OPPO’s Reno14 series, comprising the Reno14 and Reno14 Pro, has arrived to redefine the premium smartphone landscape, with a focus on travel-ready design, all-around performance, and a camera system that could claim the title of best camera phone in the segment. These devices combine premium craftsmanship, making them perfect for creators, travelers, and tech enthusiasts who want to experience flagship-level camera performance.
After getting hands-on with both models, including a memorable experience using the Reno14 Pro in the serene hills of Landour, here’s a detailed first impression of their design inspiration, performance, and camera innovations. Could this series deliver the best telephoto camera phone or the highest zooming camera phone experience in its class?
Design Inspiration: Elegance Meets Adventure
The Reno14 series feels like a leap forward in OPPO’s design philosophy, combining premium aesthetics with rugged durability. The Reno14, at 7.42mm thick and weighing 187g, is a lightweight marvel that slips effortlessly into a pocket for travel.
The Reno14 Pro, also quite slim at 7.48mm (Titanium Grey) or 7.58mm (Pearl White) and weighing 201g, exudes a substantial, flagship-like presence. Both feature aerospace-grade aluminum frames and one-piece sculpted glass bodies (which look stunning by the way), ensuring durability without compromising on style.
The Reno14’s Forest Green finish, with its Luminous Loop camera design that shifts with light, captures the mystique of nature, while the Pearl White Velvet Glass offers a silky, anti-fingerprint texture. The Reno14 Pro’s Iridescent Mermaid Design in Titanium Grey shimmers subtly, paired with the same Pearl White option.
In Landour’s misty hills, the Reno14 Pro’s Titanium Grey finish looked stunning against the lush backdrop, its IP66/IP68/IP69 rating giving confidence during unexpected drizzles. The phone’s platinum-coated USB port and Sponge Bionic Cushioning further enhance its resilience, making it a reliable companion for rugged terrains.
Eye-Catching Displays Made for Travel
Both models boast vibrant displays: a 6.59-inch 1.5K OLED on the Reno14 and a 6.83-inch 1.5K AMOLED on the Reno14 Pro, both with 120Hz refresh rates and 1,200 Nits brightness. Ultra-thin, even 1.7mm bezels create immersive visuals, and features like Splash Touch (for wet hands) and HDR10+ certification proved handy while navigating trails in Landour’s damp weather.
The Reno14 Pro’s larger, sharper screen stood out when reviewing photos, though both displays, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i or OPPO Crystal Shield Glass, handled scratches well during outdoor use. The Reno14 is more of a handy smartphone and feels more comfortable to use with one hand.
Performance: Power and Connectivity for Every Journey
The Reno14 series delivers snappy performance for multitasking, gaming, and content creation. The Reno14’s MediaTek Dimensity 8350 (4nm) offers a 20% boost in CPU multi-core performance, a 60% increase in GPU, and a 230% improvement in NPU over its predecessors, paired with up to 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB UFS 3.1 storage.
The Reno14 Pro is the first device in the industry to be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8450 chipset, delivering 41% better multi-core performance and 44% higher power efficiency over its predecessor. It scores 1.66 million on AnTuTu, making it a powerhouse for demanding tasks.
The AI Nano Dual-Drive Cooling System, with a 47cm² vapor chamber and 165.96cm² aerospace-grade graphite, keeps both devices cool.
In Landour, the Reno14 Pro ran smoothly during a long day of photography and other demanding usage at the hotel, maintaining performance in games for hours without overheating. AI HyperBoost 2.0 optimized performance, and I could experience lag-free transitions between apps and games.
Battery That Lasts All-Day and More
The 6,000 mAh battery in the Reno14 and the 6,200 mAh in the Reno14 Pro are truly amazing. In Landour, the Reno14 Pro lasted an entire day of hiking, capturing photos, and staying connected, with 80W SUPERVOOCTM charging bringing it back to 100% in under 50 minutes when needed. The Reno14 Pro’s 50W AirVOOC wireless charging is a bonus, too.
Most impressively, the Reno14 Pro’s AI LinkBoost 3.0 ensured strong signals for calls and SMS even at Landour’s highest hills, where network coverage is typically spotty. Browsing and messaging felt seamless, a testament to its robust connectivity. I could get a solid internet connection even at the top of the hills and post the amazing photos I captured using the OPPO Reno14 Pro.
