The Time I Took My OPPO Reno13 5G to Swimming and It Survived Better Than I Did

Swimming alone at a resort might sound peaceful, but when you’re carrying the OPPO Reno13 5G with its IP69 water resistance, the mission quickly turns from relaxation to “underwater photography experiment gone wrong (or right?).”

From dodging confused lifeguards to convincing myself I wasn’t about to drop my phone to the bottom of the pool, this solo adventure turned into an unexpectedly fun photoshoot. If you’re also considering taking your phone for a swim (hopefully with a bit more dignity), here’s what you need to know.

Understanding IP69 Water Resistance

Before taking the plunge, I reminded myself of what IP69 actually means. The OPPO Reno13 5G can handle high-pressure and high-temperature water jets, which is a fancy way of saying it’s tougher than your average phone. However, keep these in mind:

• It’s meant for brief submersion, not deep-sea treasure hunting.
• Use the Reno13 5G for freshwater sources only!
• Dropping it to the bottom of the pool and panicking is not a recommended stress test (learned that the hard way).

Preparing for Underwater Photography

As someone who doesn’t normally prepare for much, I did my best to get everything right before my phone went for a swim:

• Checked the Seals – Because if water sneaks in, it’s game over.
• Use a Waterproof Case – I trusted OPPO, but I trusted my clumsiness more.
• Clean the Lens – Turns out, sunscreen fingerprints don’t make great underwater filters.
• Enable Underwater Mode – Found in the Camera App, this mode disables the touchscreen and lets you use the volume keys to take photos or record videos.
• Capturing Stunning Underwater Photos
• Taking photos underwater sounds easy—until you realize you can’t use the touchscreen, you’re struggling to stay in one place, and your expression resembles someone who just saw a shark (even though it’s just a floating leaf).

I had to consider lighting, stability, and composition to ensure my underwater shots looked intentional rather than accidental. Since the sun was directly overhead, I had great natural lighting, but it also meant every awkward pose was captured in high definition through the 50-megapixel main rear camera.

Stabilization was another challenge; keeping my hands steady underwater was harder than I expected, so I relied on both hands and tried to stay as still as possible (which was about five seconds at a time).

Angles and composition also made a huge difference—half-submerged shots looked dramatic but required a few attempts (and a lot of water up my nose). In the end, I realized it’s kind of hard to do everything alone? So now, you know – it’s best to do this with a friend or family member in tow.

Post-Care for My OPPO Reno13 5G (and My Dignity)

After all was said and done, I made sure my phone—and my pride—survived the experience:

• Exit and Expel – After my photoshoot, I discovered another neat trick—the OPPO Reno13 5G expels water from the device by exiting the Underwater Mode, which is holding the power button for three seconds. This feature helps remove any trapped liquid from the speaker grille and ports, which is perfect after a swim. No more muffled audio or panicking about hidden moisture!
• Dried it Properly – Using a soft cloth, not my already-soaked swim towel.
• Didn’t Charge Immediately – Because water and electricity are a dangerous duo.
• Checked for Damage – The phone was fine, but my ego? Slightly bruised.
• Stored it in a Dry Place – Unlike myself, who was still dripping wet.
• Swimming alone with the OPPO Reno13 5G turned out to be more entertaining than I expected. The phone held up well, the photos looked great, and the experience made for a ridiculous yet productive solo adventure.

The Underwater Mode made capturing shots easy with the volume keys, and the water expulsion feature ensured my phone was dry afterward. Whether you’re trying to capture stunning underwater shots or just seeing how long you can hold your breath, the OPPO Reno13 5G’s IP69 rating makes it a great companion—just maybe avoid looking like you’re struggling to stay afloat in the process.

And when you feel you need to be really alone without the staff in the background, or the shots aren’t as clear as you want them to be, OPPO’s AI photo features – AI Eraser 2.0, AI Clarity Enhancer, and AI Unblur come to the rescue.

Have you ever tried solo underwater photography? Let me know if you’ve managed to look less awkward doing it!