When it comes to smartphone imaging, there is no doubt that Oppo has done wizardry with its Find X lineup. The recent Oppo Find X9 Ultra launch is a perfect example of that. However, Oppo's smartphone camera success is largely due to the brand's sustained Hasselblad collaboration. Now, it looks like Oppo wants to shed its smartphone maker skin and venture into full-blown handheld gimbal cameras.
Oppo Handheld Gimbal Camera Project Reportedly Underway
Prominent Chinese media publication Blue Whale Media has shared an exclusive piece revealing that Oppo is internally testing a handheld gimbal camera system. It is said to developed fully in-house and is similar to what DJI does with its 'Pocket' lineup and Insta360 with its 'Flow' series.
Unlike the bizarre Honor Robot Phone unveiled at CES 2026, the project codenamed "Fuyao" is more of a companion device rather than a smartphone gimbal implementation. The report outlines the seriousness of this project, outlining the fact that Oppo is investing huge resources in Fuyao's R&D and development. This indicates this is not going to be one of those experimental one-and-done products but could be here to stay for the brand to build more generations upon.
Moreover, this shift from smartphone photography to full-blown camera hardware development is also seen as a strategic shift in business intent. So far, the handheld gimbal space has been dominated by DJI and Insta360. Small brands have tried to enter the space but have failed against the duopoly. Now, with a brand like Oppo, which has a vast experience in smartphone cameras and partners with goliaths in the field like Hasselblad, it makes sense.
As per mobile industry insider Li Shun, the entry of Oppo into the handheld gimbal space will mean direct imaging algorithms transfer, quick and efficient supply chain integration and disrupt the stable handheld camera market. Also, this potential is not only seen by Oppo. It is reported that Vivo is also set to enter the arena in 2026.
While Oppo's handheld gimbal camera is said to debut alongside the upcoming Find X10 series, Vivo is eyeing the X500 lineup's launch event to debut its handheld camera. At the time of writing, there is no clear evidence of both brands entering the handheld space officially.
However, 2026 appears to be the year traditional smartphone makers are banking big on other tech sectors. While Vivo and Oppo are leaning towards the handheld camera space, Nothing Smart Glasses are reportedly set to launch in 2027. It is unclear if this shift in strategy has been in the pipeline from the beginning or is just a survival response to the raging RAM crisis that has left the smartphone industry in shambles.
