We have a mess of exciting flagship headphone get in in 2024 , and one of the first to be publish this twelvemonth was the OnePlus 12 , along with its more low-cost sibling , the OnePlus 12R.
TheOnePlus 11was a solid successor to theOnePlus 10 T , and it bring back some of that OnePlus magic trick that had been missing , entail the OnePlus 12 has a lot to survive up to . mirthfully , it sterilize some of the shortcoming of old models and is do to be a strong competition to the competition from Samsung , Google , and Apple , as we found out in our review .
About our OnePlus 12 review
Christine Romero - Chan reviewed the OnePlus 12 upon release at the conclusion of January 2024 and used a U.S. translation of the speech sound in the Flowy Emerald colour . In April 2024 , Andy Boxall revisited the OnePlus 12 , this time using a U.K. model in Silky Black . Andy ’s experience with the phone can be found in the “ three months afterward ” section flat below , but the review score remains unchanged , and it ’s still a extremely recommended smartphone .
OnePlus 12: three months later
I was disappointed not to have the luck to fully review the OnePlus 12 when it was first released , but logistics meant it was n’t potential , and I had to hold off until it was feasible for me to spend a longer catamenia of time with the phone . I ’m very proud of to sayit was worth the wait . What a great smartphone it is : cleanly design , very herculean , and extremely effective . It construct on the incontrovertible look I had about the OnePlus 11 and convey back a circle of what made me love OnePlus ’s devices from the very offset .
I ’ve come to terms with the software , which has improved a lot over the last few years and tighten the amount of annoyances and interruptions that plagued it former onafter Oppo come along . I still find the computer menu project less than idealistic , particularly some of the people of color schemes , and consider it a lesser adaptation of Samsung ’s One UI and not as unseamed and friction - free to use as Android on aPixel 8 Pro . But the good thing is , it has n’t gotten bad , and it has lost at least some of the irritating ColorOS influence from the early versions .
Trying to put theOnePlus - nessof the OnePlus 12 and why I regain it engaging into words is quite difficult . It convey together many of the aspects I care about old OnePlus phone , such as strong performance , flying charging , a heavy screen door , and an low-priced price . Bringing all this together into a desirable equipment is astonishingly voiceless , and OnePlus used to be a master at it until it slightly lose its way with phones like the OnePlus 10T.
The OnePlus 11 was a restitution to form for OnePlus , and the OnePlus 12 proves it was n’t a one - off . It ’s one of 2024 ’s undecomposed Android smartphones .
OnePlus 12: design
One of the full things about OnePlus is that it has alone designs that stand out ( i.e. , theOnePlus Pad ) , and that trend continue with the OnePlus 12 . It follow in two color for the globular launch : Silky Black and Flowy Emerald . I have been using the Flowy Emerald color , and it ’s perfectly gorgeous . OnePlus ’ signature tune color seems to be immature lately , and Flowy Emerald is one of the best shades the trade name has come up out with so far .
Aluminum alloy and glassful make up the figure of the OnePlus 12 , and it feel hefty and premium . The frosted back glass has a quiet , matte finish that does not draw fingerprints or smudges super easily , which I appreciate . The Flowy Emerald color also has a marbled , wavy traffic pattern and shimmer throughout the back trash , fall in it a distinctive aesthetic . However , one affair to note about this frosted spyglass is that it does n’t do any favors in terms of adding grip . In fact , it feels a spot more slippery than I ’d like . I would definitely recommendusing a case .
The camera module on the OnePlus 12 face like its predecessor but with a few aesthetic changes . For one , the module is now people of colour - matched with the residual of the eubstance , which is much more pleasing to the eyes . And for the emerald colour , the photographic camera faculty has a pernicious silver shimmer that matches the frosted crank . OnePlus has also changed the “ Hasselblad ” stigmatisation , simply concentrate it to the “ H ” logo , just like it did on theOnePlus Open .
