Oppo F29 Pro Review: A Tough Mid-Range Smartphone

Oppo’s F29 Pro emerges prominently in the mid-range smartphone sector, focusing on its resilience, which is a unique and fascinating choice. With an impressive IP69 rating, Military Standard (MIL-STD) certifications, and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, this device appears designed to endure even the most severe environments. Nevertheless, apart from its durability, does it present enough appeal to draw users away from performance-driven alternatives like the Realme P3 Pro and iQOO Neo 10R? A thorough review over a couple of weeks with the Oppo F29 Pro reveals the answer.

Design: Secure and Sturdy

Upon first impression, the Oppo F29 Pro is not overtly eye-catching. Its Granite Black finish is tastefully understated, harmoniously paired with a silver-plastic frame. The sizable, round camera module positioned at the back does draw the eye but lacks innovation. While its visual appeal may not be its most significant asset, Oppo strikes a remarkable balance through outstanding build quality. The device feels reassuringly durable, designed to withstand accidental spills of soft drinks, coffee, and even beer, making it ideal for the everyday user.

In spite of its robust construction, this smartphone remains relatively comfortable to hold, weighing in at just 180 grams. The device’s quad-curved edges enhance the grip, ensuring that extended use does not lead to discomfort.

Display: Luminous but Lacking Sharpness

The F29 Pro features a 6.7-inch FHD+ quad-curved AMOLED display, which is vibrant and responsive, achieving peak brightness levels of up to 1200 nits. Watching videos is an enjoyable experience, with vibrant colours, and the display remains sufficiently visible in bright outdoor conditions.

However, a closer look indicates that sharpness can sometimes fall short, diminishing overall clarity.

Performance and Software: Competent yet Congested

Equipped with MediaTek’s Dimensity 7300 Energy chipset, the Oppo F29 Pro does not quite compete with its counterparts in benchmark scores. It recorded a score of 7,02,639 on AnTuTu, positioning it behind other similarly priced devices. Nonetheless, the performance in real-world usage remains satisfactory. Everyday actions like web browsing, streaming, and social media applications run smoothly, though gaming performance tends to hover around 60fps. When subjected to HDR graphics settings, lag becomes apparent, and the device tends to heat up after prolonged gaming sessions.

Operating on ColorOS 15 (Android 15), this smartphone guarantees two years of software updates and three years of security patches. This is acceptable, but competing brands increasingly deliver longer support durations. Regrettably, ColorOS is laden with pre-installed bloatware, cluttering the app drawer and diminishing the initial user experience. Fortunately, most of these applications can be uninstalled, although their presence feels unnecessary in the current year of 2025.

Oppo also incorporates AI-driven features, including AI Unblur, AI Eraser, and Gemini AI.

Camera: Missing a Broader Perspective

Unexpectedly, the Oppo F29 Pro lacks an ultra-wide camera lens, featuring only a 50MP primary sensor and a 2MP monochrome lens. Under optimal lighting conditions, images are adequate but miss the detailed clarity and vibrant accuracy expected at this price level. In less favourable lighting situations, performance deteriorates further, with photos displaying graininess, poor colour handling, and inadequate sharpness. Portrait modes perform slightly better, with decent edge detection, yet excessive smoothing can occasionally diminish image quality.

The 16MP front camera delivers reasonably good performance, producing natural-looking selfies, albeit lacking the vibrancy or sharpness found in competitor models.

Battery Life: Dependable and Strong

Featuring a significant 6,000mAh battery alongside 80W fast charging capabilities, the F29 Pro easily lasts a day and a half of mixed usage without difficulty. During tests, streaming HDR content depleted only 4% of the battery over half an hour, while an hour of navigation with Google Maps resulted in a mere 10% reduction in battery life. This dependable battery performance stands out as one of the phone’s most appealing traits, particularly suitable for frequent travellers or intensive users.

Final Thoughts: Resilient but Lacking in Key Aspects

The Oppo F29 Pro showcases impressive durability and battery life, making a compelling argument for users prone to accidents or those seeking a sturdy daily companion. Nonetheless, its deficiencies in camera performance, screen sharpness, and overall processing may hinder a complete endorsement when compared to its rivals.

For anyone prioritising toughness and longevity, the Oppo F29 Pro is indeed worthy of consideration.