Summary
OnePlus 12 review.. One of the first flagship phones to be launched this year was the OnePlus 12, along with its more economical brother, the OnePlus 12R. We have a lot of great flagship phones coming out in 2024, and one of the first to be released was the OnePlus 12.
OnePlus 12 review
Given that the OnePlus 11 was a strong successor to the OnePlus 10T and that it brought back some of the OnePlus magic that had been missing, the OnePlus 12 has a lot of work to do in order to live up to the expectations that the OnePlus 11 set.
The good news is that it addresses some of the issues that were present in earlier generations, and it is positioned to be a formidable competitor to the competition that comes from Apple, Google, and Samsung, as we discovered in our review.
Regarding our evaluation of the OnePlus 12,
When the OnePlus 12 was first made available to the public at the end of January 2024, Christine Romero-Chan evaluated it. She utilized a Flowy Emerald variant of the phone that was available in the United States. Andy Boxall returned to the OnePlus 12 in April 2024, this time using a device from the United Kingdom, styled in a silky black color. Despite the fact that Andy’s experience with the phone can be seen in the “three months later” part just below, the review score has not altered, and the smartphones continue to come highly recommended.
Three months later, the OnePlus 12 emerges
My disappointment stemmed from the fact that I was unable to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the OnePlus 12 when it was first made available to the public. However, due to logistical constraints, this was not viable, and I had to wait until it was reasonable for me to enjoy the phone for a longer amount of time. It was definitely worth the wait, as I am extremely happy to report. What a wonderful smartphone it is! It has a really powerful and efficient design, and it has a very minimalistic appearance. It expands upon the favorable impressions I had of the OnePlus 11 and brings back a significant number of the aspects that made me fall in love with OnePlus’s products from the very beginning.
It has taken some time for me to come to terms with the software, which has undergone significant development over the last several years and has significantly decreased the number of annoyances and interruptions that afflicted it in the early stages when Oppo was introduced. Despite this, I continue to find the menu design to be less than ideal, especially with regard to certain color schemes. I believe it to be a less impressive version of Samsung’s One UI, and it is not as fluid and frictionless to use as Android on a Pixel 8 Pro smartphone. On the other hand, the good news is that it has not become any worse, and it has shed at least part of the annoying ColorOS impact that was present in the earlier versions.
Putting into words the OnePlus-ness of the OnePlus 12 and the reasons why I find it fascinating is a task that is notoriously tough to do. It pulls together many of the features that I enjoyed about older OnePlus phones, such as powerful performance, quick charging, an excellent screen, and a price that is reasonable. It is quite difficult to combine all of these features into a smartphone that is attractive, and OnePlus used to be an expert at doing so. However, with phones such as the OnePlus 10T, the company has seen a minor loss of direction.
The OnePlus 11 demonstrated a return to form for OnePlus, and the OnePlus 12 shows that this was not an isolated incident. It is one of the greatest Android smartphones available in 2024.
Design of the OnePlus 12
The fact that OnePlus is known for having distinctive designs that stand out (for example, the OnePlus Pad) is one of the company’s most significant strengths, and the OnePlus 12 follows this tradition. Silky Black and Flowy Emerald are the two hues that are available for the worldwide introduction of this product. The Flowy Emerald hue is extremely stunning, and I have been wearing it for quite some time for now. As of late, the color green has become the hallmark hue of OnePlus, and Flowy Emerald is among the most impressive tints that the company has introduced up to this point.
Aluminum alloy and glass are the components that make up the chassis of the OnePlus 12, which has a substantial and high-end feel to it. The frosted rear glass has a clean, matte texture that does not attract fingerprints or smudges very quickly, which is something that I really like. In addition, the rear glass of the Flowy Emerald hue has a marbled, wavy pattern and sheen, which contribute to the color’s unique appearance. When it comes to providing grip, however, this frosted glass does not offer any favors. This is something that should be taken into consideration. To tell you the truth, it has a slippier feel to it than I would want. Using a case is something that I would strongly suggest.
There are a few cosmetic modifications that have been made to the camera module on the OnePlus 12, but it still appears like its predecessor. To begin, the module has been recolored to match the rest of the body, which is a significant improvement that is much more aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, the camera module has a slight silver sheen that is a perfect match for the frosted glass, which is the hue of the emerald. Along the same lines that it did with the OnePlus Open, OnePlus has also altered the “Hasselblad” branding by reducing it to a simple “H” logo.
