The improvements in camera performance by Chinese smartphone manufacturers have been remarkable, and there’s a growing number of models capable of ultra-high-resolution photography with a telephoto lens attached.
The “Find X9 Ultra,” which OPPO has also released in Japan, is capable of up to 200x zoom.
When the lens is attached, it looks so different that you’d hardly recognize it as a smartphone.
A High-Performance Smartphone Ideal for Gaming
The Find X9 Ultra is a high-spec smartphone powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.
Its 6.82-inch display has a resolution of 3168 x 1440 pixels, a refresh rate of up to 144Hz, and a maximum brightness of 3600 nits, making it more than capable of handling high-performance games.
Furthermore, it features an industry-leading camera system.
You could say the Find X9 Ultra is a “ smartphone that can do anything.”
Hasselblad-inspired body design
The back of the black model features a chic, textured finish reminiscent of a high-end camera.
The OPPO logo is on the left, and the Hasselblad logo—OPPO’s camera technology partner—is centered.
Just as Xiaomi collaborates with Leica and Sony and vivo partner with Zeiss, OPPO’s high-end models also have technical partnerships with long-established camera manufacturers.
The right side of the device also features an orange button.
This is Hasselblad’s signature brand color, used on the shutter buttons of cameras like the “XD2.”
This single detail alone makes it clear that the Find X9 Ultra is a smartphone that carries on the Hasselblad legacy.
Enhanced AI Features, Including the Exclusive “Mind Space”
There’s also a button on the left side; this is a shortcut button that lets you toggle between specific settings, such as AI features and silent mode.
One setting you’ll definitely want to configure is assigning it to OPPO’s proprietary “Mind Space,” which functions as an AI database notebook.
Pressing the button takes a screenshot of the screen’s content, which the AI then automatically summarizes.
You can also record audio by holding down the button.
You can then use the AI to search through and organize this accumulated data later.
Whether it’s news articles in your browser or store information from short videos, simply keep taking screenshots, and the device will automatically create a database tailored to your interests.
You can also exchange photos with an iPhone
The device runs ColorOS 16, based on Android 16.
In addition to lightning-fast screen transitions and scrolling, the photo editing features include advanced generative AI functions such as AI Eraser and AI Relighting.
AI summarization and translation capabilities have also been enhanced.
Furthermore, the “O+ Connect” feature—which enhances integration with iPhones, Macs, and Windows PCs—enables seamless file sharing across different manufacturers and operating systems.
Features the industry’s highest-performing quad-camera system
The Find X9 Ultra’s camera boasts specifications that are not only industry-leading but also stand out among smartphones currently sold in Japan.
The wide-angle lens features 200 million pixels, a 1/1.12-inch sensor, and an f/1.5 aperture.
The 3x telephoto lens also has 200 million pixels, a 1/1.28-inch sensor, and an f/2.2 aperture.
Additionally, the 10x telephoto lens has 50 million pixels, a 1/2.75-inch sensor, and an f/3.5 aperture, while the ultra-wide-angle lens also has 50 million pixels, a 1/1.95-inch sensor, and an f/2.0 aperture.
On top of that, the front-facing camera also has 50 million pixels.
The total combined pixel count comes to 550 million, making this the only smartphone on the market equipped with such high-resolution cameras.
Easily experience the world of telephoto photography
Even though the device’s built-in camera performance is already exceptional, the Find X9 Ultra also supports the attachment of an external telephoto lens.
It’s sold as a camera kit, and you’ll first need to attach the dedicated case.
The kit includes the case, a decorative ring, and a mounting ring for the telephoto lens.
Although not shown in the photo, a 67mm filter mounting ring is also included.
Showcasing the Hasselblad Essence
First, attach the case and decorative ring.
The camera module is covered by a bezel featuring Hasselblad’s distinctive “H” logo.
Every detail exudes the essence of Hasselblad, making you feel like you’ll take great photos just by holding it in your hand.
The grip section of the case protrudes slightly, making it easy to hold the phone while keeping the size compact enough that it doesn’t interfere with smartphone operations even when the case is on.
While camera kits from other manufacturers often feature large grips that are easy to hold, they can sometimes make it slightly difficult to operate the smartphone as is.
