OPPO has once again raised the bar in the midrange segment with the Reno13 5G. Boasting an ultra-slim and lightweight design, this phone is not just about aesthetics—it also delivers powerful performance, an immersive AMOLED display, and a capable camera system that even supports underwater photography.
With its upgraded MediaTek Dimensity 8350 processor, 120Hz refresh rate, and long-lasting 5,600mAh battery, the Reno13 5G is shaping up to be one of the most well-rounded devices in its category. But is it worth its price tag of PHP 34,999? Let’s dive into its features and find out if this phone is the right fit for you.
Design and Build Quality
Let’s start with the design and build quality. Right off the bat, the OPPO Reno13 5G is eye-catching, especially in the Plume White colorway, which features a Butterfly Shadow effect and Plume Texture, making it a perfect choice for users who want a unique-looking phone. If you prefer something more subtle, the Luminous Blue variant—like the one we’re reviewing—offers a sleek and elegant option.
When I first held the Reno13 5G, I was genuinely surprised by how slim and lightweight it is. This might be the thinnest and lightest smartphone I’ve ever reviewed, and personally, I love compact devices, so I immediately fell for this one. The flat sides and curved edges give it an iPhone-like appearance, which is even more noticeable in person than in photos. If you see it for yourself, you’ll likely be just as impressed.
Despite its lightweight build, the Reno13 5G feels sturdy and well-made. Thanks to its aerospace-grade aluminum frame, it doesn’t feel cheap or fragile. For users who prioritize elegance, portability, and durability, this phone delivers in every aspect.
Additionally, it comes with an IP69 dust and water resistance rating, providing extra protection against the elements and allowing it to be submerged in water.
Display and Multimedia Experience
The OPPO Reno13 5G boasts a 6.59-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, offering higher resolution and pixel density than its predecessors. This results in sharper visuals and a more immersive viewing experience. You can even adjust the screen resolution in the settings, switching between 1080p and 1256p, though keep in mind that higher resolution drains the battery faster.
As expected from an AMOLED panel, the colors are rich and vibrant, making the display a delight to watch content on, even if the screen isn’t particularly large. Enhancing the viewing experience further are the dual stereo speakers, which deliver premium audio quality with solid bass. The speakers also support Ultra Volume Mode, making them loud and clear even in noisy environments.
The Reno13 5G supports a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring a smooth scrolling and gaming experience. I didn’t encounter any stutters, and everything felt fluid.
For outdoor usability, the screen can reach 1,200 nits of peak brightness, making it usable under sunlight, though not the brightest in its category. Lastly, the display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, adding durability, though I’d still recommend using a screen protector for extra safety.
Camera Performance
The Reno13 5G features a 50MP wide-angle main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP monochrome sensor. Meanwhile, the 50MP front camera handles selfies.
The Reno series is known for delivering great image quality, and while the camera setup seems similar to the Reno12, the image processing feels improved. Photos generally look detailed and well-balanced, though in low-light environments, some images can appear slightly washed out. Clarity, shadows, and highlights are well-handled.
A major upgrade is the selfie camera, which jumps from 32MP (Reno12) to 50MP, resulting in clearer, more detailed selfies.
For videos, the Reno13 5G supports 4K@60fps recording, and I was impressed by the stability and smooth zooming capabilities. Many Android phones suffer from laggy video recording, but this one performed flawlessly.
Underwater Photography mode sample photos:
Since it can be submerged in the water, you can use it for taking photos underwater. OPPO included an Underwater Photography Mode, where the volume buttons act as shutter controls while the power button (held for 3 seconds) exits the mode and drains out any trapped water.
I tested this feature during OPPO’s pre-briefing, and it worked impressively well. However, I don’t recommend using it in saltwater since that could damage the device. For freshwater (like swimming pools), it should work just fine.
Here are some sample photos taken with the OPPO Reno13 5G:
Performance and Gaming
One of the biggest upgrades in the OPPO Reno13 Series 5G is its performance. Unlike its predecessor, this model features the latest 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 8350 octa-core processor, providing a significant power boost.
In my weeks of using it as my daily driver, I found the phone to be exceptionally fast, handling everything I threw at it without issues. OPPO claims a 20% increase in CPU performance and a 60% boost in GPU performance, and based on my experience, these improvements are noticeable.
With 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 3.1 storage, multitasking is seamless, and app launches are lightning-fast. The phone runs on ColorOS 15 based on Android 15, offering a smooth and refined user experience.
For benchmarks, the Reno13 5G scored 1,167,000+ on AnTuTu and 11,600+ on PCMark Work 3.0—solid results for a midrange device. In real-world usage, whether I was browsing, gaming, or multitasking, the phone never felt sluggish.
In terms of gaming, the Reno13 5G handled power-intensive titles like Genshin Impact smoothly, but due to its slim design, it heated up fairly quickly during extended gameplay. While the performance remained stable, the phone’s thin profile makes heat dissipation a challenge.
Even when playing light games like Call of Duty: Mobile and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, the phone tends to heat up fairly quickly.
Battery Life and Charging
Another pleasant surprise is the battery capacity. Despite being extremely thin, the Reno13 5G houses a 5,600mAh battery, which lasted 18 hours and 39 minutes in my tests. This exceptional battery life is likely due to the power-efficient chipset and AMOLED display.
Your actual battery life will depend on your usage. On a particularly busy day attending events, taking photos and videos, and using social media, the phone lasted a full day before needing a recharge. On lighter usage days, I could go a day and a half without charging.
For charging, the phone supports 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging, allowing it to reach full charge in under an hour. This makes it an excellent choice for individuals with a busy lifestyle.
Conclusion
At PHP 34,999, the OPPO Reno13 5G isn’t cheap, but it offers premium features that justify the price. With its powerful performance, vibrant display, improved cameras, unique Underwater Photography Mode, long battery life, and ultra-fast charging, it stands out among midrange smartphones.
The Reno series has a solid reputation for durability and performance, and this phone is no exception. I even know people still using their Reno2 F and Reno5 today, proving the lineup’s longevity. If you want a stylish, lightweight, and feature-packed smartphone, the Reno13 5G is a great choice.
OPPO Reno13 5G Specifications
- Display: 6.59-inch AMOLED, FHD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 1,200nits max brightness
- CPU: 3.35GHz 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 5G octa-core processor
- GPU: Arm Mali-G615-MC6
- RAM: 12GB LPDDR5X RAM
- ROM: 512GB UFS 3.1
- Rear Camera: 50MP + 2MP monochrome lens + 8MP ultra-wide lens + LED flash
- Front Camera: 50MP
- Battery: 5,600mAh, 80W SUPERVOOC charging
- OS: ColorOS 15, Android 15
- Connectivity: 2.4GHz & 5GHz WiFi, 5G, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.4, LHDC 5, GPS, Hybrid SIM (nano), NFC, Infrared port
- Sensors: Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, gyroscope
- Colors: Luminous Blue, Plume White
- Weight: 181g
- Dimensions: 157.9mm (H) × 74.7mm (W) x 7.2mm (D)
- Others: In-display fingerprint sensor, AI face unlock, USB-C, IP69 rating, Hola Audio, Dual speakers, Aqua Touch, BeaconLink, AI LinkBoost, AI Toolbox, Underwater Photography Mode
