OPPO once again shakes up the market with the Reno13 5G, a bold new smartphone priced around 9 million IDR (roughly $600) that brings an iPhone-like feel to Android. From its boxy design, premium materials, to trendy features that closely resemble flagship phones, OPPO seems to have found a new winning formula for 2025. But behind all that resemblance, is the Reno13 5G just style over substance or does it truly deserve to be called a high-end smartphone? Let’s dive deep!
How Much is the OPPO Reno13 5G?
Have you checked out the price? The Reno13 5G starts at around 8.9 million IDR for the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variant, going up to 9.9 million IDR if you want the half-terabyte storage. For fans of the Reno series, that’s about a 2 million IDR jump compared to the Reno12 5G which was priced between 6.9 and 7.9 million IDR. OPPO, however, is cool about it, claiming the specs have been upgraded and the design is much more premium. It’s understandable since the Reno13 now aims for a flagship look and feel.
OPPO’s New Strategy: iPhone Inspiration + Find X8 Touches
OPPO’s approach with the Reno13 5G is pretty daring but interesting. They mixed two proven favorites: the iPhone’s design and flagship features from the Find X8 series. The result? An Android phone with a premium feel, unlike previous Reno models. The boxy iPhone-like design, solid metal frame, familiar buttons, and a clean rear camera setup all wrapped neatly together. The phone is even rated IP69 water resistant and supports underwater photography using physical buttons.
If the Find X8 was praised for its design, performance, and software, Reno 13 5G inherits the same DNA. OPPO probably thought it’s better to reuse a proven formula than to create something totally new. The ColorOS software is smoother, flagship features like IR Blaster are included, and the overall vibe is far from a mid-range phone. Holding the Reno13 5G feels like carrying a hybrid that blends iPhone aesthetics with Find X8 quality.
Premium Design & Solid Build
You’ll immediately notice the premium vibe of the Reno13 5G. The boxy body, polished finishing, and sturdy feel stand out. OPPO didn’t cut corners—metal frame, dual-tone glass back, plus IP69 rating that lets you splash or even submerge it. This design feels more flagship than mid-range. The subtle butterfly pattern that appears when light hits the back adds a unique touch without being flashy.
Sure, it might remind you of an iPhone at first glance, but OPPO adds distinct elements so it’s not just a copy. For instance, their own version of dynamic island notifications, volume and power buttons that double as underwater mode controls, and screen lock to prevent accidental touches in water. When you exit underwater mode, the speaker automatically expels any trapped water. The notifications aren’t just for show—they’re smooth, interactive, and customizable, giving the Reno13 5G its own personality.
ColorOS 15: A More Mature Experience
ColorOS 15 on the Reno13 5G truly enhances the user experience. It’s not just about prettier visuals but also smoother animations and intuitive features. You can customize quick shortcuts, notification styles, and even dynamic island-like mini apps. These aren’t gimmicks but practical improvements that make daily use enjoyable.
OPPO also commits to long-term support, promising OS updates for 5 years and security patches for 6 years—a rarity for non-flagship devices. That means your Reno13 5G stays secure and updated for years. There’s a minor bug here and there, but with OPPO’s dedication, it should be fixed quickly. For those who want a stable, feature-packed phone that lasts, ColorOS 15 is a solid upgrade.
Minor Flaws & Overly Sharp Display?
Despite its many strengths, the Reno13 5G isn’t perfect. One annoying quirk is the adaptive refresh rate. In apps like YouTube, if you set refresh rate to auto, the screen locks at 60Hz, making scrolling less smooth. Forcing 120Hz drains battery quickly, especially since many videos are 30fps. This trade-off can bother performance and battery-conscious users.
Another odd issue is the font sharpness in notifications and system UI—it looks overly crisp, almost like the display’s sharpness is cranked up too high. This is subjective, but some users noticed it and found it distracting. Hopefully, OPPO addresses this minor glitch soon, especially since the Find X8 had a flawless display experience.
More Than Just an iPhone Clone
Phones that mimic iPhone usually only win in looks, but Reno13 5G brings actual value. OPPO’s O+ Connect lets you transfer files seamlessly to iPhones with a simple tap—making cross-platform sharing effortless. Even iPhone users found it impressive how close the experience is.
Another cool feature is AI Live Photo, which animates pictures slightly, just like iPhone’s Live Photos, complete with familiar icons and frame selection. This adds richness to photography, showing OPPO understands that practical, familiar features enhance user experience beyond mere copying. Combined with the mature ColorOS 15, Reno13 5G feels thoughtfully designed.
Powerful Performance, Outshining Reno 12 Pro
Mid-range phones often compromise on performance, but not the Reno13 5G. Equipped with a Dimensity 8350 chipset, 12GB RAM, it scores twice as high in benchmarks compared to the pricier Reno12 Pro. Gaming is smooth too: MLBB runs at 120fps, PUBG at 90fps, and Genshin Impact stays stable around 50fps on high settings.
Battery-wise, it’s a beast—5600mAh capacity with 80W fast charging that fills the battery in just 42 minutes. The AMOLED 120Hz screen is bright for outdoor use and fits comfortably in hand thanks to thin bezels. For multitasking, entertainment, or gaming tournaments, this phone delivers beyond expectations.
Battery Use & Heat During Heavy Gaming
For light use like TikTok scrolling or watching YouTube, battery consumption is minimal (6-7% per hour), matching flagship standards. But heavy gaming pushes the Dimensity 8350 hard, draining battery faster and heating the device up to 45°C. That’s quite warm and can make your hand sweaty.
Playing less demanding games like MLBB at max settings keeps temperature at a safer 40°C. So if you plan marathon gaming sessions, consider extra cooling accessories. Still, overall performance stays stable and charging speed remains excellent, making Reno13 5G great for long-term daily use despite some heat under heavy load.
Camera: Solid Quality but Only 2 Main Lenses
At first glance, the camera module looks like a triple setup, but only two lenses actively perform: main wide and ultrawide. The third lens is mostly decorative. For a phone near 10 million IDR, more lenses would be expected, but the quality compensates.
The main camera records 4K 60fps videos with sharp, natural colors and good dynamic range, giving a flagship vibe without Hasselblad branding. The ultrawide is decent but slightly lower in detail and color accuracy. The front camera also impresses with 4K 60fps video and excellent stabilization, delivering clear selfies even in bright sunlight. So, fewer lenses but great photo and video quality overall.
Conclusion: Perfect for Boxy Design & Speed Seekers
If you want a phone with iPhone-inspired boxy design, fast performance, and mature software experience, the Reno13 5G is worth considering. OPPO offers premium feel from build to UI animations, plus powerful hardware that can handle demanding tasks. It’s ideal for those who want a standout daily driver that’s both stylish and speedy.
Of course, phone choice is subjective. If you prefer sleek curved designs and more camera versatility, the Reno12 Pro 5G might be a better fit. Both have strengths; it’s about what suits your style and needs. So whether you’re team boxy and bold or team sleek and versatile, OPPO has you covered.
Top comments (0)