The OPPO Reno13 arrived a month earlier and aims to spice up the mid-range space with a major design overhaul from its predecessor, a more powerful chipset, and the series’ hallmark of great cameras. But has the phone succeeded in securing a spot in people’s minds where the big shots like the iQOO Neo 9 Pro, Vivo T3 Ultra, and Realme GT 6 still reign supreme for their incredible price-to-performance ratio? Read my review to find out the answer.
OPPO Reno13
Rs 37,999
What Is Good?
- Sleek, minimal design with a sturdy frame
- Consistent performance
- Buttery-smooth user interface
- Immersive multimedia experience
- Long battery life
- Reliable cameras in daylight
What Is Bad?
- Bloatware apps
- Cameras struggle to handle harsh lighting
- Better options available for performance
Pricing and Availability in India
You can purchase the OPPO Reno13 from Flipkart and major retail stores. It is available in two storage options, as listed below:
| Variant | Price |
| 8GB+128GB | Rs 37,999 |
| 8GB+256GB | Rs 39,999 |
Design and Build Quality
In the world of extremists, whether it be a plain, uninspiring glass slab or a wacky aesthetic, I am pleased that OPPO has chosen to take the middle ground. In the Luminous Blue variant, the Reno13 looked pristinely minimal in its matte finish.
To add a finishing touch, the company raised the camera base a bit, applied a glossy layer, and crafted its borders to shine like a halo. This final step alone has elevated its overall appearance. But it collects dust and debris like a magnet, so keeping it away from cluttered space becomes necessary to maintain its beauty.
| Design | Specifications |
| Colour Options | Luminous Blue (reviewed), and Ivory White |
| Weight | 181g |
| Thickness | 7.29 mm |
| IP Rating | IP66 + IP68 + IP69 |
| Port and Button Placements | Bottom: Primary microphone, USB port, speaker grille, and SIM card tray
Top: Secondary microphone, IR blaster, and speaker grille Right Side: Power button and volume button |
If you conceal the camera module, the Reno13 can out ”iPhone” an iPhone. When placed side by side, the phone appeared eerily similar to the iPhone 15, but I am not complaining. In fact, this trait drove me to flaunt it in its bare form without any case. The Reno13’s excellent build quality and aluminium frame empowered me to take such action.
However, its most exceptional aspect is its weight. Despite packing a 5,600mAh battery, its bulkiness never made me think I must train like Saitama from the One Punch Man series before lifting it.
Last but not least, its triple combo of IP66, IP68 and IP69 ratings ensures that your underwater exploration through its cameras is always an A-game. But read the fine prints before diving into the deep sea.
Software and Performance
The Reno13 runs on ColorsOS 15, which is based on Android 15. Design is not the only aspect where one can catch a glimpse of the iPhone’s DNA; the software also appears to be influenced by iOS, at least in some regards. However, I can assert that the brand just took its essence and built its user interface so brilliantly around it that I always grinned whenever I interacted with each UI element owing to its satisfyingly smooth animations.
It even implemented features like Dynamic Island better than Apple under the alias “Live Alerts”. The only downside to this impressive aspect was the large number of pre-installed apps. These apps hogged so much space that I was alerted to clear their memory, even though I hardly installed any games and took only a few photographs. Moreover, its native app store spammed the notification centre on multiple occasions.
Alongside software optimisation, the processor of choice is another accomplice that ensures smooth operations across the board. In this case, OPPO has made a significant leap from a mid-tier chipset in the Reno12 to now delegating the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 to handle every task in the Reno13.
The phone breezed through my daily routine, ranging from endless scrolls on Instagram to some mind-relaxing gaming. On the benchmark front, though, it ranked relatively lower than notable personalities like the iQOO Neo 9 Pro, Realme GT 6 and the Vivo T3 Ultra. Still, I reiterate that this is a massive jump from its predecessor.
| Hardware | Specifications |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 8350 |
| RAM | 8GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | Up to 256GB UFS 3.1 |
| Storage Test | 100298 |
| CPU Throttling Test | 75 per cent of its max performance |
| Software Version | ColorOS 15 based on Android 15 |
| Connectivity Details | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, Beidou, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS |
| Number of Software Updates | 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security updates |
I also played BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile on the Reno13 to test its gaming calibre. While the phone supports 90fps gaming in BGMI, the max frame rate I attained was 61fps. Whether I scaled mountains or scouted enemies, the frame rate meter remained above 58fps.
Fortunately, I could experience the sweet 90fps gaming in Call of Duty: Mobile. I genuinely enjoyed rushing after opponents and stacking kills as the game functioned smoothly without lags or stutters. Speaking of thermals, the temperature remained normal even after playing games for almost two hours. However, we will update this section once we test the phone in the summer.
