This camera attaches to the back of your flagship phone, costs more than most phones

We’ve been expecting the HUAWEI Mate 90 series to launch for a while now, but a recent leak also showed off a crazy add-on camera. This accessory apparently differed from external lenses by including a camera sensor and variable optical zoom. Now, HUAWEI has launched the Mate 90 series and indeed revealed the Ruiying Z10 add-on camera.

The Z10 external camera specifically supports the HUAWEI Mate 90 Pro Max Collector’s Edition and Mate 90 RS Master Edition. It snaps onto the back of these phones via a so-called HyperClick mount. An animation seen on the product page suggests that you don’t need a dedicated phone case.

This add-on camera has a one-inch 50MP RYYB sensor and supports continuous optical zoom from 24mm to 240mm. In other words, you can go from 1x to ~10x optical zoom. Expect a variable aperture to go with the optical zoom, ranging from f/2.0 to f/4.5.

By contrast, external camera lenses attach to a phone’s telephoto camera and only offer a fixed native focal length. Furthermore, you can’t use the 1x camera while an external lens is attached. So the ability to freely zoom between 1x and 10x is a major benefit with HUAWEI’s camera.

I’m guessing that low-light image quality could suffer at 10x and higher due to the HUAWEI camera’s narrow aperture. But the combo of a one-inch sensor and RYYB color filter should go some way to delivering decent light capture. Furthermore, the continuous variable zoom means you should get relatively consistent image quality across a wide focal range. This should also be great for video capture, as you shouldn’t see awkward jumps between lenses while filming.

Otherwise, the HUAWEI Ruiying Z10 camera also has a color filter camera and laser autofocus, supports various color profiles, and shoots in RAW. The latter seems like a no-brainer, but Sony’s clip-on cameras from the early 2010s only shot in the JPEG format.

Fancy this add-on camera? Well, it starts at 5,999 yuan (~$895). That makes it more expensive than some flagship phones in the market. HUAWEI has also listed a photography kit that includes this camera, a case, a leather strap, a camera grip, and other accessories. It’s unclear if this is a separate option or if the add-on camera is only available as part of a kit. Either way, this looks like a bulky accessory, but it should still be less awkward than carrying a separate DSLR camera and associated lenses.

Mate 90 Pro Max and RS Ultimate Design

You might not need the add-on camera for most scenarios, as the Mate 90 Pro Max still looks like a camera powerhouse. For starters, it has a 50MP RYYB main camera with a variable aperture (f/1.4 to f/4.0) and a claimed 18 stops of dynamic range. The latter suggests that we’re looking at a LOFIC-enabled camera sensor, as seen on the Pura 90s Pro Max.

The new Pro Max also has a 40MP ultrawide RYYB camera and a 200MP 4x periscope camera (RYYB). In fact, HUAWEI claims you can get 8x lossless-resolution zoom and up to 20x telephoto video. The rear camera system is also paired with the firm’s Red Maple color camera. Switch to the front and you’ll find a 13MP selfie shooter and a 3D depth sensor for 3D face unlock.

The device also sports a sleek look, featuring that trademark ring-shaped camera system and a visually pleasant two-toned rear cover with horizontal and vertical lines. You definitely won’t mistake this for an iPhone.

HUAWEI’s phone also brings some notable core specs, starting with your choice of Kirin 9050 or 9050 Pro chipset. These are set to use a novel LogicFolding manufacturing process, but there’s no official word on CPU or GPU specs. Nevertheless, the company promises up to 31% better performance than the previous Mate. Expect 12GB or 16GB of RAM and 512GB of 1TB of internal storage.

The HUAWEI Mate 90 Pro Max also packs a 6.9-inch dual-layer OLED screen with a claimed 12,000 nits of peak brightness (LTPO, 2848 × 1320). A 6,800mAh battery keeps the lights on, paired with 100W wired and 50W wireless charging.

The Mate 90 Pro Max is also available in a Collector’s Edition model. It packs basalt Kunlun Glass instead of third-generation Kunlun Glass, and is only available with the Kirin 9050 Pro chip and 16GB of RAM. It otherwise seems functionally and visually identical to the Pro Max.

There’s also a Mate 90 RS Ultimate Design model (seen above) if you’ve got money to burn. Expect an octagonal rear camera bump, an angular rear cover, and a titanium frame. It also tops out at 2TB of storage. Otherwise, this is basically the Pro Max Collector’s Edition with a new design.

Mate 90 and Mate 90 Pro: The cheapest Mates

Don’t want to pay for a Pro Max or fancy special editions? Then HUAWEI also has the Mate 90 Pro. It has a 6.75-inch 120Hz OLED screen (12,000 nits of peak brightness, third-generation Kunlun Glass), a Kirin 9035 chipset, 12GB to 16GB of RAM, and 256GB to 1TB of storage. It also packs a 6,600mAh battery, 100W wired charging, and 50W wireless top-ups.

On the camera front, the Mate 90 Pro has a 50MP variable aperture main camera (f/1.4 to f/4.0), a 40MP ultrawide camera, and a 50MP 4x periscope shooter. All of these sensors have RYYB color filters for improved low-light capture. Much like the Pro Max, you’re getting a 13MP selfie camera and a 3D sensor for secure face unlock.

Finally, the standard Mate 90 is the cheapest model of the lot. Expect a Kirin 9030 processor, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB to 1TB of storage. A 6,600mAh battery keeps the lights on, backed up by 66W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. It also looks like the vanilla Mate has the same camera hardware as the Pro variant.

In saying so, the Lattice Powder and Lattice Green Mate 90 models have a striking color scheme. Check these models out in the image above.

HUAWEI Mate 90 series pricing and availability

There’s bad news if you’re waiting for a global release. HUAWEI told Android Authority that there are currently no plans to launch the Mate 90 phones outside China. That’s a real shame.

The Mate 90 series starts at 5,999 yuan (~$895) for the standard model in China. Yep, the Z10 camera costs the same as a standard Mate 90. Fancy the Pro? Then you’ll need to stump up 6,999 yuan (~$1,044). The Mate 90 Pro Max starts at 9,499 yuan (~$1,417), while the Collector’s Edition will set you back a crazy 10,999 yuan (~$1,641). Finally, the Mate 90 RS Ultimate Design starts at 12,999 yuan (~$1,940).