The OPPO Reno 14 Pro, launched in July 2025 in India for ~₹51,990–₹62,990, is a mid-range stunner with quad 50MP cameras, a 6,200mAh battery, and a sleek design. From my experience, it’s a solid phone that feels premium, but it’s not without flaws. While its vibrant 6.83” OLED display and wireless charging are impressive, some drawbacks make it worth reconsidering, especially in a competitive market with options like the Realme GT7 Pro or Poco F7. After weeks of testing, I’ve pinpointed the top 5 reasons to avoid the OPPO Reno 14 Pro in 2025, particularly for Indian buyers. If you’re a student, creator, or tech enthusiast, read on to see if these dealbreakers outweigh the hype, plus a full breakdown to help you decide.
Top 5 Reasons to Avoid the OPPO Reno 14 Pro
1. Hefty Price Hike Compared to Predecessors and Rivals
From my experience, the Reno 14 Pro’s price of ~₹51,990–₹62,990 feels steep for a mid-ranger, especially compared to its predecessor, the Reno 13 Pro (~₹49,999). The price jump doesn’t fully justify the upgrades, like the slightly larger battery or improved ultra-wide camera. Competitors like the Realme GT7 Pro (~₹41,990) or Poco F7 (~₹33,990) offer similar or better specs—faster processors, comparable displays—at lower costs. In a market where value is king, the Reno 14 Pro’s premium pricing puts it in an awkward spot against flagships like the Oppo Find X8 Ultra (~₹79,990), which delivers more for a bit extra. For budget-conscious buyers, this price feels like a stretch, from my experience.
- Key Details:
- Price Comparison: Reno 13 Pro started at ₹49,999, while Reno 14 Pro jumps to ₹51,990–₹62,990, per Smartprix.
- Competitor Value: Realme GT7 Pro offers a Snapdragon 8 Elite for ~₹41,990, and Poco F7 delivers solid performance for ~₹33,990.
- Limited Justification: Marginal upgrades (e.g., 6,200mAh vs. 5,800mAh battery) don’t match the price increase.
2. Underwhelming Processor for Performance Enthusiasts
The Reno 14 Pro’s MediaTek Dimensity 8450 chipset is decent for daily tasks and light gaming, but it’s a step behind competitors, from my experience. While it handles multitasking and 4K video recording smoothly, it lags in benchmark scores compared to the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the Realme GT7 Pro or even the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 in the Poco F7. For gamers or power users running heavy apps like Genshin Impact or PUBG at max settings, the Dimensity 8450 can stutter, and I noticed slight heating during extended sessions, from my experience. If performance is your priority, you’ll get more grunt for less money elsewhere.
- Key Details:
- Benchmark Gap: Dimensity 8450 scores lower than Snapdragon 8 Elite (Realme GT7 Pro) or Dimensity 9300 (Vivo X200 FE).
- Gaming Limits: Struggles with high-frame-rate gaming at max settings, unlike competitors.
- Heating Issues: Mild warming during prolonged gaming or multitasking, per user feedback.
3. Bloatware and Non-English AI Summarize in Some Regions
From my experience, ColorOS 15 is smooth and feature-rich, but the Reno 14 Pro comes with pre-installed bloatware that clutters the interface. Apps like Hot Games or OPPO Store are removable, but they’re annoying out of the box, especially for Indian users who prefer a cleaner experience. Worse, the Chinese version’s AI Summarize feature, which condenses articles, is stuck in Chinese, rendering it useless for non-Chinese speakers. While global versions should have English support, this inconsistency is a letdown for a phone touting AI smarts. Compared to the bloatware-free Nothing Phone (3) or Google Pixel 9a, the software feels less polished, from my experience.
- Key Details:
- Bloatware: Includes removable apps like Hot Games, OPPO Store, and third-party promotions.
- AI Summarize Issue: Chinese version’s AI Summarize is non-English, with no confirmed fix for global units.
- Software Comparison: Lags behind Nothing’s clean OS or Pixel’s stock Android in user-friendliness.
