The Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G has officially launched, bringing a sleek premium design, versatile cameras, and flagship-level features to the mid-premium smartphone market. With a price tag of around USD 680, it competes in a category where users expect high-end performance and cutting-edge innovations.
Oppo’s latest offering boasts IP69-rated water resistance, a stunning AMOLED display, and a powerful camera setup designed for photography enthusiasts. On paper, it ticks a lot of boxes, but does it truly stand out among its competitors, or are there better options for the price?
With brands like Samsung, OnePlus, and Xiaomi offering strong alternatives in this range, potential buyers will be asking: Does the Reno 13 Pro justify its price? Can it compete with flagship killers that promise similar performance at a lower cost?
In this review, we’ll take a deep dive into its design, camera capabilities, performance, battery life, and software experience to see if the Reno 13 Pro is the right choice for you. Let’s get started!
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Design and Build Quality
The Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G takes inspiration from modern flagship designs, particularly borrowing elements from Apple’s latest iPhones, while still maintaining its own identity. With flat edges, a symmetrical frame, and a minimalist design, it feels sleek and premium in hand. The combination of high-quality materials and polished aesthetics makes it one of the most stylish smartphones in its category.
In terms of build quality, the Reno 13 Pro 5G delivers a solid, well-constructed feel that aligns well with its premium mid-range price tag. Oppo has done a great job ensuring structural integrity, and the phone feels sturdy and comfortable to hold, despite its flat edges.
Buttons and Ports: A Functional Layout
Oppo has kept the button and port placement clean and functional. The right side of the device houses both the volume and power buttons, which are well-positioned and tactile. The left side is completely button-free, adding to the phone’s clean and minimalist look.
At the top of the device, you’ll find:
- A microphone for improved audio capture.
- A secondary speaker, allowing for stereo sound output.
- An IR blaster, a rare but useful feature that enables users to control home appliances like TVs and air conditioners directly from their phone.
Meanwhile, the bottom of the phone is home to:
- The main speaker grille, complementing the top speaker for balanced stereo audio.
- A USB Type-C port for fast charging and data transfer.
- A dual SIM card slot, though there’s no microSD expansion, meaning users will have to rely on internal storage options.
Interestingly, audio also comes out of the earpiece, further enhancing the stereo effect and making media consumption and gaming a more immersive experience.
IP69 Water & Dust Resistance – A Standout Feature
One of the biggest highlights of the Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G is its IP69 rating, making it one of the most durable smartphones in its class. This certification ensures the phone is highly resistant to both dust and water, offering greater protection than the more common IP68-rated devices.
To test this feature, we submerged the Reno 13 Pro 5G under fresh water at a depth of 5.5 feet (1.6 meters) for three minutes. Impressively, the phone remained fully functional even days later, showing no signs of water damage or performance issues.
Water Resistance: What You Should Know
While the IP69 rating is impressive, it’s important to note a few limitations:
- The water resistance applies only to fresh water. Submerging it in seawater, chlorinated pools, or soapy water could still cause damage.
- The IP rating is meant for emergencies, such as accidental spills or brief submersion—not for extended underwater use.
- Warranty coverage does not include water damage, so taking it for a swim or using it for underwater photography is not recommended.
For those who want to capture underwater content, a dedicated action camera is still the best choice.
Final Thoughts on Design & Build
The Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G strikes a great balance between style, functionality, and durability. With its premium design, practical button layout, and industry-leading IP69 rating, it stands out as one of the most well-built mid-range smartphones available. However, users should still handle it with care and avoid intentional exposure to harsh environments to ensure long-term durability.
Display Specs and Features
The Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G boasts a 6.83-inch AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. At first glance, the screen appears completely flat, but upon closer inspection, it features a quad-curve design, adding a subtle yet premium touch to the overall aesthetics.
The visual experience on this display is exceptional, thanks to its vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast ratio. It also performs well outdoors, with a peak brightness of 1200 nits, ensuring visibility even under direct sunlight. Watching videos, browsing, or gaming feels smooth and immersive, thanks to the high refresh rate that makes animations and scrolling fluid.
One of the standout design choices is the thin and uniform bezels, which contribute to a modern and refined look. The curved edges not only enhance the device’s appearance but also improve the ergonomics, making it comfortable to hold despite its large display size.
Security and Biometrics
For unlocking the device, Oppo has provided two biometric security options:
- Under-display fingerprint scanner – Fast and reliable, even when using wet or slightly dirty fingers.
- Face Unlock – Quick recognition, but less secure compared to fingerprint authentication.
While Face Unlock is convenient for casual use, it lacks the advanced security of 3D facial scanning, making the fingerprint sensor the preferred option for privacy-conscious users.
Media and Gaming Experience
When it comes to media consumption, the Reno 13 Pro 5G truly excels. The AMOLED panel delivers rich colors, excellent contrast, and deep blacks, making it a great choice for streaming movies, YouTube videos, or browsing social media.
For audio, Oppo complements the stunning display with dual stereo speakers, offering above-average sound quality. This setup enhances the immersive experience, whether you’re watching content, playing games, or listening to music. While it won’t replace dedicated external speakers, the stereo effect and loud output are impressive for a smartphone in this price range.
