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| The Huawei Mate 80 Pro Max had a 6.2x zoom camera (in addition to a 4x tele). |
Early leaks suggest the Chinese tech giant is doubling down on hardware-based zoom, potentially reshaping the Android flagship landscape in the process.
Remember when phone cameras actually needed moving glass to get a decent shot of the moon? For the past couple of years, it seemed like manufacturers had collectively decided that periscome zoom lenses were yesterday's news. Why bother with complicated optical hardware when you could just slap a 200MP sensor on the back and crop your way to glory?
Well, Huawei didn't get that memo.
According to a fresh leak from reputable tipster Smart Pikachu on Weibo, the upcoming Huawei Mate 90 Pro Max will feature a dual-telephoto setup that includes a dedicated 10x optical zoom lens – a move that signals a notable shift for Android as a whole.
Check out the original leak here
The 10x Optical Zoom Is Making a Comeback
While most phone-makers have pivoted to high-resolution sensors with "lossless" digital cropping (spoiler alert: it's never truly lossless), the recently released Oppo Find X9 Ultra has shown just how impressive a modern 10x optical zoom snapper can actually be.
By utilizing a high-res 50MP camera behind a native 10x lens with a light path that reflects five times before hitting the sensor, Oppo has set a new standard for sharpness that software-only solutions struggle to match. Now, Huawei's rumored move suggests Android is expected to go back to aggressive camera hardware upgrades – and honestly? It's about damn time.
Oppo Find X9 Ultra – 1x
Standard wide shot shows typical flagship quality
Oppo Find X9 Ultra – 3x
Optical zoom maintains excellent detail
Oppo Find X9 Ultra – 10x
This is where the magic happens – and where other phones start looking like impressionist paintings
See full Oppo Find X9 Ultra camera samples here
Huawei Is Going Back to Its Roots
Here's the thing – Huawei is no stranger to innovative camera tech. In fact, the Huawei P40 Pro+ was the first modern phone to feature a 10x periscope (though with some upscaling magic mixed in). That was back in 2020, which in smartphone years might as well be the Jurassic period.
Now, with the Mate 90 Pro Max, Huawei is expected to combine its new 10x optical zoom camera with a massive 1-inch type primary sensor and its mature XMAGE imaging engine. If the rumors hold up, we could be looking at a new benchmark for mobile photography when the phone launches this October.
And let's not forget what Huawei's been cooking up in the meantime. The recent Huawei Pura 90 Pro Max became the first phone in the world that can use in-sensor zoom in video – specifically when combined with a 200MP telephoto camera. Translation? The Pura 90 Pro Max can do "lossless" zoom at 18-20x when recording video. That's not just impressive – it's physics-bending.
How the 10x Zoom Cameras Compare
So far, we don't know exactly what sensor Huawei will manage to squeeze into the Mate 90 Pro Max's 10x zoom camera. But we can look at how prior 10x implementations stack up against the current gold standard. Spoiler: the difference in sensor size is absolutely huge.
Oppo Find X9 Ultra
- Sensor: 50 MP (1/2.75-inch)
- Aperture: f/3.5
- Focal length: 230mm equivalent
- Tech: Native 10x optical zoom; supports 20x lossless sensor-crop
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Sensor: 10 MP (1/3.52-inch)
- Aperture: f/4.9
- Focal length: 230mm equivalent
- Tech: Dual-pixel PDAF, 10x native optical zoom
Huawei P40 Pro+
- Sensor: 8 MP (1/3.6-inch)
- Aperture: f/4.4
- Focal length: 240mm equivalent
- Tech: The first 10x periscope on a modern phone; utilized a 5-fold light reflection path
Just look at those numbers. The Oppo's 1/2.75-inch sensor might not sound huge until you realize it's collecting significantly more light than the 1/3.52-inch sensor Samsung was using. And Huawei? They've had years to refine this technology.
What This Means for Android Flagships
Here's the bottom line: for the past couple of generations, the smartphone industry has been in a weird holding pattern with zoom cameras. Manufacturers got comfortable. They figured most users wouldn't notice the difference between 10x optical and 10x "hybrid" zoom. And for casual snapshots? They were probably right.
But enthusiasts noticed. Bird watchers noticed. Parents trying to get a clear shot of their kid on a stage from the back row? They definitely noticed.
The Oppo Find X9 Ultra proved there's still appetite for serious optical zoom hardware. Now Huawei seems poised to push that envelope even further. And if the Mate 90 Pro Max delivers on these leaks, you can bet Samsung, Xiaomi, and everyone else will follow suit.
Because that's how competition works – and frankly, that's when we all win.
The Mate 90 Pro Max is expected to debut in October 2025. Keep your eyes on this space.
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| Oppo Find X9 Ultra - 1x. |
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| Oppo Find X9 Ultra - 3x. |
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| Oppo Find X9 Ultra - 10x. |
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| Oppo Find X9 Ultra - 20x. |
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| Oppo Find X9 Ultra - 10x. |