Additionally, since the grip is non-removable, there’s no risk of it accidentally coming off.
The grip section also features a shutter button and adjustment rings for functions like zoom.
Trying Out the Telephoto Lens
On the other hand, when you attach the ring for mounting the telephoto lens, it looks like this.
It has a rather mechanical look to it, and the overall vibe of the Find X9 Ultra changes significantly.
Note that the lens is a dedicated model, and the mount uses a proprietary three-prong design.
The 300mm telephoto lens is quite long, and combined with the black body, it has a truly commanding presence.
Actually, vivo was the first to commercialize a smartphone capable of attaching a telephoto lens; we previously published a review of the “X300 Ultra,” which can accommodate a 400mm lens called the “G2 Ultra.”
OPPO’s lens has a focal length of 300mm; while shorter than vivo’s 400mm lens, it is physically longer.
Not only is the optical design different, but since it bears the Hasselblad name, the company is likely aiming to make it stand out even more.
The lens features caps at both ends bearing the “H” logo.
The front features a detachable hood, which also bears the Hasselblad logo.
When the hood is attached to the front of the lens, it becomes longer than the Find X9 Ultra itself.
It certainly makes a strong statement.
It’s clear that OPPO and Hasselblad put their all into designing this lens.
A telephoto lens with an overwhelming presence
When attached to the body, it looks like a compact digital camera from a few years back that supported super-telephoto zoom.
The kit also includes a tripod mount that holds the lens section, allowing you to mount it directly on a tripod.
You might think that attaching such a large lens would make it cumbersome to handle, but the overall weight is lighter than that of a high-end camera. Plus, thanks to AI stabilization, shooting with the telephoto lens results in minimal camera shake, and you can capture crisp images even with hundreds of times digital zoom.
The Benefits of a Telephoto Lens Go Beyond Just High Magnification
Now, when you attach the 300mm lens, you can shoot at a maximum of 4,575mm—equivalent to 198x magnification—using digital zoom.
However, the benefits of a telephoto lens go beyond just magnification.
It also creates an optical depth-of-field effect (bokeh).
The difference is immediately apparent when you compare a photo taken with the built-in camera at a 300mm equivalent (13x magnification) to one taken with the 300mm lens attached.
When you attach a telephoto lens, set it to 300mm, and take a photo, you’ll see that the background is beautifully blurred.
This ability to achieve a natural bokeh effect is one of the key benefits of a telephoto lens.
While I’d like to include other sample photos, the number would be overwhelming, so for now, I’ll limit this introduction to the exterior design of the Find X9 Ultra itself.
Accessories Available Overseas Are Also Handy
Now, I’d also like to introduce some official OPPO accessories compatible with the Find X9 Ultra that aren’t currently sold in Japan or Hong Kong.
First up is the “OPPO Bubble.”
It’s a 1.73-inch circular display device that connects via Bluetooth.
Not only does it act as a remote viewfinder when you launch the camera app, but it can also be used as a pin badge to display your favorite images as wallpaper.
The back is MagSafe-compatible, allowing it to attach to the back of your smartphone.
Although it’s currently available in China and Southeast Asia, it’s also compatible with the Find X9 Ultra sold in Japan.
The Hasselblad Light, currently on sale in China, is an external light featuring a "H" logo that’s sure to spark your desire for it.
Two models are available: the OPPO-branded version and this Hasselblad model.
The base is MagSafe-compatible, and the light unit is designed to tilt up 90 degrees.
While you can turn the light on and off and adjust the color temperature using the switch on the unit itself, when you connect it to the Find X9 Ultra via Bluetooth and turn on the LED light in the camera app, it’s this Hasselblad Light—not the phone itself—that illuminates the scene.
It’s a device that truly expands the Find X9 Ultra’s photographic capabilities.
The Find X9 Ultra is an expensive smartphone costing over 200,000 yen, but its camera performance is among the best in the industry, and the telephoto lens allows you to further expand your photographic possibilities.
If you want to try out the best camera on a smartphone, there’s certainly great value in choosing the Find X9 Ultra.
▼Photo & Written by Yasuhiro Yamane/Yasuhiro Yamane
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