Oppo’s new phone has one camera too many

Oppo's latest flagship smartphone, the Find X9 Ultra, attempts to distinguish itself in a crowded market by reintroducing a dedicated 10x telephoto zoom lens, a hardware feature that has mostly disappeared from recent mobile devices.

While the long-range camera represents a significant engineering achievement with enhanced light-gathering capabilities, it frequently struggles when capturing moving targets or operating in low-light environments. Despite the limitations of this highly specialized lens, the handset stands out as an exceptional premium device. It is equipped with top-tier specifications, including a powerful Snapdragon processor, a highly resilient high-refresh-rate display, an exceptionally large silicon-carbon battery that supports rapid charging, and a generous long-term commitment to operating system and security updates.

The device's physical design takes inspiration from vintage analog cameras, utilizing a two-toned vegan leather back panel, flat comfortable edges, and subtle physical accents that encourage horizontal shooting. While the performance of the 10x lens remains somewhat inconsistent, the rest of the camera setup—particularly the primary sensor and the 3x optical zoom—produces outstanding results with rich details and balanced exposure. Ultimately, the reviewer questions the necessity of the extra ultra-zoom lens, suggesting that omitting it could have allowed for even better primary sensors or a more affordable price tag. Nevertheless, the smartphone delivers a highly polished and visually striking experience for consumers looking for a premium alternative to established flagship models.