OPPO claims underwater smartphone photography breakthrough with its new Reno13 series which was launched earlier today at an event. The Chinese smartphone manufacturer is making bold assertions about its latest flagship, presenting it as the “world’s first caseless underwater smartphone” – a distinction that merits closer examination.
The Johannesburg launch event showcased the Reno13’s triple IP ratings (IP66, IP68, and IP69), which OPPO says allow the device to be submerged in water up to 2 metres deep for 30 minutes without requiring additional waterproof accessories. It’s an interesting proposition in a country where both Atlantic and Indian Ocean coastlines offer abundant aquatic photo opportunities.
While several premium smartphones already boast IP68 ratings, OPPO appears to be differentiating its offering through software and interface optimisations specifically designed for underwater use. The company’s dedicated “Underwater Mode” purportedly adjusts display brightness and contrast while enabling physical button controls when touchscreens become unreliable beneath the surface.
“The Reno13 series isn’t just water-resistant; it’s purposefully designed for underwater shooting,” claimed Liam Faurie, Head of Go-to-Market at OPPO South Africa during the presentation. Whether this distinction proves meaningful in real-world usage remains to be seen.
Hardware-wise, the Reno13 is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8350 platform rather than the Snapdragon processors found in many competing flagships. The standard model features a 5,600mAh battery with 80W fast charging capabilities – impressive on paper, though battery life during intensive camera use underwater wasn’t demonstrated during the launch.
The 1.5K 120Hz OLED display appears competitive with current market offerings, but the true test will be visibility in variable underwater lighting conditions – something smartphone displays have historically struggled with.
OPPO is heavily emphasising AI photography enhancements, including features like “AI Livephoto” that converts still images into short videos, and an AI Editor suite with tools for sharpening distant objects and removing reflections. These capabilities aren’t unique to OPPO, as similar features increasingly appear across mid-range and premium smartphones.
Perhaps most intriguing is the water drainage mechanism that supposedly expels liquid from the handset with a tap – addressing a common pain point with water-exposed electronics. However, how this affects long-term durability and whether salt water exposure might compromise this system weren’t addressed.
The Reno13 5G launches immediately through South African operators starting at R799 monthly on 36-month contracts (approximately R28,764 total), positioning it in the premium mid-range segment. A presumably more affordable Reno13 F variant is scheduled for March release, though specifications and pricing weren’t detailed.
Water resistance has become a standard feature in smartphones across various price points, but OPPO’s focus on actual underwater photography capability represents an interesting market positioning. Whether consumers will embrace underwater photography as a killer feature – particularly in a smartphone not from established market leaders like Apple or Samsung – remains questionable.
For South Africans considering the Reno13, the value proposition hinges on whether underwater photography without additional accessories justifies choosing OPPO over more established brands with proven track records for durability and long-term software support.
As smartphones increasingly serve as our primary cameras, waterproofing certainly removes one barrier to spontaneous photography. Whether OPPO’s implementation truly revolutionises underwater mobile photography or simply represents clever marketing around existing IP68 technology will require thorough independent testing.