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| The successor to the Oppo Find X8 Ultra is expected to be equipped with four very different camera sensors. |
The high-end smartphone battleground in Europe is set for a seismic shift in 2026. For years, the clash of the titans often felt like a two-horse race between the Samsung Galaxy S Ultra series and the Xiaomi Ultra flagship. This coming season, however, the arena is getting crowded and significantly more exciting. Mounting evidence suggests that for the first time, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra will be joined by the Vivo X300 Ultra and the Oppo Find X9 Ultra in a full-scale assault on the global premium market. While the Xiaomi model’s secrets are largely known, its rivals are packing serious, and surprising, photographic firepower.
Known Quantity vs. Potential Dark Horses
Following its Chinese debut, the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (alongside its rebadged global variant, the anticipated "Leitzphone powered by Xiaomi") enters the fray with few mysteries. Its partnership with Leica and proven camera system make it a formidable, known contender.
The real intrigue lies with Vivo and Oppo. The Vivo X300 Ultra is rumored to be borrowing a key camera innovation from its Xiaomi rival, hinting at an aggressive feature parity strategy. Oppo, meanwhile, appears ready to double down on its telephoto dominance.
Oppo Find X9 Ultra: Redefining the Telephoto Zoom
Building on the solid foundation of the Find X8 Ultra’s dual periscope system, the Oppo Find X9 Ultra seems poised for a monumental leap. Recent leaks confirm a sensor strategy that turns heads: not one, but two 200MP sensors.
The primary camera is slated to use the new, large 1/1.12-inch Sony LYT-901 sensor. More astonishingly, Oppo is reportedly equipping the 3x telephoto lens with a second 200MP sensor. The bigger news for zoom enthusiasts is the expansion of the long-range periscope from 6x to a true 10x optical zoom. If accurate, this would give the Find X9 Ultra a 230mm equivalent focal length, marking the return of a genuine 10x optical telephoto to the flagship arena—a feat not seen since the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in 2023.
As detailed in a recent leak from the trusted source Digital Chat Station, the sensor lineup is taking final shape. One fascinating, and somewhat controversial, choice is the use of the 50 MP ISOCELL JN5 sensor. This known component is expected to serve double duty behind both the ultra-wide-angle lens and the new 10x periscope telephoto.
The leak, which you can see for yourself on Weibo, breaks down the full sensor array and has sparked debate among enthusiasts.
At 1/2.76 inches, it is significantly smaller than the twin 200MP behemoths. In practice, this could mean that the very widest and very longest ends of the zoom spectrum may not deliver absolute peak performance, a trade-off for what appears to be a cost or form-factor decision. The real telephoto star, according to the leak, is the new 200MP Omnivision OV52A sensor (1/1.28-inch) behind the 70mm (3x) lens, which is said to offer excellent light sensitivity with an F/2.2 aperture.
Vivo X300 Ultra: The Strategic Follower
While Oppo goes for telephoto broke, the Vivo X300 Ultra strategy appears more nuanced. Rumors suggest it may integrate a key camera feature pioneered by the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, a move that would instantly elevate its competitive stance. Specifics remain under wraps, but it points to a year where brands are rapidly adopting and adapting each other's best innovations to avoid falling behind.
The shared ambition is clear: to finally crack the code in the global high-end market, traditionally dominated by Samsung and Apple. With Xiaomi’s Leica pedigree, Oppo’s unprecedented zoom hardware, and Vivo’s strategic feature adoption, European consumers are about to witness the most diverse and technologically advanced camera phone war ever.
This evolving sensor arms race is vividly captured in ongoing industry discussions, as seen in this recent Weibo post from industry insiders.
One thing is certain: for photography lovers, 2026 is shaping up to be a year where choice, innovation, and sheer pixel power reach new heights. The battle for the best camera phone is no longer a duel—it’s a full-scale war.
