The Find X9 Ultra features the best 10x telephoto lens available, though it might be a better phone without it.
Oppo’s Find X9 Ultra introduces a 10x telephoto lens, a feature absent from new phones for three years. With aspirations to excel in photography among flagship devices, Oppo has adopted a strategy similar to Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra. While the lens is impressive, its practicality remains questionable.
This long-range lens is the best in its class but struggles with moving subjects and low-light conditions, like its counterparts. Fortunately, the Find X9 Ultra is an excellent phone overall, boasting a high-capacity battery and an outstanding display, accompanied by a sleek design. Although the 10x lens may seem like a novelty, the rest of the camera system ranks among the best available.
In contrast to previous models and the Find N foldables, the X9 Ultra launches in Europe and the UK, priced at £1,449 ($1,960 approx.), shipping from May 8th, and featuring 12GB RAM and 512GB storage. The phone offers robust protection, a vibrant 144Hz OLED display, and a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, paired with a large 7,050mAh battery supporting fast charging. It guarantees five major Android updates and six years of security patches.
Though similar specs are common among 2026 Ultra flagships, design and camera capabilities are key differentiators. Oppo excels in design with the “tundra umber” version, evoking classic cameras with a stylish leather finish and strategic color accents. The camera system includes a 50-megapixel selfie camera and four rear cameras. It delivers excellent video quality with Dolby Vision HDR across lenses. Additional accessories further enhance its camera capabilities.
The 10x lens stands out due to a unique design boasting better light capture, resulting in crisp and vibrant photos even in lower light. Despite its drawbacks, this lens adds a unique factor, though it’s underutilized in fast-moving or poorly lit conditions.
I appreciate the potential of such lenses but find myself relying on the more versatile options. The 230mm lens, unique to this model, might not always deliver the desired results. While Oppo may have sacrificed other enhancements to incorporate this lens, a version without it could have arguably been superior.
For usage, several agreements are mandatory: Google and Oppo’s terms and privacy policies, alongside optional agreements for enhanced services.
Final tally: seven required agreements and more than eight optional ones.
Photography by Dominic Preston / The Verge