Since the new top of the range OPPO Find X2 Pro was presented, there have been many awards given to this smartphone, which immediately gave strong emotions to the Chinese brand, such as the applause of DxOMark, as well as the various reviews on the net that make this device a concentrate of all-round technology and so the company's Research & Development team reveals the secrets that led to the success of this flagship.
Undoubtedly, the company's intention was to bring a premium-end product to the tech scene, which could not give rise to any complaints given the selling price. In particular, the R&D team focused on photographic performances, pushing these beyond all limits, such as those of night scenes, trying to recreate the result obtained with professional DSLR cameras, inspiration for the Find X2 Pro sensors, laying the foundations on:
- photography sensitivity has been improved by over 50%;
- Full Well Capacity increased by 50%;
- 12-bit color depth recording and 12-bit RAW data direct output;
- 100% pixel focus capability and omnidirectional phase detection;
- native dual DSLR ISO.
OPPO's R&D team reveals the secrets of Find X2 Pro
The Find X2 Pro's main camera uses the 48 MP IMX689 module, developed and customized in collaboration with Sony. An amazing sensor that has a unique size of its kind equal to 1 / 1.4 ", characterized by a larger pixel size (1.12 um), effectively translating into better performance during low light performance. The challenge was to insert a rather bulky sensor into a thin body.
There is also no lack of cutting-edge technologies, such as the all-pixel omnidirectional focus, Live HDR, super sensitive triple-focal full-focal system as well as software that can make images truly realistic. The sensor used in the top of the range has excellent precision and focus speed in dark environments and overall above average performance of focus.
The OPPO Find X2 Pro sensor uses QHDR and HVBin mode. The QHDR mode is used for HDR video (3HDR), while the HVBin mode can output both horizontal and vertical pixel density signals (as shown in the image above). In addition to the horizontal signals, widely used in the PDAF, the team added vertical signals to improve focusing performance and the overall user experience.
Live HDR video is a new technology developed by OPPO in collaboration with Sony and Qualcomm, which enables real-time progressive exposure at pixel level, supporting 4K QHD +, 30 fps and 10-bit HDR previews and video recording, plus a 10-bit high dynamic display. When the user records live HDR video, the IMX689 sensor detects the scene and selects the corresponding exposure strategy, suitable to ensure high quality and high dynamic range.
For this top of the range OPPO has developed algorithms to automatically control exposures in based on long, medium or short installation scenarios. In doing so, the algorithm automatically adapts to the dynamic range of the various scenarios and consequently selects the HDR exposure strategies.
As anticipated, the challenge of the R&D team was to insert a rather large sensor, about 40% compared to traditional sensors, as well as a heavier weight, without bringing out a design monstrosity typical of rugged phones. Almost 20 different prototypes have been developed for the Find X2 Pro lens module, eventually solving all technical problems, including interference between the lens module, microphone, flash and color temperature sensor. problems with heat dissipation from high temperature modules (such as the flashlight) and issues related to glare caused by the lens.
The innovative technology has not been exploited only for what concerns the photographic rendering and the vividness of the colors, but also for what concerns the recording of the videos, using a system with three microphones, each of which positioned in the lower, upper and rear part mobile phone, ranking first among all Chinese smartphone brands to implement this design.
This allows for 3D recording and recording focus. Again the challenge was to figure out how to add a third microphone in a compact space without compromising the overall waterproofing and handling capacity of the smartphone. The decision was then reached to insert the third microphone next to the rear main camera and to drill small holes in the decorative part so that the microphone could receive the sound. OPPO has worked hard to ensure the structural integrity of the sound output ducts for the upper and lower microphones in order to minimize the risk of airtightness.
Finally, the fantastic function of the 10X hybrid zoom, adopting an OIS chip driver to improve stability while enjoying such a powerful zoom. In short, it is clear that the price of OPPO Find X2 Pro is also justified for the engineering miracle to which it was subjected during the design phase. If we think that Apple charges the newborn iPhone SE 2020 at a base of 499 euros, having recycled the shells of the 6, 6S, 7 and 8 models, we can even say that the top of the OPPO range is almost given away.
