Hands-on Review: Oppo Reno13 Pro 5G

Oppo has combined some of the most desirable smartphone attributes like design, durability and functionality with its new flagship handset - the Reno13 Pro 5G.

Despite having a higher price point than its 2024 predecessor, the Reno13 Pro 5G still feels like good value at NZD $1,399 and shouldn't be disregarded by Android and iOS users alike who are due to upgrade their device.

With its robust aerospace grade aluminium shell and 6.83-inch OLED screen, the Reno13 Pro 5G does its best to stand out from the crowd, especially in Oppo's distinct 'Plume Purple' colourway.

AI has added some finesse to a handful of the phone's features which help make the Reno13 Pro 5G a very well-rounded device, but how well does it stack up in a market with so much choice? I spent over a month with the device to find out.

Design and functionality 

The Reno13 Pro 5G really does feel like a high-quality flagship product, and you can certainly sense the amount of time and detail Oppo's design team has put into perfecting the phone, both from an aesthetic and function perspective.

Its large display is complimented by a slim 7.6mm profile, meaning the phone doesn't feel overly big, and its tiny, curved bezels and small cutout for the front-facing camera allow you to enjoy an immersive viewing experience whilst watching movies, TV shows or videos. Overall, it boasts a 93.8% screen-to-body ratio. 

The purple colour, which Oppo has used in all its marketing material for the Reno13 Pro 5G, really pops and is enhanced with 'plumes that create a swirling revolution of light and shadow' - in other words, the rear of the phone has a textured look which adds a unique look. If you're less flamboyant, the only other choice of colour is a more regular-looking 'Graphite Grey', which has a less noteworthy matte finish. 

The rear of the Reno13 Pro 5G houses three polished camera lenses, two of which protrude from the glass module by a millimetre or two - an unwanted feature that doesn't quite allow the phone to sit flush on a surface, though this issue is shared by most other devices on the market.

There are just two physical buttons on the device – a power/lock button, and a volume slider, both located on the righthand side. If you still use a physical SIM card, the tray for that is at the bottom of the smartphone. A fingerprint reader is incorporated in the OLED screen, but you can also opt to use your face or a traditional PIN code to unlock the phone. 

Oppo says that the Reno13 Pro 5G's design has 'superior protection' thanks to innovative bionic cushioning to protect all of the essential components inside the phone. On top of this, the phone has passed the test for IP66, IP68 and IP69 water and dust resistance – it can survive being left in two-meter-deep water for half an hour and can also tolerate water up to a heat of 80 degrees. Even with a design centred around robustness, the Reno13 Pro 5G weighs in at under 200 grams. 

Performance

One of the first things that jumps out at you when you first start using the Reno13 Pro 5G is its display. The screen performs exceptionally well in bright environments, thanks to its ability to hit 1,200 nits at maximum brightness. It offers over 1.07 billion colours, has an adjustable 120Hz refresh rate and supports HDR10+. 

Another thing that really impressed me after around five weeks with the Reno13 Pro 5G was its ability to take outstanding photos, particularly in strong light. The model includes four separate cameras - a 50MP Ultra-Clear main camera, a 50MP telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom, an 8MP Ultra-Wide camera, as well as a 50MP selfie camera. All the cameras produce great imagery in decent light, but in low light they fall just short of some other smartphones, though you can still get some good shots. Oppo's 4K Ultra-Clear video recording also helps to produce some excellent, high-quality video clips. 

AI is championed by Oppo throughout the Reno13 Pro 5G, and the cameras certainly benefit from that. The phone's AI Livephoto is compatible with iOS devices and helps with live image production, AI Clarity Enhancer helps to enhance distant details, AI Unblur speaks for itself, and AI Reflection Remover reduces glass glare for clearer images. Add to this the inclusion of Google's Gemini AI assistant, and you've got a phone that is futureproof for at least the next two or three years thanks to the way Artificial Intelligence is embedded into the software.

The Oppo Reno13 Pro 5G has 12GB of RAM, 512GB of storage and it debuts the 8-core MediaTek Dimensity 8350 chip to optimise the phone's performance, again via AI. This chip delivers a 20 per cent boost in performance from its predecessor, despite using 30 per cent less power. The integrated AI Multi-Cooling System helps manage the heat of the device efficiently when you have multiple apps open at once, or if you're using the phone for higher performance mobile gaming.

Despite its slim profile, Oppo has prioritised both battery life and battery efficiency with a sizable 5800mAh battery – this is around 20 per cent larger than most comparable smartphones on the market. The battery has been engineered to maintain 80 per cent of its original capacity after 1,600 charge cycles, and it can also be charged quickly wirelessly thanks to 80W SUPERVOOC Flash Charge. General charging via the included USB-C cable is even quicker thanks to 80W fast charging. 

The in-built speakers aren't particularly noteworthy, but that's just what you'd expect from a smartphone. Bluetooth 5.4 features, however, which is a decent upgrade in terms of efficiency, range and connectivity – this is particularly good news if you have lots of smart devices at home. One downside - if you're an old school audiophile, then you might be disappointed with the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Verdict

The Reno13 Pro 5G is launched alongside two other offerings from Oppo - the Reno13, and Reno13 F. As you might expect, the 'Pro' is the cream of the crop, but it still costs a reasonable $1,399 NZD. This is great value for money when you compare it to the flagship phones from some more well-known competitors. 

Almost every task I asked of the Reno13 Pro 5G it passed with flying colours, and that's no mean feat. As an iOS user, I was also pleasantly surprised at how familiar Android 15 felt to use, and how much of a difference Gemini makes as an AI assistant (Apple, take note). 

If you're in the market for a new Android device that looks great, is packed to the brim with features and is up to date with the latest AI technology, then you shouldn't turn your nose up at the Reno13 Pro 5G.