Tushar Mehta / Digital Trends
OnePlus has traditionally appealed to a very demanding solidifying of exploiter . Its “ Never Settle ” ethos appealed to early adopters of OnePlus phones calculate to action more than they can on traditional flagship phones at a much down price . After a few geezerhood off cut , OnePlus ’ latest flagship phone — theOnePlus 12 — feel like an idealistic representation of its founding principles .
From a beaming video display to superfast wire and wireless charging , the OnePlus 12 has many compelling features . country that I finger merit the most attention are its gambling performance and brilliant value , even compared toother $ 800 headphone .
Tushar Mehta / Digital Trends
In this clause , I discuss how the OnePlus 12 thoroughly impressed me with its play capabilities and the software features that further augment the experience — and how it makes me like for a futurity with good , more piquant Android games .
Differences the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 makes
TheSnapdragon 8 Gen 3on the OnePlus 12 offers a important performance boost over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 from last year . Upon launching the chipset last year , Qualcomm said the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 tick a 30 % step-up in CPU performance and a 25 % improvement in GPU performance . However , the literal encroachment any chip has on the machine ’ existent performance also depends on a multitude of other factors , such as the speed of other component like RAM and storage , the blueprint and its impact on estrus dissipation , and the software system optimization of the hardware by case-by-case manufacturer .
To measure out what these improvements bet like in the character of the OnePlus , I ranBurnout Benchmarkon both the OnePlus 11 and OnePlus 12 and achieved the results shown in the graphs below . To secure I extracted the most top executive these smartphones are up to of , I turned on the “ High Performance Mode ” from the devices ’ battery preferences . OnePlus keeps this feature turned off by nonpayment to help preserve battery , but it can also determine performance to some extent .
The graphs above ( scroll to interchange between CPU and GPU scores ) validate Qualcomm ’s claims about the improvements . But the improvements on the OnePlus 12 are not limited to the chipset or the RAM . That ’s why I delve into gambling - centric tests in the follow section .
CPU comparison: OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 11Tushar Mehta / Digital Trends
Testing the OnePlus 12’s gaming performance
OnePlus claims to have work significantly on the underlie algorithmic rule , mainly to see to it top - snick gaming on the OnePlus 12 . But before I specifically outline how each feature of speech is intended to improve gaming on the OnePlus 12 , here is how the phone performs in real - life gambling tests . I ran some of the most resource - athirst game on the OnePlus 12 and tested its public presentation withGameBench .
For the rice beer of simplicity , I will limit my findings to three games from different genre to give you an idea of how the earpiece manage varying stage of action .
Genshin Impact
Genshin Impactis one of the most graphics - intensive game . Unlike most other deed adapt for Mobile River , Genshin Impactbrings the same visuals and gameplay experience as seen on other more powerful platforms such as Windows or PlayStation . Its loose - domain nature make it more difficult for mobile gimmick to substantiate high physique rate with the game , but the OnePlus 12 does n’t fail to surprise . Here is a sum-up of the findings from Gamebench :
Note : Instead of measure an average material body rate , GameBench define the “ medial frame rate ” as a weighted norm . In the simplest terms , it specify the frame rate during most of the gameplay . The OnePlus 12 continued to bear excellent performance throughout the single , hourlong session , with graphics scope arrange to the Highest selection .
Other customizations to graphics , including motion blur andtemporal anti - aliasing ( TAA ) , tally to the burden , but the phone did n’t show any indication of wearing out . In addition to the in - game preferences , I used OnePlus ’ suite of over - the - top graphic enhancements and unreal HDR to improve the texture of objects within the game . OnePlus also take to offer frame interposition that would push the frame pace to 120 frames per 2nd ( fps ) , but I was ineffective to trip the feature article ( more on that below ) .
GPU comparison: OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 11Tushar Mehta / Digital Trends
Notably , 60 Federal Protective Service is the highest frame rate , and the secret plan crank up out form at that charge per unit ceaselessly . The only potential dips in skeletal frame rate were seen before and after noninteractive cutscenes , belike while they were being loaded . The maximum GPU carrying into action reached only 70 % , while the high CPU usage was only 7 % , according to GameBench .
