For years, European smartphone enthusiasts with a passion for mobile photography have watched the Chinese market with a hint of envy. While Apple and Samsung dominate store shelves, the true camera innovators—Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi—often reserve their most spectacular flagship models for their home turf. But a major shift is on the horizon. The stage is being set for an unprecedented camera phone showdown in Europe, with the Oppo Find X9 Ultra, Xiaomi 17 Ultra, and Vivo X300 Ultra all poised to compete for the title of best camera phone on the continent.
The Great Wall of Smartphones is Crumbling
Traditionally, if you craved the ultimate camera experience from brands like Vivo or Oppo, you had to navigate the grey import market. While doable, this path came with significant drawbacks. Users often faced compatibility headaches, from spotty performance with Wear OS smartwatches and eSIM activation to issues with core Google services like Quick Share. It was a high-risk game for a high-reward device.
Xiaomi has been the lone pioneer in this space, consistently bringing its "Ultra" models, like the upcoming Xiaomi 15 Ultra, to global audiences. This left the playing field largely uncontested. However, the competitive landscape is about to get dramatically more crowded and exciting.
The Contenders: A Trio of Photographic Powerhouses
The battle for photographic supremacy in 2026 will be fought between three behemoths, each armed with a unique imaging philosophy and powerful partnerships.
1. Vivo X300 Ultra: The Zeiss Powerhouse
The first sign of change came when a global model number for the Vivo X300 Ultra was spotted in the GSMA database. This is a near-certain confirmation that Vivo plans to launch its camera champion outside of China. The X300 Ultra is expected to continue Vivo's acclaimed partnership with Zeiss, rumored to feature a revolutionary dual 200-megapixel sensor setup. This promises unrivalled detail and flexibility, potentially setting a new benchmark for smartphone resolution.
2. Oppo Find X9 Ultra: The Hasselblad Hope
For fans of Oppo's color science and its prestigious collaboration with Hasselblad, the news is equally thrilling. According to a recent leak from renowned tipster Yogesh Brar, Oppo has plans for a global launch of its Find X9 Ultra.
Brar suggests that while the launch of the standard Find X9 and Pro models in India depends on their market success, a global rollout for the Ultra variant is planned for the first quarter of 2026. This would mark the first time European consumers can officially purchase Oppo's ultimate Hasselblad-tuned camera phone.
3. Xiaomi 17 Ultra: The Leica Veteran
Not to be outdone, Xiaomi will return with its own contender, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra. Building on the success of its predecessors and its deep collaboration with Leica, Xiaomi's flagship is expected to refine its photographic formula further. With a proven track record of global availability, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will be the established player defending its turf against two hungry and highly capable challengers.
The Price of Premium: What to Expect in Europe
This photographic arms race, however, comes with a steep price of entry. Consumers should brace for premium price tags. If the current Pro models from these brands already command prices between €1,300 and €1,400, their Ultra siblings are expected to shatter that ceiling.
Industry analysts and leaks suggest that the Oppo Find X9 Ultra and Vivo X300 Ultra could easily cost over €1,600 when they arrive in Europe. This aligns with the broader trend of rising smartphone manufacturing costs and the positioning of these devices as uncompromising, no-holds-barred imaging tools.
A New Era for Mobile Photography in Europe
The confirmed and speculated global launches of the Vivo X300 Ultra and Oppo Find X9 Ultra signify a strategic pivot for these Chinese giants. They are no longer content with dominating their home market; they are ready to take their best shots directly at the global competition.
For European consumers, this means more choice, more innovation, and direct access to the cutting edge of mobile photography. The year 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark moment, where the battle for camera phone king will no longer be a distant rumor, but a real, tangible fight on store shelves. The ultimate winners? Photographers and tech enthusiasts across the continent.
OPPO Find X9 Ultra is coming to Global markets by late Q1
— Yogesh Brar (@heyitsyogesh) November 5, 2025
India launch depends on how well X9 & X9 Pro sell..
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