Oppo is launching the Reno 13 Pro 5G. With it, Oppo aims to appeal to the masses through eye-catching features. The focus on underwater photography stands out the most.
Oppo had gathered the press in Milan for the launch of its Reno 13 series, of which the Reno 13 Pro 5G is the flagship device. The Reno range sits alongside the manufacturer’s Find range, and is meant to appeal to a larger target audience. The strategy is working: in Europe, the manufacturer holds the fifth spot in the smartphone market, according to Canalys.
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The Find series is a showcase of the best Oppo can technically build, with the excellent Find X8 Pro as its flagship. Not surprisingly, the price tag is on the hefty side. With the Reno series, Oppo is trying to go more for balance. The Reno 13 phones include the main features from the Find range, combined with some novelties of its own. Oppo is howver aiming for a more mainstream audience. The Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G has a suggested retail price of 799 euros incl. VAT: still quite a bit lower than the 1,149 euros of the Find X8 Pro.
Oppo equips the Reno 13 Pro 5G as follows:
- 8.83-inch amoled display (120 Hz, 1,271 x 2,800 pixels)
- MediaTek Dimensity 8350
- 512GB storage (UFS 3.1)
- 12 GB RAM
- 5,800 mAh battery
- 80 W charging (SuperVooc)
- Main camera: f/1.8, 50 MP, OIS
- Telephoto 3.5X: f/2.8, 50 MP, IOS
- Wide angle: f/2.2, 8 MP
- Selfie: f/2, 50 MP
- IP69
Adequate inner workings
Oppo once again relies on inner workings from MediaTek, and that’s not a bad choice. For previous models, that chip showed itself to be powerful and economical enough. 12 GB of RAM is more than enough and 512 GB of storage is competitive in this price range.
Oppo puts the hardware in a fashionable case. The device feels thin and features a predominantly matte yuet slightly shiny back. Those who want to, can see the shadow of a butterfly in it, we hear on stage. Our preview device shines subtly but interestingly in the light. A black edition without butterfly shadows also exists for a more businesslike look.
Camera selection
As for the camera selection, we are excited about the two 50 MP sensors on the back. That the main camera produces nice snapshots, we have no doubt. We are also excited about the 3.5X zoom. Oppo provides optical image stabilization and a similar sensor for both cameras, allowing you to switch between the main camera and the zoom based on your preference. Quality considerations need not be a factor.
Oppo has been opting to go with mild zoom lenses for a while now. 3.5X offers an interesting magnification that produces images with proportions somewhat similar to what you see with the naked eye. The lens is also interesting for portraits.
We don’t really understand the presence of the 8 MP wide-angle camera. The main camera already has a pretty wide viewing angle and a much better sensor. We suspect Oppo wants to excel with three camera systems, but based on the specifications, one of the three is inferior and hardly relevant.
Those who like to take selfie pictures will once again have a camera with a 50 MP sensor at their disposal. This is also useful for quality video calls.
Oppo provides the device with interesting AI capabilities, most of which we know from other devices. For example, the phone can eliminate reflections from the window, and make images sharper by eliminating motion (from a pet, for example).
Let’s go swimming
Most notable is its IP69 rating. This device can survive underwater to a depth of two meters for 30 minutes. That in itself is not exceptional in the market, but Oppo really wants you to take the phone with you in the pool. A special photo mode stands in for images underwater, where you can shoot images with the volume buttons.
Oppo provides a function to re-dry the device after a jump in the pool. Via sound vibrations (and accompanying horn sound), excess water is expelled from the speakers, among other things. As usual, an IP rating doesn’t translate to warranty, though Oppo wants to win over quick buyers by offering a temporary warranty against water damage. If you open the underwater mode, however, you are warned that water resistance may degrade over time and damage is not covered by the standard warranty.
Solid battery
Also worth noting is the battery in the Reno 13 Pro 5G. It’s huge, with a 5,800 mAh capacity. Charging can be done at 80 watts, but only with the not included SuperVooc charger. It is quite unfortunate that Oppo is sticking to its own charging standard, and not simply opting for USB-C Power Delivery.
Oppo further claims that the battery will last at least five years. During that time, the capacity should not drop below 80 percent. Oppo provides OS updates for just as long, and security updates for an additional year. So basically, you are safe for six years with this device.
Pre-installed crap
Finally, we note from our preview model that Oppo still wants to include bloatware on the device. Those who are not careful during the installation process will have junk apps like Temu installed in no time. Other junk apps like AliExpress, something called ReelShort, and a game called Block Blast also need to be uninstalled before you can really get started.
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Oppo launches Reno 13 Pro 5G: going swimming
Overall, Oppo does seem to deliver a very engaging device with the Reno 13 Pro 5G at a more palatable price tag than the Find X8 series. A handsome main camera, decent 3.5X telephoto lens, nice AI features, waterproofing and an underwater mode help make this smartphone attractive.
Oppo is also launching another Reno 13 5G. That one has similar specifications, including size and interior. However, storage memory is more limited (256 GB) and the 3.5X camera is missing.
Availability
The Reno 13 Pro 5G is available immediately at a suggested retail price of 799 euros. The Reno 13 5G costs 549 euros.
A lighter Reno 13 F and FS 5G will appear from March 7 for 379 euros and 429 euros, respectively. Those devices again sacrifice specifications for a lower price tag, both in terms of cameras and fast charging. Water resistance is retained, however.