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
The bod has rounded boundary on the English , but the top and bottom edges have a compressed side , similar to how someone would cut a musical composition off a yield by slicing it with a knife . I ’m not sure what the point of this plan is , though — it feels like a weird mashup of rounded and compressed edges of most forward-looking phone .
The front glass curves into the side edges of the soma to give the appearing that the bezel is thinner than the top and bottom . However , they are about the same , but this magic helps provide a more immersive experience . The volume and eternal sleep / wake buttons are on the top right side , while the key signature alert slider has been run to the left side . There ’s a textured formula on the alert Pseudemys scripta to ply touch perception , and it sense satisfying when you use it .
While the OnePlus 12 is another glass slab phone , it contain a sure elegance and distinguished flavour , peculiarly in the unripened color , to stand out . Other sound companies : Take notation of what OnePlus is doing here .
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
OnePlus 12: screen
OnePlus equipped the OnePlus 12 with a 6.8 - inch LTPO AMOLED showing that has 1440 x 3168 - pixel resolution at 510 ppi ( pixels per inch ) , a 120Hz refresh pace , and financial support for both Dolby Vision and HDR10 + . Brightness levels can reach up to 4,500 nit .
In other words , this display is absolutely fantastic . It ’s hopeful and vivid with colors and recondite , rich blacks . Graphics and text look crisp and penetrative , and scrolling is pantry smooth with the 120Hz refresh rate .
By default , the OnePlus 12 is sic to the stock resolution of 2376 x 1080 and Auto for the refresh rate , which provides the optimum refresh rate for whatever you ’re doing . Both of these background are to aid carry on battery life . However , you could choose to go for the high resolution ( 1440 x 3168 ) and always have a high refresh charge per unit , which is what I ’ve done . Of course , doing so will affect the assault and battery life . There ’s even an choice to position the refresh pace on an app - by - app basis , if you prefer .
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
This display is absolutely grand .
There are stereophonic speaker on the OnePlus 12 , and they ’re really fairly comely . But if you have right wireless headphones or earbuds , you may get even more out of the OnePlus 12 , as it supports Dolby Atmos , Spatial Audio , and even Holo Audio .
As I mentioned to begin with , the sides of the OnePlus 12 exhibit bender into the material body slightly , which gives the head game of thin side bezel and supply a more immersive experience . However , due to the curved edges , I often find myself doing inadvertent swipe on the concealment when I test to habituate it with one mitt , or I ca n’t tapdance on things because it registers my other digit touch the edge while have got the phone . It ’s an annoyance that comes with curved sieve on any phone , and it ’s no different on the OnePlus 12 .
Christine Romero-Chan. / Digital Trends
OnePlus 12: performance and software
Inside the OnePlus 12 isQualcomm ’s in style Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 potato chip . I have the 512 GB storage version , which has 16 GB RAM . If you opt for the 256 GB version , it has 12 GB RAM . There are also two 1 TB version with either 16 gigabyte or 24 GB RAM . OnePlus also lets you flesh out the Aries if you have enough storage space usable , and this can get you up to 12 GB of additional RAM .
The OnePlus 12 ship with Android 14 and OxygenOS 14 layered on top . It ’s a relatively sporting version of Android that reminds me of Google ’s Pixel phones . It ’s easy to navigate , and the configurations are laid out pretty well . Multitasking is easily initiated with a three - finger swipe gesture for a split screen , and you could even have floating window if penury be .
So far , I ’ve used the OnePlus 12 to do my usual routine of check my email , societal media , and wreak messages on Teams , view and editing pictures in Google Photos , watching Disney+ , taking a lot of photo and videos , deal photograph of my daughter with phratry and friends , and more . The OnePlus 12 has handled everything quite well without skipping a beat . I have n’t had any issue with choppy frame rates , lag , or stutter , and moving between apps has been a picnic . The under - exhibit fingermark sensor has been honest and quick , and the face unlock also works well .
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
The OnePlus 12 is packed with enough powerfulness to treat moderately much anything you switch at it .
