At a Glance
- Oppo Find X9 Pro delivers sharper, warmer images in many scenes compared to the iPhone 17 Pro.
- The Android flagship’s default camera mode uses heavy digital sharpening, while the iPhone retains more natural detail.
- With a 200-megapixel zoom camera and optional 40× Hasselblad lens, the Oppo offers versatile zoom that outperforms the iPhone’s 8× limit.
Why it matters: For photographers who value natural tones and detail across all lenses, the Oppo presents a compelling alternative to Apple’s top-tier phone.
The iPhone 17 Pro has long been celebrated for its camera prowess, but a recent comparison shows that the Oppo Find X9 Pro can rival and, in many cases, surpass it. Both phones were tested in Edinburgh with each device’s default camera settings, JPEG format, and no additional edits. The results highlight how Oppo’s image processing strikes a balance between enhancement and realism.
Camera Performance Overview
Both phones were captured in JPEG with the default photographic style-iPhone’s “Standard” and Oppo’s standard mode-without any manual adjustments. The images were then imported into Lightroom for side-by-side comparison, keeping file sizes web-friendly but preserving the original sensor data.
Wide Lens Comparison
- The iPhone’s main camera produces a slightly magenta-tinged image, especially on brickwork.
- Oppo’s shot displays more natural warm tones on the same wall and slightly more vibrant colors.
- Detail comparison shows Oppo’s mortar lines sharper, but the iPhone retains more texture in the bricks.
Ultrawide Lens Comparison
- Oppo’s ultrawide image appears oversaturated, with a blue sky that is too intense.
- Digital sharpening on the Oppo image makes some details crisp but also introduces noise reduction that smooths other areas.
- The iPhone’s ultrawide retains more natural contrast and detail at the edges.
Zoom Capabilities
| Feature | iPhone 17 Pro | Oppo Find X9 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 2× Zoom | Natural, balanced | Brighter, sharper |
| 8× Zoom | Teal-leaning tones | Magenta cast, over-sharpened |
| Max Zoom (iPhone) | 8× | 6× (standard), 40× with Hasselblad lens |
| Hasselblad Lens | N/A | Adds up to 40× zoom, retains quality |
- The Oppo’s 200-megapixel zoom camera, paired with the Hasselblad accessory, delivers more realistic distant details than the iPhone’s 8× zoom.
- At maximum zoom, Oppo’s image can lose detail on building edges, creating a smeary effect, while the iPhone preserves fine structure.
- The Hasselblad lens, priced at £435 or $580 (from a €499 base price), offers a high-end zoom solution that rivals dedicated camera systems.
Night Photography
- In night mode, the iPhone’s image is brighter, especially in the sky, but Oppo’s deeper contrast keeps flare under control.
- Oppo’s night shots are richer in contrast and sharper on the building front, though the iPhone’s natural tones are preferred by some.
- Across ultrawide night shots, both phones perform similarly, with Oppo maintaining a slight edge in detail.
Selfie Camera
- Oppo’s selfie camera delivers sharper skin tones and a more accurate orange hue on clothing.
- The iPhone’s selfie image is less sharp and shows a cyan background.
Overall Verdict
The Oppo Find X9 Pro demonstrates a refined approach to image processing. While it historically leaned into aggressive sharpening and brightened shadows, this model balances enhancement with realism. In many scenarios-wide, ultrawide, zoom, night, and selfie-the Oppo produces images that the reviewer preferred over the iPhone 17 Pro.
The key takeaways are:
- Oppo’s camera system excels in natural warmth and detail retention.
- Digital sharpening on Oppo can be over-processed at extreme zooms.
- The Hasselblad telephoto accessory offers competitive 40× zoom without sacrificing quality.
- iPhone 17 Pro remains strong in color accuracy and edge detail, especially at maximum zoom.
For photographers seeking a high-performance Android camera that delivers vivid yet realistic images, the Oppo Find X9 Pro is a compelling choice.
Key Takeaways
- Oppo’s default camera mode produces warmer, more vibrant images.
- iPhone retains more natural detail, especially at edges.
- Oppo’s 200-megapixel zoom and optional Hasselblad lens provide superior zoom performance.
- Night mode on Oppo shows deeper contrast and sharper building details.
- Selfie camera on Oppo offers better skin tone accuracy.
Overall, the Oppo Find X9 Pro outperforms the iPhone 17 Pro in most photographic scenarios, making it a strong contender for serious mobile photographers.
