Oppo just dropped a new gadget called the Bubble. It's designed to make taking selfies with your phone's *rear* camera easier. Why rear camera? They usually have better sensors than the front ones, meaning better image quality.
Think of the Bubble as a remote viewfinder and shutter button. It's similar in function to the Insta360 Snap. The Bubble has a screen that shows a live preview from your phone's camera, so you can frame your shots properly. It also lets you trigger the shutter remotely.
What makes the Bubble different? It's thin and connects wirelessly. It can work from up to 33 feet away. The downside? It only works with a limited number of Oppo phones. The Oppo Bubble is currently available in China for 499 yuan, which is about $73. Oppo hasn't said if it will be released globally.
The Bubble features a round AMOLED touchscreen and a 550mAh battery, all in a package that's only seven millimeters thick. Oppo hasn't specified battery life. It charges via USB-C, not wirelessly when attached to a phone.
While some Oppo phones support wireless charging, none have built-in magnets for attaching accessories like the Bubble. To use the Bubble with an Oppo phone, you'll need a magnetic case. The Bubble can also attach directly to iPhones and recent Pixel phones, which have built-in magnets.
Right now, the Bubble is only compatible with a handful of Oppo devices. These include the Reno 14, 15, and 16, as well as the Find X8, X9, X9 Pro, and X9 Ultra. It connects via a mobile app. Oppo hasn't announced any plans to expand compatibility to other brands.
The key benefit is better selfie quality using the superior rear camera, along with remote control. The limitation is the locked-in Oppo ecosystem. If you have a compatible Oppo phone, the Bubble could be a useful tool for upping your selfie game.
