OPPO has undergone a 180-degree transformation in their mobile imaging technology, moving from initially disregarding periscope-style telephoto lenses to pioneering dual periscope telephoto lenses with their latest release. The OPPO Find X7 Ultra impressively caters to the demanding “I want it all” attitude of flagship smartphone enthusiasts with its unique imaging capabilities, boldly claiming the titles of “legendary flagship” and “strongest on the planet.”
Judging by the hardware specs of the rear camera on the OPPO Find X7 Ultra, it truly stands at the pinnacle of luxury. The wide-angle main camera uses the new 1-inch Sony LYT-900 sensor, while the approximate 3x (2.8x actual) periscope lens features a Sony IMX890, and the approximate 6x (5.9x actual) periscope lens uses a Sony IMX858. Coupled with a new ultra-wide-angle Sony LYT-600 sensor, these four 50MP lenses dominate their respective segments, offering a flagship-level main camera experience.
Early hands-on experiences (detailed in the accompanying video) show that the OPPO Find X7 Ultra’s two telephoto lenses, with fixed focal lengths of 65mm and 135mm, excel in portrait photography. The Sony IMX890, an improved version of the previous generation’s telephoto lens, is reliably superb. In well-lit conditions, the Sony IMX858 also performs admirably in portrait shots, with commendable imaging, fast processing speeds, and consistent color quality that are worth praising.
However, it’s disappointing that the OPPO Find X7 Ultra doesn’t offer the telephoto macro function found in some flagship models on the market today. When using the 3x zoom to capture details of a smartphone, performance falls short of expectations. In contrast, macro shots taken with the main camera are quite impressive. Overall though, the lack of innovative camera features in the OPPO Find X7 series is regrettable, and the continued absence of dynamic photo capabilities is particularly baffling. As far as I’m aware, this is the only top brand that does not support dynamic photos.
Additionally, some users on social platforms have reported that the image quality of the OPPO Find X7 Ultra deteriorates at 8x zoom, and at 30x zoom, the results are significantly compromised. Without the Mariana X chip, the device appears to lack sufficient computational power for image processing, leading to subpar algorithm performance.
Launched alongside the OPPO Find X7 Ultra, the OPPO Find X7 is touted as the “super standard edition.” Its imaging capabilities are almost on par with the previous generation’s OPPO Find X6 Pro, and with a starting price of 3999 yuan, which is lower than its predecessor, the announcement of its price was met with enthusiastic cheers and applause at the launch event.
In stark contrast, when the pricing for the OPPO Find X7 Ultra starting at 5999 yuan was announced, the subdued reaction from the audience was a tad awkward. Perhaps OPPO believes that setting the starting price of an Ultra model equal to its predecessor—the Find X6 Pro—is a gesture of goodwill, especially considering this model’s unique offering of dual periscope technology.
Addressing the subdued response at the launch, after much contemplation and browsing through social media interactions, here’s a summary of some of the disappointing aspects: First, the 1TB version of the Find X7 Ultra was not released simultaneously, leading to speculation that OPPO may bundle it with a satellite communication version aiming for a higher price point, possibly around 7999 yuan. However, this variant may have been delayed until March due to unforeseen circumstances.
Secondly, the Find X7 Ultra switched to a domestic screen instead of the top-tier Samsung screens used previously. Despite some improved specs and all-day eye protection features, this swap is seen as a downgrade by users who are particular about configurations and supreme realism; it’s also likely to have reduced costs significantly. As for the Mariana X chip dilemma, less said the better, but its absence does affect the imaging and algorithm capabilities. Additionally, some potential customers might be disappointed by the lack of a glass back version, offering only a vegan leather back for the Find X7 Ultra, which lacks material and design innovation.
What’s your take on the OPPO Find X7 series? Feel free to interact with us.
Tech Critique: The OPPO Find X7 Ultra boasts impressive imaging hardware, but its imaging algorithms need further refinement. Also, as a flagship phone, the latest model seems to provide fewer comprehensive innovations than expected.