A Smartphone with 10x Optical Zoom: What the OPPO Find X9 Ultra Will Be Like

Remember when Samsung removed the 10x telephoto from the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and everyone agreed it wasn’t needed? Turns out it was needed, and people remembered that again when Samsung ruined the cameras on its flagship smartphones. OPPO understands this perfectly and is preparing the Find X9 Ultra for release — a smartphone aiming to be the best camera phone of 2026. The main intrigue is the return of a full-fledged 10x optical zoom with specs that will, to put it mildly, shock even smartphones like the Galaxy S23 Ultra and the best HUAWEI models.

The new OPPO could become the best camera phone of 2026.

What Camera Will the OPPO Find X9 Ultra Have

Let’s start with the main attraction — that 10x periscope, which was revealed by insider Digital Chat Station. The module will feature a 50-megapixel sensor and an f/3.5 aperture. At first glance — nothing extraordinary. But compare these numbers with what the Galaxy S23 Ultra offered — Samsung’s last flagship with 10x zoom — and the picture becomes much more interesting.

Samsung had a 10-megapixel sensor with an f/4.9 aperture. The difference is enormous. An f/3.5 aperture lets in roughly three times more light than f/4.9. And 50 megapixels versus 10 — that’s a whole different level. In practice, the OPPO Find X9 Ultra will be able to shoot at 10x zoom with resolution sufficient for quality 20x cropping without loss. Roughly speaking — point it at a sign across the street and read the fine print.

Honestly, I’ve been waiting a long time for someone to bring back a long-focal periscope to flagships. After 2023, the industry seemed to decide that 5x was the ceiling. OPPO clearly disagrees.

A 200 MP camera no longer impresses anyone, even among relatively affordable smartphones. But what matters isn’t the numbers — it’s knowing how to use them.

OPPO Find X9 Ultra Camera Specifications

But the 10x telephoto is only part of the story. The entire camera system of the Find X9 Ultra is more like a camera that happens to have a calling function.

The main camera is 200 megapixels on a Sony LYT-901 sensor in 1/1.12-inch format. That’s 35% larger than the 1/1.3-inch sensors in Samsung’s Ultra flagships. Dynamic range reportedly exceeds 100 dB — blown highlights and crushed shadows will become less common, though perfection still won’t be achieved.

The second module is a 200-megapixel periscope with 3x optical zoom on an OmniVision sensor in 1/1.28-inch format. According to the insider, it’s the best 200-megapixel periscope on the market in terms of light sensitivity. Plus a 50-megapixel ultrawide and a 3.2-megapixel Danxia sensor for accurate color reproduction — four cameras total, each covering its own range.

The combination of 3x and 10x periscopes means seamless coverage from ultra-wide angle to long telephoto. No “dead zones” where digital zoom turns the image into mush.

Zoom Camera Comparison: OPPO Find X9 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Let’s be honest: the Galaxy S23 Ultra was an excellent device. But its 10x module is 2022 technology. The small 10-megapixel sensor and narrow f/4.9 aperture work in good light, but in the evening noise and blur start to appear.

Here’s everything the insider has said so far.

OPPO took a different approach. The triple increase in light-gathering capability shortens exposure time, which in itself reduces blur. Plus 50 megapixels provide room for cropping. It’s like getting a smartphone instead of a separate backpack full of lenses.

But, as always, there are caveats. An f/3.5 aperture is a step forward for a 10x periscope, but by the standards of short-focal telephoto lenses, it’s not impressive. The laws of physics are stubborn, and a smartphone’s miniature optics won’t replace a full-frame lens.

Other OPPO Find X9 Ultra specifications:

When Will the OPPO Find X9 Ultra Be Released and How Much Will It Cost

The China presentation is scheduled for spring 2026 — likely April. And most interestingly, OPPO is bringing the Ultra version outside China for the first time. The Find X8 Ultra was exclusive to the domestic market, while the X9 Ultra has already been confirmed for global sales — announced by OPPO Europe head Elvis Zhou at MWC 2026.

There are no exact prices yet, but the device will compete with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro Max. You can be sure the price tag will be significantly lower than those devices. But if you frequently shoot with zoom — birds, architecture, kids at a school concert — the Find X9 Ultra looks like the most serious candidate for camera phone of the year.

All specifications are currently based on leaks, but Digital Chat Station is often right. And other sources are saying the same thing. We’ll see the real image quality after the announcement — and then it will become clear how well OPPO’s software and Hasselblad tuning handled the hardware. Impressive numbers don’t always translate into beautiful photos.