Huawei Launches Mate 90 Series and Ruiying Z10 Add-On Camera

The Ruiying Z10 supports the Mate 90 Pro Max Collector’s Edition and Mate 90 RS Master Edition. It snaps onto the back of those phones through a HyperClick mount. An animation on the product page indicates that a dedicated phone case is not required. The camera uses a one-inch 50MP RYYB sensor and supports continuous optical zoom from 24mm to 240mm, equivalent to roughly 1x to 10x. Its variable aperture ranges from f/2.0 to f/4.5.

Android Authority notes that external camera lenses typically attach to a phone’s telephoto camera and offer only a fixed native focal length. The 1x camera cannot be used while such a lens is attached. The report says the ability to zoom freely between 1x and 10x is a major advantage for Huawei’s camera. It adds that low-light image quality could suffer at 10x and higher because of the narrow aperture, but the one-inch sensor and RYYB color filter should help with light capture. Continuous variable zoom should also provide relatively consistent image quality across a wide focal range and avoid awkward jumps between lenses during video recording, according to the report.

The Ruiying Z10 also has a color filter camera and laser autofocus. It supports various color profiles and can shoot in RAW. Huawei has listed a photography kit that includes the camera, a case, a leather strap, a camera grip, and other accessories. It is unclear whether the kit is a separate option or whether the add-on camera is available only as part of the kit. The report describes the accessory as bulky but less awkward than carrying a separate DSLR camera and lenses.

The Mate 90 Pro Max is positioned as a camera-focused phone in its own right. It has a 50MP RYYB main camera with a variable aperture from f/1.4 to f/4.0 and a claimed 18 stops of dynamic range. Android Authority says the dynamic range claim suggests a LOFIC-enabled sensor, as seen on the Pura 90s Pro Max. The phone also has a 40MP ultrawide RYYB camera and a 200MP 4x periscope camera with an RYYB sensor. Huawei claims 8x lossless-resolution zoom and up to 20x telephoto video. The rear system is paired with Huawei’s Red Maple color camera. On the front, there is a 13MP selfie camera and a 3D depth sensor for 3D face unlock.

The Mate 90 Pro Max has a ring-shaped camera system and a two-toned rear cover with horizontal and vertical lines. It runs on a Kirin 9050 or Kirin 9050 Pro chipset. Huawei says these chips use a LogicFolding manufacturing process, but the company has not given official CPU or GPU specifications. Huawei promises up to 31% better performance than the previous Mate. The phone offers 12GB or 16GB of RAM and 512GB or 1TB of internal storage. It has a 6.9-inch dual-layer OLED screen with LTPO, a 2848 × 1320 resolution, and a claimed 12,000 nits of peak brightness. A 6,800mAh battery supports 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging.

The Mate 90 Pro Max Collector’s Edition uses basalt Kunlun Glass instead of third-generation Kunlun Glass. It is available only with the Kirin 9050 Pro chip and 16GB of RAM. Otherwise, it appears functionally and visually identical to the Pro Max. The Mate 90 RS Ultimate Design has an octagonal rear camera bump, an angular rear cover, and a titanium frame. It tops out at 2TB of storage. Otherwise, it is basically the Pro Max Collector’s Edition.

Editor's Summary

Huawei has launched the Mate 90 series and the Ruiying Z10 add-on camera, which offers a one-inch sensor and continuous 1x to 10x optical zoom for selected models. The camera starts at about $895, more than some flagship phones, while the Mate 90 Pro Max and RS Ultimate Design bring high-end camera and chip specifications. The launch adds a high-priced external camera option for selected Mate 90 models, and kit details remain unclear.