Recently, OPPO released the new OPPO Reno 13. You might wonder, for RM2299, is this phone worth the investment? Lucky for you, we had the phone for over 3 weeks and had a proper go at it. For this review, we received the Luminous Blue variant. This is our verdict on it.
Design - Neat and silky
Looking nice and futuristic
Sexy
We love the colour for this model
All important buttons are on the right
USB-C, SIM card port and speaker
Design-wise, we are quite fond of the metallic finish on the back. It does not only look cool, but it is also pretty cool and easy to hold too. So, that should reduce the odds of it falling out of your hand if you have butterfingers. It also sports a dual-camera island with an AI camera system. The screen is also easy on the eye and easy to look at even under direct sunlight.
In addition, the right side panel of the phone houses the volume and power buttons. The left side was left empty while the bottom features a USB-C and a SIM-card port. Interestingly, this phone runs a dual-speaker on the top and bottom side. Overall, we feel OPPO has truly nailed the design for this model even if its the usual template.
Tech Specs and Features - Pretty good for its price
- MediaTek Dimensity 8350 SoC
- Mali-G615 GPU
- 12GB RAM & 256GB storage
- 50MP (Sony LYT600, primary), 8MP (ultra-wide), 2MP (monochrome) rear camera
- 6.59-inches, AMOLED, with FHD+ resolution
- 120Hz refresh rate with 1200 nits peak brightness
- 32MP front camera
- 5600mAh
- 80W SUPERVOOC
- ColorOS 15 based on Android 15
- 3 years of OS upgrades, 4 years of security patches
- 5G Support: Yes
Simple and not too much bloatware, nice
The OPPO Reno 13 features a flat design with a 6.59-inch display protected by Gorilla Glass 7i. Its screen supports a 120Hz refresh rate and has a peak brightness of 1200 nits, offering smooth visuals and good outdoor visibility. The phone is built to withstand tough conditions, with IP66/68/69 ratings for dust and water resistance. Audio-wise, the stereo speaker is quite good. The noise and distortions are there, but it's negligible and shouldn't affect your overall experience
Under the hood, the Reno 13 features the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 chipset and Mali-G615 GPU. Paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, the device handles multitasking and gaming effectively. The performance is reliable for daily use and moderate workloads.
Good speaker all-around
Great visibility even under direct sunlight
Moreover, this device runs ColorOS 15 based on Android 15. Therefore, the Reno 13 promises an up-to-date software experience. OPPO guarantees three years of OS updates and four years of security patches, enhancing the phone’s long-term value. So, it's quite future-proof.
UI-wise, we are satisfied with how clean and simple it looks. The amount of bloatware in this device is also kept minimal. Instead, the phone is filled with apps that are suggested for you.
Performance -Deceptively smooth and easy on the eye
Pretty interesting stats
Good scores
Performance-wise, this device scored 1146605 on AnTuTu. On GeekBench 6, it scored 1320 for the single-core and 3999 for the multi-core test. Interestingly, the OPPO Reno 13 maxed out in the Wild Life test on 3DMark. Plus, it scored 2816 for Wild Life Extreme on the same app. In case you didn't know, that is a more intense test on the phone’s hardware. So, that should give you an idea on how it performs.
Furthermore, the Reno 13 is equipped with a 5600mAh battery. That should provide sufficient power for a full day of typical use. It also supports 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging, allowing for rapid recharges when needed. This combination of battery life and charging speed ensures minimal downtime.
Based on our experience, this phone has quite a hefty battery life. A single charge could literally last you a day and a half under continuous use, which is pretty useful if you are always on your phone. It also takes around 50 minutes to fully charge, so that’s very neat.
Graphics can look a bit boxy at times
The gameplay feels smooth though
Our MLBB experience was great
Hiding time
Gaming-wise, we had a pretty good time with this device on Genshin Impact. While the graphics can look a bit boxy at times, it is barely noticeable and shouldn't affect your gameplay experience. Gameplay-wise, it feels quite smooth and enjoyable. We also had the same gaming experience and quality on MLBB. The screen responsiveness feels great for a phone in its class range.
In addition, if you are a big fan of racing games like Asphalt Legends, this phone feels great to control. Plus, the graphics look quite neat. So, if you are looking for a more affordable phone for gaming and working, this device should top your list.
The graphics look fine in our opinion
As you can expect, gaming feels smooth
For photography, the Reno 13 includes a 50MP Sony LYT600 primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP monochrome sensor. OPPO claims this setup ensures decent image quality across different scenarios, from landscapes to portraits. While not flagship-level, the cameras deliver enough versatility for casual photography enthusiasts.
Based on our experience, the quality is quite decent and we like the colour from the images captured. However, the camera can struggle a bit when it comes to moving objects. On the other hand, the Portrait mode offers decent focus and you can always customise the Pro Mode to your liking. Under low light, the quality is fine, but sometimes it may have issues with noise.
The focus and details are decent
Taken on X1 zoom
Taken on X2 zoom
Taken with Portrait Mode
Not bad
Under good lighting, this camera did great
Sweet
Batik anyone?
Great view
Great lighting, great setting, great result
Cuti Cuti Malaysia vibes
Fancy the beach?
The glare and noise is a bit noticeable at night
The colours are quite vivid in low-light though
Moving objects could be a challenge to capture at night
Visible noise from moving objects
Visible glare
Stationary objects look great
What a picture
Surprisingly, this phone does not have a Night Mode. So, it will take some configuration and handling to get the best results. Even so, we still feel the camera did relatively well. The colours are vivid and there is enough focus and details on the subject. Sure, the noise and glare is there. But with a little tweaking, you should be able to make it work.
Conclusion - Worth every penny
The OPPO Reno 13 series offers an interesting mix of design, performance, and features. For RM2299, we feel it is a solid option for those desiring a premium smartphone experience without an expensive cost. Alternatively, you can also opt for the realme GT6 (RM2499) for its performance and smooth gaming experience. You can also get the Xiaomi 14T Pro (RM2399) for a more economic all-rounder device.
That begs the question, should you buy it? The answer is a solid yes.
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