OPPO takes the wraps off the Find X9 Ultra today at a launch event in Chengdu, China. The device makes its official debut at 7:00 PM local time, making it the first OPPO Ultra flagship to launch simultaneously in China and select global markets. For a company that typically keeps its most ambitious hardware region-locked for months, this is a clear signal that OPPO is done ceding premium territory to Samsung and Apple.
A Camera System That Earns the Hasselblad Badge
Pete Lau, OPPO's Chief Product Officer and OnePlus founder, has been unusually vocal about this one. In a post on X ahead of the launch, Lau framed the partnership in blunt terms: "Our goal was clear: put a real Hasselblad in your pocket." That's aggressive marketing, but the spec sheet at least attempts to back it up.
The Find X9 Ultra features a dual 200MP camera system supported by Hasselblad Master Mode and the LUMO light-condensing imaging system. The setup includes a 200MP main camera with an f/1.8 aperture, a 200MP 3x telephoto lens, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, and a 50MP 10x optical zoom telephoto lens with a 230mm focal length. The whole array spans 14mm to 230mm on the phone itself, with a maximum aperture range of f/1.5-3.5 across the system.
OPPO has partnered with Hasselblad to create the Earth Explorer Master Kit, which includes an external 400mm telephoto lens accessory that extends the reach well beyond the phone's built-in 10x optical zoom. It's the kind of accessory most users will never buy, but it signals where the company thinks mobile photography is heading.
The Hardware Beneath the Hype
The Find X9 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and sports a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display with 2K resolution and 144Hz refresh rate. A 7,050mAh battery supports 100W wired and 50W wireless charging, and the device carries IP68 and IP69 ratings for water and dust resistance.
The device will be offered in three finishes: Earth Tundra, Polar Glacier, and Velvet Sand Canyon. The design centers around a large circular rear camera module. It features a 144Hz high refresh rate display with 1-nit eye protection technology and runs ColorOS 16.
The Earth Tundra colorway takes cues from the Earth Explorer limited edition of the Hasselblad X2D 100C. The finish resembles gunmetal grey with brown undertones, paired with a black vegan leather material for grip. There's a signature orange ring around the camera module and a dedicated shutter button on the top edge. The build has been compared in early hands-on coverage to dedicated professional camera equipment, which is clearly the reference OPPO is chasing.
Marketing Materials Circulating Ahead of the Launch
In the hours leading up to tonight's event, launch-brochure assets have been circulating online across X, Weibo, and several imaging-focused forums. The slides lead with the Hasselblad co-branding, the dual 200MP sensor story, and the Earth Explorer kit accessories. Nothing in the materials contradicts what OPPO has already confirmed through its teaser campaign, but seeing the full pitch in context clarifies what the company wants the conversation to be about when the event begins.
Pricing and Availability
Full pricing has not been disclosed ahead of tonight's event. Chinese launch pricing is expected to land in the high-end flagship tier, with global availability confirmed to include configurations up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage. OPPO's global SKUs will likely differ from the full Chinese lineup, which is standard for Find X Ultra launches. Exact regional pricing and configurations will be confirmed when the event concludes.
The timing puts OPPO ahead of Samsung's Galaxy S27 and Apple's iPhone 17, both expected later this year. Early availability could be crucial for capturing market share in the competitive camera phone segment. Whether that translates to sales depends on how well OPPO can convince buyers that a dedicated imaging device belongs in their pocket.
The Find X9 Ultra represents OPPO's clearest articulation yet of what it thinks a flagship phone should be: a camera that happens to make calls. Hasselblad's involvement runs deeper than previous collaborations, extending into optical design, accessories, and color science. The global launch strategy suggests OPPO believes this hardware can compete anywhere, not just in markets where the brand already has momentum.
Full pricing and regional availability will be announced at tonight's event. OPPO says the Find X9 Ultra will be available through its official channels and major retailers in participating markets shortly after the announcement.