On the sides of the frame, the edges are rounded, while the top and bottom edges have a flat side. This is comparable to cutting off a piece of fruit by slicing it with a knife. However, I am not quite clear what the purpose of this design is; it seems to be a strange combination of the rounded and flat edges that are seen on the majority of recent phones.
The front glass is curved into the side borders of the frame, which gives the impression that the bezel is narrower than the top and bottom of the device. Nevertheless, they are comparable in many ways; nevertheless, this illusion contributes to a more immersive experience via their presence. Whereas the distinctive alert slider has been relocated to the left side of the screen, the volume and sleep/wake controls have been moved to the top right side of the screen. The alert slider has a textured design that provides tactility, and using it is a pleasurable experience because of the satisfaction it provides.
In spite of the fact that the OnePlus 12 is yet another glass slab phone, it exudes a certain air of sophistication and distinction, particularly when it is in the color green, where it stands out. Make sure that other phone makers take notice of what OnePlus is doing in this situation.
Screen on the OnePlus 12
In the OnePlus 12, OnePlus included a 6.8-inch LTPO AMOLED display that supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The display has a resolution of 1440 x 3168 pixels at 510 pixels per inch (ppi), and it has a refresh rate of 120Hz. It is possible to achieve brightness levels of up to 4,500 nits.
To put it another way, this exhibition is exceptional in every possible way. There are colors that are brilliant and vibrant, and the blacks are deep and rich. The graphics and text are bright and sharp, and the scrolling experience is silky smooth thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate.
In its default configuration, the OnePlus 12 is set to the standard resolution of 2376 x 1080 and Auto for the refresh rate. This configuration ensures that the display is refreshed at the ideal pace for whatever activity you are engaged in. The purpose of both of these options is to extend the life of the battery. On the other hand, you have the option of selecting the high resolution (1440 x 3168) and maintaining a high refresh rate at all times, which is what I have done. This will, without a doubt, have an impact on the battery’s lifespan. It is also possible to change the refresh rate on an app-by-app basis, if that is something that you would like.
This exhibit is truly fantastic in every way
In terms of sound quality, the stereo speakers that are included on the OnePlus 12 are rather satisfactory. However, if you have a pair of headphones or earbuds that are compatible with wireless technology, you will be able to get even more out of the OnePlus 12, since it supports Dolby Atmos, Spatial Audio, and even Holo Audio.
As I noted earlier, the edges of the display on the OnePlus 12 bend into the frame somewhat. This creates the appearance of reduced side bezels and results in a more immersive experience for the user. On the other side, because of the curved edges, I often find that I accidentally swipe on the screen when I attempt to use it with one hand. Additionally, I am unable to tap on objects since it records my other finger touching the edge when I am holding the phone. The OnePlus 12 is not an exception to the rule when it comes to the discomfort that comes with curved panels on any electronic device.
The OnePlus 12: its capabilities and its software
There is the most recent Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor from Qualcomm included inside the OnePlus 12. In my possession is the 512GB storage variant, which comes with 16GB of RAM. Additionally, if you choose with the 256GB model, it comes with 12GB of RAM. In addition, there are two models of 1TB that come with either 16GB or 24GB of RAM. Additionally, OnePlus allows you to increase the amount of RAM that you have, provided you have sufficient storage space available. This may result in an increase of up to 12 gigabytes of RAM.
There is a layer of OxygenOS 14 on top of Android 14 that comes pre-installed on the OnePlus 12. It is a version of Android that is quite clean, and it reminds me of the Pixel phones that Google comes out with. It’s simple to explore, and the configurations are organized in a way that’s fairly good. The motion of swiping three fingers across the screen to create a split screen makes it simple to begin multitasking, and if necessary, you can even have windows that float in the air.
So far, I’ve used the OnePlus 12 to carry out my typical routine, which includes checking my email, social media, and work communications on Teams; viewing and editing photographs in Google Photos; watching Disney+; shooting a lot of photos and videos; sharing photos of my kid with my family and friends; and a number of other activities. Without missing a beat, the OnePlus 12 has handled everything fairly effectively and without any omissions. There have been no instances of choppy frame rates, lag, or stuttering that I have encountered, and switching between applications has been a snap. The fingerprint sensor that is located underneath the display has proven to be dependable and quick, and the face unlock option is equally effective.
A sufficient amount of power is packed into the OnePlus 12, allowing it to handle almost everything that you throw at it.
Moreover, the OnePlus 12 is equipped with a brand-new twin cryo-velocity cooling technology that has the biggest vapor chamber ever found in a mobile device. In order to prevent the OnePlus 12 from overheating and to ensure that it stays cool even during gaming sessions that are visually heavy, this functionality has been implemented. I have never experienced the OnePlus 12 being heated; therefore, I can safely conclude that the new cooling mechanism is performing as expected.
