Oppo and Hasselblad recently announced the renewal of their partnership, which was celebrated with a trip to Hasselblad’s hometown of Gothenburg, Sweden. During the visit, the focus was on testing Oppo’s flagship camera phone, the Find X8 Ultra.
The Find X8 Ultra, originally released in April, is currently only available in China. With its impressive camera capabilities, some are touting it as the best camera phone on the market. However, in a highly competitive landscape dominated by the likes of Samsung and Apple, how does the Find X8 Ultra truly measure up?
### The Camera Hardware
At the core of the Find X8 Ultra’s camera system is a 1-inch type sensor, the largest sensor found in a modern smartphone. This sensor outperforms those in mainstream flagships like the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, offering better performance in low-light conditions and the ability to create more background blur in close-up shots.
The phone also features a range of lenses, including an ultrawide, a 3x periscope telephoto, a 6x telephoto, and a dedicated colour spectrum sensor for accurate white balance. All these cameras boast a 50MP resolution sensor, with larger sensors than their competitors. Additionally, the phone’s slim design despite the array of lenses showcases the engineering prowess behind the device.
### Image Processing and Hasselblad Collaboration
While impressive hardware is essential, image processing plays a crucial role in delivering exceptional results. The collaboration with Hasselblad has led to a Hasselblad-tuned Master Mode, film simulations, and comprehensive manual control options, elevating the Find X8 Ultra’s photography capabilities.
### The Results
During the testing in Gothenburg, the Find X8 Ultra consistently delivered stunning photos regardless of the lighting conditions or subjects. The detailed images with vibrant colors showcased the phone’s capabilities. However, the device tends to favor cooler tones, especially with Hasselblad film simulations, which may not always accurately represent the warmth of the surroundings.
The telephoto lenses excelled in capturing close-up shots and maintaining quality even at high zoom levels. The main camera performed well in low-light situations, while the selfie camera surprised with its quality. The ultrawide lens, while decent, did not stand out compared to the other lenses.
### Is the Oppo Find X8 Ultra the Best Camera Phone?
While the Oppo Find X8 Ultra shows great promise, it faces tough competition from other flagship models like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, Vivo X200 Ultra, and Huawei Pura 80 Ultra. Availability in Western markets remains a challenge, but there are hopes for an international launch in the future.
With Oppo’s resurgence in Europe and the continuation of the Hasselblad partnership, the potential for the Find X8 Ultra to make a significant impact globally is high. For photography enthusiasts, the Find X8 Ultra offers a compelling option that rivals the dominance of Apple and Samsung in the camera phone market.
