Oppo’s Find X8 Ultra: Pushing Smartphone Photography Forward with Hasselblad’s Help

“There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs,” said iconic photographer Ansel Adams. Oppo seems to be chasing the same ideal with its Find X series, refining its approach to mobile photography with each new release. While it hasn’t yet reached perfection, both the Find X7 Ultra and Find X8 Ultra show that Oppo is closing the gap, tackling new challenges with every iteration through a mix of powerful hardware and advanced software algorithms.

The latest Find X8 Ultra, though not launched globally, builds on Oppo’s strengths. It introduces upgraded telephoto lenses and makes better use of its fifth rear camera — the True Chroma camera — to capture brighter, more color-accurate low-light images. A big part of this success comes from Oppo’s ongoing partnership with legendary camera brand Hasselblad, a collaboration Oppo recently confirmed will continue.

At the announcement event, Oppo Photography Product Specialist Lu ChengHao showcased the Find X series’ progress and even took a few jabs at competitors. Afterward, I had the chance to speak with him about Oppo’s direction in smartphone photography.

No Hasselblad Reno Phones — For Now
While Oppo’s premium devices have benefited from Hasselblad co-engineering, ChengHao confirmed this tech will not make its way into mid-range Reno phones anytime soon. Instead, Oppo’s trickle-down approach focuses on its self-developed algorithms, which control the entire imaging pipeline through precise global and local tone-mapping. In future, the main differentiator between mid-range and premium Oppo devices will be hardware, not software.

Will Oppo Make a Camera Kit?
Competitors like Xiaomi and Vivo have launched Ultra models with optional photography kits, offering manual controls, extra battery power, or even attachable zoom lenses. Oppo, however, hasn’t followed suit — yet. ChengHao revealed that Oppo is “very actively” exploring the idea but would only proceed if it enhances the user experience.

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He explained two guiding principles: first, accessories should help non-photographers capture moments more efficiently; second, they should give photography enthusiasts a familiar, camera-like feel. As an example, Vivo’s detachable telephoto lens solves the challenge of shooting distant subjects, while Oppo’s True Chroma camera addresses the need for more accurate skin tones in portraits. Since Oppo’s existing hardware already meets its portrait goals, there hasn’t been a strong need for a snap-on camera kit so far.

AI in Smartphone Photography — A Choice, Not a Requirement
AI has become a core part of mobile imaging, with companies like Google pioneering machine learning in cameras. Today, nearly every brand offers AI-enhanced modes, from smoothing skin to boosting colors and adding digital bokeh. While these features can produce striking images, some photographers feel they dilute the authenticity of the craft.

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ChengHao outlined two roles of AI in photography: enhancing existing information or generating entirely new information. Oppo believes users should have the choice to turn AI off if they prefer a more natural look. In the Find X8 Ultra and Find X8 Pro, for instance, AI can be disabled in telephoto mode beyond 60X zoom to avoid artificial patterns or details. “If AI can provide positive inputs or enhancements, I think everybody will use it. But for negative or unnecessary enhancements, it won’t,” he said.

Oppo’s Core Focus: Portrait Photography
Throughout our discussion, one theme was clear — Oppo’s primary mission is excelling at portrait photography. Each hardware or software innovation aims to make capturing people more lifelike and emotionally resonant, whether in bright daylight or low-light scenarios. The Find X8 Ultra’s True Chroma camera is a direct response to this vision, improving color fidelity and skin tone accuracy without over-processing.

The Road Ahead
Oppo’s smartphone photography journey is still evolving. While its most advanced innovations remain confined to the premium Find X line, the company is refining core algorithms that could eventually benefit more affordable models. A potential camera kit could be in the pipeline, but only if it aligns with Oppo’s vision of accessible yet professional-grade imaging.

For now, the Find X8 Ultra stands as a testament to Oppo’s growing expertise — a device born from its Hasselblad collaboration, equipped with some of the most capable imaging hardware on the market, and guided by a philosophy that gives users both AI-powered enhancement and the freedom to switch it off.

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