Oppo Find X9 Review: Bargain Flagship?

The Oppo Find X9 isn’t Oppo’s true flagship phone for 2025, but given the huge price difference between it and the Oppo Find X9 Pro, it’s not hard to see it as something of a bargain. The Oppo Find X9 is the slightly cheaper sibling to Oppo’s current “true” flagship phone, the Oppo Find X9 Pro. It’s a very common play for premium phone makers to deliver variations on a premium theme at different price points, and it’s one that often leaves the less expensive (but not, to be clear, “cheap”) model looking a little less compelling simply because there is a better option for those who want to spend a little more. Sells at a fairly significant discount to the $2,299 asking price at “just” $1,799.

Design and Display

At the front, the Oppo Find X9 is built around a 6.59 inch 120Hz capable AMOLED display with a resolution of 2760×1256. There’s no fancy LTPO action here as you might find on some flagships (though there is on the Pro) with refresh rates at 60Hz, 120Hz or an auto-select mode that switches between the two. Fully dynamic refresh rates are a nicer way to deal with a phone, but it’s one of those features you really only miss if you’ve become accustomed to it, and I’ve broadly had few issues with the Find X9 in this respect.

In regards to the colour choices, here in Australia it sells in Space Black or Titanium Grey finishes, both of which do somewhat fit that “Pro” styling that brands seem to love… but honestly, they’re a bit dull. Not everyone wants a phone that looks like the lobby of a 4-star hotel. In some markets, Oppo does sell the Oppo Find X9 in “Velvet Red” or “White” finishes.

Performance and Software

The device provides good performance for a premium phone, though it comes with lots of preinstalled apps. Regarding the user interface, Oppo’s own ColorOS has changed a lot over the years into its own distinct style. However, Oppo’s animation for how you set up the Snap Key is directly cloned from the way that Apple handles the Action Button in iOS. Imitation might be the sincerest form of flattery, but it’s also not subtle at all.

Controls and the "Snap Key"

In terms of controls, you get a combination power/assistant button and volume controls on the right hand side. On the left hand side, you find a customisable action button that Oppo calls the “Snap Key”. Configurable action keys are a fine idea, though I was struck by two realisations in regards to the Snap Key. Firstly, it’s located quite high up the left hand side of the phone body, which for some hand sizes isn’t going to be that easy to press.

Technical Overview

  • Display: 6.59 inch 120Hz AMOLED (2760×1256)
  • Price: $1,799 (compared to $2,299 Pro model)
  • Colors: Space Black, Titanium Grey, Velvet Red (select markets)
  • Key Features: Customisable "Snap Key" Action Button
  • Score: 4/5

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Superb battery life
  • Good performance for a premium phone
  • Good cameras

Cons:

  • Plain design and slightly boring colour choices
  • Lots of preinstalled apps
  • Not quite Oppo’s best cameras – by design