This is an first-class exercise of the OnePlus 12 ’s prowess as a gaming gadget , not only for the most demanding titles presently , but also for the one that will be release in the near future . Due to GameBench ’s limit , I could n’t measure the internal temperature , but the telephone got only as lovesome as 35 degrees Celsius ( 95 degrees Fahrenheit ) — as measured using aninfrared caloric camera — and remained comfortable to hold throughout the hour .
Call of Duty Mobile
The next game I try out on the OnePlus 12 wasCall of Duty Mobile . It is among graphics - intensive title thar accompaniment gameplay at 120 fps , which makes it my pick of first / third - person shooter biz when testing any telephone ’s functioning . ForCOD Mobileto run at 120 fps , the graphics quality was mechanically intone down to Balanced — or the second - lowest option . In line , the form rate is limited to 60 Federal Protective Service while running the Max , the highest graphics setting . To capture the cargo in both scenarios , I ran the game on two different configurations for 30 minutes each . To replicate the same stressful conditions on the hardware as the trial run above , I ran both academic session at the same time without giving the OnePlus 12 a chance to cool down down in - between .
The issue were as safe as expected . Here ’s a breakdown of what GameBench recorded :
The OnePlus 12 well attain the highest average frame rate irrespective of the preferences . In real gameplay , there is minimal fluctuation from those marks . The lower percent of the skeletal frame at the median frame rate are because the interface other than the actual gameplay is capped at 30 fps , pulling the total biz ’s results down .
standardised to the trial withGenshin Impactabove , the CPU and GPU are not pushed to extreme . We see in high spirits mainframe and GPU utilisation in the 120 Federal Protective Service modality since it requires the internal hardware to pump out raw skeleton more frequently rather of striving for mellow quality . This can be visualized by compare two workers figure out in a factory along two separate conveyor belt ; both have to compact the same detail , but one has to pack it doubly as fast , even if the tone of the packaging is not top - pass . Which one do you believe is probable to get tired first ?
Once again , the temperature on the outside are under 100 degree Fahrenheit , and the OnePlus 12 never get uncomfortably hot to hold . Another aspect I find favoring those who play high - pace shot game like these is how quickly the cover responds , even with sweaty fingers . This might have something to do with OnePlus ’ fresh tot up display technology that allow you to expend the phone even when the cover is loaded .
Real Racing 3
My next checkpoint while testing the gaming operation was EA’sReal Racing 3 . The concept here is that instead of street racing , you build a licit career in professional racing . The game vaguely reminds me of another one of EA ’s titles for microcomputer , require For Speed Shift , albeit with much good graphic than the 2009 PC plot .
Unlike the other two game , Real Racing 3automatically chooses the graphics setting for you base on the phone ’s hardware . Here ’s what our testing with Gamebench tell us :
Despite a rich corps de ballet of highly elaborated 3D render of supercars ( which make up for several gigabytes deserving of additional resource downloaded with the master app ) , the game lean effortlessly at 60 fps without any choppiness . As you may see above , there is minimal utilization of resource , especially the CPU . However , it is worth pointing out thatReal race 3is capable of running at 120 fps on Android .
But since the secret plan adapts computer graphic options automatically , there is n’t a straightforward method to prepare it to a higher shape rate . However , OnePlus has a stopgap solution in the pattern of its Adaptive Frame Rate feature , which automatically hike up the frame rate from 60 fps to 120 Federal Protective Service . This is part of a bunch of features that OnePlus offers to improve the gaming experience , which I discuss below .
Are OnePlus’ extra gaming features any good?
Frame rate interpolation
At the OnePlus 12 launch event , the brand announced its technology would propel all games to go at 120 fps — even if they do not inherently support the option . This is accomplished through a technique forebode frame interposition . When the GPU yield game - related content at 60 fps , OnePlus ’ Adaptive Frame Rate applied science can insert artificially yield frames between two actually generated ace , so the concluding frame pace increases to 120 fps instead of 60 Federal Protective Service .
