The midrange smartphone market is a brutal battleground, with manufacturers locked in a constant struggle to one-up each other. So how do you stand out in a sea of similar specs and features?

OPPO‘s latest contender, the OPPO Reno13 5G from its popular Reno series, attempts to carve its own path by focusing on a promising combination of premium, if familiar, design; AI-powered camera smarts; raw performance; and marathon-worthy battery life. But in a segment overflowing with compelling options, does the OPPO Reno13 5G do enough to truly differentiate itself? We spent some quality time with the device to find out if it lives up to the hype and if it’s a worthy contender for your hard-earned cash.

Peak iPhone-inspired design

The OPPO Reno13 5G clearly borrows from the playbook of its premium cousin, the OPPO Find X8. The lineage is evident. However, where the Find X8 series proudly brandishes a prominent, circular camera module — a Hasselblad-branded statement piece — the Reno13 5G opts for a more familiar rectangular assembly. Obviously, the influence here is unmistakably Apple.

In fact, the design, particularly in this standard model, comes across as a carefully considered homage to the iPhone aesthetic. From the flat display panel bordered by slim, symmetrical bezels to the aforementioned rear camera housing, the cues are undeniable. OPPO’s intent is transparent — to position the Reno13 5G as a compelling, cost-effective alternative to Cupertino’s latest. And from a pure hardware perspective, it actually delivers.

While the inspiration is apparent, the company has achieved something remarkable here. This isn’t merely imitation; it’s a reinterpretation that, in some respects, surpasses the original. No other device has so successfully captured the essence of the iPhone’s design, its sleek minimalism, and premium feel, until now. The Reno13 5G is a testament to peak design and craftsmanship in its own right.

And surprisingly, in day-to-day use, we find ourselves reaching for it over even the OPPO Find X8, one of our main daily drivers. At a mere 7.29mm thick and weighing only 181 grams, it’s remarkably slim and lightweight. This device feels exceptionally balanced and ergonomic in hand, arguably more so than the brand’s own flagship. The inclusion of a physical alert slider, like the one found on the Find X8, would have been the chef’s kiss, further elevating this already exceptional user experience.

Despite that minor omission, the OPPO Reno13 5G’s svelte form factor doesn’t sacrifice durability. This is a device that looks delicate but is built to last. Case in point: It boasts an IP69 rating, the highest possible standard for ingress protection against liquids and solids. This means it can withstand submersion in up to two meters of fresh water for 30 minutes, and even high-pressure jets of near-boiling water (up to 80 degrees Celsius). This is durability on a par with the Find X8.

Further bolstering its resilience is OPPO’s “All-Round Armor” design. This incorporates “bionic cushioning and advanced technologies in glass, metal, and shock absorption” to safeguard the smartphone’s internals. While not explicitly marketed as a rugged device, the Reno13 5G, with its comprehensive protection, could be mistaken for one.

The thoughtful design extends beyond the obvious. The unit’s flat aluminum frame isn’t just an aesthetic choice; it provides a practical advantage, allowing you to easily prop the device upright on a flat surface without it toppling over. OPPO clearly sweats the small stuff, and it shows. The volume rocker is positioned above the power button — a logical arrangement that some Android OEMs inexplicably get wrong. And while other manufacturers are abandoning the IR blaster, OPPO wisely retains this underrated feature. Misplaced the TV remote again? No problem. This handset has you covered, making it the perfect companion for modern couch potatoes like us.

The Luminous Blue model we’re using for this review is visually mesmerizing. The rear panel is particularly captivating, largely due to the rectangular camera unit. The company has crafted this element with a “high-end texture,” designed to give the impression that it glows. This subtle yet sophisticated effect distinguishes the camera array from the rest of the aluminum chassis, which itself is finished in a striking, deeply saturated blue.

More pixels than a Pro

Let’s talk about the screen. The OPPO Reno13 5G’s display is very similar to the one found on the OPPO Reno13 Pro 5G. Yeah, you read that right. We’re looking at a 6.59-inch AMOLED panel here, a slight trim down from the Pro’s 6.83 inches. However, with a resolution of 2,760 x 1,256, the standard Reno13 actually boasts a higher pixel density than its more premium sibling, clocking in at a crisp 460 ppi. That means, in terms of sheer sharpness, the cheaper Reno13 is technically ahead.

It gets better. Both phones are rocking Gorilla Glass 7i for protection. Corning claims this iteration is twice as scratch-resistant as your garden-variety screen glass and can handle drops from up to a meter, even onto asphalt. So, not only is the Reno13 5G’s display impressively sharp, but it’s also surprisingly tough for a phone in this segment. It’s even got the same bells and whistles as the Pro: a peak brightness of 1,200 nits in High Brightness mode, a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support for eye-popping colors, and Widevine L1 certification, so you can stream all your favorite shows and movies in high definition. Seriously, OPPO didn’t cut any corners here.

