Summary
better investment than the OnePlus 12.. The newest smartphone from OnePlus, the OnePlus 12, is a real comeback for the “flagship killer.” It’s large and exquisite, with a unique design that steers clear of the standard “huge glass slab” that you may be getting tired of. Because of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, two-day battery life, and some of the quickest charging rates available on a phone in the United States, it’s also powerful. With a starting price of $800, it’s undoubtedly among the finest phones available.
better investment than the OnePlus 12
Is it the greatest, though? Depending on what you’re really searching for, it may not be. There are other smartphones that are comparable to OnePlus’ current flagship in terms of power, aesthetics, and features, and there are different reasons to choose them over it.
The OnePlus 12 should not be purchased in favor of these five phones.
Samsung Galaxy S24
These discussions will inevitably touch on Samsung’s current lineup of premium phones, and with good cause. The trio of Samsung Galaxy S24 smartphones are very competent, fashionable, and powerful devices with a wide range of features. Here, we’re emphasizing the Samsung Galaxy S24, which is the least expensive of the three.
Despite being the smallest and least expensive model in the S24 lineup, the Galaxy S24 is not a bad phone. It has the same power as the OnePlus 12 thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and doesn’t sacrifice elegance either. The OnePlus phone’s 6.2-inch display is much larger than its own, but its smaller form factor will appeal to those who want a more portable phone. Its Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology and 120Hz refresh rate ensure that the display is smooth to operate and offers rich blacks and brilliant colors.
However, it’s not a total no-brainer for Samsung. Although the S24’s battery lasts for more than a day, the OnePlus 12’s two-day battery life is superior. In addition, charging is much slower—25 watts seems sluggish when compared to OnePlus’ 80W. Along with a much greater selection of storage choices, the OnePlus 12 also boasts significantly more RAM. Although the OnePlus seems to have superior specs, it’s also reasonable to argue that the S24 will never feel laggard or underpowered in contrast.
It directly competes on pricing as well, with 128GB of storage beginning at $800. Although a OnePlus 12 with twice as much storage costs the same as this one, there are still good reasons to think about the Samsung phone. For starters, you may like the software. Another option is the S24’s extensive list of supplementary features. In addition to the desktop-emulating DeX Mode and all the other features Samsung has added over the years, Galaxy AI is the newest unique feature this year. Additionally, there is the support problem. While OnePlus provides four years of operating system upgrades from the date of release, Samsung has surpassed OnePlus with a whopping seven years. It’s difficult to argue against a phone that may theoretically last seven years before becoming outdated if you’re looking for value for your money.
There are several reasons to choose one of these two superior phones rather than the other. To sum up, nevertheless, the Samsung Galaxy S24 will be appealing to anyone looking for a robust smartphone with a wide range of features and specifications. Even while the OnePlus 12 unquestionably has superior specifications, the Galaxy S24 is a more well-rounded device overall.
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Samsung is by no means OnePlus’s lone rival; Google has made significant strides with its Pixel handsets. The basic model of the Google Pixel 8 Pro starts at $999, making it a more costly alternative. Even with this price gap, however, there are a lot of reasons you could choose a Google phone over the OnePlus 12.
The software cleaner is at the top of the list. Since Google develops Android, the version you receive on a Pixel is probably the closest to “stock.” While there are a few more Pixel-only features, everything works much as Google intended. Because of this, it operates quickly and smoothly and receives changes as soon as Google releases them. In addition, it will get seven years of updates, which ties Samsung for the longest on Android.
The camera is a close second among the benefits of selecting the Pixel. To put it simply, it’s among the greatest on any smartphone and absolutely amazing. Although the OnePlus 12’s camera is good, the Pixel 8 Pro’s is superior. Strong software plays a big role in Google’s dominance; lately, the company added a ton of AI intelligence to help with editing and framing. With Google Assistant firmly ingrained in the phone, those AI capabilities extend elsewhere. The Google Gemini chatbot is also joining it.
You could assume that there’s no need for the OnePlus 12, but that would be incorrect. Although the OnePlus 12 costs $200 less than the Pixel 8 Pro, which is a compelling argument in and of itself, the true benefit of OnePlus lies in its battery technology. The OnePlus 12 destroys the Pixel with a much longer-lasting battery in addition to charging far quicker. There are still numerous reasons to purchase the OnePlus 12 when you factor in the extra RAM and storage choices. But the Google Pixel 8 Pro is a great substitute if photography performance is your top priority and you don’t care about the poor battery life.
