Huawei made a whole camera to attach to its latest phone

Huawei has introduced the Ruiying Z10, an add-on lens for its Mate 90 Pro Max that integrates its own image sensor as well as long-range optics. Unlike prior teleconverter accessories that provided a fixed focal length, the Z10 is a full zoom lens covering 24–240mm and uses a 1-inch-type, 50-megapixel RYYB sensor, which is physically larger than any sensor inside the phone itself. Huawei positions the accessory as effectively a standalone camera that relies on the phone for power, processing, and software. The Z10’s optics feature a variable aperture from f/2.0 to f/4.5, and the unit weighs 346 grams. Huawei designed the lens to attach directly to compatible phones instead of requiring a separate mounting case. That direct screw-mount is available on the Mate 90 Pro Max collector’s edition and the Mate 90 RS variant — the only models in the Mate 90 series with the necessary screw ring around the camera island. Huawei’s Mate 90 Pro Max phones themselves have substantial camera systems: a variable-aperture main camera (f/1.4–f/4.0) with a 50-megapixel 1.1.28-inch-type sensor, a 200-megapixel 4x periscope telephoto with the same sensor size, and a 40-megapixel ultrawide. The handset sports a 6.9-inch OLED display with a claimed 12,000 nits peak brightness, runs on Huawei’s Kirin 9050 Pro chip, and is powered by a 6,800mAh battery. The trade-offs for the Z10 are its bulk and price. Huawei describes the lens as very large compared with typical teleconverters and the accessory will not fit in a pocket, but at 346 g it remains smaller and more portable than many mirrorless cameras and could be taken into venues that restrict dedicated cameras. The Z10 is priced at ¥5,999 (around $895), which the company notes is more than some flagship smartphones.