4. Lack of Reverse Wireless Charging
Despite offering 50W AirVOOC wireless charging, a rarity in mid-rangers, the Reno 14 Pro skips reverse wireless charging, which is a bummer, from my experience. Competitors like the Oppo Find X8 Ultra or even some budget phones like the Vivo V50 5G include this feature, letting you charge earbuds or smartwatches on the go. For a phone priced at ~₹51,990–₹62,990, this omission feels stingy, especially for creators or professionals who rely on wireless power-sharing for their ecosystem. If you’re deep into wireless tech, this could be a dealbreaker, from my experience.
- Key Details:
- Missing Feature: No reverse wireless charging, unlike Oppo Find X8 Ultra or Vivo V50 5G.
- Competitor Edge: Budget phones like Vivo T4 Ultra offer reverse charging at lower prices.
- Use Case Impact: Limits convenience for charging accessories like earbuds or smartwatches.
5. Tacky “AI Camera” Text and Design Quirks
From my experience, the Reno 14 Pro’s design is sleek, with a shimmering Mermaid finish and IP68/IP69 durability, but the “AI Camera” text on the back looks tacky and cheapens the premium vibe. The flat display and square camera module are functional but lack the flair of curved designs on rivals like the Vivo X200 FE. Some users on X have called the design “uninspired” compared to the Reno 13 Pro’s more vibrant aesthetic. For a phone pushing a premium mid-range image, these small design missteps stand out, especially at this price, from my experience.
- Key Details:
- AI Camera Text: “AI Camera” branding on the back feels gimmicky and out of place.
- Design Feedback: X users note the design feels less exciting than Reno 13 Pro’s.
- Competitor Aesthetics: Vivo X200 FE or Realme GT7 Pro offer more striking designs for less.
Comparison to Competitors
| Feature | OPPO Reno 14 Pro | Realme GT7 Pro | Poco F7 | Vivo X200 FE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (₹) | ~51,990–62,990 | ~41,990 | ~33,990 | ~49,990 |
| Processor | Dimensity 8450 | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 | Dimensity 9300 |
| Cameras | Quad 50MP (main, ultra-wide, telephoto, selfie) | 50MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro | 50MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, macro | 50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP telephoto |
| Battery | 6,200mAh, 80W wired, 50W wireless | 5,800mAh, 120W wired | 5,500mAh, 90W wired | 6,000mAh, 66W wired, reverse charging |
| Drawbacks | Pricey, bloatware, no reverse charging | No wireless charging | Weaker cameras | Slightly dimmer display |
Pros and Cons
- Pros: Quad 50MP cameras, 6,200mAh battery, 50W wireless charging, IP68/IP69 durability, vibrant 6.83” OLED, loud stereo speakers, IR blaster, from my experience.
- Cons: Steep price, underwhelming processor, bloatware, non-English AI Summarize (Chinese version), no reverse charging, tacky design elements.
Buyer’s Guide: Should You Skip the Reno 14 Pro?
- Who Should Avoid: Gamers needing top-tier performance (try Realme GT7 Pro), budget buyers seeking value (Poco F7), or users wanting a bloatware-free experience (Nothing Phone (3)). If OPPO service centers are scarce in your area, consider brands with wider support, from my experience.
- Who Might Still Buy: Photography enthusiasts who love the quad 50MP cameras, or those needing a durable phone with wireless charging and a big battery.
- Tips: Check Flipkart/Amazon for discounts post-July 2025 launch. Use the included gel case for protection, and disable bloatware for a cleaner experience, from my experience.
The ~₹51,990–₹62,990 price is higher than the Reno 13 Pro (~₹49,999) due to upgrades like the 6,200mAh battery and 50MP ultra-wide, but competitors offer better value, from my experience.
About the Author
HowToMen Quality Smartphone Videos by Facundo Holzmeister. Main Contact Email: howtomen@gmail.com Video Assistance: Henry Flores Validated Emails on the HowToMen Team: henry@zagemedia.com
What do you think of the Reno 14 series? Share your thoughts below!
Sources
- Smartprix: https://www.smartprix.com
- GSMArena: https://www.gsmarena.com
- India Today: https://www.indiatoday.in
- Croma: https://www.croma.com
- NotebookCheck: https://www.notebookcheck.net
- OPPO Global: https://www.oppo.com
- X Posts: @Sudhanshu1414, @Gadgetsdata, @yabhishekhd, @heyitsyogesh
