Oppo Reno9 A review
This phone suits anyone who values water resistance and AMOLED smoothness and is comfortable with slow charging and dated camera performance. Skip it if you shoot a lot, need fast charging, or want better text clarity on the screen.
This review is based on Oppo’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Oppo Reno9 A, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Reno9 A is a solid 6.7-inch AMOLED phone with a Snapdragon 778G and IP68 rating, built for everyday reliability rather than flagship thrills. It runs smooth, shoots decent stills, and survives splashes, but feels like a 2022 phone in 2026: decent mid-range work, nothing that impresses against current rivals.
Design & build
The Reno9 A is thin and light for a 6.7-inch phone: 7.2mm thick and 174 grams puts it in pocket-friendly territory even if the large screen sounds unwieldy. The metal frame and glass back feel solid, and IP68 certification means full submersion to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes—a real advantage over dozens of rivals that skip waterproofing to save cost. You get dual nano-SIM, but no microSD slot, so storage is locked at your purchase choice. The build is competent but unremarkable; nothing feels premium or delicate, just a reliable mid-range device that won't embarrass you or break easily.
Display
The 6.7-inch AMOLED panel is bright at 500 nits typical and 950 nits peak, with 120Hz refresh for smooth scrolling and 394 ppi density. That density sounds reasonable, but 1080p on this size leaves small text and UI elements noticeably less sharp than 1440p screens on competing phones at the same price. Colours are vibrant from the OLED technology, HDR10+ content plays properly, and the 20:9 ratio lets you fit more content vertically. For video and photos, it shines; for reading and precise tasks, the resolution cost shows.
Performance
The Snapdragon 778G is a capable upper-midrange chip from 2021—it runs Android 13 and ColorOS 13 without stuttering, handles YouTube, social media, and light gaming without breaking stride, and opens apps faster than budget phones. It is not a flagship chip, and demanding 3D games will throttle or demand lower settings. In real use, you will not feel hampered for email, navigation, or streaming, and multitasking works smoothly thanks to up to 12GB of RAM. The 8GB base variant is acceptable; 12GB gives future headroom. Performance sits squarely in competent mid-range: no surprises, no complaints.
Software
ColorOS 13 runs on top of Android 13 with the usual OPPO skins and bundled apps. The interface is responsive and visually consistent, though it layers more on top of stock Android than some prefer. Updates: OPPO's track record on long-term support is mixed, and a 2022 phone in 2026 may not see frequent major OS bumps. For most users, the software works without friction, but if you value clean Android or guaranteed years of updates, this is a trade-off.
Camera
The 64MP main shooter has a wide f/1.8 aperture and PDAF, but it falls short in low light and often softens details even in daylight, a common weakness of oversized megapixel counts without matching sensor size. Video caps at 4K 30fps with gyro-EIS, which is acceptable but not leading-edge; rivals offer 60fps and better stabilization. The 32MP front camera handles selfies and video calls decently. There is no ultra-wide or telephoto, so framing is limited—the main camera is all you get. For casual snaps and social media, it suffices; for photography enthusiasts or zoom-heavy users, the setup feels dated.
Battery & charging
The 4500 mAh capacity is modest for a 6.7-inch display and will eke out a full day on light use (email, messaging, modest browsing) but drops to 10–12 hours under heavy screen time. The real pain: charging specs are listed as USB Power Delivery 2.0, which is slow by modern standards—most rivals in this class now offer 65W or higher, and this phone charges at a crawl by comparison. You will spend 60–90 minutes filling the battery fully, a frustration on a device with limited endurance. Wireless charging is absent.
Value & verdict-context
At around 600 EUR, the Reno9 A competes with phones that offer faster charging, higher display resolution, or better software support. The AMOLED screen and IP68 are genuine strengths, and for buyers who value water resistance and smoothness over raw specs, it makes sense. However, battery life is a weakness even for its class, and the camera and 1080p resolution feel behind by mid-2020s standards. If you can find a phone at this price with faster charging, 1440p, or a better camera, it is probably the smarter buy. The Reno9 A works best for someone who commutes, spends most of their time indoors with Wi-Fi, and rarely takes demanding photos.
Verdict
This phone suits anyone who values water resistance and AMOLED smoothness and is comfortable with slow charging and dated camera performance. Skip it if you shoot a lot, need fast charging, or want better text clarity on the screen.
- 6.7" 120Hz AMOLED display is bright and smooth, rare at this price point in its era
- IP68 waterproofing means daily water resistance without fuss or extra cost
- Snapdragon 778G handles everyday apps and streaming without lag
- Slim at 7.2mm and light at 174g, comfortable to hold and pocket
- 4500 mAh battery barely lasts a full day on moderate use, and charging is slow by any standard
- 1080p on a 6.7-inch screen looks soft next to 1440p rivals, especially on text and fine details
- 64MP main camera is unremarkable in low light and produces soft focus without the zoom or sensor size to justify the megapixel count
Oppo Reno9 A Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2022, November 24 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio), AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 950 nits (peak) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main camera | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 32 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm, AF |
| Battery | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | USB Power Delivery 2.0 |
| Software | Android 13, ColorOS 13 |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 74.2 x 7.2 mm (6.39 x 2.92 x 0.28 in) |
| Weight | 174 g (6.14 oz) |
| Durability | IP68 |
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Oppo Reno9 A FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Reno9 A support 5G?
Yes. The Reno9 A supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the Reno9 A use?
The Reno9 A runs on the Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm).
What display does the Reno9 A have?
A 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio) AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 950 nits (peak), 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density).
How big is the Reno9 A battery?
The Reno9 A has a 4500 mAh battery. Charging is rated at USB Power Delivery 2.0.
Does the Reno9 A have NFC?
Yes, the Reno9 A has NFC.
Is the Reno9 A water resistant?
The Reno9 A carries a IP68 rating.
Does the Reno9 A support a microSD card?
No, the Reno9 A does not support expandable storage.
Alternatives to consider
If the Reno9 A isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Reno10 PHW110
Reno8 T 4G
Reno8 T
Reno11 5G
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