OnePlus 12 review

Trade in OnePlus 12

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OnePlus is on the cusp of overcoming the hurdles that have kept its phones from reaching the pinnacle of the smartphone hierarchy. Last fall, the OnePlus Open defied expectations, emerging as the best foldable phone. Now, the OnePlus 12 has the potential to elevate the series’ reputation to the next level.

In my extensive experience reviewing OnePlus phones, they have often fallen just short of achieving the premier status associated with the best phones. Typically, the camera performance of OnePlus’ flagship phones lags behind its main rivals. However, the OnePlus 12 aims to rectify this with significant improvements, featuring an upgraded Hasselblad Camera for Mobile system, enhanced image processing, and a larger sensor.

Beyond the camera enhancements, the OnePlus 12 marks the return of wireless charging, further augmenting the phone’s overall value. If that alone doesn’t convince you of the phone maker’s “never settle” philosophy, the OnePlus 12 comes with no increase in cost compared to last year’s model. This combination of improved camera technology, added features, and consistent pricing makes a compelling case for the OnePlus 12, and I will delve into all the details in my review.

ONEPLUS 12 REVIEW: PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

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In technical terms, the starting price of the OnePlus 12 has increased to $799, marking a $100 rise from the OnePlus 11. Although not the preferred direction for pricing, it aligns with the trend set by Apple and Google, both of which raised the prices of their top-of-the-line flagships by the same amount.

However, an exclusive trade-in offer, accessible only through the OnePlus website, provides an opportunity to slash an additional $100 off the phone’s price by trading in any phone in any condition. This effectively brings the cost of the OnePlus 12 down to the same $699 as last year’s model. Once again, the company demonstrates its ability to undercut rivals in this aspect, establishing the OnePlus 12 as one of the best affordable flagships available.

The base model, equipped with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, starts at $799. Additionally, there is a model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage priced at $899. The phone will be available for purchase starting February 6, directly from OnePlus and select retailers like Best Buy and Amazon.

ONEPLUS 12 REVIEW: SPECIFICATIONS

ONEPLUS 12 REVIEW: DESIGN

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The design of the OnePlus 12 is a noteworthy aspect that often goes underrated and deserves more attention, as it is genuinely stunning. The circular camera hump on the back, along with the metal trim sides and textured casing, contributes to its appealing aesthetics. The phone consistently looks impressive when taken out of pockets, and the textured casing helps repel smudges. Furthermore, the OnePlus 12’s narrower size makes it more manageable with one hand compared to larger competitors like the Galaxy S24 Ultra or iPhone 15 Pro Max.

While there are some minor alterations in the OnePlus 12 design, such as the repositioning of the silent switch to the left side, the overall design language and aesthetic remain consistent. Notably, OnePlus includes an IR blaster on the top edge of the phone, enabling it to function as an ultimate universal remote for controlling various home gadgets.

One potential concern with the OnePlus 12 design is that it may feel more top-heavy than its predecessor due to the increased weight. The phone is half an ounce heavier than the OnePlus 11. While not necessarily a dealbreaker, it does make users more cautious when handling the phone, as accidental drops may have less favorable outcomes.

ONEPLUS 12 REVIEW: DISPLAY

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At its price point, the OnePlus 12 boasts a 6.82-inch 2K ProXDR display, offering several delights, including OnePlus’ claim of an exceptional 4,500 nits peak brightness. In my usage, the ProXDR display on the OnePlus 12 impresses with strong brightness, particularly in direct sunlight, ensuring crystal-clear visibility.

While I remain somewhat skeptical about the phone achieving the purported 4,500 nit peak brightness, surpassing the 1,300 nits of brightness from the OnePlus 11 would still be satisfactory. The combination of a 120Hz display refresh rate enhances the OnePlus 12’s suitability for intense gaming, providing smooth performance even in demanding games with high on-screen action.

A notable feature of the display is Aqua Touch, a new technology ensuring accuracy even when the phone’s screen is wet. For users who occasionally bring their phones into the shower for activities like scrolling through feeds or playing music, Aqua Touch’s increased sensitivity proves to be a valuable addition.

ONEPLUS 12 REVIEW: CAMERA

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OnePlus phones have historically faced criticism in the camera department compared to their competitors. However, the OnePlus 12’s new triple camera setup aims to challenge this perception. The 4th Gen Hasselblad Camera for Mobile system on the OnePlus 12 includes a primary 50MP camera, a 48MP ultrawide camera, and a 64MP periscope camera with 3x optical zoom.

While the telephoto camera represents an incremental improvement over the OnePlus 11’s 32MP 2x telephoto zoom, it’s reassuring to note that nearly every performance metric associated with the cameras has seen enhancement.

