MKBHD argues smartphones can't replace dedicated cameras

Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) reviewed the Oppo Find X9 Ultra and argued that no matter how advanced smartphone cameras become, they will never replace dedicated cameras for serious photographers. The Oppo Find X9 Ultra features a 200-megapixel main camera with the largest 200-megapixel sensor on a phone, a 200-megapixel telephoto, a 50-megapixel telephoto, and a 50-megapixel ultrawide, plus a Hasselblad partnership and a dedicated photography kit. Brownlee praised its versatility but emphasized physical limitations: small sensors (Type 1/1.12) and tiny lenses cannot match APS-C, full-frame, or medium format sensors and interchangeable lenses. Computational photography narrows the gap but cannot close it. He compared the situation to an iPad Pro with keyboard not replacing a MacBook. PetaPixel's Chris Niccolls has echoed similar views. Brownlee concluded that smartphones and cameras each have their place, and both benefit from continued improvement.