Top features, flop features—Why this cell phone leaves us baffled

The camera takes great photos—but the price is pretty steep. It’s really great that the screen is so bright—but why is the processor so slow? The phone’s battery really lasts a long time—but the Wi-Fi... 

With these and similar thoughts in mind, we’ve spent the last few days testing the Oppo Reno 16 FS, an upper-mid-range phone available on sites like amazon.com. There’s so much to love about this phone, but on the other hand, there’s also plenty that’s disappointing. 

There are plenty of positives

For one thing, there’s excellent battery life—over 23 hours in our Wi-Fi test—which means you can enjoy a relaxed day with the phone without constantly searching for charging options. At the same time, the phone charges quickly when needed.

Oppo also promises six years of software updates for the phone, which sets it apart from competitors like Motorola. Fans of microSD slots will be pleased, and the bright display makes it easy to use the phone even in well-lit rooms.

The camera system is particularly impressive, offering much greater flexibility than many other phones in this price range. It features good zoom capabilities, a wide-angle camera, and a very good selfie cam.

But the smartphone does have its downsides as well

On the other hand, you have to accept that Oppo opted for a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 as the SoC, which is usually used in phones that are another 100–200 euros cheaper. In terms of performance, the Oppo phone simply can’t keep up with similarly priced phones.

The Wi-Fi is slow, the phone creaks when you grip it a little too tightly, and you’ll also have to deal with PWM flicker on the screen.

Our Verdict on the Oppo Reno 16 FS

Overall, the Oppo Reno 16 FS is a good phone, but you should be aware of its weaknesses and think about how important they are for you.

Especially when a phone has so many pros and cons, it’s important for potential buyers to do their research before purchasing. That’s why we’ve included all the key facts in our in-depth review of the Oppo Reno 16 FS.