Unbox Therapy host Lewis Hilsenteger tested the camera capabilities of the OPPO Find X9 Ultra at the Great Wall of China [1].
The demonstration highlights the competitive push for optical zoom superiority in the high-end smartphone market. As manufacturers vie for the title of best mobile photography, the ability to capture high-resolution images from a distance remains a primary differentiator for flagship devices.
Filmed in partnership with OPPO, the test focused specifically on the device's new optical telephoto lens [1]. The OPPO Find X9 Ultra features a 10x optical telephoto lens [1], allowing for significant magnification without the loss of quality associated with digital zoom.
This hardware deployment follows a period of industry anticipation. Earlier reports indicated that 2026 was the anticipated release year for the Ultra model [3]. Other industry analysis from late 2025 had already begun comparing the performance of the X9 series against competitors, including tests comparing three-fold telephoto performance against the Galaxy S25 Ultra [2, 4].
During the footage captured at the Great Wall, Hilsenteger demonstrated how the 10x lens handles long-distance subjects [1]. The partnership aims to showcase how the hardware performs in real-world environments, moving beyond laboratory specifications to actual user experience [1].
While the 10x optical lens is the centerpiece of this demonstration, the device is part of a broader strategy by OPPO to challenge established leaders in the mobile imaging space. The focus on optical zoom suggests a target audience of travel and nature photographers who require versatility in a single device [1].
“The OPPO Find X9 Ultra features a 10x optical telephoto lens”
The integration of a 10x optical lens signals a shift toward specialized hardware in flagship phones to combat the plateauing quality of digital zoom. By partnering with high-reach influencers like Unbox Therapy for field tests at iconic locations, OPPO is attempting to establish a visual benchmark that challenges the market dominance of Samsung and Apple in the ultra-zoom category.
