Oneplus 12 Review

The OnePlus 12 lands as a formidable contender in the competitive flagship phone arena, effectively addressing many of the criticisms leveled against its predecessor. This isn’t just an incremental update.

It’s a significant leap forward, particularly in camera performance, display brilliance, and raw processing power.

For anyone considering a high-end Android device that offers a premium experience without necessarily breaking the bank compared to some rivals, the OnePlus 12 presents a compelling argument.

It delivers a smooth, powerful, and aesthetically pleasing user experience, making it a strong recommendation for power users and casual consumers alike who value a refined smartphone.

Feature/Product	OnePlus 12	Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra	Google Pixel 8 Pro	Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max	Xiaomi 14 Ultra	Oppo Find X7 Ultra	Sony Xperia 1 V
Primary Focus	Balanced Flagship, Performance, Fast Charging	AI, Premium Features, S Pen	Computational Photography, Android Purity	iOS Ecosystem, Video, Performance	Camera, Premium Design	Camera, Premium Design	Multimedia, Creator Tools
Processor	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Exynos 2400	Google Tensor G3	Apple A17 Pro	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
Display Type	LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz	Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz	OLED, 120Hz	Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz	LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz	LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz	OLED, 120Hz
Peak Brightness nits	4500	2600	2400	2000	3000	4500	1000
Camera System	Triple 50MP main, 64MP periscope tele, 48MP ultrawide	Quad 200MP main, 50MP periscope tele, 10MP tele, 12MP ultrawide	Triple 50MP main, 48MP tele, 48MP ultrawide	Triple 48MP main, 12MP tele, 12MP ultrawide	Quad 50MP main, 50MP tele, 50MP periscope tele, 50MP ultrawide	Quad 50MP main, 50MP tele, 50MP periscope tele, 50MP ultrawide	Triple 48MP main, 12MP tele, 12MP ultrawide
Battery Capacity mAh	5400	5000	5050	4422	5300	5000	5000
Wired Charging Speed	100W/80W global/US	45W	30W	27W	90W	100W	30W
Wireless Charging	50W	15W	23W	15W	80W	50W	15W
Unique Selling Point	Alert Slider, Fast Charging, Strong Performance	S Pen, Long-term Software Support, AI Features	Best-in-class Computational Photography	Ecosystem Integration, ProRes Video, Dynamic Island	Leica Optics, HyperCharge	Dual Periscope Telephotos, Hasselblad Image	Headphone Jack, Creator Tools, 4K Display

The Design and Build Quality: A Return to Premium Roots

OnePlus has often been praised for its industrial design, and the OnePlus 12 is no exception. It feels undeniably premium in the hand, signaling a clear return to the flagship design ethos. The device features a curved display that seamlessly blends into the metal frame, offering a comfortable grip and an elegant aesthetic.

Material Choices and Ergonomics

The OnePlus 12 opts for a glass sandwich design with a metal frame, a standard for high-end smartphones. The front is protected by the latest Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, offering superior scratch and drop resistance. The back panel, depending on the color variant, features different finishes. The Flowy Emerald version, for instance, has a unique texture inspired by braided rivers, which not only looks distinctive but also provides a better grip and repels fingerprints effectively. The Silky Black variant offers a more traditional matte finish.

• Premium Haptics: The haptic motor in the OnePlus 12 is significantly improved, delivering precise and satisfying vibrations. This might seem like a small detail, but it greatly enhances the overall user experience, especially for notifications and typing.
• Weight Distribution: Despite packing a large battery and advanced camera system, the weight distribution feels balanced, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods without feeling top-heavy or cumbersome.
• IP Rating: The OnePlus 12 comes with an IP65 rating. While this is good for splash and dust resistance, it falls short of the full IP68 rating found on many direct competitors, which provides immersion protection. This is a minor drawback for those who frequently expose their phones to water.

The Iconic Alert Slider

A signature feature of OnePlus phones, the Alert Slider, makes a welcome return and is once again perfectly positioned on the left side of the device. This physical switch allows users to quickly toggle between Ring, Vibrate, and Silent modes without unlocking the phone or navigating menus. It’s a small but incredibly convenient feature that once you’ve used, you’ll miss on other phones.

Display Brilliance: A Visual Masterpiece

The display on the OnePlus 12 is undoubtedly one of its crowning glories. Persona 3 Reload Review

It’s a large, vibrant, and incredibly bright panel that makes consuming any content a sheer delight.