Smooth Performance for Everyday Use
Thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate, navigating through the UI, apps, and games feels incredibly smooth and responsive. Whether you’re scrolling through web pages, switching between apps, or playing fast-paced mobile games, the high refresh rate makes a noticeable difference in overall usability.
Performance and Chipset
Powering the Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G is the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 chipset, which delivers a smooth and efficient performance for a wide range of tasks. Paired with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, the phone ensures snappy multitasking and plenty of space for apps, photos, and videos.
In everyday use, the Reno 13 Pro 5G handles social media browsing, video streaming, and web surfing with ease. Scrolling through apps like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube feels fluid, thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate display.
While the Dimensity 8350 isn’t a flagship-tier processor, it still delivers decent gaming performance. Titles like Zenless Zone Zero, Genshin Impact, and Call of Duty Mobile run smoothly on high settings. However, for demanding games, you may notice some frame drops or heating issues after extended sessions.
Speaking of thermals, the phone does get warm under heavy use, but it never becomes uncomfortably hot. Oppo’s heat dissipation system seems to work well, preventing performance throttling during gaming.
To give you a better idea of how the Reno 13 Pro performs, we ran benchmark tests, with the results flashing on screen. While it doesn’t match flagship chipsets like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the Dimensity 8350 still delivers solid performance in its category.
For most users, whether you’re into gaming, video editing, or general multitasking, the Reno 13 Pro offers a well-balanced performance without excessive power consumption.
Software & Updates
The Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G runs on Android 15, with ColorOS 15 layered on top. Oppo’s ColorOS is known for its customizability and feature-rich experience, and the latest version is no exception.
Users can personalize almost everything, including:
- Themes, wallpapers, and fonts for a unique look.
- Fingerprint animations for added visual flair.
- Customizable Always-On Display settings.
One thing that stands out is the iOS-inspired notification shade and control center. If you’re switching from an iPhone, you might find this layout familiar and easy to navigate. App drawer support is also present, helping users keep their home screen clutter-free.
However, one downside is the pre-installed bloatware. The phone comes with several preloaded apps, including third-party games and services that some users may never use. While these apps can be uninstalled, their presence takes away from the premium feel of the device.
Despite this, ColorOS 15 offers some useful features, such as:
- AI Eraser Tool – This is found in the Photos app and allows users to remove unwanted objects or people from images. While not as precise as Photoshop, it does a good job for quick edits.
- Share with iPhone Feature – Similar to AirDrop, this function enables fast and seamless file transfers between the Reno 13 Pro and an iPhone. Simply install the O+ Connect app on the iPhone, and you’re good to go.
In terms of long-term updates, Oppo has been improving its software support. While there’s no official confirmation, we expect the Reno 13 Pro 5G to receive at least three major Android updates and four years of security patches.
Overall, ColorOS 15 is a feature-packed UI, offering aesthetic appeal and high functionality, though bloatware remains a minor drawback. The new AI tools and Apple-inspired ecosystem enhancements make the Reno 13 Pro an exciting option for both Android and iPhone users.
Battery Life and Charging Speed
The Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G is equipped with a 5,800mAh battery, which delivers excellent longevity for everyday use. Even with heavy usage, including gaming, social media, and video streaming, the phone comfortably lasts an entire day without needing a charge.
For users with lighter workloads, it’s possible to stretch battery life beyond a day, making it an excellent choice for those who don’t want to carry a power bank around.
When it’s time to recharge, the 80W fast charging ensures quick top-ups. From 0 to 100%, the Reno 13 Pro 5G charges in about 35-40 minutes, which is incredibly convenient for busy users. A short 10-minute charge can provide several hours of moderate usage, reducing downtime significantly.
In terms of connectivity, the phone supports:
- Dual Nano SIMs
- Wi-Fi 6E for fast wireless speeds
- Bluetooth 5.4 for stable audio connections
- NFC for mobile payments
- An IR blaster, turning the phone into a remote control
The IR blaster is a handy addition, letting users control home appliances like TVs and air conditioners. However, it’s best to use it responsibly—no pranking people by turning off TVs in public!
Camera Specs and Performance
The Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G truly shines in the camera department, offering a versatile triple-camera setup that covers a wide range of shooting scenarios. On the rear, you’ll find:
- 50MP Main Camera – Equipped with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), ensuring sharp and detailed photos with improved low-light performance.
- 50MP Telephoto Lens – Also featuring OIS, allowing clear zoom shots up to 3.5x optical zoom.
- 8MP Ultra-Wide Lens – Captures wider landscapes and group shots, though not as sharp as the main and telephoto cameras.
For selfies, Oppo has equipped the Reno 13 Pro 5G with a 50MP front camera, ensuring crisp and high-resolution self-portraits.
Real-World Performance
A reviewer took the Reno 13 Pro 5G on a trip to Siquijor, testing its cameras in various lighting conditions. Here’s what he found:
- The main 50MP camera produces highly detailed images with excellent dynamic range. Colors are realistic but slightly enhanced, making them pop without looking overly artificial.
