The Oppo Reno 13F 5G is positioned as the most affordable option in the Reno 13 series, but with a notable price increase compared to its predecessor, the Reno 12F. While it offers some improvements, such as a more refined design and an upgraded display, it also comes with a dated Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset that may raise concerns regarding performance. Additionally, Oppo’s decision to hike up the price puts this device in competition with other mid-range smartphones that may offer better value for money.
In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Reno 13F 5G’s design, display, camera performance, battery life, software, and overall usability to determine whether it justifies its higher price tag.
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Oppo Reno 13F 5G: Key Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.67-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, Full HD+ |
| Processor | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 |
| RAM & Storage | Up to 12GB RAM, Up to 512GB Storage (UFS 3.1) |
| Main Camera | 50MP (OIS) + 8MP Ultra-Wide + 2MP Macro |
| Front Camera | 32MP |
| Battery | 5,800mAh, 45W Fast Charging |
| OS | ColorOS 15 (Android 15) |
| Connectivity | 5G, Dual Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC |
| Water Resistance | IP69 (Dust & Water Resistance) |
| Price | Starts at $380 for 12GB + 256GB |
Design and Build Quality
Oppo has continued its tradition of sleek and stylish smartphones with the Reno 13F 5G. Our unit came in Luminous Blue, an eye-catching color that reflects light beautifully, giving the phone a premium aesthetic. The Reno 13 series, including the 13F, maintains a uniform design language across its models, with the only noticeable difference being the LED flash placement on the rear.
The Reno 13F 5G features a thin frame and a flat design, making it comfortable to hold. The build quality is solid, and the phone feels premium in hand, but it also has a minimalist appeal, which some users might appreciate. The device is rated IP69 for dust and water resistance, making it more durable against harsh conditions. However, it’s worth noting that this protection applies only to fresh water—exposure to salt water could still damage the phone.
The button placement is practical, with the volume rocker and power button positioned on the right side for easy access. At the bottom, you’ll find the dual SIM card slot and a USB Type-C port, while the top houses a secondary microphone and another loudspeaker. A small slit above the display accommodates the earpiece for calls.
Overall, the Reno 13F 5G scores high in terms of aesthetics and durability. It’s a well-designed device, though it lacks significant visual changes from its predecessor.
Display and Multimedia Experience
The Oppo Reno 13F 5G sports a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. This combination ensures a smooth and immersive viewing experience, whether you’re scrolling through social media or watching videos. The display is protected by Asahi Glass, which adds an extra layer of durability.
While the screen quality is impressive, one thing that stands out is the presence of noticeably thicker bezels compared to other devices in the Reno 13 series. While not a deal-breaker, this design choice gives the phone a slightly less modern appearance.
Brightness levels are excellent, allowing for easy readability even under direct sunlight. This is a crucial feature for users who frequently use their phones outdoors. Color reproduction is vibrant, and the deep blacks of the AMOLED panel enhance the overall visual experience.
For audio, the Reno 13F 5G comes equipped with dual stereo speakers. The maximum volume can reach up to 300%, which is useful when listening to audiobooks or focusing on dialogue-heavy content. However, for general music and movie watching, the sound quality starts to deteriorate at higher volumes. While the mids are clear, the bass is noticeably lacking, making it less ideal for those who prioritize audio quality.
Performance and Gaming
Under the hood, the Reno 13F 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, coupled with the Adreno 710 GPU. Our review unit featured 12GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, ensuring smooth multitasking and faster data transfers.
In everyday use, ColorOS 15, based on Android 15, provides a fluid and user-friendly experience. The interface is highly customizable, allowing users to personalize themes, wallpapers, and even camera watermarks. It also resembles iOS in some ways, making it an easy transition for users switching from an iPhone.
Despite its efficient software, the phone’s chipset is somewhat outdated compared to other mid-range devices. While general usage feels snappy, gaming performance is where the limitations start to show. Titles like Genshin Impact and Asphalt Legends run decently but require lower graphics settings to maintain consistent frame rates. Pushing the settings to medium or high leads to noticeable frame drops, especially after extended gameplay sessions lasting 20–25 minutes. The device also heats up under load, which can impact long-term performance.
For users who primarily use their phones for browsing, social media, and moderate gaming, the Reno 13F 5G will suffice. However, for gaming enthusiasts, other devices in the same price range may offer better performance.
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Cameras and Photography
The Oppo Reno 13F 5G is equipped with a triple rear camera setup, consisting of a 50MP main sensor with OIS (optical image stabilization), an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro lens. For selfies, the device features a 32MP front-facing camera.
Daylight Photography
The main camera captures detailed and well-exposed shots in good lighting conditions. Colors are vibrant and natural, and contrast is well-balanced. However, the camera struggles with stabilization when capturing moving subjects, leading to some loss of sharpness upon zooming in.
Portrait mode performs well in separating the subject from the background, but skin tones can appear slightly unnatural. The ultra-wide camera does its job in capturing expansive scenes but struggles in low-light conditions, where details become noticeably softer.
Low-Light Performance
The Reno 13F 5G includes a night mode that improves overall photo quality in dim environments. With night mode enabled, images display better detail retention and improved color saturation. However, without night mode, images tend to suffer from noise and lack of sharpness.
The ultra-wide camera’s low-light performance is subpar, as expected for its sensor size. It struggles with detail retention and contrast, making it less useful for night photography.
Selfies and Video Recording
The 32MP selfie camera delivers decent results, particularly in well-lit conditions. However, facial features may appear soft, and skin textures could use better processing.
