Design and Craftsmanship: A Statement in Your Pocket
The OPPO F21 Pro’s design philosophy is immediately apparent: it prioritizes aesthetics without compromising on ergonomics. The device feels remarkably sleek and light, a direct result of its slim 7.5mm profile and weight of approximately 175 grams. Holding it is a comfortable, premium experience, devoid of the unwieldy bulk common in many modern smartphones. The frame is crafted from a matte-finished polymer that convincingly mimics the look and feel of metal, providing a secure grip while resisting fingerprints.
However, the true centerpiece is the rear panel. OPPO offers the F21 Pro in striking colorways, with the “Sunset Orange” variant standing out. This model features OPPO’s proprietary “Fiberglass-Leather” design. It isn’t just a texture; a layer of real, finely woven orange vegan leather is integrated into the glass backplate. This provides a unique, warm, and grippy tactile sensation that is both luxurious and practical. The “Rainbow Spectrum” design on other models uses a sophisticated lithography process to create a shimmering, iridescent effect that plays with light, shifting colors subtly as you tilt the phone. The camera housing is a refined “Orbit Light” design—a polished, metallic crescent that encircles the main camera sensors. This isn’t merely decorative; it functions as a notification light, pulsating gently for alerts, calls, and charging status, adding a layer of dynamic interactivity to the design.
Display: Vivid Visuals for Entertainment and Work
The front of the device is dominated by a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a sharp FHD+ resolution (2400 x 1080 pixels). This panel is the source of the phone’s visual appeal, delivering rich, vibrant colors and deep, true blacks inherent to AMOLED technology. With a peak brightness of 600 nits, it remains reasonably viewable outdoors under direct sunlight. The 90Hz refresh rate is a significant upgrade over standard 60Hz screens. Scrolling through social media feeds, web pages, and the user interface is noticeably smoother, resulting in a more fluid and responsive user experience. While not the highest refresh rate available, 90Hz strikes an excellent balance between enhanced smoothness and power efficiency.
The screen is also a capable media consumption device, supporting a wide color gamut and HDR. Watching high-definition videos on platforms like YouTube and Netflix is a pleasurable experience, with excellent contrast and color pop. The in-display fingerprint scanner is fast and accurate, conveniently positioned for natural thumb placement. A slim chin at the bottom and minimal bezels on the other three sides contribute to an impressive screen-to-body ratio, making content feel immersive.
Camera System: Pro-Level Portraits and Beyond
OPPO has long positioned its F-series as a camera-centric lineup, and the F21 Pro continues this tradition with a focused and capable triple-camera array, headlined by its portrait capabilities.
- 64MP Main Camera with Pro-Level Portrait Mode: The primary sensor is a high-resolution 64MP Sony IMX709 sensor, which uses pixel-binning technology to capture detailed, well-exposed 16MP photos in most conditions. The star feature is the “Portrait Mode.” OPPO leverages its “Portrait Expert” algorithms and the power of the dedicated imaging NPU to deliver stunning bokeh effects. The edge detection is remarkably precise, cleanly separating the subject from the background. It offers various bokeh flare styles and filters to add artistic flair to portraits. The 64MP mode allows for capturing immense detail, useful for cropping or large prints.
- 2MP Macro & 2MP Depth Sensor: The system is rounded out by a 2MP macro camera for close-up shots and a 2MP depth sensor to assist in creating more accurate bokeh. While the macro sensor is functional, it requires good lighting and a steady hand for the best results.
- 32MP Front-Facing Camera: The selfie camera is a high-resolution 32MP sensor housed within a small punch-hole cutout. It excels in capturing sharp selfies with natural skin tones. Features like AI Beautification, Portrait Mode with bokeh, and HDR ensure flattering results in various lighting scenarios. It also supports clear and detailed video calls.
For videography, the OPPO F21 Pro can record up to 1080p at 30fps from both front and rear cameras, with electronic image stabilization (EIS) to smooth out minor shakes and jitters.
Performance and Software: Smooth Daily Driver
At the heart of the OPPO F21 Pro lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G chipset, built on a power-efficient 6nm process. This is not a flagship gaming processor, but it is a highly competent and reliable engine for everyday tasks. Paired with 8GB of RAM (with optional RAM expansion using storage), the phone handles multitasking, social media browsing, email, messaging, and mid-range gaming with consistent smoothness. Apps launch quickly, and switching between them is seamless.
The software experience is governed by ColorOS 12.1, built on Android 12. OPPO’s skin is feature-rich and visually polished, offering a high degree of customization for icons, always-on display layouts, and system colors. It includes practical tools like a system-wide dark mode, three-finger screenshot with editing, and flexible navigation controls. The UI is clean, with minimal bloatware, and the overall experience is intuitive and user-friendly. The performance is tuned for reliability, ensuring that the phone remains snappy and responsive over time for typical users.
Battery Life and Charging: All-Day Power, Rapid Refuels
A 4500mAh battery powers the OPPO F21 Pro. Combined with the power-efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset and the software optimizations in ColorOS, this results in stellar battery life. For the average user, the phone can easily last a full day of moderate to heavy use, which includes several hours of screen-on time involving video streaming, social media, web browsing, and calls. Even for power users, it reliably makes it to the end of the day without needing a top-up.
When the battery does deplete, the included 33W SUPERVOOC flash charger delivers remarkably fast refueling. The charger can take the battery from zero to over 50% in just about 30 minutes, and a full charge is achieved in approximately 70 minutes. This eliminates range anxiety and integrates seamlessly into a fast-paced lifestyle.
Connectivity, Audio, and In-Hand Feel
The OPPO F21 Pro is a 4G/LTE device, offering robust connectivity with support for multiple bands, dual-band Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.1. The call quality is clear, and network reception is stable. For audio, it features a single, bottom-firing speaker that gets sufficiently loud for media consumption and calls, though audiophiles will appreciate the inclusion of a standard 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio. The haptic feedback is subtle and precise, enhancing the typing experience and system interactions. The overall build quality feels solid, with no creaks or flex, reinforcing its premium positioning. The device strikes a perfect chord between a large, immersive display and a form factor that is comfortable to hold and use with one hand.