The OnePlus 12 also has a newfangled dual cryo - speed cool down arrangement witj the big vapour chamber in a phone so far . This is designed to help keep the OnePlus 12 from overheat and stay cool , even during graphically intensive play school term . I ’ve never feel the OnePlus 12 get warm , so I assume the Modern cooling system is doing its job .
As far as software program update go , the OnePlus 12 should get about four years of major Android bone update and five years of surety patch . So , if you get the OnePlus 12 , it should get you through Android 18 at least .
OnePlus 12 main cameraChristine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
OnePlus 12: cameras
OnePlus packed an telling array of camera on the OnePlus 12 . The rear camera apparatus comprise of a 50 - megapixel main camera , a 64MP periscope telephoto photographic camera with 3x optical rapid climb , and a 48MP ultrawide photographic camera with a 114 - arcdegree field of persuasion . On the front , we have a 32MP selfie camera . And on top of it all , the cameras are all Hasselblad - tuned for salutary colours and clarity .
I ’ve been relatively pleased with the results I ’m getting from the OnePlus 12 ’s television camera . During the day , the colour in my photo are true - to - life and realistic , and white counterweight and photo are handled accurately . It ’s also quite fast at capturing range , as I was able to get some good action shot of my girl play with a bubble wand from Disneyland .
The Hasselblad enhancements also circulate out to Portrait mode picture . OnePlus has include sweetening to the camera sensing element and processing algorithms so that Portrait mode image get wider potential portrait angles and right framing . The natural bokeh and flare outcome also simulate Hasselblad cameras for a better look .
OnePlus 12 macro shotChristine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
In my tests , Portraits calculate upright for the most part , but the sharpness sleuthing can still be a hit or miss , depending on the background . That ’s the problem with software - based portraiture mode image — it ’s still not perfect . secretive , but not quite . However , it acquire peel tone pretty exact , which is a big plus .
I also try getting a few macro images of raindrop on leave-taking once the tempest took a break . macro bet middling good if you’re able to keep the OnePlus 12 unfluctuating while being up tight .
I did have an emergence where I was about to squeeze the shutter push button for a macro image , but then it would go out of macro mode for some reason and then appear all out of focus . It kept happening at a sealed distance that I wanted to take the photo at , so I ’m not sure what was going on there . But for successful macro images , they look effective with a natural bokeh effect in the background .
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
Though I did not employ the OnePlus 11 , it ’s well - known that it scramble a spot with lowlight images . It appear like OnePlus desexualise that with the OnePlus 12 , as I get some unspoilt shot of my daughter on the playground in the evening . It did fight slenderly to focus when there was movement , but otherwise , it captured the scene well .
The 64MP telephoto can capture some pretty bully closeup . It has 3x opthalmic zoom support , 6x in - sensor rapid growth , plus the option for 120x loanblend rapid climb if needed . I do n’t use the telephoto too often except when assay to get a good shot of some urban center wildlife , but it ’s nice to have it just in character .
Overall , the cameras on the OnePlus 12 are quite capable . It ’s easy to get some great - look photos without too much allowance . There is also a Master Mode that let you fine - tune preferences in the finder before you press the shutter button if you want to take things up a snick .
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
OnePlus 12: battery and charging
OnePlus devices typically do well in terms of barrage fire liveliness and charging , and the OnePlus 12 is no elision . It has a 5,400mAh battery compact inside , which will clear you around two full days of use on a unmarried charge . Of of course , this depends on your display preferences and usage , but more than a single full mean solar day is jolly much guarantee .
During my examination , I used the OnePlus 12 for hr of societal medium , e-mail , Teams message , Disney+ cyclosis , catching up on the news , and more . Even with the highest CRT screen setting turned on , it would last a full day , but I can well get around two days when more restrained display setting .
One of OnePlus ’s good strengths is its charge up speed . The OnePlus 12 can support up to 100W charging speeding , but in the U.S. , that cap is at 80W. Still , that ’s pretty damn fast compare to the competitor .
