Key Takeaways
- Oppo Find X8 Ultra review: This flagship delivers unmatched camera performance with a 1-inch Sony LYT900 sensor, setting a new benchmark for smartphone photography, but it’s sadly not available in India.
- Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, it offers blazing-fast performance for gaming, multitasking, and AI-driven features.
- A 6,100mAh battery with 100W SUPERVOOC charging ensures over a day of heavy use and rapid recharges.
- The sleek 8.78mm design, IP68/IP69 ratings, and vibrant 6.82-inch AMOLED display make it a premium all-rounder.
- Hasselblad-tuned quad-camera system excels in daylight, low-light, and zoom, but the China-exclusive launch limits its reach.
Oppo Find X8 Ultra Review: The Ultimate Flagship That’s Out of Reach
Imagine holding a smartphone that feels like a professional camera, runs like a supercomputer, and lasts longer than your busiest day—yet you can’t buy it where you live. The Oppo Find X8 Ultra is a handset that redefines what a flagship smartphone can be, but it is still only available in China, which is a bittersweet reality for Indian shoppers. In this Oppo Find X8 Ultra review, we dive into why this phone is a masterpiece of engineering, from its jaw-dropping camera system to its marathon battery life, and explore why Oppo’s decision to skip India stings so much.
As a tech journalist who’s tested countless smartphones, I was thrilled to get my hands on the Find X8 Ultra during a recent trip to China. Over two weeks, I pushed its limits—snapping photos in the bustling streets of Shanghai, gaming during long flights, and multitasking with dozens of apps. The result? A phone that’s as close to perfection as it gets, but one that leaves Indian fans longing for what could have been. Let’s break down what makes this device a game-changer and why it’s worth dreaming about.
Design and Build: Sleek, Sturdy, and Sophisticated
A Slim Marvel at 8.78mm
Oppo claims the Find X8 Ultra is the slimmest camera flagship at just 8.78mm thick, shaving off precious millimeters from its predecessor, the Find X7 Ultra (9.5mm), and rivals like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra (9.48mm). Weighing 226 grams, it feels balanced and premium, with contoured edges and a matte glass back that resists fingerprints. The Shell Pink variant I tested grew on me—its understated elegance stands out in a sea of glossy flagships.
Cosmos Ring Camera Design
The rear camera module, dubbed the “Cosmos Ring,” is a visual and functional masterpiece. Housing four 50MP sensors and a True Chroma module, it’s symmetrically arranged with Hasselblad branding and a subtle orange dot—a nod to the iconic camera maker’s shutter button. This design isn’t just eye-catching; it’s a testament to Oppo’s attention to detail.
Physical Buttons for Quick Access
Oppo joins the trend of adding dedicated buttons, introducing a Shortcut Button and a Quick Button. The Quick Button doubles as a camera trigger—double-tap to launch the camera, swipe to zoom, or long-press for burst shots. The Shortcut Button, an evolved alert slider, toggles sound modes or custom actions like flashlight or screenshots. These tactile controls make the phone intuitive and fun to use.
Durability That Impresses
The Find X8 Ultra can withstand high-pressure jets, water, and dust thanks to its IP68 and IP69 classifications. It also boasts SGS Five-Star drop resistance, so you can skip the case without worry. Corning Gorilla Glass (version unspecified) protects both sides, and the ultrasonic fingerprint scanner is lightning-fast and reliable.
Display: Vibrant, but Not the Brightest
A 6.82-Inch AMOLED Stunner
The Find X8 Ultra sports a 6.82-inch ProXDR AMOLED display with a 1440×3168 resolution, 510PPI, and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and 2160Hz PWM dimming are all supported for eye comfort. Colors pop, blacks are deep, and animations are buttery smooth, making it a joy for streaming Netflix or playing Genshin Impact.
Brightness Falls Short
At 2,500 nits peak brightness, the display is bright but lags behind competitors like the Find X8 Pro (4,500 nits) or Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Outdoor visibility is good, but it could be better in direct sunlight. Widevine L1 certification ensures HDR playback on OTT platforms, but I couldn’t help wishing for a brighter panel.
Performance: A Beast Powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite
Snapdragon 8 Elite Unleashed
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset offers unparalleled performance under the hood. Paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB UFS 4.1 storage, the Find X8 Ultra handles everything with ease. I ran 35 apps simultaneously—WhatsApp, Chrome, COD Mobile, and more—without a hiccup.
Gaming and Thermals
Gaming is a delight. At medium graphics and extreme frame rates, Call of Duty: Mobile and BGMI operated without a hitch. After 45 minutes of intense play, the phone warmed up but never overheated, thanks to its vapor chamber, graphite, and copper cooling system. The 0916T haptic motor adds immersive feedback, elevating the gaming and typing experience.
