Overview
The OnePlus 12 is here, packed with impressive technology and a promise to deliver flagship performance. From its ultra-fast processor to its vibrant display, the phone aims to justify its premium price tag. However, as prices climb higher, especially in international markets, OnePlus has to work hard to convince users that it offers more than just powerful specs.
Starting at $800 in the US for the base model (12GB RAM and 256GB storage), the OnePlus 12 is priced higher than last year’s OnePlus 11. The higher-tier model, which comes with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, costs $900, marking a significant price jump. In the UK, the pricing is even steeper, with the top model costing £999, making it £150 more expensive than the maxed-out OnePlus 11. After currency conversion, this UK price puts a significant premium on the OnePlus 12, and potential buyers across different regions may need to reassess its value.
Despite the price hike, OnePlus 12 still competes strongly in the US, managing to undercut its main competitor, Google’s Pixel 8 Pro, which starts at $999 (£999 in the UK) with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. In several areas, the OnePlus 12 surpasses the Pixel 8 Pro, particularly in processor performance and battery life. However, Google’s phone offers a superior camera experience and more extended software support, with seven years of updates compared to OnePlus 12’s four years of software and five years of security updates.
For those trying to decide between these two phones, it comes down to what you prioritize: If photography is your passion, the Pixel 8 Pro may be the better choice. But if you’re a mobile gamer, the OnePlus 12 is more likely to deliver the smooth and powerful experience you want.
Familiar Yet Refined Design
The OnePlus 12 doesn’t deviate much from its predecessor, the OnePlus 11, in terms of design. It retains the familiar circular camera module set into a curved glass back with a glossy aluminum frame. However, the OnePlus 12 introduces a frosted glass finish on the back, which feels more luxurious and premium than the glossy and slippery finish of the previous model. The green variant we tested comes with a wavy pattern that adds some visual interest, though the aesthetic might not appeal to everyone.
Interestingly, when I showed the phone to friends at a social gathering, they compared its texture to the “plasticky laminate coating on cheap kitchen work surfaces.” While design preferences are subjective, this reaction suggests it might be a good idea to see the phone in person before purchasing.
One design improvement is the placement of the volume buttons, which are now on the same side as the power button, making one-handed use more convenient. The iconic OnePlus alert slider remains, now relocated to its own spot on the left side of the device. The OnePlus 12 also features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and Gorilla Glass 5 on the back, providing robust protection against everyday mishaps. Its IP64 rating means the phone can withstand splashes and brief encounters with water, perfect for those unexpected spills or rainy day calls.
The screen on the OnePlus 12 is designed to be usable even when wet. In my testing, the phone recognized touch inputs with minimal errors, even after sprinkling the screen with water. Comparatively, the iPhone 15 Pro Max struggled significantly in similar conditions, making the OnePlus 12 a clear winner in this area.
A Bright, Colorful Display for All Situations
One of the standout features of the OnePlus 12 is its 6.82-inch display. The large screen size makes it an ideal choice for watching videos, playing games, or simply browsing. With a high resolution, everything on the screen looks sharp and detailed, and the colors are bright and punchy. Whether you’re streaming Netflix or playing a neon-heavy game, the OnePlus 12’s screen ensures content looks fantastic.
One of the phone’s biggest claims to fame is its 4,500-nit peak brightness, making it one of the brightest displays on the market, theoretically outshining competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. While lab tests suggest this, in real-world use, the brightness difference is noticeable but not as dramatic. Still, it’s exceptionally bright, making it easy to use even in direct sunlight.
The display also supports a variable refresh rate, from 1Hz to 120Hz, optimizing performance for different tasks. Whether you’re scrolling through social media or playing graphically intensive games, the phone adjusts its refresh rate accordingly to provide a smooth experience while conserving battery life when necessary.
Powerhouse Performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
At the heart of the OnePlus 12 is Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, coupled with either 12GB or 16GB of RAM. This combination promises blazing fast performance, and during our tests, it lived up to that promise. Games like Genshin Impact and PUBG ran smoothly at max settings without any lag or stuttering. Even the high-intensity racing game Asphalt 9 felt buttery smooth.
On the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme benchmark test, the OnePlus 12 outperformed both the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max, cementing its place as one of the fastest phones on the market. In fact, its score was second only to the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro, which is also powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
Beyond gaming, general navigation and multitasking on the OnePlus 12 were lightning fast. The phone remained responsive no matter how many apps were running in the background. OnePlus’ “Trinity Engine” optimization, which enhances the coordination between the CPU, RAM, and storage, appears to work well here, and the company claims this optimization will help the phone maintain its speed over time.
OxygenOS and Software Support
The OnePlus 12 ships with Android 14 and OnePlus’ own OxygenOS layered on top. The interface is clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate, making it a good fit for both Android newcomers and experienced users alike. However, while the software experience is enjoyable, the company’s limited software support lags behind rivals like Google and Samsung, who now offer seven years of updates.
Extended support is increasingly important for ensuring the longevity and security of your device. Though five years of security updates and four years of software updates are decent, it falls short of what some competitors offer, especially for a phone in this price range.
Stellar Battery Life and Ultra-Fast Charging
Battery life is another area where the OnePlus 12 excels. The phone features a dual-cell 4,500mAh battery, and in my tests, it delivered outstanding results. After three hours of streaming video at full brightness, the battery had only dropped to 95%. This is significantly better than competitors like the Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max, which dropped to 82% and 87%, respectively, after similar usage.
The OnePlus 12 also stands out for its fast-charging capabilities. In the US, it supports 80-watt wired charging, while the UK model goes even further with 100-watt charging. This means you can fully charge the phone in just 26 minutes. For those times when you need a quick boost, you can go from empty to 50% in just 11 minutes. Wireless charging is also supported, though at a slightly slower 50 watts.
Camera Performance: A Mixed Bag
If there’s one area where the OnePlus 12 falls short, it’s the camera. The phone is equipped with three rear cameras: a 50-megapixel main camera, a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 32-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. While the specs look impressive on paper, real-world performance doesn’t quite match up to expectations, especially in low light.
During daylight, the OnePlus 12’s main camera produced decent shots with good detail and accurate colors. Switching between the main and ultrawide lenses was smooth, and there was less noticeable color shift than with the OnePlus 11. However, the 3x zoom lens didn’t offer the same level of clarity and detail as competitors like the Pixel 8 Pro, which has a superior 5x optical zoom.
Low-light and nighttime performance were particularly disappointing. Despite having a larger image sensor and wider aperture, the phone struggled to capture enough light in darker conditions. Night mode shots were often too dark and lacked the detail and clarity seen in similar shots taken with the OnePlus 11 or rival flagship phones.
Final Verdict: Is the OnePlus 12 Worth It?
The OnePlus 12 delivers in many key areas, including performance, battery life, and display quality. For mobile gamers or those seeking a phone that can handle demanding tasks with ease, this device is hard to beat. However, if photography is a crucial aspect of your smartphone experience, the OnePlus 12’s camera might leave you underwhelmed, especially in low-light conditions.
Moreover, while the OnePlus 12’s software and security support are decent, the lack of longer-term updates is a drawback, especially when compared to competitors like Google and Samsung. That said, if your priority is raw power and vibrant screen quality, the OnePlus 12 is definitely a phone worth considering.