- OIS plays a significant role in low-light shots, reducing motion blur and improving image clarity even in challenging lighting conditions.
- The telephoto lens delivers sharp and vibrant zoomed-in shots up to 3.5x optical zoom. Beyond this, image quality begins to degrade, with digital zoom maxing out at 120x. For the best results, it’s advisable to stick within the 3x to 7x zoom range.
- The ultra-wide camera is decent, allowing for expanded field-of-view shots. However, it lacks the same level of sharpness and detail as the main and telephoto lenses.
Camera Features and AI Enhancements
For casual users, the camera app includes Smart Scene Detection, which automatically adjusts settings based on the subject. While the phone lacks a dedicated long exposure mode, users can manually adjust settings like ISO, shutter speed, and white balance in Pro Mode.
Selfie lovers will appreciate the high-resolution front camera, but be aware of the aggressive beauty mode. If you prefer a more natural look, it’s recommended to turn off skin smoothing filters.
Video Recording Capabilities
The Reno 13 Pro 5G supports 4K recording at 60fps on both the front and rear cameras, making it a solid choice for vloggers and content creators. The combination of OIS and electronic stabilization ensures smooth video capture, even while walking.
While the ultra-wide lens doesn’t support 4K at 60fps, it still delivers usable 4K footage at lower frame rates. The telephoto camera also performs well for zoomed-in video, but stability decreases at higher zoom levels.
Final Thoughts on Camera Performance
The Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G stands out with its strong camera performance, making it an excellent choice for mobile photography enthusiasts. The main and telephoto cameras perform exceptionally well, while the ultra-wide lens is decent but not as sharp.
For everyday users, the AI enhancements and scene detection make photography effortless, while manual controls allow advanced users to tweak settings to their liking. With 4K 60fps video recording on both front and rear cameras, the Reno 13 Pro 5G is an excellent multimedia tool, whether for photos, videos, or vlogging.
Price
The Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G is priced at approximately $780 USD, which marks a significant price increase compared to last year’s Reno 12 Pro 5G, which launched at around $620 USD.
This price places the Reno 13 Pro 5G in a highly competitive segment, where it goes up against flagship killers and premium mid-range devices from brands like Samsung, Google, and OnePlus.
While the higher price tag may raise concerns, Oppo compensates with premium features such as flagship-level water resistance (IP69), an advanced camera system, and solid all-around performance.
For those who value camera quality, durability, and fast charging, the Reno 13 Pro 5G justifies its price, but buyers looking for the best value for money might also consider alternatives in this price range.
Pros & Cons Of Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G
✅ Pros:
- Premium Build & Design
- Impressive Camera System
- Long-Lasting Battery Life
- Fast Charging
- High-Quality AMOLED Display
- Feature-Rich Software
❌ Cons:
- Not the Best Value for Money
- Bloatware Preinstalled
- Lacks a Flagship Processor
Conclusion
The Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G is undeniably a well-rounded smartphone that offers a premium design, an advanced camera system, and solid battery life. Its IP69 water resistance makes it one of the toughest mid-range smartphones available, adding an extra layer of durability.
However, with a price tag of approximately $780 USD, it becomes harder to justify for buyers focused on getting the best value for their money. The competition in this price range is fierce, and spending just a bit more could land you a flagship-grade device with better performance and additional features.
That said, if you’re a fan of Oppo and prioritize design, camera quality, and durability, the Reno 13 Pro 5G is still a great choice. It ticks all the right boxes for a premium mid-range device, making it an excellent pick for content creators, travelers, and everyday users who appreciate a stylish and feature-packed phone.
For those who are more performance-focused or looking for the best bang for their buck, it might be worth considering alternatives from brands like Samsung, Google, or OnePlus.
So, what do you think of the Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G? Does it justify its price with its feature set, or do you think there are better options at this price point? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G
❓ Is the Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G waterproof?
Yes, the Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G has an IP69 rating, meaning it is highly resistant to water and dust. However, this rating applies only to freshwater, and exposure to saltwater could damage the phone and void the warranty.
❓ Does the Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G support wireless charging?
No, the Reno 13 Pro 5G does not support wireless charging. However, it makes up for this with 80W fast wired charging, which fully charges the phone quickly.
❓ What is the screen size and resolution of the Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G?
The Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G features a 6.83-inch AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution (2400 × 1080 pixels) and a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth performance.
❓ How is the gaming performance of the Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G?
With the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 chipset and 12GB of RAM, the Reno 13 Pro 5G handles most mobile games smoothly. However, it may not perform as well as flagship gaming phones in more demanding titles.
❓ Does the Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G have expandable storage?
No, the Reno 13 Pro 5G does not support microSD card expansion. However, it comes with 512GB of internal storage, which should be sufficient for most users.
❓ Is the Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G worth buying?
It depends on your needs. If you prioritize a premium design, versatile cameras, and strong durability, the Reno 13 Pro 5G is a solid mid-range option. However, if you want flagship performance for the same price, you might consider alternatives like Samsung, OnePlus, or Google Pixel devices.
