Recent phone launches have been anything but wallet-friendly, with Samsung’s latest Galaxy Z series averaging around $3K-$4K, and Apple’s rumoured first foldable device similarly expected to hit the $3K mark.
Thankfully, Oppo’s reigning it back with the next generation of its mid-range Reno series. The catch? There’s a $600 difference between the two phones.
The Oppo Reno16 F* and Oppo Reno16 Pro* continues to embrace Oppo’s influencer era, sharing impressive camera specs and new AI-powered editing tools.
We tested the two handsets to see how they compare and whether either phone is worth buying.
NEED TO KNOW
• While rear cameras usually offer superior quality compared to the front camera, Oppo’s Reno16 line-up has a 50MP selfie lens so you can get outstanding pictures and videos either way.
• Oppo’s devices pack some of the biggest battery capacities in Australia (aka longer battery life), and include power adaptors unlike some premium options.
• For non-Oppo users, the Reno16 series is simple to set up and doesn’t take much time to get used to the user interface – regardless of whether you’ve been a long-time iOS or Android fan.
• Use code OPPORE16 to save on the Oppo Reno16 series when you buy through Oppo’s online store.
Quick links1-MINUTE REVIEW: OPPO RENO16 SERIES
HOW WE TESTED THE OPPO RENO16 SERIES?
We’ve been getting hands on with the Oppo Reno16 F and Oppo Reno16 Pro for a few weeks, comparing important factors such battery life, performance, and camera quality to see how well each phone stacks up against the other.
DESIGN
Sometimes compact phones can feel and look cramped, but the Oppo Reno16 F and Oppo Reno16 Pro fit nicely in my hands and have enough screen real estate so it isn’t straining on the eyes.
There’s not a major difference in terms of physical design, but the Oppo Reno16 Pro is a little shorter and slimmer than the affordable alternative. If you get either device in the Pop White, the dimensions are slightly heavier and thicker. (Although Pop White is officially the prettiest shade I’ve ever seen, so it’s far from a deal-breaker).
The display is bright and absolutely gorgeous, and I’m obsessed with the glowy additions to the home button and lock screen. If you haven’t used an Oppo phone before, setting up is simple and it doesn’t take long to get used to the user interface – regardless of whether you’ve been in a long-term commitment with iPhones or other Android handsets.
There isn’t much bloatware either, with most of the unnecessary extras (at least for me) being a handful of puzzle games and a couple of retailer apps.
The two handsets can get warm with heavy usage, but everything is generally super responsive and runs smoothly.
BATTERY LIFE
Both Oppo handsets have fantastic battery life that comfortably lasted me all-day, including after several hours of taking photos and videos, browsing the internet, streaming videos and some light gaming. I could even get two days worth of battery without completely depleting the phones when I kept screen time to a few hours per day and didn’t engage in anything super power hungry, such as hotspotting and taking videos for an extended period.
Surprisingly, the cheaper Oppo Reno16 F has a meatier capacity of 6500 mAh versus the Oppo Reno16 Pro’s 6000 mAh. But don’t get it wrong, both specs are still better than what you get from many flagship models in Australia. For something super budget-friendly, the Oppo A5 similarly offers 6000 mAh but costs just $299.
However, different factors can impact battery life, such as brightness and heavy usage, so fast charging capabilities is realistically more useful than a slightly larger capacity. And that’s where the Oppo Reno16 Pro shines, supporting 80W SUPERVOOC wired charging compared to the Oppo Reno16 F’s similarly respectable 45W.
I found both handsets recharged impressively quick.I was running late for a flight and forgot both phones had zero battery,but each reached around the 40-50 per cent mark after quickly plugging them in for approximately 40 minutes. Even an eight-minute charge took the Oppo Reno16 Pro from 19 per cent to 37 per cent, while the Oppo Reno16 F jumped from 22 per cent to 83 per cent charge within 50 minutes.
It’s worth mentioning that unlike some big brands, Oppo still includes a charger in the box. (Yes, I mean both the USB cable and power adapter).
Winner: Tie.Technically, the Oppo Reno16 F has a large battery (aka longer battery life) but the Oppo Reno16 Pro supports 85W SUPERVOOC wired charging for a speedier recharge. Either way, everyone’s a winner.
CAMERA
Having a good camera comes with a price. If you’re serious about smartphone photography and content creation, the Oppo Reno16 Pro is the way to go. It has a 200MP wide lens and 50MP ultra-wide lens, plus further digital zoom (up to 18x). The Oppo Reno16 F still takes great pictures and videos with the 50MP front, wide and telephoto lenses, but the 8MP ultra-wide camera is a decent drop from Oppo Reno16 Pro’s 50MP alternative.
Photos with the front camera seemed bright, sharp, and a little too honest when it came to the dark bags under my eyes. At least there’s a wide range of shooting modes and editing tools help make me look Instagram-ready. While the rear cameras weren’t always perfect in low-lighting, they generally worked well under most conditions.
Winner: Oppo Reno16 Pro
COST
Here’s how the latest releases compare in terms of price and storage:
• Oppo Reno16 Pro (512GB): $1599
• Oppo Reno16 F (256GB): $999
Looking for a wallet-friendly phone that offers a better balance between value and performance than some cheap models? The Oppo Reno16 F is an affordable mid-tier option that sits alongside the Apple iPhone 17e and Samsung S25 FE.
For a mid-range handset, the Oppo Reno16 Pro is on the pricier end and leans more towards flagship status. It’s only $200 cheaper than the most affordable Oppo flagship phone for 2026, the Oppo Find X9, which similarly has 512GB of storage and retails for $1799.
Winner: Oppo Reno16 F
IS THE OPPO RENO16 SERIES WORTH BUYING?
Overall, the Oppo Reno16 series offers solid mid-range phones that would be great for most people.
The Oppo Reno16 F honestly surprised me and, if it weren’t for the 8MP selfie lens, I would easily pick this over the pricier Oppo Reno16 Pro in a heartbeat. The two devices share many of the same specs and features, so I didn’t feel like I was settling on the basics, such as battery life, performance and overall quality.
• The Oppo Reno16 F is great if: You want a sub-$1000 phone with long battery life and a good camera, even if it doesn’t have the most megapixels.
• The Oppo Reno16 Pro is great if: It’s worth considering if you need plenty of storage and want a nice quality phone with long battery life, good camera quality and a nice display.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are the Oppo Reno16 phones waterproof?
No. Both the Oppo Reno16F and Oppo Reno16 Pro have the highest level of protection for dust and water resistance, according to the Ingress Protection (IP) ratings, but this doesn’t mean the phones can be submerged underwater
Where can you buy the Oppo Reno16 phones in Australia?
You can find both Oppo Reno16 devices from Oppo’s online store.
• Oppo Reno16 Pro: $1599 (available in Pop White and Starlight Black)
• Oppo Reno16 F: $999 (available in Pop White and Twilight Violet)
The series can also be purchased from some retailers, such as JB Hi-Fi and The Good Guys, but the availability depends on the mode.
*Products loaned by Oppo for a 100 per cent honest, independent review.
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Tahnee-Jae Lopez-VitoSenior Shopping Writer