OnePlus 12 review

 Introduction:
It feels like just yesterday when the OnePlus One made its debut in 2014, and now, a decade later, we have the OnePlus 12. This special anniversary edition has found its way to our test bench, and we're ready to provide you with all the details.

The press materials for the OnePlus 12 emphasize the value of the accumulated experience, noting the significant changes in the brand's concept and focus over the past decade. The once 'startup' in 2014, known for guerrilla marketing and aggressive pricing for top-tier hardware, has evolved into a flagship mainstay. However, this evolution has led OnePlus to develop a diverse lineup across different price points, somewhat diluting its distinctive identity and aligning it more closely with the parent company, Oppo.

Setting aside these philosophical musings, let's focus on the OnePlus 12 itself, which truly deserves attention. As a comprehensive high-end package, the OnePlus 12 boasts a stellar display featuring impressive resolution, brightness, adaptive high refresh rate, and Dolby Vision support. The inclusion of the latest Snapdragon processor, part of the initial wave for sale, is no surprise. While the extravagant 24GB/1TB variant may not be available globally, a more manageable half-terabyte storage option is still impressive.

The camera setup, not constrained by region-specific variations, offers a compelling configuration. Although a one-inch sensor is notably absent, a top-notch Sony imager leads a capable triple camera system. A sizable-sensor ultrawide lens with autofocus complements a 3x telephoto lens that promises excellent 6x shots based on previous experiences with similar lenses (Oppo Find N3/OnePlus Open).

A noteworthy improvement this year is the enlarged battery capacity, now at 5,400mAh – a trend observed across the Oppo/OnePlus/Realme product range. The OnePlus 12 is accompanied by a 100W charger, ensuring swift charging capabilities.

Among the standout features in the spec sheet is the IP65 rating, just below the flagship standard of IP68. On the positive side, the OnePlus 12 incorporates an infrared emitter, marking it as one of the first number-only OnePlus models to include this feature. Other expected checkboxes include stereo speakers, an optical fingerprint reader, and the signature alert slider.

Unboxing the OnePlus 12 reveals the standard red cardboard box, now featuring a debossed '12' on the lid and subtle OnePlus and Hasselblad branding. Inside, you'll find a 100W adapter (80W max for a 110V outlet) and a USB-A-to-C cable. Notably, the European retail bundle excludes a protective case, a trend consistent with the previous generations, while the Indian market receives one. The paper sleeve above the phone includes documentation, three OnePlus stickers, and a 'Red Cable Club' membership card offering accessory discounts.

 

OnePlus 12 specs at a glance:

• Body: 163.3x75.8x9.2mm, 220g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame; IP65, waterproof and dustproof.
• Display: 6.82" LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 600 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak), 1440x3168px resolution, 19.8:9 aspect ratio, 510ppi.
• Chipset: Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm): Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 5x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520); Adreno 750.
• Memory: 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM; UFS 4.0.
• OS/Software: Android 14, OxygenOS 14 (International), ColorOS 14 (China).
• Rear camera: Wide (main): 50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm, 1/1.43", 1.12µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS; Telephoto: 64 MP, f/2.6, 70mm, 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom; Ultra wide angle: 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚, 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF.
• Front camera: 32 MP, f/2.4, 21mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm.
• Video capture: Rear camera: 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision; Front camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS.
• Battery: 5400mAh; 100W wired, PD, QC, 1-100% in 26 min (advertised), 50W wireless, 1-100% in 55 min (advertised), 10W reverse wireless.
• Connectivity: 5G; eSIM; Dual SIM; Wi-Fi 7; BT 5.4, aptX HD; NFC; Infrared port.
• Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, optical); stereo speakers.