When I reviewed the Vivo X300 Ultra last week, I said that it would take something truly extraordinary to measure up to its cameras. OPPO is aiming to do just that with the Find X9 Ultra, and while I can’t talk about the cameras just yet, the fact that the device is launching globally this year — just like the X300 Ultra — means there are two strong contenders if you need a camera-focused upgrade in 2026.
I’ll talk about the Find X9 Ultra’s cameras and how it holds up against the X300 Ultra in my review, but before that, let’s take a look at the design itself. OPPO showed over the last three years that it’s willing to try out different styles, and the Find X9 Ultra doesn’t look anything like the Find X8 Ultra or any of its predecessors. If anything, the bold styling is reminiscent of a traditional camera, and I like that the brand leaned into this aesthetic — I like this design better than Xiaomi’s custom 17 Ultra with Leica accouterments.
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The rear of the Find X9 Ultra is outfitted in leather, and it feels great to hold and use. The phone itself is built like a tank, and although it has flat edges, the bevels around the sides ensure it’s comfortable in daily use. In this sense, it is similar to the X300 Ultra, and the camera island is somehow even bigger.
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The camera module dominates the design at the back, and you can easily get a sense of the kind of cameras OPPO is using this year just by gauging the size of the modules. Just like Vivo, OPPO used a design where a ring encircles the camera island, and it has metal accents with an orange finish that adds a nice bit of contrast.
Obviously, the camera island extends quite a bit from the body, and that’s a given with Ultras in general and the huge cameras they house. That said, the design of the island and the fact that it’s centered means there isn’t much of a wobble when using the Find X9 Ultra on a table.
I also like that the dedicated camera button on the right has an orange accent, and the overall design feels elegant and polished. This is the Tundra Umber model, and while the Find X9 Ultra is available in an orange hue as well, that isn’t made out of leather.
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OPPO’s logo is prominently highlighted at the back, and Hasselblad also gets the same amount of visibility. The leather back and metal finish pairs really well, and while the phone is a little heavy, it isn’t unwieldy in the least.
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Having used the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Xiaomi 17 Ultra, and the Vivo X300 Ultra in recent months, I think I like the design of the Find X9 Ultra the most. The leather finish makes all the difference in this area, and the phone looks like a high-end Hasselblad camera, which is undoubtedly what OPPO was trying to achieve. Thankfully, I’ll be able to share my full findings of the Find X9 Ultra fairly soon, but in the meantime, it’s exciting that the phone will be available outside China.