This artificially bring forth frame differs from the two actual frames on either side and is render based on what a system predicts to be in - between those frames . As a effect , the final output appears still .
The feature , also known as “ movement smoothing , ” is commonly used on TVs to reduce motion blur , enhance frame rate , and make a kind of content appear smoother . It ’s controversial on TVs as it pluck movies of their cinematic ( sort of dreamy ) collection and instead make them look like situation comedy , earning it the title of “ scoop opera house issue . ”
For gamers , however , high form rates mean more engaging and stimulant visuals , which are obviously desirable .
regrettably , this enhancement goes undetected on the OnePlus 12 when using peter like GameBench . OnePlus tells me it is because GameBench and other FPS counters measure the frame rate at the GPU , while OnePlus ’ interposition algorithm runs right before the content reaches the screen . Perhaps one way to detect if the feature is actually working would be by using a high - end slow - gesture camera , which I do n’t own . So , you ’ll either have to rely on OnePlus ’ account or your own intuition .
I ’ve hear like complaint from other reviewers , including the famousLinus Tech Tips . Luckily , it ’s probably fixable with a software update , and I would n’t undermine OnePlus ’ sureness since its representatives have already announced the feature while unveiling the flagship .
Sweatproof display
The OnePlus 12 has a especial feature that we do n’t see on most other phones . Officially foretell “ Aqua Touch , ” this feature is designed to ensure the display continues to answer even when it is crocked . While it is intend to guarantee the cover is still usable under light-headed rain cascade , I found it fairly useful while stake for extended session . On a lot of other telephone set , the video display embark on feel more gummy as your digit get sweaty — and devoted peregrine gamers have to swear on fingerbreadth sleeves to prevent sweat from ruining their performance .
However , the OnePlus 12 ’s screen did not offer any impedance even after hours of continuous gambling , especially when I could feel sweat — both from the extended gambling point and the thrill — build up up underneath my fingers . This would specially benefit free-enterprise gamers who play richly - paced games likePUBG MobileorCOD Mobileusing the three- or four - finger claws .
Hyper HDR and Hyper Resolution
The OnePlus 12 already has one of the most appealing displays on any headphone in 2024 , and software feature of speech make it even more enticing to look at while gaming . These two features have little unmediated impact on the functioning and more on the game ’s visuals . Hyper HDR can enhance the appearance of plot , especially by amend contrast and profile in overly saturnine or excessively bright scenarios , while the vibrance is also taken up a notch . This does not work on all games , but on those it does — such asGenshin Impact — the graphics are take to another floor .
Meanwhile , Hyper Resolution tends to heighten imagination in secret plan . This can be useful if you ’re playing an old game you cherish or one that the developer intentionally limit to rude graphics , such asAmong Us .
Despite the wide-ranging experiences I have had while playing games on the OnePlus 12 , there is a vernacular persuasion : hardware has outpaced the requirements for most games , and developer need to get up .
The OnePlus 12 is a gaming machine
In all the play scenarios , the OnePlus 12 feels impossible to beat . It consistently deliver top - snick operation while belie the whimsey that gaming sound demand to be unwieldy and chunky . The only limitation are on the software side .
It is a big time for on - the - go play with sophisticated and muscularhandheld play devices — a category that has meet a batch of attending from PC manufacturer . at the same time , Android games miss the same exciting stage of detail or finesse as PC games — except onGenshin Impact — even though the hardware feels quick . The OnePlus 12 ’s performance also exemplify that ARM chips are extremely capable and bear a interchangeable shipment as late x86 chips .
Perhaps it is too early to reckon a cohesive operating system that works across PCs and peregrine devices , but the performance on flagship phones signify one affair — game studios want to take Android ( or nomadic gambling in general ) more seriously while Android manufacturers also extend their hand out . likely collaborationscan not only help meliorate the gaming experience on particular gadget , but also gain the mobile play ecosystem as a whole .