ProXDR Display with Unprecedented Brightness

OnePlus touts its new “ProXDR” display, and it lives up to the hype. It’s a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with a QHD+ resolution 3168 x 1440 pixels, delivering crisp visuals and excellent detail. The dynamic refresh rate, ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, ensures buttery-smooth scrolling and animations while optimizing battery life.

• Record-Breaking Brightness: The headline feature here is the peak brightness, which can hit an astonishing 4500 nits in specific HDR scenarios and around 1600 nits for typical peak brightness. This makes the screen incredibly legible even under direct sunlight and provides an exceptional HDR viewing experience with striking contrast and vibrant colors.
• Color Accuracy: The display supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+, offering excellent color reproduction and dynamic range. Colors appear vivid yet accurate, making it ideal for media consumption, photo editing, and gaming.
• Eye Comfort Features: OnePlus has implemented several features aimed at reducing eye strain, including 2160Hz PWM dimming at low brightness and a dedicated eye comfort mode. This is crucial for users who spend extended periods looking at their screens.

The Curved Edge Debate

While the curved edges contribute to the phone’s sleek aesthetic and comfortable in-hand feel, they also spark debate.

Some users appreciate the immersive feel and gesture navigation benefits, while others find them prone to accidental touches or light reflections.

OnePlus has optimized the palm rejection on the 12, significantly reducing accidental touches compared to older curved displays.

Performance: Unadulterated Powerhouse

Under the hood, the OnePlus 12 is a beast, powered by the latest and greatest silicon from Qualcomm.

This phone is built for speed and efficiency, handling anything you throw at it with ease.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: The Engine Room

The OnePlus 12 is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the leading Android chipset for 2024. This processor delivers significant improvements in CPU, GPU, and AI performance over its predecessor.

• CPU Performance: The Gen 3 features a new core architecture, leading to a substantial boost in raw processing power. This translates to incredibly snappy app launches, seamless multitasking, and fluid navigation throughout the OxygenOS interface.
• GPU Performance: Gaming on the OnePlus 12 is a phenomenal experience. The Adreno 750 GPU handles graphically intensive games at high frame rates and resolutions without breaking a sweat. Titles like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile run flawlessly.
• AI Capabilities: The improved NPU Neural Processing Unit in the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 enhances on-device AI capabilities, leading to faster image processing, more intelligent voice recognition, and improved performance in AI-powered applications.

RAM and Storage Configurations

OnePlus offers generous RAM and storage configurations to complement the powerful chipset.

• RAM Options: The phone is available with up to 16GB or even 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM. This abundance of RAM ensures that background apps remain active and multitasking is incredibly smooth, preventing apps from reloading when switching between them.
• Storage Options: Storage goes up to 512GB or 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. UFS 4.0 is significantly faster than previous generations, resulting in quicker app installations, faster file transfers, and reduced loading times.

Cooling System: Keeping it Chill

To maintain peak performance during demanding tasks like extended gaming sessions or video rendering, the OnePlus 12 incorporates an advanced cooling system. Oneplus 12R Review

It features a larger vapor chamber and a more efficient heat dissipation structure.

This prevents thermal throttling, ensuring sustained high performance without significant dips.

• Improved Efficiency: The larger vapor chamber and graphite sheets efficiently move heat away from critical components, maintaining optimal operating temperatures.
• Sustained Performance: Benchmarking tools and real-world usage confirm that the OnePlus 12 can sustain its peak performance for longer periods than many competitors, making it a reliable device for power users.

Camera System: Hasselblad’s Evolution

Historically, cameras were a “good but not great” aspect of OnePlus phones.

With the OnePlus 12, there’s a strong indication that this trend is changing, largely thanks to its continued collaboration with Hasselblad and improved sensor technology.

The Triple Camera Array

The OnePlus 12 features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, designed to cover a wide range of shooting scenarios.

• Main Camera: A 50MP Sony LYT-808 sensor with OIS Optical Image Stabilization and a f/1.6 aperture. This new sensor is a significant upgrade, offering improved light gathering capabilities and better dynamic range.
• Periscope Telephoto Lens: A 64MP OmniVision OV64B sensor with OIS, providing 3x optical zoom and up to 120x digital zoom. This is a major improvement over previous OnePlus telephoto offerings, bringing serious zoom capabilities to the table.
• Ultrawide Lens: A 48MP Sony IMX581 sensor with a 114-degree field of view and autofocus, allowing for macro photography.

