Find X9 Ultra targets long-range images with redesigned periscope system

OPPO has confirmed a 21 April world launch for its subsequent flagship smartphone, the Find X9 Ultra, positioning the gadget round a brand new telephoto system constructed to ship 10x true optical zoom. The firm is framing the gadget as a camera-led flagship, with the zoom system as its defining function forward of the total reveal.

The Find X9 Ultra centres on a Hasselblad-branded 50MP telephoto digicam that helps 10x optical zoom and as much as 20x optical-quality zoom. This locations the gadget past the standard 4x to 5x optical zoom vary seen in most flagship smartphones, the place bodily area constraints have traditionally restricted lens design.

A brand new strategy to long-range zoom

OPPO attributes the leap in optical zoom to a redesigned periscope construction that makes use of 5 reflections to increase the sunshine path throughout the telephone. The firm refers to this as a Quintuple Prism Reflection Periscope Structure, which permits the digicam system to attain the bodily necessities of 10x optical zoom whereas lowering the module size by 30%.

This strategy addresses a long-standing trade-off in smartphone imaging, the place greater optical zoom ranges usually require bigger modules which can be tough to combine into slim gadget designs. By compressing the optical path by way of a number of reflections, OPPO goals to take care of a compact kind issue whereas extending focal attain.

Pete Lau, SVP and Chief Product Officer at OPPO, shared, “The pursuit of ultimate imaging has always been the mission of the Find X Series. With Find X9 Ultra, we’ve achieved something truly extraordinary. By introducing the Hasselblad 50MP 10x Ultra-Sensing Optical-Zoom Telephoto, which allows 10x true optical zoom and industry-first 20x optical-quality zoom, we are pushing the boundaries of what is possible with smartphone zoom. This is not just another flagship, it’s your next camera.”

The emphasis on “optical-quality” zoom suggests OPPO can also be counting on computational strategies to increase usable zoom past the optical vary, though the announcement focuses totally on the {hardware} breakthrough.

Optical design and stabilisation

Beyond the periscope construction, OPPO has launched what it calls a Pristine Optical Path Architecture. The prism is constructed from three precision elements, separated by a nanometre-scale diaphragm and an air capsule designed to take care of picture readability as gentle travels by way of the system.

This design goals to protect sign high quality earlier than it reaches the sensor, which turns into extra essential at longer focal lengths the place small distortions are amplified. The firm positions this as a method to make sure cleaner picture information for each seize and processing.

Stabilisation can also be a key a part of the system. OPPO has developed a brand new sensor-shift optical stabilisation mechanism with an prolonged stabilisation vary, meant to cut back shake at excessive zoom ranges. This addresses a sensible limitation of long-range smartphone images, the place even minor hand motion can have an effect on picture sharpness.

Imaging platform forward of full reveal

The 50MP telephoto system is described because the anchor of a broader imaging platform that mixes {hardware} and computational images, though OPPO has not detailed the remainder of the digicam system at this stage.

The firm has positioned the Find X9 Ultra as a camera-first flagship forward of its full specification reveal, with the zoom system appearing as the first level of differentiation in early communication.

More particulars on the gadget are anticipated on the world launch occasion on 21 April.