Oppo Reno 5G vs Reno4 SE: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Performance and Value

The Oppo Reno series has consistently delivered compelling mid-range options. The Reno 5G, with its flagship-adjacent Snapdragon 855, initially aimed higher. Now, with the Reno4 SE offering a more recent Dimensity 720 chipset and aggressive pricing, the choice isn't as straightforward. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which Reno best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Oppo Reno 5G emerges as the stronger choice. While the Reno4 SE boasts faster 65W charging, the Snapdragon 855 in the Reno 5G provides a significant performance advantage in demanding tasks and gaming, justifying the trade-off in charging speed. The Reno 5G offers a more future-proof experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno4 SE Oppo Reno 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global
5G bands1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA78 NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMACDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2020, September 21. Released 2020, September 242019, April. Released 2019, May
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions160.5 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.32 x 2.91 x 0.31 in)162 x 77.2 x 9.3 mm (6.38 x 3.04 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight169 g (5.96 oz)215 g (7.58 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)
Size6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 108.6 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 430 nits (typ)AMOLED
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC3Adreno 640
OSAndroid 10, ColorOS 7.2Android 9.0 (Pie), ColorOS 6
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.0UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/3.0, 130mm (periscope telephoto), 5x optical zoom, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS; video rec. only with main camera
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRLED flash, HDR
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µmMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging65W wired 5W reverse wired20W wired
TypeLi-Po 4300 mAhLi-Po 4065 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, BlueOcean Green, Jet Black
ModelsPEAT00, PEAM00CPH1921
PriceAbout 320 EURAbout 880 EUR

Oppo Reno4 SE

  • 65W SuperVOOC Charging: Extremely fast charging speeds.
  • More Power Efficient Chipset: Dimensity 720 offers good battery life.
  • Potentially Lower Price: Often available at a more affordable price point.

  • Lower Performance: Dimensity 720 is less powerful than Snapdragon 855.
  • Less Future-Proof: May struggle with demanding games and apps in the long run.

Oppo Reno 5G

  • Superior Performance: Snapdragon 855 delivers significantly faster processing.
  • Better Gaming Experience: Handles demanding games with ease.
  • More Robust ISP: Potentially better image quality and processing.

  • Slower Charging: 20W charging is considerably slower than the Reno4 SE.
  • Potentially More Throttling: Snapdragon 855 can throttle under sustained load.

Display Comparison

Neither Oppo provides detailed display specs beyond resolution in their marketing. However, both likely utilize AMOLED panels, common for the Reno series. The Reno 5G, being the older model, may have slightly lower peak brightness. The Reno4 SE's panel is likely optimized for power efficiency given the Dimensity 720's focus. Without specific nit ratings, it's difficult to declare a clear winner, but the Reno 5G's higher price point suggests a potentially more refined display calibration.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are unavailable. However, the Reno series generally emphasizes camera capabilities. Given the Reno 5G’s higher initial price, it likely features a more sophisticated image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 855, potentially leading to better dynamic range and low-light performance. The Reno4 SE’s Dimensity 720 ISP is capable, but likely less advanced. Without knowing sensor sizes and lens apertures, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Reno 5G’s processing power gives it an edge in image quality.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm) in the Reno 5G features a 1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 prime core, supported by 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 cores and 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 cores. This contrasts with the Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7nm) in the Reno4 SE, utilizing a 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. The Snapdragon 855’s architecture, with its higher clock speeds and more powerful cores, delivers significantly better CPU and GPU performance. While both are 7nm chips, the Snapdragon 855’s design is geared towards higher sustained performance, though it can be prone to thermal throttling under prolonged heavy load. The Reno4 SE’s Dimensity 720 is more efficient, but sacrifices raw power. This translates to smoother gaming and faster app loading times on the Reno 5G.

Battery Life

The Reno4 SE’s 65W wired charging is a major advantage, allowing for a full charge in under 40 minutes. The Reno 5G’s 20W charging is considerably slower, taking significantly longer to reach 100%. However, battery life is also influenced by chipset efficiency. The Dimensity 720 is more power-efficient, potentially offsetting the Reno 5G’s more demanding processor. Real-world usage will determine the actual battery endurance, but the Reno4 SE’s charging speed is a compelling feature for users who prioritize quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno4 SE if you prioritize extremely fast charging and are a casual user who primarily focuses on social media, browsing, and light tasks. Its 65W charging is a standout feature. Buy the Oppo Reno 5G if you value performance for gaming, multitasking, or demanding applications, and are willing to accept a slower 20W charging speed. The Snapdragon 855 offers a more robust and responsive experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 855 in the Reno 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 855 is known to generate heat under sustained load. While Oppo likely implemented thermal management solutions, some throttling is possible during extended gaming. However, the Reno 5G’s superior cooling capabilities compared to phones with less powerful chipsets should mitigate this issue to a degree.
❓ Is the 65W charging on the Reno4 SE compatible with all USB-PD chargers?
No, the Reno4 SE utilizes Oppo’s proprietary SuperVOOC charging protocol. While it may charge at a slower rate with standard USB-PD chargers, you’ll need the included Oppo charger or a compatible SuperVOOC charger to achieve the full 65W charging speed.
❓ Does the Dimensity 720 in the Reno4 SE support 5G connectivity?
Yes, the Mediatek Dimensity 720 is a 5G-enabled chipset. The Reno4 SE supports 5G connectivity, allowing you to take advantage of faster network speeds where available.
❓ Which phone is better for video editing on the go?
The Oppo Reno 5G is significantly better suited for video editing. The Snapdragon 855’s processing power and GPU capabilities will handle video encoding and rendering much more efficiently than the Dimensity 720, resulting in faster export times and a smoother editing experience.