For video recording, the main camera supports up to 4K at 30FPS, while the ultra-wide camera maxes out at 1080p. 4K videos look sharp and vibrant during daylight but struggle slightly with stabilization when moving. Low-light videos retain good detail, but the EIS (electronic image stabilization) needs improvement.
Battery Life and Charging
Oppo has packed the Reno 13F 5G with a sizable 5,800mAh battery, a notable upgrade over its predecessor. Thanks to efficient power management, the device delivers excellent battery life, making it a reliable companion for heavy users.
In our tests, the phone lasted an impressive 17 hours and 13 minutes in PCMark’s battery test and 18 hours and 3 minutes in video playback. These numbers indicate that the Reno 13F 5G can easily handle a full day of moderate to heavy usage.
Charging speed, however, has seen a slight downgrade. Unlike previous models that supported 67W fast charging, the Reno 13F 5G is limited to 45W SuperVOOC fast charging. While this is still relatively fast, it falls short compared to some competing devices. A full charge from 0% to 100% takes approximately an hour and four minutes, while a 30-minute charge gets you up to 63%.
Pros and Cons of the Oppo Reno 13F 5G
Pros:
- Sleek and Durable Design – The Reno 13F 5G features a stylish and premium-looking design with an IP69 water and dust resistance rating, making it durable for everyday use.
- Vibrant 120Hz AMOLED Display – The 6.67-inch AMOLED panel delivers excellent colors, deep blacks, and smooth scrolling, enhancing the overall viewing experience.
- Excellent Battery Life – With a 5,800mAh battery, the phone provides outstanding longevity, lasting up to 18 hours of video playback on a single charge.
- User-Friendly ColorOS 15 – Oppo’s software offers smooth performance, customization options, and an intuitive user experience similar to iOS.
- Decent Main Camera with OIS – The 50MP primary camera captures good photos in daylight and low-light conditions, with optical image stabilization reducing motion blur.
- Dual Stereo Speakers with Loud Audio – The dual speakers provide clear audio at high volumes, making it ideal for media consumption and calls.
Cons:
- Outdated Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 Processor – While efficient for daily tasks, the chipset struggles with demanding games and heavy multitasking.
- Slower 45W Charging – Unlike its predecessor, which supported 67W fast charging, the Reno 13F 5G takes longer to recharge fully.
- Ultra-Wide and Macro Cameras Underperform – The 8MP ultra-wide and 2MP macro sensors lack detail and perform poorly in low-light conditions.
Conclusion: Is It Worth Buying?
The Oppo Reno 13F 5G is a well-rounded mid-range phone that delivers solid performance, a sleek design, and excellent battery life. The display is vibrant, the software is smooth, and the camera system offers decent performance for everyday photography.
However, the biggest drawback is its price. With a starting price of ~$400 for the 12GB + 256GB variant, the Reno 13F 5G faces stiff competition from other brands that offer better performance and camera capabilities in the same price range. The use of the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, while efficient, feels outdated compared to more powerful alternatives available in similarly priced smartphones.
If you prioritize design, battery life, and a smooth software experience, the Reno 13F 5G is a good option. But if performance, gaming, and camera quality are higher on your priority list, you may want to explore other options before making a purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Oppo Reno 13F 5G
1. Is the Oppo Reno 13F 5G worth buying?
The Oppo Reno 13F 5G offers a sleek design, a vibrant 120Hz AMOLED display, and excellent battery life. However, it features an outdated Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset and average camera performance. If you prioritize battery life and display quality, it’s a good option, but there are better alternatives at this price point.
2. What is the price of the Oppo Reno 13F 5G?
The Oppo Reno 13F 5G is priced at $380 for the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variant. There is also a 12GB + 512GB version priced at $430. Prices may vary depending on region and promotions.
3. How is the camera quality of the Oppo Reno 13F 5G?
The phone features a 50MP main camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP macro lens. The main camera performs well in good lighting, but the ultra-wide and macro lenses lack detail, especially in low-light conditions. The 32MP front camera produces decent selfies but struggles with sharpness in dim environments.
4. How long does the Oppo Reno 13F 5G battery last?
The 5,800mAh battery provides up to 18 hours of video playback and lasts more than a day with regular use. It supports 45W fast charging, though it is slower than its predecessor’s 67W charging.
5. Does the Oppo Reno 13F 5G support gaming?
While the phone can handle casual gaming, the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset struggles with heavy games like Genshin Impact and Asphalt Legends on high settings. For optimal performance, lowering graphics settings is recommended.
6. What are the display features of the Oppo Reno 13F 5G?
The device boasts a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Full HD+ resolution. It offers vibrant colors and smooth scrolling, but its bezels are slightly thicker compared to other devices in the Reno 13 series.
7. Is the Oppo Reno 13F 5G waterproof?
Yes, it has an IP69 rating, which means it is fully dust-resistant and can withstand high-pressure water jets. However, it is not designed for submersion, and exposure to saltwater can damage the device.
8. Does the Oppo Reno 13F 5G have expandable storage?
No, the phone does not support a microSD card. However, it comes with 256GB or 512GB of internal storage, which should be sufficient for most users.
9. Does the Oppo Reno 13F 5G have a headphone jack?
No, the Reno 13F 5G does not include a 3.5mm headphone jack. Users will need to use USB-C or wireless headphones for audio playback.
10. Will the Oppo Reno 13F 5G receive software updates?
The phone runs ColorOS 15 based on Android 15, but Oppo has not officially announced its update timeline. It is expected to receive security patches and at least one major OS upgrade.
What are your thoughts on the Oppo Reno 13F 5G? Share your opinions in the comments below!
