The Oppo Reno 7Z is a mid-range smartphone that aims to strike a balance between performance, design, and affordability. With its sleek aesthetics and a focus on camera capabilities, it caters to users who want a stylish device without breaking the bank. While it may not compete with flagship models, it offers a compelling package for its price range.

Design and Build Quality

Oppo has always paid attention to design, and the Reno 7Z is no exception. The phone features a glossy plastic back with a gradient finish that mimics glass, giving it a premium look. The frame is also plastic but is well-constructed, avoiding any creaking or flexing. At 173 grams, it feels lightweight yet solid in hand. The device is available in two color options: Rainbow Spectrum and Cosmic Black, both of which have a reflective sheen that changes under different lighting conditions.

The 6.43-inch AMOLED display dominates the front, with slim bezels and a small punch-hole cutout for the front camera. The screen supports a 60Hz refresh rate, which is somewhat disappointing given that many competitors in this segment now offer 90Hz or 120Hz panels. However, the colors are vibrant, and the contrast is excellent, making it great for media consumption.

Display and Multimedia

The Reno 7Z sports a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. While the 60Hz refresh rate feels dated, the panel itself is sharp and bright, reaching up to 600 nits in high brightness mode. Watching videos on this screen is enjoyable, thanks to the deep blacks and wide color gamut coverage. The lack of stereo speakers is a minor letdown, but the single bottom-firing speaker gets loud enough for casual use.

Oppo includes its usual suite of display enhancements, including a built-in video enhancer that boosts contrast and saturation in supported apps. There’s also an always-on display feature, which is handy for checking notifications without waking the phone. While the display isn’t groundbreaking, it gets the job done for everyday use.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Reno 7Z is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The Snapdragon 695 is a competent mid-range processor, handling day-to-day tasks with ease. Apps open quickly, and multitasking is smooth, though heavy gaming can push the limits of this chipset. Games like Genshin Impact run at medium settings but may stutter during intense scenes.

The phone runs ColorOS 12 based on Android 11, which is a slight disappointment since newer Oppo models have moved to Android 12. ColorOS is feature-rich but comes with some bloatware, including pre-installed apps that can’t be uninstalled. On the plus side, Oppo has improved its software update policy, promising at least two major Android updates for the Reno 7Z.

Camera Performance

The Reno series has always emphasized camera quality, and the Reno 7Z continues this trend with a triple-camera setup. The primary sensor is a 64MP shooter, accompanied by a 2MP macro lens and a 2MP depth sensor. In good lighting, the main camera captures detailed photos with accurate colors. Dynamic range is decent, though shadows can sometimes appear crushed in high-contrast scenes.

Low-light performance is acceptable but not exceptional. Night mode helps brighten dark scenes, but noise becomes noticeable when zooming in. The 16MP front-facing camera takes sharp selfies with good skin tone reproduction, though beauty filters are aggressive by default. Video recording maxes out at 1080p at 30fps, which is standard for this price range but lacks stabilization, making footage shaky when moving.

Battery Life and Charging

A 4,500mAh battery powers the Reno 7Z, providing all-day battery life under moderate usage. With lighter tasks like browsing and social media, the phone can easily stretch into a second day. However, heavier usage, such as gaming or prolonged video streaming, will drain the battery faster. Oppo includes a 33W fast charger in the box, which can top up the phone from 0% to 100% in about an hour.

While the charging speed isn’t as fast as some competitors offering 65W or higher, it’s still respectable for the price. The lack of wireless charging is expected at this tier, though it would have been a nice addition.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Reno 7Z supports 5G connectivity, ensuring future-proofing for faster networks. Other connectivity options include Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC for contactless payments. The phone retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming rare in modern smartphones. An under-display fingerprint sensor handles biometric authentication, and it’s fast and reliable in daily use.

Oppo has also included its usual suite of software features, such as Game Space for optimizing gaming performance and a system-wide dark mode. The lack of an IP rating for water resistance is a minor downside, but it’s not uncommon in this price segment.

Final Verdict

The Oppo Reno 7Z is a well-rounded mid-range smartphone that excels in design and camera performance while offering decent battery life and 5G support. Its biggest drawbacks are the 60Hz display and the aging Android 11 base, but these may not be dealbreakers for casual users. If you’re looking for a stylish phone with good cameras and reliable performance, the Reno 7Z is worth considering.

Oppo Reno 7Z Full Specifications:

Display: 6.43-inch AMOLED, 2400 x 1080 resolution, 60Hz refresh rate

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G

RAM: 8GB

Storage: 128GB (expandable via microSD)

Rear Cameras: 64MP main, 2MP macro, 2MP depth

Front Camera: 16MP

Battery: 4,500mAh with 33W fast charging

Operating System: ColorOS 12 (Android 11)

Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, 3.5mm jack

Dimensions: 160.2 x 73.2 x 7.5mm

Weight: 173 grams

Colors: Rainbow Spectrum, Cosmic Black