The OPPO Find X8 Ultra captures some of the most stunning macro shots I have ever seen from a smartphone. What stands out is not just the image quality, but the simplicity. It makes shots that would normally demand specialized gear feel almost effortless. Here’s why I consider the OPPO Find X8 Ultra to be the most complete smartphone for macro photography that I’ve tried so far.
Macro Photography on Smartphones
When we talk about smartphone macro photography, most brands rely on the ultra-wide lens. That is the case with the iPhone, Samsung Galaxy Ultra flagships, and Google’s Pixels. Ultra-wide macro does let you get very close, even up to 3 cm, but the problem is with the focal length.
At 12 to 16mm, it is extremely wide, which leads to distortion and a lack of the natural depth of field that a true macro shot should deliver. You are often forced to crop heavily to make the image usable, which leads to the opposite.
Another problem with ultra-wide macro is the physical distance to the subject. You have to move very close, which is not practical when shooting insects or anything sensitive to movement. Many times, they will fly away before you can even take a photo.
That has happened to me often, and it is why I found phones like the OnePlus 13 (review) and Pixel 9 (review) not very intuitive for macro photography. They relied solely on the ultra-wide lens, which could not deliver the results I wanted.
Enter Tele-Macro ft. OPPO Find X8 Ultra
This is where tele-macro changes everything. Instead of relying on the ultra-wide, tele-macro uses the telephoto lens with a close focusing distance to take macro shots. The OPPO Find X8 Ultra takes this approach, and in my testing, this is the best smartphone implementation I have used.
Tele-macro is not new. Last year’s OPPO Find X8 Pro already proved itself with the 6X lens and a 35 cm focusing distance. That may not sound ideal at first, but at that focal length and aperture, it produced very capable macro shots.
With the Find X8 Ultra, OPPO has taken it to a whole new level. Its 3X telephoto lens can focus as close as 10 cm. At a 70 mm equivalent focal length, this is incredible. You can stay 10 cm away from the subject while still maintaining focus, giving you the flexibility that ultra-wide macro simply cannot achieve.
OPPO Find X8 Ultra’s Dedicated Macro Mode with Advanced Controls
OPPO has not just stopped at hardware. A dedicated macro mode has been built into the camera app. The moment you switch it on, the phone automatically shifts to the 3X lens. From there, you can zoom in all the way to 30X, which translates to a 668 mm equivalent focal length. This gives you a wide creative range, and even at high magnifications, the image quality holds up very well.
The macro mode gives you two specific options: Natural Blur and Full Clarity. Natural Blur makes use of the shallow depth of field from the f/2.1 50 MP Sony LYT700 sensor. This sensor measures 1/1.56 inch, and with the f/2.1 aperture, the full-frame equivalent aperture is f/8.82.
The result is creamy background separation and very pleasing blur. Full Clarity uses focus stacking to shift focus multiple times and merge the images. This widens the focus range, but it requires either a tripod or extremely stable hands. Otherwise, the stitching can lead to minor image artefacts.
My Experience With Macro on the OPPO Find X8 Ultra
In my experience, I have preferred the Natural Blur mode. It feels more authentic and easier to use without the need for a tripod. I was able to capture stunning shots with a natural look, and even when I zoomed up to 20X, the quality stayed impressive.
Thanks to OPPO’s OIS, handheld shooting at such magnifications is actually possible. The Find X8 Ultra uses a dual floating lens system for stabilization, and it makes a big difference. Even at 10X, 13X, and 15X, handheld shots are sharp, natural-looking, and usable, which is something very few smartphones can claim.
The design of the lens itself also stands out. The 3X periscope lens is L-shaped, deep, and physically large. When you look at the lens module, you can see just how much engineering has gone into making it capable of these results.
Colors, Processing, and Low-light Performance of the Macro Shots
Another strength is color rendering. Thanks to the multispectral sensor and Hasselblad’s color tuning, the images look cinematic and natural. The tones are accurate but still visually striking, and they avoid the artificial look that other phones often produce with their macros.
The Find X8 Ultra processes enough to keep the images clean while maintaining a softness that feels true to life.
Performance in mid- to low-light conditions is also excellent. The large f/2.1 aperture and strong stabilization allow the camera to capture macros in situations where ultra-wide macro lenses fail. Take a look at some of these shots.
I Love Macro Photography on the OPPO Find X8 Ultra
The OPPO Find X7 Ultra pushes the idea of tele-macro into a new league. The 10 cm focusing distance at 70 mm gives photographers room to breathe, while the stabilization and specialized shooting modes make the process feel effortless. It is a package that feels designed specifically with macro in mind, rather than treating it as a side feature.
Looking ahead, all eyes are on the OPPO Find X9 Pro. Rumors suggest it will carry a 200 MP Samsung HP5 sensor with the same f/2.1 aperture, the same 1/1.56 inch size, and the same 10 cm focusing ability. If OPPO can refine the stabilization and optics further, the next generation may extend the lead that the X8 Ultra has already established.
Right now, the OPPO Find X8 Ultra stands as the most capable smartphone for macro photography I have tested. It combines hardware, software, and design choices into a system that consistently delivers results that other phones struggle to match. OPPO has truly set the benchmark for how macro should be done on a phone.
You can read my full review of the OPPO Find X8 Ultra here: OPPO Find X8 Ultra Review: I Think This Might Be THE Perfect Smartphone
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