I camera-tested the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with Oppo and Xiaomi, and this model won it for me

At a glance:

• The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Oppo Find X9 Pro, and Xiaomi 17 were compared for camera performance
• Oppo Find X9 Pro emerged as the top performer in photo quality and zoom capabilities
• Key differences in sensor specs, zoom ranges, and low-light performance were highlighted

Meet the Contenders

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra features a 200-megapixel main camera with f/1.4 aperture, 50-megapixel telephoto (5x optical zoom), 10-megapixel 3x zoom, and 50-megapixel ultrawide (120-degree field of view). Xiaomi 17 uses a triple 50-megapixel setup (main, ultrawide, 2.6x telephoto) with f/1.5 aperture. Oppo Find X9 Pro mirrors the S26 Ultra's 200MP sensor but pairs it with a 3x telephoto instead of 5x. Xiaomi's partnership with Leica and Oppo's Hasselblad collaboration influenced their camera designs.

The Xiaomi 17 prioritizes megapixel count uniformity, while Samsung and Oppo emphasize sensor size and aperture. All three target premium photography enthusiasts, with pricing likely reflecting their flagship status. The comparison excludes Xiaomi 17 Ultra, which has distinct sensors.

Test 1: Main Cameras

Daylight performance showed all three phones excelling, but Samsung's color reproduction stood out with "true-to-life visuals" and fine detail retention. Xiaomi and Oppo leaned toward warmer tones, which some users might prefer for artistic shots. At night, Samsung maintained consistent lighting across subjects, while Chinese brands produced warmer, character-rich images. Oppo's low-light results were slightly preferred over Samsung's "washed-out" output.

Zoom capabilities revealed trade-offs. Samsung's 5x telephoto (10MP) struggled with detail at 2x, while Oppo's 200MP sensor delivered sharper, less blurred images at 3x. Xiaomi's 2.6x telephoto was criticized as redundant, as 2x zoom via sensor cropping achieved similar results. The S26 Ultra's 5x telephoto performed best in daylight but lost detail in low-light scenarios.

Test 2: Telephoto Analysis

Oppo's 200MP telephoto sensor provided the most detailed zoomed images, especially for distant subjects like architecture. Samsung's 5x telephoto (10MP) offered excellent depth and clarity in daylight but faltered in focus consistency at night. Xiaomi's 2.6x telephoto underperformed compared to its main camera's 2x crop. Oppo's focus issues with distant subjects were noted, though its higher resolution sensor compensated partially.

The 3x zoom on Samsung was deemed "laughable" by the reviewer, suggesting it should be retired. Xiaomi's 60x super zoom maxed out at 50MP sensor resolution, while Oppo's 120x zoom leveraged its 200MP sensor for superior detail. Samsung's 100x zoom remained competitive but lagged behind Oppo's technological edge.

Test 3: Ultrawide Performance

Oppo Find X9 Pro dominated daylight ultrawide shots with finer details in textures like brickwork. Xiaomi 17 reduced fisheye distortion compared to Oppo but lacked low-light capability. Samsung's ultrawide performed adequately but showed banding in low-light conditions. Oppo's software compensation for wide-angle lenses still left slight fisheye effects, which some might find stylistic.

At night, Xiaomi's ultrawide failed entirely, producing blotchy shadows. Samsung maintained better exposure balance than Oppo, though Oppo's banding reduction was marginally better. The S26 Ultra's ultrawide was deemed "sharp" but lacked Xiaomi's detail in daylight.

Final Verdict

Despite Samsung's brand reputation, Oppo Find X9 Pro won for its 200MP sensor's zoom capabilities and low-light performance. Xiaomi 17 excelled in daylight ultrawide but was crippled by poor night photography. Samsung's S26 Ultra offered balanced performance but missed opportunities with its 10MP 3x zoom. The reviewer recommended Samsung shift its 200MP sensor to telephoto for better range and retire the 3x lens.

The comparison underscores the growing competition in camera tech outside Samsung's ecosystem. Xiaomi's Leica partnership and Oppo's Hasselblad ties appear to drive their camera innovations. Consumers seeking premium photography may find better value in these Chinese flagships than Samsung's offerings.

What to Watch Next

Samsung may revamp its camera setup in 2026, possibly moving the 200MP sensor to telephoto. Oppo and Xiaomi could introduce new sensor technologies to further differentiate their flagships. Low-light performance remains a critical battleground, with Xiaomi needing significant improvements to compete.

The rise of multi-sensor setups and AI-enhanced image processing will likely shape next-generation flagships. Consumers should expect higher megapixel counts but also smarter software optimization to handle data efficiently.