The company even throws in granular control over the refresh rate. You can manually set it to 60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz per app. Want to prioritize silky-smooth scrolling in your X feed while saving some juice? You got it. Just don’t expect to magically unlock higher refresh rates in apps that don’t support them. The phone still respects those app-specific limits, so no forcing your favorite mobile game to run at 120Hz if the developers capped it at 60Hz. Still, the level of control here is a welcome addition. The Reno13 5G’s display isn’t just good for the price; it’s just plain good.

If that’s not enough customization for you, OPPO also offers three distinct color modes. Pro mode aims for accuracy, targeting the sRGB and DCI-P3 color spaces for a more natural look. For photographers and video editors, this is probably a godsend, because it can provide a more faithful representation of their work directly on the smartphone’s display. Vivid mode cranks up the saturation and contrast for a punchier, more vibrant picture — perfect for those who like their colors to pop. And finally, Natural mode delivers softer, more muted colors for a comfortable viewing experience.

One of our favorite ColorOS 15 features, Live Alerts, makes the leap from the flagship Find X8 series to the more affordable OPPO Reno13 5G. It’s essentially a Dynamic Island clone on Android devices, but the brand is doing it much better. Live Alerts are everything we wish Dynamic Island could be. These pill-shaped notifications that dynamically expand and contract around the front camera cutout look great, providing glanceable information and quick interactions without permanently taking over your screen, or a large portion of it. They feel like mini-widgets you can easily engage with and then dismiss when you’re done with them.

However, there’s a catch — and it’s a familiar one for any pill-shaped notification system. Third-party app integration is still a work in progress. While Apple’s Dynamic Island integrates with a handful of popular apps, OPPO’s Live Alerts are even more limited in scope, with Grab being the only third-party app we actually use getting support at launch.

Beyond megapixels

Coming to the cameras, you’ve got a rectangular camera bump on the back housing three lenses. Unfortunately, there’s one filler sensor here, a 2-megapixel monochrome unit, which, to be fair, supposedly helps with detail and noise, particularly in low light.

Of course, the star of the show is the 50-megapixel main sensor with optical image stabilization, paired with a 26mm equivalent lens at f/1.8. This is your daily workhorse, and we’re happy to report that it’s a solid one. Rounding out the rear camera trio is an 8-megapixel ultrawide. It’s decent enough for capturing landscapes or squeezing a bunch of friends into a single shot.

But here’s where things get interesting: OPPO has flipped the script and prioritized the front-facing camera. The Reno13 5G packs a whopping 50-megapixel sensor up front, complete with autofocus and an f/2.0 lens. That’s a serious upgrade from the usual afterthought selfie cams we see on many midrange handsets.

Sample shots

And video? Both the front and rear cameras can shoot in 4K at 60fps. That’s a pretty big deal, giving you plenty of flexibility for capturing those precious moments in crisp, high-resolution detail that’s noticeably sharper than standard 1080p.

OPPO has built a solid reputation for its AI camera prowess, and the Reno13 5G doesn’t disappoint. This handset is packed with AI smarts designed to make your photos look their best, even when you’re not a pro photographer.

AI Livephoto captures a 1.5-second clip both before and after you hit the shutter button, and throws in some stabilization tech to combat shaky hands. Then there’s AI Clarity Enhancer and AI Unblur. As the names imply, these features work behind the scenes to pull out detail and sharpen up your photos.

And for those frustrating moments when you’re trying to shoot through glass, AI Reflection Remover attempts to magically erase those pesky reflections from your car or office window. AI Eraser, which is one of the best in the industry, intelligently removes unwanted objects from your photos with pinpoint accuracy, allowing you to salvage a photo that would otherwise be destined for the digital trash bin.

The OPPO Reno13 5G comes preloaded with AI Studio, and this is where things get really interesting. This app is essentially a generative AI playground for your selfies, or any photo in your gallery, really. Ever wanted to see yourself as eastern royalty from the past? A rugged cowboy? A retro, pixelated character straight out of an 8-bit game? AI Studio lets you do all that and more, using the power of AI to transform photos in a variety of wild and creative styles.

A recent update to AI Studio makes it even more viable as an AI-powered editing tool, introducing new templates, along with AI Reimage and AI Motion. AI Reimage lets you apply a range of artistic and playful filters to any picture. We’re particularly fond of the surprisingly impressive Oil Painting template. Meanwhile, AI Motion allows you to transform not just your pet images into animated 3D avatars, but also your landscape shots into quick, 3-second time-lapse videos.

