OnePlus 12 Review: Why You Should Return Your $1,200 iPhone for this sub $800 Android
Remember when flagship phones used to cost $700 and actually felt like an upgrade? The OnePlus 12 brings back that sweet spot where premium features don’t require a second mortgage, packing genuine flagship performance that performs twice as well as competitors like the Pixel 8 Pro in demanding tests.
The Bottom Line
The OnePlus 12 is a legitimate flagship killer that delivers on every front that matters. Very capable camera, superb performance, and exceptional battery life as well as charging speeds make this phone a standout choice for anyone wanting premium features without the premium price tag. It’s perfect for power users, mobile photographers, and anyone tired of paying $1,200+ for incremental improvements. The only real downside? Minor software bugs that occasionally require restarts, though these don’t detract from the overall excellent experience.
Flagship Performance Without the Flagship Price
Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the OnePlus 12 comes equipped with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, and the performance difference is immediately noticeable. This isn’t just marketing speak – it offers Snapdragon Elite Gaming features like ray tracing for desktop-level gaming, superior AI, and advanced connectivity.
Whether you’re multitasking between dozens of apps, editing 4K videos, or pushing demanding games to their limits, the OnePlus 12 handles everything without breaking a sweat. The phone’s performance in 3DMark’s Wildlife Extreme test was twice as high as that of the Pixel 8 Pro, which puts it in truly flagship territory.
The All-new Dual Cryo-velocity VC Cooling System ensures sustained performance even during extended gaming sessions. You won’t experience the throttling that plagues many flagship phones when pushed hard.
Battery Life That Actually Delivers
The 5400 mAh battery combined with 80W SUPERVOOC and 50W AIRVOOC charging creates a battery experience that’s genuinely impressive. Even with intense use, playing games, and shooting tons of photos, the OnePlus 12 lasted all day and into the night. Many users report easily using the OnePlus 12 for two days of normal usage.
The charging speeds are where this phone really shines. The 80W wired charging gets you from 0-100% in roughly 30 minutes, while the 50W wireless charging is faster than many phones’ wired charging. This means you’re never tethered to a wall outlet for long.
Camera System That Competes With the Best
The 4th Generation Hasselblad Camera for Mobile with customized Sony’s LYT-808 sensor and 3X Periscope Camera delivers genuinely impressive results. The OnePlus 12 has three cameras on its back – a 50MP primary one, a 48MP ultrawide, and a 64MP telephoto for 3x optical zoom.
The main camera produces excellent photos in both good and challenging lighting conditions. The Hasselblad partnership shows in the natural color reproduction and improved computational photography. The 3x periscope telephoto camera is particularly impressive, offering genuine optical zoom that maintains image quality.
However, the OnePlus 12’s camera performance isn’t the best on the market, and some users experience blurry photos in editing apps due to resolution optimization. While the camera system is very capable, it doesn’t quite reach the computational photography heights of Google Pixel or iPhone Pro models.
Display Excellence
The 2K 120 Hz ProXDR Display is genuinely impressive for both daily use and media consumption. Colors are vibrant, blacks are deep, and the high refresh rate makes everything feel smooth and responsive. The display gets bright enough for outdoor use and supports HDR content beautifully.
The 6.82-inch size strikes a nice balance between usability and screen real estate, though it’s definitely a large phone that requires two-handed operation for most tasks.
Software Experience and Minor Frustrations
The smartphone’s clean Android 14 experience can be blissful for productivity-focused users. OxygenOS has matured into a polished experience that feels close to stock Android while adding useful features.
However, minor bugs occasionally require turning the phone on and off, which detracts from the overall experience. These aren’t deal-breakers, but they’re noticeable enough to mention. OnePlus typically addresses these issues through software updates.
Build Quality and Design
The materials are top-notch, and the phone feels premium in hand. The OnePlus 12 has an IP65 rating, providing decent water and dust resistance, though it’s not quite at the IP68 level of some competitors.
The design is clean and modern, though not groundbreaking. It’s a phone that looks and feels like it belongs in the flagship category.
Pros & Cons
What Works Exceptionally Well:
- Superb performance and exceptional battery life
- Exceptional charging speeds for both wired and wireless
- Very capable camera system with excellent main sensor
- 2K 120 Hz ProXDR Display that’s genuinely impressive
- Clean Android 14 experience with useful additions
The Trade-offs:
- Minor bugs that occasionally require restarts
- Camera performance isn’t the best on the market
- IP65 rating instead of IP68 like premium competitors
- Large size may not suit everyone’s preferences
Who Should Buy This Phone?
This no-nonsense flagship caters not only to the core OnePlus fanbase, but also to just about anyone willing to upgrade or even switch. It’s perfect for power users who need genuine flagship performance, mobile photographers who want excellent camera quality without paying iPhone Pro prices, and anyone frustrated with poor battery life on their current phone.
For productivity-focused users, the smartphone’s clean Android 14 experience can be blissful. It’s also ideal for mobile gamers who want desktop-level gaming with ray tracing capabilities.
OnePlus 12 vs 13R: The Premium vs Budget Dilemma
Here’s where things get interesting – should you buy the older flagship OnePlus 12 or the newer budget-focused OnePlus 13R? The OnePlus 13R offers many of the same features as the OnePlus 13 flagship, but for hundreds of dollars less, but the OnePlus 12 is a true flagship with some key advantages.
Where the OnePlus 12 Still Wins:
- Premium Hasselblad Camera System: The OnePlus 12’s 4th Generation Hasselblad partnership delivers superior photo processing and color science
- Faster Charging: 80W wired charging vs the 13R’s slower charging speeds
- Premium Build Materials: True flagship construction and materials
- Better Display: 2K ProXDR display vs the 13R’s 1.5K resolution
- Flagship Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 optimized for premium performance
Where the 13R Competes:
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 6000mAh battery, 1.5K 120Hz ProXDR display
- Staggeringly good battery life and much better software support
- Lower price point for newer technology
- Potentially better long-term software updates
The Price Reality: The OnePlus 13 starts at $899, which is a $100 hike from what the OnePlus 12 cost when that phone debuted. This means you can often find the OnePlus 12 at a significant discount compared to the newer 13R, making the flagship actually cheaper than the mid-range option.
Storage Consideration: The 13R comes with higher base storage configurations, which can make it appealing for users who need lots of space. However, the OnePlus 12’s premium features and superior camera system often make it the better value when prices are similar.
Who Should Choose What:
- Choose OnePlus 12: If you want the absolute best camera quality, premium materials, faster charging, and flagship features
- Choose OnePlus 13R: If you prioritize maximum battery life, longer software support, and don’t mind sacrificing some premium features
The Final Verdict
The OnePlus 12 proves that you don’t need to spend $1,200+ for a genuine flagship experience, and it often provides better value than even newer mid-range options like the 13R. The OnePlus 12 remains a value-for-money flagship, providing exceptional features in all areas – be it display, performance, battery, or cameras.
When comparing it to the newer 13R, the OnePlus 12’s premium features often justify choosing the older flagship, especially when discounted. The superior camera system, faster charging, and premium build quality make it feel like a more complete phone.
While it has some minor software quirks and the camera system isn’t quite at the level of the absolute best camera phones, the overall package is compelling. The combination of flagship performance, excellent battery life, fast charging, and capable cameras at a significantly lower price point makes this phone a standout choice.
The OnePlus 12 delivers on the promise of flagship features without the flagship price tag. Whether compared to $1,200 flagships or newer mid-range phones like the 13R, it holds its ground remarkably well.
You can check current pricing and availability on Amazon to see if any deals are available – when discounted, it’s often a better value than newer “budget” flagship alternatives.