Oppo Find X8S Review: Compact Flagship Redefined – Specs, Camera, Performance

Oppo has officially unveiled the Find X8S, a compact powerhouse that’s stirring interest among smartphone enthusiasts worldwide. Even though it shares the stage with bigger siblings like the Find X8S Plus and Find X8 Ultra, the Find X8S shines in its own unique way. It offers impressive specifications, cutting-edge design choices, and smart AI integration, making it one of the best compact flagship smartphones currently available — especially for fans of lightweight, straight-screen devices.

Let’s dive into a complete breakdown of the Oppo Find X8S, its strengths, areas for improvement, and whether it deserves a spot in your pocket.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Oppo Find X8S looks remarkably similar to its predecessor, the Find X8, retaining the same elegant design language. It comes in four colors: white, pink, blue, and black, with pink taking the spotlight this year.

The first major design tweak? A smaller camera module. While it sounds minor, it significantly improves usability. Users can now hold the device comfortably with one hand without accidentally touching the camera bump — a simple change with a big impact on daily use.

The phone features a polished aluminum frame and a light-reflective back cover that enhances its visual appeal and tactile experience. With a slim profile measuring just 70.7 mm in thickness and weighing only 181 grams, the Find X8S feels incredibly light and perfectly balanced.

Perhaps its most groundbreaking feature is the 1.25 mm ultra-narrow bezel on all sides, making it the world’s thinnest bezel compact smartphone to date. This innovation not only enhances the immersive viewing experience but also places the Find X8S among the most aesthetically refined smartphones available.

Display

The Find X8S doesn’t just boast a thin frame; it also features a high-quality, compact display perfect for one-handed use. While Oppo has not detailed the full display specifications yet, early hands-on impressions reveal:

• Straight screen design (not curved, offering a more ergonomic feel)

• Ultra-slim bezels for an immersive visual experience

• Excellent brightness and color accuracy

Whether you’re scrolling, gaming, or watching videos, the Find X8S offers a vibrant and pleasing display experience that rivals much larger and more expensive models.

Camera System and Imaging Capabilities

Although the Find X8S doesn’t feature the dynamic color rendition lens present in the Find X8 Ultra, it’s no slouch when it comes to photography.

Key Camera Features:

• Main Camera: Delivers clear, detailed shots with natural lighting

• Ultra-Wide Lens: Wide landscape shots with strong distortion control

• Telephoto Lens: Supports high-zoom and macro photography

• Night Mode: Better dynamic range in low-light settings compared to some high-end competitors

• Master Mode: Provides advanced color grading and manual control for professional-grade shots

When comparing it directly with the X8 Ultra:

• In bright outdoor scenes, both phones deliver near-identical quality.

• The Ultra saturates colors slightly more, offering punchier visuals.

• The Find X8S retains natural skin tones and realistic landscapes, often outperforming the iPhone 16 Pro in color fidelity.

Portrait and Low-Light Performance:

Thanks to Oppo’s Hasselblad collaboration, portrait photography feels artistic, although the X8S sometimes struggles with hair edge detection under challenging light, a minor flaw attributed to software optimization.

Still, night portraits are vibrant, and the stabilization during video recording is surprisingly effective, despite minor drops in sharpness under intense movement.

Performance and Hardware

Processor:

The Find X8S packs the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 Plus, offering:

• Higher CPU frequency compared to the Dimensity 9300 Plus

• Stable and efficient performance across daily tasks and gaming

• Smooth multitasking and app-switching

Although there’s no major architectural leap from previous generations, the chip provides flagship-level performance that satisfies both power users and casual consumers.

Memory and Storage:

• RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X

• Storage: Starting at 256GB UFS 4.0, ensuring fast read/write speeds

Battery Life:

• Battery Capacity: 5700mAh — a record for phones of this size

• Despite its compact form, the Find X8S offers exceptional battery endurance.

You can expect:

• All-day battery life under heavy usage

• Up to two days of moderate use without recharging

Charging:

• 33W PPS Fast Charging now supported (finally fixing Oppo’s previous shortcomings)

• Limited PD Support, meaning users might still need a dedicated charger for optimal speeds.

Connectivity and Signal Support

Oppo ensures near-universal connectivity for the Find X8S:

• Full support from 2G to 5G networks in Europe and Asia

• Only two to three minor signal bands missing, which shouldn’t affect the majority of users.

The signal quality is strong and consistent, even in challenging environments, giving users peace of mind whether they’re traveling or staying local.

New AI Features: Shortcut Button and Memo Clip

One standout innovation is the physical shortcut button, reminiscent of the iPhone’s Action Button but smarter.

The button can:

• Launch apps

• Trigger AI functions

• Activate customizable shortcuts

Memo Clip Feature:

This AI-powered tool allows users to:

• Capture screen content instantly

• Summarize text from screenshots

• Organize information automatically into the Xiao Memory App

The feature supports:

• Cloud syncing across devices

• Private computing cloud technology for enhanced data security

However, it’s worth noting:

• It mainly targets on-screen text and doesn’t handle voice or handwriting.

• Some minor accuracy issues remain, especially with complicated screenshots.

Still, it’s an exciting look into how Oppo is pushing everyday smartphone AI utility further.

Pricing and Availability

Currently, the Oppo Find X8S is:

• Only available in China

• Priced at around ¥7049 RMB (~$990 USD)

You can purchase it internationally through vendors like Geek Wheels for import.

Whether Oppo will launch it globally remains uncertain, but given the strong demand for compact flagships, fans worldwide are certainly hoping they will.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Oppo Find X8S?

If you’ve been searching for a compact flagship smartphone that doesn’t compromise on power, design, or battery life, the Oppo Find X8S is a compelling choice.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Pros:

• Ultra-thin, lightweight design

• Excellent battery life for its size

• Impressive camera performance

• AI-powered productivity tools

• Fast, smooth day-to-day usage

Cons:

• Limited global availability

• Minor AI accuracy bugs

• Incomplete PD fast-charging support

Conclusion

The Oppo Find X8S doesn’t just follow the trend — it sets a new standard for what a compact flagship smartphone can be. It challenges the compromises typically associated with smaller phones and delivers a near-complete premium experience.

If you prioritize portability, imaging performance, and intelligent features without sacrificing battery life or build quality, the Find X8S deserves serious consideration.