OPPO Find X9 Ultra Hands-On: The King of Ultra is Here

The OPPO Find X9 Ultra makes its intent clear the moment you see it. This is not a device trying to blend in with other flagships. Instead, it leans fully into a camera-first identity, both in function and in design. From early hands-on impressions, the device stands out for its camera-inspired look, borrowing elements from dedicated cameras and translating them into a modern smartphone form. The result is a device that feels less like a typical phone and more like a photography tool that also happens to handle everyday tasks.

The OPPO Find X9 Ultra is unapologetically bold. The rear is dominated by a large circular camera module that immediately draws attention. Reviews highlight that this oversized camera island defines the entire design and clearly signals its imaging focus. The centered placement also helps reduce wobble on flat surfaces, which is a practical advantage despite the size.

The device comes in multiple finishes, each offering a different in-hand feel. The Tundra Umber variant uses vegan leather, which adds texture and improves grip, while also reinforcing the camera-like aesthetic. Glass variants, including matte finishes, offer a more traditional flagship feel while still maintaining a clean and refined look.

The frame is metal, contributing to a rigid and durable structure. In hand, the phone feels dense and substantial, with a weight that reflects its large camera system and battery. The build is further reinforced by IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings, providing protection not only against water immersion but also high-pressure water exposure.

Ergonomics is still considered despite the size. The edges are slightly beveled, helping reduce discomfort during prolonged use. The device feels balanced, even with the large camera module at the back. One standout addition is the dedicated physical shutter button, which adds a tactile shooting experience and strengthens the camera-first positioning of the device.

The front is dominated by a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a sharp QHD+ resolution and a 1–144Hz adaptive refresh rate. The panel is designed to handle both high-brightness scenarios and smooth motion, making it suitable for media and camera use.

Performance is handled by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, paired with up to 16GB of RAM and fast UFS 4.1 storage. The device feels responsive in general use, which is expected at this level.

The camera system is the main highlight, featuring a complex multi-lens setup with a large 1-inch-type main sensor, dual periscope zoom lenses, and a dedicated color sensor tuned with Hasselblad. This setup positions the device as one of the more advanced camera phones currently available in the market today, and we can’t help but gush over its capabilities when we tested it ourselves.

Battery capacity is 7,050mAh, supported by 100W wired and 50W wireless charging. Software runs on Android 16 with ColorOS 16, and a satellite-enabled variant is also available for off-grid communication.

OPPO Find X9 Ultra Specifications

• Display: 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED, 3168 × 1440 (QHD+), 1–144Hz adaptive refresh rate, 3,600 nits peak brightness
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
• RAM: 12GB / 16GB LPDDR5X
• Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB UFS 4.1
• Rear Cameras: 200MP (1-inch Sony LYT-901, f/1.5, OIS) + 50MP ultra-wide (Sony LYT-600, f/2.0, 123°) + 200MP periscope (3x, f/2.2, OIS) + 50MP periscope (10x, f/3.5, OIS) + 3.2MP color sensor
• Selfie Camera: 50MP (f/2.4, autofocus)
• Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.1, NFC, USB-C 3.2
• Other Features: IP66/IP68/IP69 rating, dedicated shutter button, Hasselblad tuning, optional photography grip, satellite communication (select variant)
• OS: Android 16 with ColorOS 16
• Battery and Fast Charge Tech: 7,050mAh silicon-carbon battery, 100W wired, 50W wireless
• Colors: Tundra Umber (Vegan Leather), Canyon Orange (Swirled Glass), Polar Glacier (Matte Glass)

Our First Take: The OPPO Find X9 Ultra takes a different approach compared to most flagship smartphones. Instead of minimizing visual elements, it highlights its camera system as the core identity of the device.

The design choices, from the large camera module to the material finishes and physical shutter button, all support this direction. At the same time, the device maintains a premium feel through its solid construction and refined ergonomics.

From a design and build perspective, the Find X9 Ultra stands out by being clear about its purpose. It is built around photography, and everything else follows that direction.

The OPPO Find X9 Ultra is officially priced at PHP 99,999 in the Philippines and is now available for pre-order on OPPO Official Shopee Store and OPPO Online Store, with general availability starting May 15. Those who pre-order will get a free OPPO Enco X3s, a Free Flagship Imaging Travel Photography Gift Box, and a raffle entry to win a DJI Mini 5 Pro drone.