Hasselblad Color Science and Image Processing

The partnership with Hasselblad continues to mature, focusing on color science and overall image tuning.

Photos from the OnePlus 12 tend to have a natural, pleasing color rendition with good dynamic range and accurate white balance.

• Portrait Mode: The portrait mode benefits from Hasselblad’s expertise, offering natural-looking bokeh and accurate edge detection. The 3x telephoto lens is particularly well-suited for portrait shots, providing a flattering perspective.
• Low Light Performance: Thanks to the larger main sensor and improved image processing, low-light performance is significantly better than previous OnePlus devices. Images retain more detail, exhibit less noise, and maintain good color accuracy in challenging conditions.
• Pro Mode: For enthusiasts, the Pro Mode offers extensive manual controls, allowing users to fine-tune settings like ISO, shutter speed, white balance, and focus. It also supports RAW capture for maximum post-processing flexibility.

Video Capabilities

The OnePlus 12 is capable of recording video up to 8K at 24fps or 4K at 60fps. The OIS on the main and telephoto lenses ensures stable footage, and the improved dynamic range helps capture more detail in both highlights and shadows. While it might not dethrone the absolute best video phones, it’s a solid performer for most users.

Battery Life and Charging: Industry-Leading Endurance

If there’s one area where OnePlus consistently excels, it’s charging technology.

The OnePlus 12 takes this to another level, combining a massive battery with blazing-fast charging speeds. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G Review

Mammoth Battery Capacity

The OnePlus 12 houses a substantial 5400mAh dual-cell battery, one of the largest capacities found in a flagship smartphone. This, combined with the power-efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and the LTPO display, translates to exceptional battery life.

• All-Day Endurance: Most users can comfortably get through a full day, or even a day and a half, of heavy usage on a single charge. For lighter users, two days might even be achievable.
• PCMark Work 3.0 Battery Life Test: In standardized tests, the OnePlus 12 often clocks in impressive screen-on-time figures, surpassing many competitors.

Warp Charge 100W or 80W in North America

The wired charging speed is nothing short of incredible. The global version supports 100W SUPERVOOC charging, while the North American variant comes with 80W SUPERVOOC charging due to regulatory differences. Both are incredibly fast.

• From 1% to 100% in Minutes:

  • 100W: Expect a full charge in roughly 26 minutes.
  • 80W: A full charge takes around 30-32 minutes.

  This means you can top up your phone significantly during a brief break or before heading out the door.

• Safety Protocols: OnePlus has implemented numerous safety protocols to ensure that these rapid charging speeds don’t compromise battery health over the long term. The phone intelligently manages temperature and voltage during charging.

AirVOOC 50W Wireless Charging

Not to be outdone by its wired counterpart, the OnePlus 12 also supports 50W AirVOOC wireless charging. This is significantly faster than most wireless charging solutions available on other flagships.

• Quick Wireless Top-ups: A full charge wirelessly takes approximately 55 minutes with the compatible OnePlus AirVOOC charger.
• Reverse Wireless Charging: The phone also supports reverse wireless charging, allowing you to power up compatible accessories like earbuds by placing them on the back of the device.

OxygenOS 14: Polished, Fast, and Feature-Rich

The software experience on a smartphone is just as crucial as the hardware, and OxygenOS 14, based on Android 14, continues OnePlus’s tradition of offering a fast, fluid, and customizable user interface.

Understated Aesthetics and Fluid Animations

OxygenOS 14 retains its clean and near-stock Android aesthetic, enhanced with subtle animations and thoughtful design choices.

The focus remains on speed and responsiveness, making interactions feel incredibly fluid.

• Trinity Engine: OnePlus introduces the “Trinity Engine,” a suite of optimizations designed to enhance performance and efficiency. This includes features like CPU Vitalization, RAM Vitalization, and ROM Vitalization, all working together to ensure the phone remains fast and responsive even after prolonged use.
• Personalization Options: While clean, OxygenOS offers a good degree of customization. Users can tweak icon packs, fonts, accent colors, and the always-on display to match their preferences.
• Shelf: The “Shelf” remains a handy customizable feed accessible by swiping down from the top right of the screen, offering quick access to widgets, recent apps, and tools.

