OnePlus built its reputation on being the “flagship killer.” Their phones offered killer performance at prices that wouldn’t break the bank. Lately, OnePlus has felt less disruptive and more like a brand making premium phones. However, Our OnePlus 12 review explores if their latest device marks a return to form
We have spent the last month putting the OnePlus 12 through its paces. I wanted to see if it lives up to the hype and earns a place among the best flagships at its price (around 65k). Is this the one, or should you be looking elsewhere? Let’s find out.
Design: A Flagship Feel, with a Few Quirks
A couple of design aspects did take some getting used to. The phone has a top-heavy feel, which might bother some. In Our OnePlus 12 review, I’ll note that I loved seeing OnePlus keep the alert slider. It’s so convenient and easy to access. A surprising bonus addition is an IR blaster! Connectivity features are solid: WiFi 7 is super snappy, 5G reception is excellent (with 13 bands!), and clear WiFi calling. It’s a shame there’s no e-SIM support yet.
A couple of design aspects did take some getting used to. The phone has a top-heavy feel, which might bother some. We loved seeing OnePlus keep the alert slider. It’s so convenient and easy to access. A surprising bonus addition is an IR blaster! Connectivity features are solid: WiFi 7 is super snappy, 5G reception is excellent (with 13 bands!), and clear WiFi calling. It’s a shame there’s no e-SIM support yet.
Display: A Visual Feast, But Be Mindful of the Curve
The 6.82-inch, curved AMOLED display is stunning. The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything feel incredibly fluid, and colors are incredibly vibrant. The bezels are also minimal, creating an immersive viewing experience.
The curve on the display, while sleek-looking, does cause some accidental touches. OnePlus boasts 4500 nits of peak brightness, but it’s important to understand that this is HDR-specific. Realistically, the 1600 nits in High Brightness Mode are still bright and make outdoor visibility great. The Aqua Touch feature is a nice touch, keeping the screen responsive even when you’ve wet hands or fingers.
Audio and Haptics: Small Details That Make a Big Difference
The speakers on the OnePlus 12 are seriously impressed. They get incredibly loud with surprisingly rich sound and support for Dolby Atmos. The haptics (the little vibrations) are also excellent. They’re precise and clicky, which adds a level of refinement to the overall experience that many phones miss.
Specs and Performance:
As you’d expect, the OnePlus 12 is a beast. In our OnePlus 12 review, I delve into its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, which flies through everything you throw at it, and the benchmark scores are off the charts. Everyday performance is super snappy and responsive.
What surprised me, though, is the excellent heat management. We have tested phones that get scorching hot when stressed. But the OnePlus 12? It just gets a bit warm, even under a heavy camera workload. That’s impressive.
Software: OxygenOS, Refined
The OnePlus 12 runs a clean OxygenOS skin over Android 14. It’s smooth, feels close to stock Android, and comes with the promise of 4 years of updates and 5 years of security patches – great longevity!
OnePlus 12 Camera
- Hasselblad Partnership: OnePlus keeps touting its Hasselblad camera partnership. The results are good, with natural colors, but is it that much better than competitors?
- Main Sensor Excels: The primary camera takes excellent shots in most situations with great dynamic range.
- Other Lenses: Mixed Bag: The ultrawide is decent; the portrait lens is fun but not essential.
- Night Photography: Pretty Good: Nightscape mode is solid, but competitors at this price do it slightly better.
Battery: Endurance for Days
The 5400mAh battery in this phone is an absolute champ. With moderate use, I easily squeezed out a day and a half on a single charge. It’s the kind of battery that handles even the most demanding days.
The Verdict: So, is it Worth 65k?
The OnePlus 12 is a huge step forward. It nails the fundamentals of a flagship phone: performance, design, software, and battery are all fantastic.
