Xiaomi and Oppo have released flagship camera phones that rival the iPhone in photography prowess. In a head-to-head test between the Xiaomi Leica Leitzphone and the Oppo Find X9 Ultra, one emerges as the ultimate imaging smartphone.
The Xiaomi Leica Leitzphone, co-engineered with Leica, and the Oppo Find X9 Ultra, with Hasselblad tuning, represent the peak of mobile photography. Both phones launch in 2025, targeting enthusiasts who refuse to compromise on camera quality. This comparison matters because it pits two distinct philosophies against each other: Xiaomi's natural, film-like rendering versus Oppo's computational, vibrant output.
Xiaomi's partnership with Leica has evolved over several generations, resulting in the Leitzphone edition that adds authentic Leica color science and a dedicated monochrome mode. The phone uses a 1-inch Sony sensor with a variable aperture lens. Oppo counters with a custom Sony sensor tuned by Hasselblad, offering a multi-focal system with a 1-inch main sensor, a 50-megapixel ultrawide, and a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto reaching 5× optical zoom. Both devices include advanced computational photography features such as AI scene detection, portrait modes that mimic professional studio lighting, and night mode algorithms.
In direct testing, the Xiaomi Leitzphone excels in color accuracy and dynamic range, producing images with a timeless, organic quality. It handles golden-hour lighting superbly, preserving highlight detail without aggressive sharpening. The Oppo Find X9 Ultra, meanwhile, pushes saturation and contrast, resulting in immediately striking social-media-ready shots. Low-light performance is close, but Oppo's multi-frame fusion reduces noise more aggressively, while Xiaomi retains finer texture. Video capabilities are similar: 8K at 30fps with advanced stabilization, but Oppo adds Dolby Vision HDR for a wider gamut of colors.
Industry observers note that this battle reflects a broader trend: Android manufacturers are leapfrogging Apple in hardware innovation, particularly in sensor size and optical zoom. The Leitzphone and Find X9 Ultra both surpass the iPhone 16 Pro Max in raw camera specs, yet software polish remains a differentiator. The choice ultimately comes down to personal preference—Xiaomi for purists, Oppo for those who want instant impact.
Looking ahead, both companies are expected to introduce even more advanced periscope zoom and AI-driven photography features in 2026. The winner of this test? It depends on whether you prioritize natural fidelity or vibrancy. But for sheer technical achievement, the Oppo Find X9 Ultra edges ahead with its versatile zoom and superior video capabilities.
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I Put the Ultimate Phone Cameras to a Head-to-Head Test (Neither Is an iPhone)
Xiaomi and Oppo have a couple of astonishingly good camera phones. I tested both to see which is best.
Andrew Lanxon
CNET
2 min read
6/10
Key Takeaways
- Xiaomi Leica Leitzphone features a 1-inch Sony sensor with variable aperture (f/1.4–f/4.0) and Leica Summicron optics, offering natural color rendering.
- Oppo Find X9 Ultra uses a custom 1-inch Sony LYT-900 sensor with Hasselblad natural color calibration and a multi-focal camera array including 5× optical zoom.
- In daylight tests, Xiaomi produced more true-to-life colors and better highlight retention, while Oppo delivered punchier, more saturated images.
- Night mode performance was close: Oppo’s AI fusion reduced noise by 20% more than Xiaomi, but Xiaomi preserved greater fine detail in low-light edges.
- Video recording: both support 8K at 30fps with OIS+EIS, but Oppo adds Dolby Vision HDR recording natively, giving it an edge in dynamic range for video.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are excellent, but the Oppo Find X9 Ultra offers more versatile zoom with 5× optical and superior video capabilities including Dolby Vision. The Xiaomi Leitzphone focuses on natural color reproduction and a purist photography experience. The best choice depends on your preference for color science and zoom needs.
Xiaomi has a long-standing collaboration with Leica, the legendary German optics company. The Leitzphone edition features Leica Summicron lenses, Leica color science profiles, and a dedicated monochrome mode that mimics the classic Leica M camera aesthetic.
Yes, Oppo partners with the Swedish camera brand Hasselblad. The Find X9 Ultra includes Hasselblad Natural Color Calibration for accurate skin tones and a Hasselblad Portrait mode that simulates the medium-format camera's iconic look.
Both phones use a 1-inch Sony sensor as the main camera. Xiaomi employs the IMX989 with variable aperture (f/1.4-f/4.0), while Oppo uses a custom LYT-900 sensor with fixed f/1.8 aperture. Oppo adds a 50MP periscope lens for 5× optical zoom, whereas Xiaomi's telephoto is 3× optical.
Both perform admirably. Oppo's algorithm reduces noise more aggressively, producing cleaner images in very dark conditions. Xiaomi retains more texture and detail but may show slight luminance noise. For handheld night shots, Oppo has an edge; for tripod work, Xiaomi's detail preservation wins.
Both support 8K at 30fps with stabilization. Oppo Find X9 Ultra supports native Dolby Vision HDR recording, offering a wider color range and better highlight retention. Xiaomi Leitzphone records in HDR10+ but lacks Dolby Vision. For videographers, Oppo is the better choice.
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