It is anticipated that the OnePlus 12 will get around four years of major Android OS upgrades and five years of security fixes during the course of its future product life. Therefore, if you purchase the OnePlus 12, it ought to be able to get you through at least Android 18 devices.
Cameras on the OnePlus 12
Over the course of the OnePlus 12, OnePlus included an astonishing assortment of cameras. A primary camera with a resolution of 50 megapixels, a periscope telephoto camera with a resolution of 64 megapixels and a zoom factor of three times optical, and a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera with a field of vision of 114 degrees make up the back camera configuration. The front-facing camera has a resolution of 32 megapixels. In addition to this, each of the cameras has been Hasselblad-tuned, which results in improved color reproduction and clarity.
The results that I’ve been receiving from the cameras on the OnePlus 12 have been satisfactory to a certain extent. During the day, the colors in my photographs are precise and true to life, and I am able to adjust the white balance and exposure with precision. I was able to capture some excellent action shots of my daughter using a bubble wand at Disneyland, demonstrating the speed with which it takes pictures.
Moreover, the improvements made by Hasselblad extended to photographs taken in Portrait mode. By incorporating improvements to the camera sensors and processing algorithms, OnePlus has made it possible for Portrait mode photographs to capture a larger range of potential portrait angles and to get better framing. In addition, the natural bokeh and flare effects resemble Hasselblad cameras, which results in a more appealing appearance.
According to my experiments, Portraits seem to be in decent shape for the most part; however, the edge recognition functionality may still be hit or miss depending on the backdrop. It is still not flawless, which is the issue with photographs that are captured using software-based portrait mode. Near, but not quite the same. However, it is able to accurately determine the skin tone, which is a significant advantage.
As soon as the storm subsided, I also attempted to get a few macro photographs of raindrops falling on leaves. If you are able to maintain the stability of the OnePlus 12 when you are in close proximity to it, macros will look very decent.
I did have a problem in which I was going to click the shutter button to take a macro picture, but for some reason, it would suddenly exit the macro mode and then seem to be totally out of focus. At the distance that I intended to take the picture, it continued occurring, and I’m not sure what was going on there. I wanted to shoot the picture at that distance. However, in order to achieve success with macro photography, it is recommended to use a natural bokeh effect in the backdrop.
Despite the fact that I did not utilize the OnePlus 11, it is common knowledge that it has some difficulties with photographs taken in low light. It seems that OnePlus has addressed this issue with the OnePlus 12, since I was able to take some excellent photographs of my daughter when she was playing on the playground in the evening. However, it did have some difficulty focusing when there was movement, but other than that, it did a good job of capturing the image.
The 64-megapixel telephoto lens is capable of capturing some outstanding close-ups. The camera is equipped with a 3x optical zoom, a 6x in-sensor zoom, and the capability to achieve a 120x hybrid zoom if it is required. With the exception of when I am attempting to capture a decent photograph of some city wildlife, I don’t use the telephoto lens very frequently; nonetheless, it is enjoyable to have it on hand just in case.
When taken as a whole, the cameras on the OnePlus 12 are rather exceptional. Without making a lot of adjustments, it is simple to get some photographs that appear fantastic. If you want to take things to the next level, there is also a Master Mode that allows you to make adjustments to the settings in the viewfinder by pressing the shutter button before you actually snap the picture.
Charging and the battery of the OnePlus 12
In terms of battery life and charging, OnePlus smartphones are known to perform well, and the OnePlus 12 is not an exception to this characteristic. Because it is equipped with a battery that has a capacity of 5,400 mAh, it can provide you with almost two full days of usage on a single charge. Obviously, this is dependent on the settings of your display and how you use it, but an extended period of time that exceeds a single full day is reasonably assured.
During the course of my testing, I used the OnePlus 12 for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to social networking, emails, Team messaging, watching Disney+, and checking up on the news. It would last for a whole day even if the screen settings were dialed up to their greatest possible level, but if I used display settings that were more moderate, I could easily get it to last for two days.
The charging speed of OnePlus is one of the company’s most notable qualities. The maximum charging speed that the OnePlus 12 is capable of supporting is 100W; however, in the United States, this limit is just 80W. On the other hand, when compared to the other competitors, it is really freaking quick.
