OPPO’s Reno13 lineup offers something for everyone. The Reno13 F caters to those seeking a budget-friendly yet feature-packed device, the Reno13 ups the performance and refinement, and the Reno13 Pro delivers flagship-level hardware. With the Reno13 starting at RM2399 and the Reno13 Pro at RM2999, the Reno13 F is the most affordable option at RM1399. But does it have what it takes to compete in a crowded mid-range market? Let’s find out.
A Quick Look at the OPPO Reno13 Family
Reno13 F (RM1399):
- 5800mAh battery (the largest in the lineup)
- 45W SUPERVOOC charging
- Focuses on AI-driven features and boasts an IP69 rating for durability
- The most budget-friendly of the trio
Reno13 (RM2399):
- 5000mAh battery with 67W fast charging
- A slightly better camera and enhanced performance compared to the F
- A balanced mid-ranger for those who desire faster charging and an improved camera
Reno13 Pro (RM2999):
- 5000mAh battery with up to 80W charging
- Features the enhanced camera system and a faster chipset
- Tailored for power users willing to pay for top-notch performance
With that overview in mind, let’s explore why the Reno13 F might just be the sweet spot for many.
- Design & Build: Sleek Yet Durable
Despite housing a massive 5800mAh battery, the Reno13 F maintains a sleek, manageable profile. The subtle gradient on the back panel catches the light beautifully, offering a polished finish that feels premium for its price. Available in Graphite Grey, Plume Purple, and Luminous Blue, the model I reviewed (Luminous Blue) shows off a unique dual-tone effect – appearing nearly black in normal lighting but revealing deep purple undertones when directly lit.
A standout feature is its IP69 rating—a rarity in this price bracket. This ensures excellent protection against dust and high-pressure water. The innovative water expulsion system, which vibrates to clear water from the speaker cavities, also promises long-lasting reliability. At just 192g, the Reno13 F is light and well-balanced, making it comfortable for prolonged use.
- Display: Bright & Immersive
The Reno13 F sports a 6.67-inch OLED panel with a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth scrolling and buttery transitions. Whether you’re browsing social media or casually gaming, the visuals pop vibrantly with crisp colors and ample brightness, even under Malaysia’s bright sunlight.
- Battery Life & Charging: A Standout Performer
5800mAh Battery
The large battery is a champion when it comes to endurance. On several occasions during my day, I’d simply forget to charge the phone overnight and still find plenty of power to last through the next day. This makes it perfect for users juggling multiple apps, streaming content, or heavy social media usage.
- Heavy Usage: Even with constant messaging, several hours of YouTube streaming, and light gaming, there was always some battery left by day’s end.
- Moderate Usage: Casual scrolling can see the phone lasting up to 1.5 days or more before needing a top-up.
45W SUPERVOOC Charging
While the 45W charging isn’t as fast as the 67W or 80W options on its siblings, it’s far from sluggish. A quick 20-minute charge gives a significant boost, meaning you’ll find yourself reaching for a charger less frequently. If lightning-fast charging is a priority, the standard Reno13 or the Pro might be a better fit, but you’d be sacrificing that extra battery capacity.
- Performance & Software: Efficient and User-Friendly
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon® 6 Gen 1 Mobile Platform, the Reno13 F 5G handles everyday tasks with ease. Multitasking is fluid, whether you’re browsing, streaming, or juggling multiple apps.
Running on ColorOS 15, its customizable and intuitive user interface makes it simple to organize preinstalled apps and personalize home screens. The device shines with several AI-driven features that add helpful touches without overwhelming the user.
What’s New in AI Toolbox 2.0?
- Improved Rewriting & Summaries: Quickly refine messages or documents.
- Enhanced Real-Time Translation: Seamlessly translate snippets of web pages or chat messages.
- Contextual Prompts: Receive relevant suggestions based on usage patterns, such as translation prompts when a foreign language is detected.
These AI conveniences make the phone feel smarter and more adaptive than your typical mid-range device.
- AI Features & Cool Tricks
AI Live Photo
Capturing kids or pets in action has never been easier. The AI Live Photo feature records brief video snippets along with a still, using intelligent stabilization to reduce motion blur and ensure you capture the perfect moment.
AI Live Photo provides a convenient way to capture energetic subjects—like my children.. LOL
AI Editor
From eliminating distracting background elements to sharpening blurry shots, the AI Editor tools—including AI Clarity Enhancer, AI Unblur, AI Reflection Remover, and AI Eraser 2.0—elevate your photos quickly and easily. While they aren’t magic fixes, they do add that extra boost for perfecting your snapshots on the fly.
- Camera Quality: A Versatile Companion
The Reno13 F’s 50MP main camera is a reliable shooter for everyday moments. On both my Korea business trip and a family outing to Genting, it performed well—capturing vibrant scenes with good dynamic range and accurate colors. Daylight photos are sharp and social media-ready, though low-light shots can reveal a bit of noise and softness. This is a trade-off for the smaller sensor, but the robust AI post-processing helps make even challenging shots look their best. For RM1,399, this camera system punches well above its weight. Casual shooters will find it more than adequate, while photography enthusiasts might prefer the enhanced capabilities of the Reno13 or Reno13 Pro models.
Underwater Photography
Another intriguing aspect is its underwater photography mode—a rare feature at this price point. Alongside capturing underwater moments, the phone’s vibrating water expulsion system ensures that moisture doesn’t linger in the ports, safeguarding the device’s performance.
- Minor Shortcomings
- Slower Charging: The 45W charger feels modest compared to its more powerful siblings, though the large battery offsets this.
- Low-Light Performance: It’s sufficient for typical night-out snapshots, but dedicated low-light enthusiasts may notice a few shortcomings.
- Gaming Performance: While casual gaming is smooth, hardcore gamers might find it less suited for graphically demanding titles (the Pro model is better in this regard).
These compromises are reasonable trade-offs considering the focus on battery life, durability, and AI features at this price.
- Is the Reno13 F Worth It?
Absolutely—if you:
- Want a phone under RM1500 that delivers excellent battery life.
- Appreciate features like underwater photography and robust water resistance.
- Enjoy extras like gesture-based scrolling and smart AI-powered photo editing.
- Don’t need pro-grade camera performance in low-light conditions.
For many Malaysians—students, fresh graduates, or even those looking for a reliable secondary phone—the Reno13 F strikes a perfect balance. If you’re after faster charging, more RAM, or a more advanced camera system, the higher-end Reno13 or Reno13 Pro might be worth the extra cost.
Conclusion: An Affordable Powerhouse with Everyday Charm
After two weeks of extensive daily use, the OPPO Reno13 F has proven itself as a capable all-rounder equipped with a few premium tricks. The large 5800mAh battery comfortably carries you through the day, and the camera, while not groundbreaking, is more than adequate for casual photography and social media posts. With its IP69 rating, AI features, and even gesture control, the phone offers a fun and reliable experience without breaking the bank.
If you seek a phone that smoothly handles most tasks, lasts all day on a single charge, and occasionally wows with cool AI-driven features, the Reno13 F is certainly worth considering. It’s affordable, durable, and genuinely enjoyable to use—a compelling trifecta in the competitive mid-range smartphone market.