Software Updates and Longevity

OnePlus has committed to a solid software update policy for the OnePlus 12: Iobit Malware Fighter Pro Review

• 4 Years of Android Updates: This ensures the device receives major Android version upgrades for a significant period.
• 5 Years of Security Updates: Regular security patches keep the phone protected from vulnerabilities.

This commitment is competitive with other Android flagships, providing users with peace of mind regarding the phone’s longevity and access to the latest features.

Key OxygenOS 14 Features

• Smart Sidebar: A customizable sidebar that provides quick access to frequently used apps and tools, enhancing multitasking.
• Large Folders: Allows for larger app folders on the home screen, making it easier to access multiple apps without opening the folder.
• Improved AOD Always-On Display: More dynamic and customizable Always-On Display options, including Bitmoji AOD.
• Private Safe: A secure, encrypted space to store sensitive photos, videos, and documents.

Connectivity and Extras: The Full Package

Beyond the core features, the OnePlus 12 packs in all the connectivity options and additional features expected from a modern flagship, ensuring a comprehensive and future-proof experience.

Comprehensive Connectivity

• Wi-Fi 7 Ready: The OnePlus 12 supports the latest Wi-Fi 7 802.11be standard, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and improved efficiency in compatible networks. This is a significant future-proofing addition.
• Bluetooth 5.4: Ensures stable and efficient connections with wireless accessories, supporting high-quality audio codecs.
• 5G Connectivity: Full support for both sub-6GHz and mmWave where available 5G networks, providing lightning-fast mobile data speeds.
• NFC: Essential for contactless payments and quick pairing with other devices.
• Dual-Frequency GPS: For enhanced location accuracy and faster satellite acquisition.

Audio Experience

The OnePlus 12 features stereo speakers that deliver loud and clear audio with good separation. While not the absolute best on the market, they are more than capable for media consumption and casual gaming. Support for Dolby Atmos further enhances the audio experience when watching compatible content.

Biometrics: Fast and Reliable

The phone employs an in-display optical fingerprint scanner, which is fast, accurate, and conveniently placed. Face unlock is also available and works reliably in most lighting conditions.

USB-C 3.2 Gen 1

The USB-C port on the bottom supports USB 3.2 Gen 1, allowing for faster data transfer speeds when connected to a computer, and also supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode, meaning you can connect the phone to an external monitor for a desktop-like experience. This is a crucial feature for productivity and expands the phone’s utility beyond just a handheld device.

Minor Considerations

While the OnePlus 12 is a fantastic device, it’s worth noting a couple of minor points:

• No Headphone Jack: As with most modern flagships, the 3.5mm headphone jack is absent.
• No Expandable Storage: There is no microSD card slot for expandable storage, so users should choose their internal storage configuration carefully.
• IP65 vs. IP68: As mentioned earlier, the IP65 rating is good, but not as robust as the IP68 found on some competitors for full water immersion.

Overall, the OnePlus 12 brings a highly refined user experience, pushing the boundaries in display technology, charging speeds, and raw performance, while significantly stepping up its camera game.

It’s a complete package that offers compelling value in the premium smartphone segment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the OnePlus 12 a good phone?

Yes, the OnePlus 12 is an excellent phone, offering top-tier performance, a brilliant display, exceptional battery life with ultra-fast charging, and a significantly improved camera system.

What are the main improvements of the OnePlus 12 over the OnePlus 11?

The main improvements include the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, a much brighter 4500-nit display, a larger 5400mAh battery, faster 80W/100W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, and an upgraded camera system with a new main sensor and a periscope telephoto lens. Leica Summilux M 50Mm F14 Asph 2023 Review

Does the OnePlus 12 have a headphone jack?

No, the OnePlus 12 does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.

What is the battery life like on the OnePlus 12?

The OnePlus 12 offers exceptional battery life, often lasting a full day of heavy usage or up to two days for lighter users, thanks to its large 5400mAh battery and efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset.

How fast does the OnePlus 12 charge?

The OnePlus 12 charges incredibly fast.

The global version supports 100W wired charging, filling the battery in about 26 minutes.

The North American version supports 80W wired charging, completing a full charge in around 30-32 minutes. It also supports 50W wireless charging.

