This post is brought to you by OPPO.
Low-light smartphone photography and videography have always leaned more into the “smart” aspect of a phone to produce quality images when the going gets dark. It makes sense because the smartphone is a small device, and when you lack space, you simply can’t put a full-sized camera sensor into a tiny body.
So, if you can’t “see” as well as a full-sized camera, then you’ll need to be able to out “think” it with your “brain” and rely on your device’s data processing capabilities.
But what if you could give it a better “brain”? A dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) built with the sole purpose of improving a smartphone’s photographic capability? Well, that’s what OPPO has done with their brand-new smartphone, the Reno8 Pro 5G.
Thanks to the new dedicated MariSilicon X NPU, OPPO is able to give this mid-range device some flagship-level camera performance. But talk is one thing, why not see for yourself what this smartphone is capable of when the going gets dark.
Even when the sky is pitch black and cloudy, the Reno8 Pro 5G was still able to get plenty of details and clarity in the buildings and sky without the interference of noise. But perhaps the most impressive thing is how accurately the smartphone was able to retain the colours of the scene — something many phones struggle within low light even to this day.
This, on the other hand, was probably the most challenging shot as this pitch-dark room had one incredibly bright light source. It’s really easy for a phone to expose for one element, but the Reno8 Pro 5G was able to find just the right balance without completely ruining the dark background.
OPPO has gone out of its way to develop the MariSilicon X NPU with the goal of producing an ultra-clear imaging processor. This is important because they want to give their users a real enhanced photography and videography experience.
And when you combine the capabilities of the MariSilicon X NPU with the phone’s onboard SoC, the smartphone is even able to produce results in 4K low light video. OPPO’s calling it 4K Ultra Night Video and it boasts an improvement in image quality and colour expression.
Naturally, there’s only so much a processor can do if the camera’s sensor isn’t up to spec. But OPPO has equipped the Reno8 Pro 5G with a flagship-class Sony IMX766 sensor with a 1/1.56” sensor size which features 1 micrometer pixel. Alongside the 8MP ultra-wide Sony IMX355 camera and 2MP OV02B10 macro camera, the Reno8 Pro 5G also has the versatility to match its capability.
The impressive camera hardware continues to the selfie camera where you will find a 32MP Sony IMX709 sensor. OPPO co-developed this sensor with Sony and features an independent RGBW colour array which allows for more light to be captured. The result is a brighter image, even in low light conditions.
Further enhancing the image quality is Sony’s Digital Overlap High Dynamic Range (DOL-HDR) which works on a hardware level. It essentially captures light data at different exposures and combines the images into a single image with balanced brightness.
To obtain a sharp and clear selfie, the Reno8 Pro 5G debuts with Auto Focus for the front camera. It works in both solo and group selfies to keep everyone in focus.
Then, you have to consider the fact that OPPO has wrapped all of this neatly into a streamlined unibody design that stands out from the crowd. Each back glass has been hot forged in a high-pressure environment with temperatures over 800 degrees Celsius before they’re hand polished to perfection with diamond sheets, eliminating the unsightly standalone camera bumps you’d find in most smartphones.
What you’re left with is a finish with a ceramic-like texture.
The OPPO Reno8 Pro 5G comes in a new Glazed Green colour option along with Glazed Black.
OPPO’s new premium mid-ranger will be coming to Malaysia soon and is open for a blind pre-order. You will need to pay RM100 deposit to secure your OPPO Reno8 Pro 5G.
As part of the pre-order, you will receive gifts worth up to RM1,755, which includes an OPPO Enco Air2 Pro, complementary OPPO Care, Members Privileges worth up to RM888, and a Marshall Backpack.
Additionally, you can also get the OPPO Pad Air with an RM150 discount if you purchase it together. Finally, early birds can snag a limited-edition Ollie figurine, based on a first come first served basis.