Motorola Edge Plus (2023)
Motorola may not be a sleeping giant, but it is now dozing off and has long since moved on from its heyday. Up until the Motorola Edge Plus (2023) was shown, we also believed as much. Even if it can’t quite match the power the OnePlus phone delivers, the Edge Plus, which costs $800, is one of the few phones in this price range that offers battery life and charging speed comparable to the OnePlus 12.
However, it’s important to note how stunning this phone is before we go on. The phone itself is far lighter than others in the premium class, and the frosted back feels silky and smooth. The screen contains the true secret sauce in this case. The phone’s 6.7-inch AMOLED screen seamlessly blends into its body on all four sides, leaving no bezel visible. It surpasses the 120Hz display of the OnePlus 12 by peaking at 165Hz. It has a distinctive style without going too far and feels fantastic.
While it may not be able to charge as quickly as the OnePlus 12, the Motorola Edge Plus comes very close. Its maximum charging rate of 68W is so near to 80W that the difference is hardly noticeable. They both have almost identical battery life, lasting around two days between charges, which gives them excellent endurance.
However, there are several shortcomings with Motorola. Although the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Edge Plus is potent, it is not as potent as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the OnePlus 12. The three years of operating system updates after release is another one of the less impressive update promises compared to OnePlus’s. In terms of alternatives for optimizing storage, it is likewise less varied. Though it’s difficult to disagree that the 512GB version is the best choice.
However, one of the main benefits of choosing the Motorola Edge Plus comes with a direct financial benefit. These days, Motorola phones are somewhat of a niche pick, therefore significant discounts are often offered on this model during promotions. You may anticipate seeing it for $700 or less even outside of sales seasons, adding even more value to an already alluring bundle.
OnePlus 12R
It’s interesting to note that OnePlus has produced one of the better substitutes for the OnePlus 12. The OnePlus 12R is essentially the flagship killer for OnePlus’ own flagship, being a somewhat scaled-down version of the flagship.
It’s easy to see why the OnePlus 12R is a fantastic substitute for its more costly sister. Even though it is just $500, the $300 price difference seems like a huge deal since there are only minor downgrades. Consider the specifications. Although it isn’t as potent as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is still 2023’s flagship processor and is used in the 12R. It is competitively priced with other 2024 flagship phones with to its 8GB or 16GB RAM and good storage options (128GB or 256GB). These specifications are all marginally less than what the OnePlus 12 has to offer. However, it’s difficult to find a better deal for under $500.
The price reduction hits other places a little more severely. There is no wireless charging at all, and the 80W cable charging we adore is still there, but the ultrawide and macro camera lenses aren’t very good.
However, the OnePlus 12R is just the OnePlus 12 stripped down. With everything else removed, it presents the flagship’s best qualities in their most unadulterated form. It shouldn’t function in a strange manner. A scaled-down version of the OnePlus 12 shouldn’t be appealing, after all, if you like its really powerful specifications. However, it’s difficult to ignore the OnePlus 12R when it’s available for $300 less.
OnePlus Open
We’re going to give you a surprise with this last selection. It’s likely that you like the way OnePlus makes phones and software if you’re thinking about getting the OnePlus 12, so why not go with the most advanced model instead? OnePlus’s first folding smartphone, the OnePlus Open, is excellent considering it’s just their first try.
The allure of a folding phone is the clear justification for purchasing the OnePlus Open. A large 7.82-inch inner screen unfolds from a 6.31-inch Super AMOLED outer display. It is much more useful since the outside screen is broader than on many other folding phones. Additionally, it indicates that the interior display is almost square, making it simpler to manage. It opens more easily since the hinge isn’t as rigid as those on other foldables, but it also means that it won’t stay open when folded halfway.
Do the remaining specifications really matter? Ultimately, you’re purchasing this because you’re interested in OnePlus foldable devices. If they do, however, it’s safe to say they fall short of the excellent example set by the OnePlus 12. Once again, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is in question, and while its 67W fast charging is rapid, the OnePlus 12’s 80W is unquestionably quicker. If the concept of a folding phone has captivated your attention, don’t allow the lesser specifications deter you—the specs are near enough that the experience will be comparable.
This is the point of complexity. The OnePlus 12 stands out because to its exceptional specifications, which the OnePlus Open is unable to match for $800. Even if it begins at $1,700, you could purchase two OnePlus 12s and still have $100 left over to attempt to create a hinge between the two. Sure, it has more RAM and storage than other foldables. It’s interesting to note that the OnePlus Open goes against the company’s initial mission statement—that is, it is intended for those who don’t mind paying a lot of money on a smartphone. However, if we said it wasn’t a fantastic smartphone and OnePlus 12 substitute, we would be lying.