@revuphilippines Believe it or not, the first image is actually a landscape photo turned into a 3-second time-lapse video by the #OPPOReno135G! For our review of the smartphone, visit www.revu.com.ph / #RevuDotComDotPH. #OPPOAIMotion #OPPOReno13Series5G #OPPOAIPhone #ClearUnderwater #ReliveTheVibe #PerfectCoreMemories #FindYourMatch #GatebreakMemories #OPPO #OPPOReno13 #OPPOPH #OPPOPhilippines @OPPO Philippines @OPPO @monch @Alora Uy Guerrero ♬ original sound – Revu Philippines

AI Motion sample

Ultimately, the OPPO Reno13 5G’s camera system is more than just megapixels and lenses. While the core hardware delivers solid results, it’s the software, particularly the constantly evolving AI Studio app, that truly sets this phone apart. From practical tools like AI Eraser to the generative possibilities of AI Reimage and AI Motion, the Reno13 5G proves that OPPO’s AI camera hype is more than just marketing fluff.

Easily the most powerful Reno ever

OPPO clearly learned from its past mistakes. Unlike its predecessor, the global variant of the Reno13 5G, including the one hitting shelves in the Philippines, packs a 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 8350 chipset. It’s the same processor found in the more expensive OPPO Reno13 Pro 5G and its Chinese counterpart. Add to that identical RAM and storage configurations (12GB/512GB) — at least on the local market — and you’ve got a spec sheet that’s virtually indistinguishable between the vanilla and Pro models.

Last year’s Reno felt responsive enough for everyday tasks and juggling multiple apps, but it definitely started to sweat when pushed hard with demanding games. Not this year. The OPPO Reno13 5G is a different beast entirely — a rare one. This smartphone delivers a combination of power and battery efficiency that we rarely see at this price point.

Let’s talk gaming. We threw some of the most graphically intensive mobile games at our review unit, and it didn’t flinch. Genshin Impact on max settings? Averaging around 40fps. Bright Memory: Infinite, a game that looks like it belongs on a console and is built on Unreal Engine 4, hit a smooth 60fps in actual gameplay and a buttery 120fps in cutscenes. Even the still-in-beta Game of Thrones: Kingsroad managed a respectable 30-40fps in crowded areas. We also fired up GTA: San Andreas and Saga: Emerald Beyond, both of which ran at a locked 30fps, the highest setting available. These are seriously impressive results for a non-flagship device.

The benchmarks back it up, too. Our unit pulled in an Antutu score of 1,292,495 — that’s double what we saw on the Dimensity 7300-Energy-based OPPO Reno12 5G. All of this is to say the Reno13 5G performs way better than its predecessors. It’s closer to flagship territory than any Reno phone we’ve seen before, especially when it comes to raw power and gaming performance.

The company’s packing a hefty 5,600mAh battery into the Reno13 5G, and those claims of two-day battery life? They’re not just marketing talk. In our testing, using PCMark’s battery-rundown benchmark, we clocked an impressive 18-plus hours. That backs up our day-to-day experience and further emphasizes the power efficiency of that 4nm Dimensity chip. In other words, this thing is an endurance champ.

Whether you’re a casual user or a power user glued to your screen, the OPPO Reno13 5G should easily get you through a full day on a single charge, and likely well into the next. Of course, individual usage patterns will always play a role, but even demanding users will be impressed.

When you do finally need to top up, OPPO’s 80-watt SUPERVOOC fast charging has your back. In our tests, we were able to juice up the Reno13 5G from zero to 100% in about 70 minutes. Not quite the fastest we’ve ever seen, but still plenty fast, especially considering that high-capacity battery. The combination of marathon-level battery life and rapid charging means you’ll spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time actually using your phone. And isn’t that the whole point?

Final thoughts

Simply put, the OPPO Reno13 5G is the most compelling Reno series phone yet. It’s a design win, a performance powerhouse, and a battery-life champion. It’s not perfect, but the overall package is undeniably strong. The brand has delivered a midrange handset that feels anything but, and the Reno13 5G sets a new standard for what we should expect from this segment.

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the price. In the Philippines, the OPPO Reno13 5G, in its single 12GB/512GB configuration, will cost you P34,999 (around $599 converted). That’s a significant P10,000 ($171) jump over last year’s Reno12 5G.

It puts the Reno13 5G in a tricky spot, especially when you consider that discounted flagships and sub-flagships from last year are now available in the same price range, often packing even better camera specs and more power under the hood. Had OPPO managed to price this thing closer to the P25,000 ($428) mark, it would have been a no-brainer recommendation.

OPPO Reno13 5G specs

• 6.59-inch OLED display, FHD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 1,200 nits brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass 7i
• 4nm Mediatek Dimensity 8350 5G processor
• Arm Mali-G615 MC6 GPU
• 12GB LPDDR5X RAM
• 512GB UFS 3.1 storage
• Triple 50-megapixel main camera with OIS, 8-megapixel ultrawide, 2-megapixel monochrome rear cameras
• 50-megapixel front camera
• ColorOS 15 based on Android 15
• 5,600mAh battery with 80-watt fast charging
• IP69 rating
• Color options: Plume White, Luminous Blue

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