Both models are performance beasts, with the Reno14 Pro’s superior chipset and wireless charging giving it an edge. In Landour, the Reno14 Pro’s battery life, fast charging, and reliable network made it a dependable companion, proving its worth in challenging environments like these when travelling.
Camera Innovations: Redefining Travel Photography
The Reno14 series’ camera system is its defining feature, positioning it as a leader in best zoom camera phone, best portrait camera, and best camera phones in its segment for both travel and casual use. The 50MP 3.5X telephoto camera lens on both models, paired with AI enhancements, sets a new standard for photography in this segment.
Reno14 Camera
- Setup: 50MP main (Sony IMX882, f/1.8, OIS), 50MP 3.5X telephoto (Samsung JN5, f/2.8, OIS), 8MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 116° FOV); 50MP selfie (Samsung JN5, f/2.0).
- Video: 4K HDR at 60fps/30fps (main, telephoto, front), 1080p30 on the ultra-wide
- Features: AI Flash Photography with up to 10X brighter light than the previous generation, even when zoomed in, AI Editor 2.0 (Recompose, Perfect Shot, Studio), underwater 4K video, 3.5X optical zoom, 120X digital zoom.
Reno14 Pro Camera
- Setup: 50MP main (OmniVision OV50E, f/1.8, OIS), 50MP 3.5X telephoto (Samsung JN5, f/2.8, OIS), 50MP ultra-wide (OmniVision OV50D, f/2.0, 116° FOV); 50MP selfie (Samsung JN5, f/2.0).
- Video: 4K HDR at 60fps/30fps on all cameras—front and rear
- Features: AI Flash Photography, with up to 10X brighter light than the previous generation, even when zoomed in, AI Editor 2.0 (Recompose, Perfect Shot, Studio), underwater 4K video, 3.5X optical zoom, 120X digital zoom, ultra-wide macro
In Landour, the Reno14 Pro’s camera was a revelation. The 50MP main and telephoto lenses captured vibrant, detailed shots of misty valleys and colonial architecture, with the 3.5X telephoto (85mm focal length) delivering cinematic portraits of people and animals.
The best telephoto camera phone claim held true, with natural bokeh and sharp details. The AI-powered 120X digital zoom, brought distant peaks into view with surprising clarity.
The 50MP ultra-wide on the Reno14 Pro was also stunning, capturing sweeping landscapes with richer colors. AI Flash Photography, with the industry’s first dedicated focus flash for the telephoto lens, allowing you to take vibrant shots even in low-light environments.
AI Editor 2.0 is a game-changer: AI Recompose fixes framing for a group shot or even a solo one, while AI Perfect Shot corrects a friend’s blink with the help of AI in group shots. Extracting 90 stills from a LivePhoto is just effortless, and you also get a 3-second clip of the moment.
The 4K 60fps camera phone mode delivers smooth, HDR-rich videos of winding trails, which looks absolutely stunning on the ProXDR display of the Reno14 series. The phone even comes with IP66/IP68/IP69-enabled underwater 4K video mode for your water-based adventures.
Both front cameras deliver sharp, HDR-rich selfies, perfect for documenting those travel moments. And yes, both support 4K60 FPS video recording, which is a flagship feature. The Reno14 series’ enhanced EIS also makes handheld videos a lot smoother.
The Reno14 series redefines mid-range imaging with its highest zooming camera phone capabilities. In Landour, the Reno14 Pro’s cameras captured the hill station’s magic flawlessly, with AI tools adding creative flair, like removing unwanted people from the frame or opening the eyes of a friend in a group photo. The Reno14 series is the perfect travel companion for both photography and videography.
Early Verdict
The OPPO Reno14 and Reno14 Pro are premium mid-range marvels, blending flagship design, powerful performance, and class-leading cameras. At ₹37,999, the Reno14 is a value-driven best camera phone, ideal for budget-conscious creators and travel enthusiasts.
The Reno14 Pro, at ₹49,999, justifies its premium with a sharper display, wireless charging, and superior imaging. In Landour, the Reno14 Pro was a joy to use, its cameras, battery, and connectivity elevating the experience of capturing and sharing mountain adventures. The Reno14 also shares the same features and experiences.
For travelers and photographers, the Reno14 series offers a near-flagship experience at accessible prices. Whether it’s the best zoom camera phone or best portrait camera, this series is a top contender for 2025’s camera crown.
A full review will dive deeper into real-world performance, but for now, the Reno14 series is the phone to get for your travel moments and even casual use—because you never know when that travel opportunity might arrive.
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