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
For context , Apple’siPhone 15 Proonly gets up to 27W , while Samsung ’s newGalaxy S24 Ultramaxes out at 45W. So even though the 80W speed for the OnePlus 12 is n’t the max , it ’s right smart in the lead of the competition . With the 80W pep pill , it takes about 12 minutes to get a 50 % boot and only 30 mo to go to 100 % , provided that you use the OnePlus SuperVooc charger include in the loge .
Though the OnePlus 11 lacked wireless charging , it has been brought back in the OnePlus 12 with spare benefit . It now has 50W wireless charging f number , which is way ahead of any other smartphone in the U.S. With 50W wireless charging , that means it only take away around 23 minutes for a 50 % charge and 55 second for 100 % . Most phones lodge slowly with wireless , so this is a drastic difference .
The OnePlus 12 also has change by reversal wireless consign at 10W , so you’re able to juice up those wireless earbuds or other gimmick quicker than other smartphones with this feature article .
Christine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
OnePlus 12: price and availability
The OnePlus 12 comes in two colour : Silky Black and Flowy Emerald . Though it first set in motion in China ( with a Pure White color ) in December , it is now uncommitted globally as of January 23 , 2024 . The OnePlus 12 be $ 800 for the 12 GB RAM/256 GB version , while the 16 GB RAM/512 GB variation is $ 900 .
you could buy the OnePlus 12 directly from OnePlus.com , Amazon , and Best Buy , both online and in - storage . There will be additional benefit if you regularise instantly from OnePlus , however . The society is bringing back its deal where you’re able to merchandise in any phone in any precondition for a insure $ 100 off the OnePlus 12 , and calculate on the phone , you’re able to get up to $ 700 trade wind - in instant credit . This deal is available for the lifecycle of the OnePlus 12 . As if that was n’t enough , you could also get a free 50W AirVooc wireless charger .
There ’s also the just releasedSamsung Galaxy S24 , which pop at $ 800 . It has a 6.2 - inch display and is also power by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 , has 8 GB RAM with 128 GB or 256 GB storehouse , and a triple - lens camera system of rules with 50MP principal , 12MP ultrawide , and 10MP telephotograph sensors .
OnePlus 12 telephoto cameraChristine Romero-Chan / Digital Trends
OnePlus 12: verdict
For the price , the OnePlus 12 gives you a lot of bang for your vaulting horse . It ’s one of the more unequaled slab phone around with the typical Hasselblad camera faculty , and the Flowy Emerald color is simply beautiful . In a human beings where most firebrand are come out with irksome and bland coloring , the shimmery Flowy Emerald is a welcome mess to lay eyes on .
The curving 6.8 - inch AMOLED display on the OnePlus 12 is stunning , make everything look not bad . Though I enjoy the more immersive feeling of the curve screen , it father a bit annoying when you do accidental swipes or lights-out on it when you hold it with one manus .
The OnePlus 12 gives you a lot of rush for your buck .
Powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and with 12GB-16 GB of RAM , the OnePlus 12 is a powerhouse . OxygenOS 14 runs incredibly smoothly , and it ’s seamless when running multiple apps and switching between them , even if you ’re multitasking in split - screen manner . For the mobile gamers out there , the novel cryo - velocity cooling system helps preclude overheating .
The treble - lens camera system is also very unspoilt , supply vivacious and realistic results without overdoing it on the colour , thanks to the Hasselblad colour tuning enhancements . Like a Google Pixel , I found it hard not to take a decent - look picture under average conditions . And with the high - declaration telephoto electron lens , getting sharp and crisp closeups is promiscuous .
Overall , the OnePlus 12 has been very gratifying to practice , apart from the pocket-sized annoyances of a curving video display and large size . I believe that the OnePlus 12 has the most note value for a flagship phone decent now , all things considered . And with some nifty spate from OnePlus , you may fetch the price down even more , and this phone will easy last several year .
