If you are over the high price point of smartphones and searching for the latest device that lets you get the biggest bang for your buck, OPPO’s most recent drop — the Reno13 Pro — might just be what you’ve been waiting for.
While I may not be a convert after spending a few weeks with the OPPO Reno13 Pro, I can see why it can be an attractive option, especially with its IP69 waterproof and dust resistance feature, which is how the device is able to withstand being fully submerged in water for underwater photography.
The special Underwater Photography Mode also helped to optimise focus, colour, and contrast to help correct any colour shifts or distortion in the water so that my photos would come out vibrant and natural-looking.
Of course, like anything that goes into water, there will always be water collected but you won’t have to worry about that thanks to the one-tap drainage function of the Reno13 Pro which quickly expelled water from the device to ensure continued optimal performance.
This also means that there’s less worry involved when you have to use your phone during the rainy weather.
In terms of performance, I was impressed with the Reno13 Pro’s MediaTek Dimensity 8350 processor, which made the device run smoothly when I had to load image heavy websites, or switch between apps with minimal lag time.
As I am someone who tends to worry when devices get warm after using them for a while, I was pleasantly surprised to see how well controlled the temperature of the Reno13 Pro was, thanks to its in-built AI Multi-Cooling System.
Featuring an expanded Vapor Chamber, the temperature control algorithm is able to adjust temperature control for different games and usages, to slow the rise in temperature while still providing a smooth experience even if the phone does overheat.
With every smartphone, the primary determining factor is always the cameras and the Reno13 Pro doesn’t disappoint with its ultra-clear camera system featuring a 50MP Main Camera, 50MP Telephoto Camera, 8MP Ultra-wide-angle Camera, and 50MP Selfie Camera.
Similar to an iPhone, the Reno13 Pro is also able to capture Live Photos, which is a huge gamechanger for Android users who like this feature. The best part about it is that it helps to create a perfect key frame during edits.
To complement this, OPPO is also the first Android manufacturer to support AI Livephoto and document sharing with iPhones — making Apple’s AirDrop a possibility with an Android phone.
While it is something that I am already familiar with, it is definitely a bonus for others who might prefer some of the iOS features in an Android phone.
AI FEATURES FOR PHOTO EDITING
As someone who often needs to edit photos, be it for work or my private life, OPPO Reno13 Pro’s AI features are somewhat of a Godsend as it addresses some of common issues we face such as taking photos in a location with reflective surfaces.
The AI Reflection Remover was something that came in handy as it was able to remove distracting reflections and glare from surfaces like a window or from a person’s glasses. I found this the most useful with photos that I had taken in museums where I am not able to take photos without the protective cover over the artefact.
Another feature which I particularly enjoyed using was the AI Clarity Enhancer, which helped to increase the image resolution and quality for cropped or enlarged photos.
