While Samsung pushed the bar in zoom photography with older Galaxy S Ultra models, it quietly stepped back in favor of shorter zoom ranges.
Now, Oppo is bringing it back, and it’s taking things even further.
The upcoming Oppo Find X9 Ultra is confirmed to feature a powerful new 50MP telephoto shooter with a 10x optical zoom. It brings a completely redesigned periscope system that aims to deliver long-range zoom without the usual bulk.
Why this is a big deal
In its latest teaser posters, the Chinese brand showcased a new five-reflection prism design, which allows the phone to achieve an impressive native focal length of 230mm (or 10x zoom). Oppo has achieved this while keeping the camera module smaller. Traditionally, a 10x zoom required long, bulky periscope modules. But Oppo is claiming that it has managed to reduce module length from around 41mm to just 29mm.
This makes it easier to fit into a modern flagship. The telephoto consists of a custom 50MP image sensor that has a f/3.5 aperture and “gimbal-level” optical image stabilization (OIS). So it isn’t about just zoom distance, it’s about making that zoom actually usable.
And it gets even better
While the 10x lens is a notable addition to Oppo’s top flagship, the upcoming Find X9 Ultra’s quad-camera setup is expected to pack other advanced camera systems. This includes:
- 200MP primary sensor
- 200MP 3x periscope telephoto
- 50MP ultrawide
- 50MP 10x telephoto
Just like the rest of the Find X9 lineup, Oppo will continue the partnership with Hasselblad for image tuning. Samsung has already proved that 10x zoom works, but most brands like Samsung and Apple have shifted towards 3x to 5x zoom cameras, relying on digital cropping and AI for higher zoom levels.
But Oppo is going in the opposite direction by bringing back true long-range optical zoom, improving light intake and stabilization, and shrinking the hardware to make it practical again.
Yes, it’s going global
Another important detail is availability. Oppo has confirmed that the Find X9 Ultra will launch globally in April, which is a big shift from older Ultra models that were exclusive to China. So this isn’t just a showcase device; it is something more that users will actually be able to buy.