Every year, a bunch of top-notch smartphones hit the market. Sometimes, all we really want are the basics. A strong battery, a colorful display, water resistance, a clean OS experience with a powerful processor, and enough storage! If you want a smartphone that focuses on strengthening its core duties, the OnePlus 12 might just be the smartphone you’re searching for.
Let’s check out the standout features that make the OnePlus 12 a great choice for an outstanding mobile experience.
Appearance: Quite Similar to Its Predecessor
Okay, the heading has already spoiled the description. Yes, design-wise, it kind of looks like the predecessor, OnePlus 11. However, the OnePlus 12 weighs 220g, which is a bit heftier than its predecessor as the display size gets bigger too.
Speaking of the finish and color, the OnePlus 12 features Flowy Emerald, Silky Black, and Silver in its color variants.
For display protection, the front glass uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2, the second latest scratch-resistant glass by Corning, preceding the latest Gorilla Glass Armor. In the back, Gorilla Glass 5 is used. And, the frame is crafted from aluminum.
OnePlus 12 comes with an IP65 rating which means the device is excellent at preventing dust from getting inside and can protect itself from water jets from all directions. However, it’s crucial to understand that an IP65 rating doesn’t guarantee protection against full submersion or extended exposure to water.
Display: Stunning Colors and Smooth Performance
The display is definitely one of the aspects of the OnePlus 12 that will draw your attention. It delivers super vibrant visuals.
The smartphone comes with an LTPO AMOLED display with a 120hz refresh rate. It features Dolby Vision and HDR10+. It means you will get an enhanced display with more detailed and vibrant visuals.
The pixel resolution of 1440 x 3168 gives the display a sharp density of around 510 pixels per inch (ppi). It will definitely be eye-soothing when you are watching videos or capturing the best moments of your life.
Speaking of watching videos on smartphones, if you are like me and normally watch everything on your phone, then the spacious 6.82-inch screen is something you will love.
Another cool technology that I find quite interesting is Aqua Touch technology. This means you can still use the phone’s screen even if it gets wet, like when it’s raining or if you’re in the shower.
Do not worry if you are someone who hates to open your phone in the bright sun! The display brightness of OnePlus 12 goes up to 4500 nits. So, the visibility is excellent in different lighting conditions.
Performance: Top-Notch Performer with an Impressive Long-lasting Battery
As anticipated, OnePlus 12 has done a top-notch job in terms of performance. The impressive speed and efficiency are what we were expecting from the device.
The phone runs on the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 which makes the device super fast. With either 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, it ensures a smooth and responsive experience for everything you do.
We have seen many times that many smartphone companies introduce high-performing phones with a feature that can poach your eggs. I am talking about one of the most common issues. The overheating problem! Overheating has been the biggest concern when we are going to buy a new smartphone. It seems like the smartphone companies cannot avoid the problem.
So, OnePlus tries to reduce the overheating problem. It includes a Dual Cryo-velocity Cooling System in the OnePlus 12. It works wonders, keeping your phone cool even during gaming.
Speaking of gaming, the performance is exceptional, handling resource-intensive games like Shadowgun Legends without a hint of lag. Everyday tasks are executed effortlessly, making the OnePlus 12 a versatile device for various user needs.
Spatial audio and 3D features are gaining popularity, and opinions about them may differ. The device has built-in speakers. These speakers support Dolby Atmos. They give you a high-quality audio experience. This makes the device better for watching and listening to various media.
Let’s talk about the operating system. The OnePlus 12 operates on OxygenOS 14, built on the Android 14 platform. It comes with a promise of four years of major Android updates and five years of security patches.
We have talked about the standout display and processor of the OnePlus 12. Another outstanding feature that every tech review appreciates is the battery performance of the smartphone. If I have to describe the Oneplus 12 in terms of battery performance, I would say it is a battery beast.
The Battery Beast OnePlus 12 lives up to its name with a formidable 5400 mAh non-removable Li-Po battery, making it a true powerhouse in the realm of smartphones. With its blazing-fast 100W wired charging, this device charges from 1% to 100% in just 26 minutes, setting a new standard for speed and convenience. In our fast-paced lives, having such a powerhouse at our fingertips is a game-changer.
Whether you’re constantly on the move or tackling demanding tasks, the Battery Beast ensures you stay connected without interruption. Embrace the future with the Battery Beast, where power meets efficiency in a sleek and compact design.
Another feature or technology that we all expect from a flagship device is wireless charging. As expected, OnePlus does not disappoint us. Its wireless charging allows you to go from a 1% battery level to a full 100% in just 55 minutes.
Camera: Let’s Talk about the Price
The OnePlus 12 has a starting price of $799.99 for the version with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. If you opt for the higher configuration with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, the price increases to $899.99.
Let’s talk about the camera specs. The OnePlus 12 features a triple camera setup, which includes a 50-megapixel main camera with a larger image sensor and wide f/1.6 aperture, a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 64-megapixel telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom.
When a flagship smartphone’s camera receives less favorable reviews, it doesn’t necessarily mean the camera is below standard. It might indicate that other flagship devices provide a better camera performance. This raises the question of value creation—whether the money spent truly delivers the expected value.
With that said, when comparing the OnePlus 12’s performance to other flagship devices like the Samsung Galaxy S23, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and Google Pixel 8 in capturing nighttime photos, it may not be as impressive. The OnePlus 12 excels in capturing excellent photos in daylight or under favorable lighting conditions.
What’s in the Box
Inside the box of the OnePlus 12, you’ll find a power adapter, a charging cable, an instruction manual, and a silicone case to provide protection for your device.
Overall, I think the OnePlus 12 would stand out as one of the best smartphones in terms of overall performance. There is also a possibility that it may win the Smartphone Awards 2024.
Footnotes:
- OnePlus 12 – Full phone specifications (gsmarena.com)
- Experience the future of smooth – OnePlus 12 Launch Event
- OnePlus 12
- https://www.displaymate.com/OnePlus_12_ShootOut_1E.htm
- IP Ratings Explained – know your enclosure Ingress Protection ratings (enclosurecompany.com)
