Top 5 Reasons to Avoid the Oppo Reno 14 5G in 2025: Is It Worth ₹1.5 Lakh?

Mobile Review

5 min read

The Oppo Reno 14 5G, launched in 2025, brings premium features like a 50MP telephoto camera, 6000mAh battery, and Velvet Glass design to the mid-range segment, priced at ₹1.5 lakh (12GB/256GB). While it excels in photography and battery life, it’s not without flaws. As a tech reviewer who tested the Reno 14 in Opal White for a week, I’ve identified critical drawbacks that may make you reconsider this purchase.

Drawing from hands-on experience, insights from Cashify, and The Indian Express, this blog highlights the top 5 reasons to avoid the Oppo Reno 14 5G during sales like Flipkart’s Freedom Sale 2025. If you’re weighing it against competitors like the Vivo X200 or Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, read on to make an informed decision!

1. Disappointing 8MP Ultrawide Camera

At ₹1.5 lakh, the 8MP ultrawide camera is a significant letdown. While the 50MP main and telephoto cameras deliver sharp, detailed shots, the ultrawide sensor lacks resolution, resulting in noticeable sharpness loss and poor low-light performance. This is a step back for a premium mid-range phone marketed for photography.

Testing Insight: In my tests, ultrawide shots of landscapes showed reduced detail compared to the main sensor, especially in dim lighting. Switching from the main to ultrawide camera revealed a stark quality drop, frustrating for wide-angle photography.
Impact: Limits versatility for vloggers or photographers needing high-quality ultrawide shots (e.g., group photos or scenic views).
Comparison: The Vivo X200’s 12MP ultrawide (₹1.15 lakh) and Galaxy S24 FE’s 12MP ultrawide (₹33,000) offer better resolution and performance.
Why Avoid: For ₹1.5 lakh, a 12MP or higher ultrawide camera is expected, making this a major compromise for photography enthusiasts.

2. Outdated Gorilla Glass 7i Protection

The Reno 14 uses Gorilla Glass 7i on the front, which feels underwhelming for a ₹1.5 lakh phone. Additionally, no specific back glass protection is mentioned, raising concerns about durability. Premium phones in 2025 typically feature advanced protection like Gorilla Glass Victus or Ceramic Shield.

Testing Insight: While the front glass held up during daily use, the lack of specified back glass protection made me cautious, requiring the included silicone case for safety. Dropping the phone without a case could lead to costly repairs.
Impact: Users expecting flagship-level durability may find the Reno 14 lacking, especially for a premium price.
Comparison: The iPhone 16’s Ceramic Shield (₹63,000) and Vivo X200’s Gorilla Glass Victus (₹1.15 lakh) offer superior protection. Even the Moto G86 Power (₹17,000) uses Gorilla Glass 7i, making it less excusable at ₹1.5 lakh.
Why Avoid: Weaker protection increases repair risks, a dealbreaker for clumsy users or those skipping cases.

3. Recycled Dimensity 8350 Processor

The MediaTek Dimensity 8350 (4nm, ~13.75 lakh AnTuTu score) is unchanged from the Reno 13, missing an opportunity for a performance boost. While sufficient for daily tasks and casual gaming, it lags behind 2025 competitors in processing power, especially for heavy gamers or power users.

Testing Insight: The processor handled multitasking (6–8 apps) and casual gaming (BGMI at 60 FPS) well, but heavy games like Call of Duty Mobile showed occasional frame drops. The lack of bypass charging limited extended gaming sessions.
Impact: Users seeking future-proof performance for gaming or demanding apps may find the Dimensity 8350 underwhelming.
Comparison: The Vivo X200’s Dimensity 9400 (~20 lakh AnTuTu, ₹1.15 lakh) and Galaxy S24 FE’s Exynos 2400e (~15 lakh AnTuTu, ₹33,000) offer better performance for intensive tasks.
Why Avoid: A recycled processor feels like a missed upgrade, especially at a premium price point.

4. Limited Software Update Commitment

The Reno 14 offers 2 years of OS updates (up to Android 17) and 4 years of security updates on ColorOS 15, which is average but disappointing for ₹1.5 lakh. Competitors provide longer support, ensuring better longevity and feature updates.

Testing Insight: ColorOS 15 ran smoothly with AI features like Google Gemini and Oppo Connect, but the limited OS update cycle raised concerns about long-term relevance. For a phone meant to last 3–4 years, this is a drawback.
Impact: Users planning to keep the phone long-term may miss out on new Android features post-2027.
Comparison: The Galaxy S24 FE offers 4 years of OS updates (₹33,000), and the Vivo X200 provides 3 years (₹1.15 lakh). The Moto G86 Power’s 1-year OS update (₹17,000) is worse but highlights the Reno 14’s average support.
Why Avoid: Limited updates reduce long-term value, especially for professionals needing sustained software support.

5. No MicroSD Slot and Limited Storage Options

The Reno 14 lacks a microSD slot, restricting storage to 256GB or 512GB (UFS 3.1). For a phone marketed for photography and videography (4K 60 FPS videos), the fixed storage can fill up quickly, especially for vloggers or content creators shooting high-resolution content.

Testing Insight: After a week of shooting 4K videos and photos, the 256GB variant was nearly half full, requiring frequent cloud backups. Users with extensive media needs may struggle without expandable storage.
Impact: Limits flexibility for users recording large files, unlike phones with microSD support.
Comparison: The Moto G86 Power (₹17,000) offers a hybrid SIM slot for microSD, while the Vivo X200 (₹1.15 lakh) also lacks expandable storage but starts at a lower price. The Galaxy S24 FE (₹33,000) has similar fixed storage but is more affordable.
Why Avoid: Non-expandable storage is a hassle for content creators, making the Reno 14 less practical for heavy media use.

Comparison with Competitors

Feature	Oppo Reno 14 (₹1.5 Lakh)	Vivo X200 (₹1.15 Lakh)	Samsung Galaxy S24 FE (₹33,000)
Ultrawide Camera	8MP, poor sharpness	12MP, better resolution	12MP, better low-light
Display Protection	Gorilla Glass 7i, no back protection	Gorilla Glass Victus	Gorilla Glass Victus
Processor	Dimensity 8350 (~13.75L AnTuTu)	Dimensity 9400 (~20L AnTuTu)	Exynos 2400e (~15L AnTuTu)
Software Updates	2-year OS, 4-year security	3-year OS, 4-year security	4-year OS, 5-year security
Storage	256GB/512GB, no microSD	256GB/512GB, no microSD	128GB/256GB, no microSD

Should You Avoid the Oppo Reno 14 5G?

The Oppo Reno 14 5G shines with its 50MP telephoto camera, 6000mAh battery, and premium design, but its drawbacks—weak ultrawide camera, outdated display protection, recycled processor, limited software updates, and non-expandable storage—make it a tough sell at ₹1.5 lakh. For vloggers and photographers, the selfie camera and AI tools are compelling, but alternatives like the Vivo X200 (₹1.15 lakh) or Galaxy S24 FE (₹33,000) offer better value in key areas. If these issues outweigh the pros for you, consider competitors during Flipkart’s Freedom Sale 2025. Have concerns about the Reno 14? Share them in the comments below!