In comparison, the maximum power output of Samsung’s new Galaxy S24 Ultra is 45W, while the maximum power output of Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro is just 27W. Even while the OnePlus 12’s 80W speed is not the most possible, it is still much faster than the other products on the market. With the 80W speed, it takes around 12 minutes to obtain a 50% charge, and it only takes 30 minutes to reach to 100%, providing that you use the OnePlus SuperVooc charger that is included in the package.
Despite the fact that the OnePlus 11 did not support wireless charging, the feature has been reintroduced in the OnePlus 12 with additional advantages. The wireless charging rates of this device are now 50W, which is far faster than any other smartphone in the United States. Wireless charging at 50W implies that it only takes around 23 minutes to charge a device to 50 percent, and it takes about 55 minutes to charge it to 100 percent. The majority of wirelessly charged phones charge at a modest rate, thus this is a significant difference.
There is also reverse wireless charging at 10W available on the OnePlus 12, which means that you can charge your wireless earphones or other devices more quickly than you can with other smartphones that have this functionality.
In terms of cost and availability, the OnePlus 12
The Silky Black and Flowy Emerald color options are available for the OnePlus 12 smartphone. As of January 23, 2024, it is now accessible all over the world, despite the fact that it was first introduced in China in December (along by a Pure White hue). The OnePlus 12 is available in two different configurations: the 12GB RAM/256GB model costs $800, while the 16GB RAM/512GB variant costs $900.
The OnePlus 12 is available for purchase in-store and online via OnePlus.com, Amazon, and Best Buy. You can also buy it straight from OnePlus.com. On the other hand, if you place your purchase directly with OnePlus, you will be eligible for extra perks. The business is bringing back its promotion in which customers may trade in any phone, regardless of its condition, in exchange for a guaranteed $100 discount on the OnePlus 12, and depending on the phone, they can get up to $700 in quick credit for their trade-in efforts. You may take advantage of this offer for the duration of the OnePlus 12’s lifespan. A complimentary 50W AirVooc wireless charger is also available to you, as if that weren’t enough to satisfy your needs.
The OnePlus 12 is a really excellent value for a flagship smartphone, especially when you consider the pricing, but there is also some stiff competition in the market. For example, there is the Google Pixel 8, which costs $700 and has a size that is much more manageable and small at 6.2 inches. It runs a clean version of Android 14 with its own Tensor G3 CPU, has excellent cameras (although it does not have a telephoto lens), and has unique AI-powered features such as Magic Editor.
However, there is also the Samsung Galaxy S24, which was recently announced and has a starting price of $800. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor powers the display, which is 6.2 inches. Additionally, it has 8 gigabytes of random access memory (RAM) and either 128 or 256 gigabytes of storage space. Additionally, it features a triple-lens camera system that includes 50 megapixels.
A judgment on the OnePlus 12
The OnePlus 12 offers a great deal of value for the money, especially considering its pricing. The Hasselblad camera module makes it one of the most unusual slab phones available, and the Flowy Emerald color is very stunning. It is also one of the most attractive slab phones available. The shimmering Flowy Emerald is a sight to see in a world where the majority of companies are releasing hues that are uninteresting and unremarkable.
Everything seems to be in excellent condition thanks to the OnePlus 12’s AMOLED display, which measures 6.8 inches and is curved. It is a little bit bothersome when you accidentally swipe or touch on the curved screen while you are holding it with one hand, even though I really appreciate the more immersive experience that the curved screen provides.
You will get a lot of value for your money with the OnePlus 12 smartphone
An absolute powerhouse, the OnePlus 12 is equipped with 12GB–16GB of RAM and is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. Even when you are multitasking in split-screen mode, OxygenOS 14 operates quite smoothly, and it seems completely natural when you are jumping between different applications and running numerous programs at the same time. Overheating is something that may be avoided with the aid of the new cryo-velocity cooling technology, which is designed for mobile gamers.
As a consequence of the Hasselblad color tuning upgrades, the triple-lens camera system is also quite excellent. It produces results that are vivid and realistic without going overboard with the color. Under typical lighting situations, I had a hard time not taking a shot that looked nice. It was almost like using a Google Pixel. In addition, the high-resolution telephoto lens makes it simple to capture close-ups that are well-defined and clear.
In general, the OnePlus 12 has been a really pleasant device to use, with the exception of a few minor annoyances, such as its enormous size and curved display size. When everything is taken into consideration, I feel that the OnePlus 12 is the flagship phone that offers the greatest value there is right now. In addition, you can drop the price down even further by taking advantage of some fantastic bargains offered by OnePlus, and this phone will endure for a good number of years.
