Overview
Over the last few years, Chinese Android manufacturers have followed Vivo’s example of launching add-on teleconverter lenses for their flagship phones, enabling long-distance photography that the phones on their own could never match. Today, Huawei introduced the add-on lens for its Mate 90 Pro Max flagship, which is a massive zoom lens featuring its own built-in image sensor.
Huawei made a whole camera to attach to its latest phone
This 24–240mm zoom lens has its own sensor too.
This 24–240mm zoom lens has its own sensor too.
I’m sorry, this is just a camera that makes phone calls.
Optics and Sensor
The 1-inch-type, 50-megapixel RYYB sensor inside the Ruiying Z10 is larger than any inside the phone itself, so attaching this lens doesn’t just give you better glass; it represents a complete overhaul of the device's camera capabilities. While other teleconverters have so far featured fixed focal lengths, this is a true zoom lens covering 24–240mm with a variable aperture of f/2.0-f/4.5. It functions almost as a standalone camera, utilizing the phone solely for power, processing, and software.
Design and Pricing
Impressively, Huawei designed the lens to attach directly to compatible phones rather than requiring an intermediary case for a mounting point. The obvious downside is that the Z10 is enormous, meaning it will not fit in a standard pocket. Weighing 346g, it remains lighter and more portable than most mirrorless cameras. It is priced at ¥5,999 (around $895), making it more expensive than many standalone smartphones.
Compatibility and Hardware
Huawei states the Z10 is compatible with the collector’s edition of the Mate 90 Pro Max and its Mate 90 RS variant, which are the only two models in the new Mate 90 series featuring the screw-mount around the camera island. These devices feature an f/1.4-f/4.0 50-megapixel variable aperture main camera with a 1.1.28-inch sensor, a 200-megapixel 4x periscope telephoto lens, and a 40-megapixel ultrawide. The 6.9-inch OLED display reaches up to 12,000 nits of peak brightness, powered by a 6,800mAh battery and Huawei’s Kirin 9050 Pro chip.
The Mate P90 Pro Max has a pretty nifty design too.
Update, October 1st: Added the Z10’s price.
