999. It offers everything that the base model has and more, so we highly encourage readers to look it up.
What do you guys think of the OPPO Reno12 Series 5G? Feel free to share your thoughts with us or check out OPPO Philippines’ social platforms for more updates.
