Oppo Find X Review: Innovation in the Latest Model

The Oppo Find X series has long been synonymous with cutting-edge design and innovative technology, pushing the boundaries of what a smartphone can be. With the release of the Oppo Find X8 series in 2024, Oppo continues to showcase its ambition to compete with industry giants like Apple and Samsung. This review dives into the latest model, the Oppo Find X8 Pro, exploring its standout features, performance, and whether its innovations live up to the hype. Spoiler alert: this phone is a powerhouse that blends futuristic design with practical functionality.

A Design That Turns Heads

The Oppo Find X8 Pro is a visual masterpiece, continuing the series’ tradition of sleek, premium aesthetics. Available in Pearl White and Space Black, the Pearl White variant is particularly striking, featuring a unique pearlescent pattern on its glass back that ensures no two phones are exactly alike. The frosted glass rear feels luxurious and resists smudges, while the polished metal camera housing adds an industrial contrast that elevates the design. At just 8.78mm thick, it’s remarkably slim for a device packing such robust hardware, and its IP68 and IP69 ratings ensure durability against water and dust.

The 6.78-inch OLED display is another highlight, boasting a 4,500-nit peak brightness and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for buttery-smooth visuals. The quad-curved design makes it comfortable to hold, and the near-uniform bezels create an immersive viewing experience. Whether you’re streaming HDR content or gaming, the display’s Dolby Vision support and vibrant color accuracy make it one of the best in its class. However, the punch-hole camera in the standard Find X8 model slightly disrupts the screen’s flow, a minor flaw in an otherwise stellar design.

Camera Innovation: A Photography Powerhouse

Oppo’s collaboration with Hasselblad continues to shine in the Find X8 Pro’s camera system, which is arguably its biggest selling point. The phone features a quad-camera setup, with all four lenses sporting a 50MP resolution for consistent quality across the board. The main sensor captures stunning detail, especially in well-lit conditions, while the 3x and 6x optical zoom lenses deliver impressive versatility. The AI Telescope Zoom pushes magnification up to 120x, though results at extreme zoom levels are more practical for casual use than professional photography.

Low-light performance is where the Find X8 Pro truly excels. Enhanced autofocus and a faster shutter speed make it ideal for capturing sharp images in challenging conditions, such as a dimly lit restaurant or a moving subject like a pet. The ultrawide lens, while slightly prone to blur in low light, still performs admirably compared to competitors. The 32MP selfie camera leverages 3D AI Beauty technology for realistic enhancements, allowing users to fine-tune settings for natural-looking portraits.

Compared to its predecessor, the Find X7 Ultra, the main camera’s sensor is slightly smaller, but Oppo’s software optimizations ensure that the difference is negligible in most scenarios. The addition of a dedicated Camera Control Quick button, inspired by the iPhone’s Action Button, is a game-changer. A double-press launches the camera, a single click snaps a photo or starts recording, and swiping adjusts zoom levels, making the photography experience intuitive and seamless.

Performance and Software: A Smooth Operator

Under the hood, the Find X8 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset, paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage as standard. This configuration delivers lightning-fast performance, outperforming rivals like the iPhone 16 Pro Max in certain GPU benchmarks and holding its own against Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered devices. Whether you’re multitasking, gaming, or editing videos, the Find X8 Pro handles it all without breaking a sweat.

Running on ColorOS 15, based on Android, the software experience is polished and customizable. Oppo’s take on Android draws some inspiration from Apple’s iOS, particularly in its clean animations and gesture-based navigation, but it retains a distinct identity. Features like full-screen multitasking and AI-driven tools, such as the Breeno AI assistant, add practical value. Oppo promises software updates until 2030, ensuring longevity, though it falls slightly short of Google and Samsung’s seven-year support.

One minor critique is the occasional gimmicky feature, such as the 3D Omoji, which mimics Apple’s Animoji and Samsung’s AR Emoji. While fun, it feels less essential compared to the phone’s core strengths. Additionally, the lack of built-in magnets for wireless charging (requiring a proprietary magnetic case) is a slight inconvenience for users accustomed to MagSafe-like systems.

Battery Life and Charging: Built for the Long Haul

The Find X8 Pro’s 5,910mAh battery is a standout, offering up to a day and a half of usage even with heavy tasks like streaming and gaming. In testing, a three-hour video playback drained just 10% of the battery, showcasing its efficiency. When it’s time to recharge, the 100W SuperVOOC wired charging fills the battery from 0 to 100% in under 40 minutes, while 50W wireless charging is equally impressive with a compatible charger. The inclusion of 10W reverse wireless charging adds versatility for powering accessories like earbuds.

The Catch: Availability and Price

The Oppo Find X8 Pro is a global flagship, available in markets like the UK for £1,049, but it’s notably absent from the US. This limited availability is a hurdle for some, though importing remains an option for dedicated fans. The price positions it against heavyweights like the Samsung Galaxy S24+ and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, but its superior camera system and battery life make it a compelling value proposition.

Verdict: A Bold Step Forward

The Oppo Find X8 Pro is a testament to Oppo’s commitment to innovation, blending a gorgeous design, a top-tier camera system, and blazing performance into a single package. While it borrows some cues from Apple, it often surpasses its inspiration with smoother software and more versatile cameras. The lack of US availability and minor software quirks are small blemishes on an otherwise exceptional device.

For those seeking a flagship that stands out from the crowd, the Find X8 Pro is a worthy contender. It’s not just a phone—it’s a statement of what smartphones can achieve when innovation takes center stage. If you’re in a market where it’s available, the Oppo Find X8 Pro deserves a spot on your shortlist.