OPPO today officially announced the launch of its new Reno13 series, ushering in a new era in mobile photography for South Africans with its groundbreaking underwater shooting capabilities.
Designed to capture life’s most vibrant moments, even beneath the surface, the Reno13 series sets a new benchmark for smartphone imaging. It combines OPPO’s industry-leading AI enhancements with cutting-edge water-resistant technology.
The Reno13 series features a sleek and durable design. It is also rated IP66, IP68, and IP69 for water and dust resistance, ensuring protection in various environments. IP66 safeguards your phone from powerful water jets, such as when washing your hands or during heavy downpours. IP68 allows full submersion up to 1.5 metres, making poolside accidents or beach outings effortless. IP69 offers even better protection against high-pressure, high-temperature water jets, ideal for challenging conditions, whether you’re hiking in unpredictable weather or working in demanding environments.
Featuring a customised MediaTek Dimensity 8350 platform, the Reno13 series delivers smooth performance and energy efficiency. The Reno13 5G has a 5,600mAh battery and 80W SUPERVOOC Flash Charge, allowing for extended usage and rapid recharging. The 1.5K 120Hz OLED display guarantees a vibrant and fluid viewing experience, while Adaptive Frame Booster technology enhances high-frame-rate gaming for seamless responsiveness.
Revolutionising Underwater Photography with the World’s First Caseless Underwater Smartphone
For years, smartphone photography has been limited by environmental conditions – particularly water. While waterproof cases and accessories have offered solutions, they’ve often been cumbersome and unreliable. The OPPO Reno13 series changes the game by introducing an integrated, hassle-free solution for underwater photography with the world’s first caseless underwater smartphone.
All Reno13 models feature an IP66 / IP68 / IP69 rating for water and dust resistance, providing exceptional protection against moisture and particulates. These phones can withstand splashes of water up to 80°C and can be submerged in water up to 2 metres for 30 minutes. With industry-leading water resistance capabilities and advanced AI-driven imaging technology, the Reno13 automatically adjusts lighting, contrast, and colour correction to produce crisp, detailed images even in challenging aquatic environments.
All models come packed with OPPO’s underwater mode, which offers independent colour tuning for distortion-free, lifelike shots and physical button control for intuitive underwater usage. Underwater Mode adapts the display’s brightness, contrast, and responsiveness to ensure users can easily frame shots – even when submerged.
This unique adaptation allows for effortless control and improved visibility, making underwater photography more accessible than ever before. Whether capturing a playful moment in a swimming pool, documenting marine life in shallow waters, or filming a creative content piece at a water park, the Reno13 ensures clarity and vibrant detail.
The Reno13 5G also features a mechanism for draining water from handsets; with just one tap, water is removed from the device in seconds to maintain optimal performance. With its tough design and smart features, the Reno13 5G makes underwater photography easier and more reliable than ever, raising the bar for durability and creativity in a smartphone.
“The Reno13 series is a testament to OPPO’s commitment to enhancing smartphone photography,” says Liam Faurie, Head of Go-to-Market at OPPO South Africa. “With its innovative underwater shooting capabilities and AI-enhanced imaging, this device is perfect for content creators, adventure seekers, and everyday users who want to capture life’s best moments – rain or shine, on land or underwater.”
A New Era of Mobile Imaging
The Reno13 series doesn’t just take smartphone photography underwater; it elevates imaging across the board. It’s packed with fresh new features, including AI Livephoto – a game-changer for bringing your still photos to life.
OPPO’s latest AI-powered photography enhancements include:
● AI Magic – An intelligent system that optimises lighting, sharpness, and colour balance for stunning underwater shots.
● Dynamic Water Adaptation – AI-powered algorithms that automatically correct distortion and colour shifts caused by water.
● Superior Low-Light Performance – Ensuring clarity even in dim underwater environments.
Using advanced generative AI, it transforms static images into dynamic three-second videos with near-2K quality. Whether it’s a starry night sky or a bustling city street, AI Livephotos capture movement and audio, turning ordinary photos into eye-catching and dynamic memories that feel alive—no pro editing skills required. You can even select the perfect moment within the three-second capture and have AI enhance it as if it were the original picture. Or save it as a GIF to let friends or family watch it on loop for a fun take of the moment
The Reno13 Series features an upgraded AI Editor that takes every shot to the next level with intelligent enhancements. AI Clarity Enhancer sharpens distant objects, bringing landscapes and architectural details into crisp focus. AI Unblur restores clarity to blurry images, ensuring every captured moment looks sharp and lifelike.
Meanwhile, the AI Reflection Remover eliminates unwanted glass reflections, making it easy to capture clear shots through windows. With these advanced AI-powered tools, even the most ordinary photos can be effortlessly transformed into professional-quality images. You can also apply the AI Editor treatments to any image in your gallery, old or new.
Built for South African Lifestyles
South Africa’s diverse landscapes, from breathtaking coastlines to lively urban settings, demand a smartphone to keep up with its users. The Reno13 series delivers on this front, offering IP68-certified water and dust resistance, making it perfect for South Africans who enjoy outdoor activities in a variety of conditions.
“Water exposure is an everyday reality – whether from rain, spills, or unexpected splashes. With its sleek, durable design, the Reno13 ensures users can focus on creating and connecting rather than worrying about their device,” says Faurie.
Availability & Pricing
The OPPO Reno13 5G is available in South Africa for all operators ,with pricing starting from [R799pm x36 ]. The OPPO Reno13 F is set for release in March.
The OPPO Reno13 series isn’t just another smartphone – it’s reshaping what’s possible in mobile photography. For users who love adventure, creativity, and cutting-edge tech, this device delivers a new level of freedom in content creation.
“From its AI-powered imaging to industry-first underwater photography features, the Reno13 series is set to redefine what users can expect from a smartphone,” says Faurie.