Benchmark Dominance
The Find X8 Ultra crushes benchmarks, outperforming rivals in most tests:
- Geekbench 6 Single: 3,065 (vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max: 3,203)
- Geekbench 6 Multi: 9,390 (vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra: 9,832)
- AnTuTu v10: 27,38,647 (vs. Xiaomi 15 Ultra: 25,19,481)
These scores confirm its flagship prowess, though it trades blows with the Galaxy S25 Ultra in multi-core tasks.
ColorOS 15: AI-Powered and Polished
The Find X8 Ultra, which runs ColorOS 15 on Android 15, provides a sleek, adaptable experience. Oppo guarantees six years of security patches and five years of OS updates. AI features like Photo Remaster, AI Unblur, and AI Eraser enhance photos, while productivity tools like AI Reply and AI Recording Summary streamline tasks. The O+ Connect app enables seamless file transfers with iPhones, a rare feat for Android.
Camera: A Photography Masterclass
Quad-Camera Setup with Hasselblad Tuning
The Find X8 Ultra’s most useful feature is its camera system. The quad-camera setup includes:
- Primary: 50MP Sony LYT900 1-inch sensor, f/1.8
- 3x Telephoto: 50MP Sony LYT700, f/2.1
- 6x Telephoto: 50MP Sony LYT600, f/3.1
- Ultrawide: 50MP Samsung JN5, f/2.0
- True Chroma Sensor: Enhances color accuracy
Tuned by Hasselblad, the Lumo image processing engine delivers stunning results across scenarios.
Daylight and Portrait Excellence
Daylight shots are breathtaking, with vibrant colors, sharp details, and excellent dynamic range. During my Spiti trip, the 1x and 2x lenses captured rugged landscapes with pinpoint accuracy. Portraits are equally impressive, with natural skin tones, precise subject isolation, and no oversharpening. The True Chroma sensor ensures colors pop without looking artificial.
Zoom and Low-Light Prowess
The dual telephoto lenses (3x and 6x) are a game-changer. Macro shots at 3x are detailed, and 6x zoom shots retain clarity and color fidelity. Excellent low-light performance is achieved by processing pitch-dark scenes with precise exposure and no noise. The ultrawide lens holds its own, delivering wide-angle shots with good detail, though it’s a slight downgrade from the Find X7 Ultra.
Video and Selfies
The rear cameras support 4K 60fps and 120fps recording with Dolby Vision, producing cinematic footage. The 32MP selfie camera is solid for daylight shots but average in low light. While it lacks the rear cameras’ flair, it’s serviceable for video calls and casual selfies.
Why It Sets the Benchmark
In PhoneArena’s Camera Score, the Find X8 Ultra came in close to equal the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and Galaxy S25 Ultra with 157 points. Its versatility—daylight, low-light, zoom, and video—makes it a top contender for 2025’s best camera phone.
Battery: A Marathon Runner
6,100mAh Silicon-Carbon Powerhouse
The 6,100mAh silicon-carbon battery is a standout, offering a 20% capacity increase over the Find X7 Ultra. In my tests, it lasted over a day with heavy use—30 apps, an hour of camera work, gaming, and streaming. PhoneArena’s tests showed 24 hours of web browsing and 13 hours of 3D gaming, among the best in its class.
Lightning-Fast Charging
With 100W SUPERVOOC wired charging, the phone hits 60% in under 20 minutes and fully charges in 32 minutes. It also supports 50W wireless and 10W reverse wireless charging, making it versatile for topping up accessories.
Why India Misses Out
A Missed Opportunity
The Find X8 Ultra’s absence in India is a letdown. While the Find X8 and X8 Pro are available, they lack the Ultra’s 1-inch sensor, higher-resolution display, and faster charging. Oppo could have positioned it as a limited-edition rival to the iPhone 16 Pro Max or Galaxy S25 Ultra, especially for camera enthusiasts.
Alternatives for Indian Buyers
If you’re in India, consider the Xiaomi 15 Ultra or Vivo X200 Pro for top-tier cameras. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a pricier but well-rounded option. Each offers flagship performance, though none match the Find X8 Ultra’s camera versatility.
Should You Import It?
The Find X8 Ultra is enticing to import because it starts at about $890 in China. The absence of worldwide support and the Chinese ROM, however, can irritate consumers. If you’re a photography buff willing to navigate these hurdles, it’s a worthy investment. Otherwise, stick to local flagships.
Conclusion
The Oppo Find X8 Ultra is a love letter to smartphone enthusiasts—a device that blends cutting-edge technology with artistry. Its camera system uses a 1-inch sensor and Hasselblad technology to capture moments with unparalleled clarity. Its sleek design, blazing performance, and marathon battery life make it a flagship to envy. Yet, for Indian fans, it’s a distant star—visible but out of reach. As I set the phone down after weeks of testing, I’m left wondering: will Oppo ever bring this masterpiece to India? Until then, it remains a tantalizing glimpse of what a smartphone can be.