Display and Audio Quality
The Reno13 features a Full HD+ OLED flat display and honestly, picking a flat screen over a curved one is the best decision since it complements the phone’s overall appearance so well.
| Display | Specifications |
| Size | 6.6-inch |
| Type | OLED |
| Resolution | Full HD+ resolution (1256 x 2760) |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz |
| Peak Brightness | Claimed: 1200 nits, Tested: 1746 nits |
| Minimum brightness | 08 nits |
| Pixel Density | 460ppi |
| Display Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i |
Another reason on the list is that watching Sung Jin-Woo unveil his true strength in the Solo Leveling series was an exhilarating experience on this screen, with vibrant colours and crisp picture clarity.
With Widevine L1 certification available, I binge-watched movies in Full HD resolution on streaming services like Netflix. The cherry on top was HDR10, so you can enhance your viewing experience by watching movies in their best quality.
Indoors, I could comfortably search for vehicles on BGMI at 40 per cent brightness while effortlessly photographing my brother without squinting my eyes outdoors in direct sunlight. All of these were possible because the phone exceeded the advertised brightness claim.
Another component contributing to my remarkable multimedia experience was the stereo speakers. They could get pretty loud at times and had a balanced audio quality. So, watching movies and TV shows on the Reno13 was a great experience.
Camera
The Reno13 technically accommodates three cameras on the rear. The third camera is a monochrome sensor.
| Cameras | Specifications |
| Primary camera | 50-megapixel, f/1.8 (OIS) |
| Ultra-wide camera | 8-megapixel, f/2.2, 116° FOV |
| Monochrome camera | 2-megapixel, f/2.4 |
| Selfie camera | 50-megapixel, f/2.0 |
| Video capabilities | 4k at 60fps for front and rear cameras |
Under the bright sky, the primary camera photographed people and different ambiences with nearly accurate colours. It retained almost all visible details while demonstrating a talent for keeping background exposure in check. However, it tended to add a haze effect over the subject as it struggled to handle harsh lighting. The portrait mode also possessed these great qualities, though, the edge detection could’ve been better. What compels me to say this is that the portrait photos look good in their usual size, but once you pinch to zoom a bit— irregularities get pretty clear.
I enjoyed clicking photos with the ultra-wide camera because it enabled me to capture the vibe of a whole area without screwing up the necessary details. That said, details are obviously lower than that of the primary camera, due to the lower megapixel count. Again, the colours were as accurate as those of the primary camera. But it operated at a slower shutter speed causing images to get blurry from sudden movements. So, patience is key here.
The low-light performance was good but not as great as it performed in daylight. Just like in daylight, the primary camera continued producing almost true-to-natural colours. Yet, there was always a sense of mystery regarding whether it would maintain the level of detail a certain image required.
Furthermore, it would require you to remain steady; otherwise, images might turn out blurry in dim lighting, as it would slow down the shutter speed to compensate for low light. The ultra-wide camera excelled at capturing nearly true-to-life colours in photographs but had difficulty in minimising the blooming effect caused by challenging lighting conditions.
In ample lighting, the front camera delivers selfies suitable for setting it as your identity on social media. However, it wipes away most of the details from your face the second your surroundings get dimmer.
Battery and Charging
The sleek Reno13’s 5,600mAh battery endured my daily grind brilliantly while saving some capacity for next-day adventures. For context, I spend time sharing memes with friends on Instagram, watching videos on YouTube, and engaging in casual gaming.
| Battery | Specifications |
| Capacity | 5,600mAh |
| PCMark Battery Test | 15 hours and 38 minutes |
| Charger Support | 80W SuperVOOC (in the box) |
| Charging Speed | 44 minutes |
The phone ran for 15 hours and 38 minutes in our PCMark Battery test, which is an impressive score. But, it didn’t score enough to outmatch the Vivo V40 given that it lasted an extra 3 hours and 43 minutes, despite being fueled by a similar-size battery and priced relatively less.
The 80W charger-in-the-box takes 44 minutes to charge the phone completely.
Verdict
The OPPO Reno13 should be considered if you desire a sleek, minimal design that is lightweight and built to last. Furthermore, it offers an excellent multimedia experience thanks to its outstanding display and powerful stereo speakers. Its huge 5,600mAh battery ensures no interruptions during your hour-long sessions on social media apps. Its satisfyingly smooth user interface and adequate performance guarantee you won’t experience any slowdowns or stutters in your fast-paced lifestyle.
Before purchasing this phone, you should be aware of its shortcomings: While the software is buttery-smooth, the sheer number of preinstalled apps may stir your inner Monica. The cameras are dependable but need extra care from OPPO to iron out minute inadequacies. Lastly, it sells at a price point where relatively cheaper options provide better performance.
The Vivo T3 Ultra caters to those who desire mighty performance while meeting their need for great photography. Picking the Realme GT 6 will be a smarter choice for extreme gamers.
