This High-End Camera Clings to Your Premium Smartphone and Priced Like a Flagship Device

The anticipation surrounding the HUAWEI Mate 90 series has been building, and a recent leak hinted at an exciting add-on camera. This accessory stands out by coming equipped with its own sensor and variable optical zoom capabilities. HUAWEI has officially launched the Mate 90 series alongside the Ruiying Z10 external camera.

The Z10 external camera is designed to work with the HUAWEI Mate 90 Pro Max Collector’s Edition and Mate 90 RS Master Edition, attaching to the back of these devices using a HyperClick mount. A product page animation indicates that a dedicated case is not necessary for use.

This add-on camera features a one-inch, 50MP RYYB sensor capable of continuous optical zoom ranging from 24mm to 240mm, allowing for magnification from 1x to approximately 10x. It also offers a variable aperture spanning from f/2.0 to f/4.5.

In contrast, traditional external camera lenses merely connect to a phone’s telephoto camera and limit users to a fixed focal length. Using an external lens prevents access to the 1x camera, making the flexibility of HUAWEI’s Z10 camera a substantial advantage.

While the low-light performance might suffer at the 10x zoom level and above due to the camera’s narrow aperture, the combination of a large one-inch sensor and an RYYB color filter should provide satisfactory light capture. The continuous variable zoom will likely maintain image quality across different focal lengths, making it beneficial for video recording, as it allows for smooth transitions between focal lengths without any abrupt changes.

Additionally, the HUAWEI Ruiying Z10 camera features a color filter camera, laser autofocus, various color profiles, and the capability to shoot in RAW format. Unlike the older Sony clip-on cameras, which only offered JPEG, this should appeal to more serious photographers.

If you’re interested in the add-on camera, it starts at 5,999 yuan (around $895), making it pricier than some flagship smartphones. HUAWEI is also advertising a photography kit that includes the camera, a case, a leather strap, camera grip, and other accessories. It’s not clear whether this kit is sold separately or exclusively as part of the add-on camera package. Regardless, it appears to be a hefty accessory, albeit easier to manage than carrying a full DSLR setup.

For most situations, the Mate 90 Pro Max is likely to suffice without the add-on camera, as it boasts impressive camera features. Its main camera features a 50MP RYYB sensor with a variable aperture ranging from f/1.4 to f/4.0 and offers an impressive 18 stops of dynamic range, indicating its advanced sensor capabilities.

The Pro Max also features a 40MP ultrawide camera and a 200MP periscope camera, with capabilities of 8x lossless zoom and up to 20x telephoto video. This camera setup is paired with HUAWEI’s Red Maple color camera. On the front, you’ll find a 13MP selfie camera and a 3D depth sensor for enhanced facial recognition.

With its stylish design, the Pro Max comes with a signature ring-shaped camera system and a sleek two-tone rear cover, adding a distinct look that sets it apart from other brands.

The Mate 90 Pro Max is powered by either a Kirin 9050 or a 9050 Pro chipset, utilizing an innovative LogicFolding manufacturing process, with performance promises of up to 31% improvement over the previous Mate series. It offers configurations of 12GB or 16GB RAM, with storage options ranging from 512GB to 1TB.

The device features a 6.9-inch dual-layer OLED screen, boasting peak brightness of up to 12,000 nits, and is backed by a robust 6,800mAh battery with 100W wired and 50W wireless charging options.

Additionally, there is a Collector’s Edition of the Mate 90 Pro Max that comes with premium basalt Kunlun Glass and is available only with the Kirin 9050 Pro chip and 16GB RAM, closely resembling the Pro Max in appearance.

If you’re looking for a luxury option, the Mate 90 RS Ultimate Design features a unique octagonal camera layout and a titanium frame, offering storage up to 2TB. Essentially, it’s the Pro Max Collector’s Edition with a distinct aesthetic appeal.

If you’re not interested in the high-end options, the Mate 90 Pro is available at a more accessible price point. It features a 6.75-inch 120Hz OLED display (with a peak brightness of 12,000 nits and third-generation Kunlun Glass), paired with a Kirin 9035 chipset and offers RAM options of 12GB to 16GB alongside storage variants of 256GB to 1TB. The battery capacity is 6,600mAh with support for both 100W wired and 50W wireless charging.

Camera-wise, the Mate 90 Pro includes a 50MP variable aperture main camera ranging from f/1.4 to f/4.0, a 40MP ultrawide camera, as well as a 50MP 4x periscope shooter, all equipped with RYYB color filters for enhanced low-light performance. The front camera features a 13MP sensor complemented by a 3D sensor for secure facial recognition.

Lastly, the base model, Mate 90, is the most economical option equipped with a Kirin 9030 processor, 12GB of RAM, and storage up to 1TB. It contains a 6,600mAh battery with 66W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, effectively sharing the same camera hardware as the Pro variant.

The Mate 90 models showcase vibrant colors, especially the Lattice Powder and Lattice Green variants highlighted in the image.

Unfortunately, those waiting for a global launch will be disappointed as HUAWEI has announced there are no current plans for the Mate 90 series to be released outside of China.

The Mate 90 series starts at 5,999 yuan (approximately $895) for the standard version. Remarkably, the Z10 camera is priced similarly to the standard Mate 90 device. The Pro model retails at around 6,999 yuan (~$1,044), while the Pro Max begins at 9,499 yuan (~$1,417), and the Collector’s Edition comes in at an astonishing 10,999 yuan (~$1,641). Finally, the Mate 90 RS Ultimate Design is priced starting at 12,999 yuan (~$1,940).