Is the OnePlus 12 camera good?

Yes, the OnePlus 12 camera is very good, representing a significant upgrade.

It features a new 50MP Sony LYT-808 main sensor and a 64MP periscope telephoto lens 3x optical zoom, producing detailed photos with good color accuracy, especially in daylight and improved low-light conditions.

Does the OnePlus 12 support wireless charging?

Yes, the OnePlus 12 supports 50W AirVOOC wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging.

What kind of display does the OnePlus 12 have?

The OnePlus 12 features a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED ProXDR display with a QHD+ resolution, 1Hz-120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and a peak brightness of up to 4500 nits.

What processor is in the OnePlus 12?

The OnePlus 12 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile platform. Asus Zenbook 14 Oled Ux3405 Review

How much RAM and storage does the OnePlus 12 have?

The OnePlus 12 is available with up to 16GB or 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB or 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage.

Does the OnePlus 12 have an IP rating for water resistance?

Yes, the OnePlus 12 has an IP65 rating for dust and splash resistance.

This means it can withstand splashes and light rain but is not rated for full water immersion.

What operating system does the OnePlus 12 run?

The OnePlus 12 runs OxygenOS 14, based on Android 14.

How many years of software updates will the OnePlus 12 receive?

OnePlus has committed to 4 years of major Android updates and 5 years of security updates for the OnePlus 12.

Does the OnePlus 12 have an Alert Slider?

Yes, the iconic Alert Slider is present on the left side of the OnePlus 12.

Is the display on the OnePlus 12 curved?

Yes, the OnePlus 12 features a curved edge display.

Can the OnePlus 12 record 8K video?

Yes, the OnePlus 12 can record video up to 8K at 24 frames per second fps.

Does the OnePlus 12 support Wi-Fi 7?

Yes, the OnePlus 12 is Wi-Fi 7 ready, supporting the latest 802.11be standard.

What is the maximum optical zoom on the OnePlus 12?

The OnePlus 12 offers 3x optical zoom through its 64MP periscope telephoto lens. Motorola Moto G Play 2024 Review

Does the OnePlus 12 have expandable storage?

No, the OnePlus 12 does not have a microSD card slot for expandable storage.

Is the OnePlus 12 good for gaming?

Yes, with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and advanced cooling system, the OnePlus 12 is excellent for gaming, handling even the most demanding titles smoothly.

What color options are available for the OnePlus 12?

The OnePlus 12 is typically available in Flowy Emerald and Silky Black color options.

Does the OnePlus 12 come with a charger in the box?

Yes, typically the OnePlus 12 comes with a charger and a USB-C cable in the box, which is a major advantage over many competitors.

What type of fingerprint scanner does the OnePlus 12 use?

The OnePlus 12 uses an in-display optical fingerprint scanner.

Can I connect the OnePlus 12 to an external monitor?

Yes, the USB-C port on the OnePlus 12 supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode, allowing you to connect it to an external monitor.

How does the OnePlus 12’s camera compare to the Pixel 8 Pro?

While significantly improved, the OnePlus 12’s camera might still lag slightly behind the Pixel 8 Pro in computational photography and overall consistency, especially in challenging scenes, but it offers a very capable and versatile setup.

How does the OnePlus 12’s performance compare to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?

Both the OnePlus 12 and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, offering comparable top-tier performance.

The OnePlus 12’s cooling might allow for slightly better sustained performance in extreme scenarios.

Does the OnePlus 12 support 5G?

Yes, the OnePlus 12 fully supports 5G connectivity. Skylight Frame Review

What is the ProXDR display feature on the OnePlus 12?

ProXDR is OnePlus’s term for its high-dynamic-range display technology, offering exceptional brightness, contrast, and color accuracy for HDR content, making photos and videos look more lifelike.

Is the OnePlus 12 suitable for content creation?

Yes, with its powerful processor, excellent display, capable camera system, and USB 3.2 support for faster data transfer, the OnePlus 12 is well-suited for various content creation tasks on the go.

What is the “Trinity Engine” in OxygenOS 14?

The “Trinity Engine” is a suite of software optimizations in OxygenOS 14 including CPU, RAM, and ROM Vitalization designed to enhance the OnePlus 12’s long-term performance, ensuring sustained speed and fluidity.