In the video recorded at Bryant Park’s ice rink, the OnePlus 12 demonstrates an ability to capture sharp details with its primary camera. However, a notable improvement could be made by offering preset zoom options rather than relying on a zoom slider. Despite this, the video quality boasts several positive aspects, such as excellent detail capture, balanced exposure adjustments, and the zoom camera reaching a maximum zoom level of 18x.

OnePlus caters to camera enthusiasts by providing numerous shooting modes and controls. Notably, there is a dedicated Pro mode allowing adjustments to shutter speed, focus, and ISO levels. Additionally, a dedicated movie mode with a flat color profile option enhances the phone’s appeal, enabling users to have greater control over color grading during post-processing. While the OnePlus 12 demonstrates significant improvements in camera performance compared to its predecessor, it falls short in capitalizing on the trend of AI-assisted photo and video editing, a feature found in competitors like the Galaxy S24.

ONEPLUS 12 REVIEW: PERFORMANCE

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Despite not being the first phone to feature Qualcomm’s latest top-of-the-line mobile chipset, the OnePlus 12 still showcases impressive performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Basic operations, such as navigating the interface and running apps, exhibit swift responses, further enhanced by the phone’s 120Hz refresh rate that ensures smooth animations. Extensive synthetic benchmark tests affirm the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s prowess in graphics processing, achieving an impressive average of 117 frames per second and a score of 19,572 in the 3DMark Wild Life Unlimited test—outperforming competitors like the iPhone 15 Pro and Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Interestingly, the OnePlus 12 registers lower scores in the single-core and multicore tests on Geekbench, posting figures of 943 and 4,859, respectively. Despite expectations of surpassing rivals in these areas, the results fall short. Additionally, the OnePlus 12 takes 59 seconds to render a video in Adobe Rush Premiere, trailing behind the faster render times of competitors like the iPhone 15 Pro and Galaxy S23 Ultra.

While synthetic benchmark scores may not fully capture the device’s performance, real-world usage, including flawless execution of graphically intensive games like Diablo Immortal, suggests that the OnePlus 12 delivers a smooth and responsive everyday experience, mitigating concerns raised by benchmark results.

ONEPLUS 12 REVIEW: BATTERY LIFE AND CHARGING

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Excitingly, OnePlus has heeded feedback from users and critics, reintroducing wireless charging in the OnePlus 12. This welcome return is enhanced by the device’s impressive wireless charging speed of 50W, outpacing other offerings in the market.

The OnePlus 12 continues the series’ tradition of strong battery performance, boasting a 5,000 mAh battery that comfortably sees me through an entire workday without requiring a recharge. Typically, I find it at around 25% capacity by the end of most workdays. While I’m confident the OnePlus 12 will surpass the OnePlus 11’s 13 hours and 10 minutes in Tom’s Guide’s battery benchmark test, the true extent of its endurance will be revealed through comprehensive testing. Given the power efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, as demonstrated in our Galaxy S24 Ultra battery tests, the OnePlus 12 is expected to excel in power management.

ONEPLUS 12 REVIEW: SOFTWARE

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OnePlus has a potential area for improvement in its OxygenOS interface, notably in the absence of standout features compared to competitors like the Pixel 8 and Galaxy S24. While OxygenOS maintains a clean and modern appearance with unique features such as the smart sidebar for quick app access, it lacks the compelling AI features found in its rivals.

Recognizing this, OnePlus has collaborated with Google to introduce AI features to the OnePlus 12. One notable addition is Magic Compose, developed by Google, utilizing generative AI to suggest personalized messages—a feature akin to the Galaxy S24’s Chat Assist. Magic Compose offers alternative writing styles, whether professional, casual, or suitable for social media.

Additionally, OnePlus plans to introduce “Emojify,” a generative AI feature that creates emojis by analyzing user profile pictures or pet snapshots. The practicality of this feature remains to be seen, with its release expected by the end of Q1 2024.

Despite these AI additions, OxygenOS 14 largely retains the look and functionality of its predecessor on the OnePlus 11. This continuity is somewhat surprising, given the innovative features introduced with the OnePlus Open foldable phone, such as unique multitasking with Open Canvas. There was an expectation for a similar level of attention to enhance the user experience further with the OnePlus 12.

ONEPLUS 12 HANDS-ON: VERDICT

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The OnePlus 12 has left a lasting impression on me, particularly in how it has become more competitive than ever as a flagship phone. The reintroduction of wireless charging, coupled with an extended telephoto range, makes it stand out in terms of value compared to other flagship phones.

As a discerning consumer mindful of my spending choices, I prioritize getting tremendous value for my money. The OnePlus 12 reaffirms its position as the affordable flagship to beat, even though it may have fallen behind in the AI department. Its significantly lower price, combined with the mentioned features, allows individuals on a budget to experience a top-notch flagship without the typical high cost.

Source: Tom’s Guide