Pros
Extremely highly effective processor
Stellar battery life
Hyperfast charging
Big, vibrant show
Cons
Disappointing digital camera efficiency
Rivals supply longer software program assist
The OnePlus 12 is full of potent tech from its supercharged processor to its superb display screen. In my time testing it, I discovered its battery life is nice and it costs in lightning-fast time. It’s a cellphone that works arduous to justify its flagship title. But then it must, as its $800 beginning value (with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage) makes it costlier than final 12 months’s OnePlus 11. The higher-end mannequin I reviewed (16GB RAM, 512GB storage) is available in at a princely $900. At a time when purse strings are nonetheless tight and competitors from rivals is fierce, upping the worth of its telephones is a dangerous technique for OnePlus. In the UK, issues are worse, with the top-of-the-line mannequin costing £999, or £150 greater than the absolutely maxed-out OnePlus 11. A direct forex conversion of OnePlus 12’s $900 value comes out to £708 on the time of writing, or about £850 together with tax. That’s a £150 premium, making this cellphone a really totally different worth proposition for UK consumers. Andrew Lanxon/CNETIn the US, it nonetheless manages to undercut its chief rival, Google’s Pixel 8 Pro, which begins at $999 (£999) with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. In some methods, the OnePlus 12 punches tougher than the Pixel, with higher processor efficiency and, in my testing, higher battery life. But the Pixel 8 Pro has a typically higher digital camera, and it will get at the least seven years of software program and safety updates, simply besting the OnePlus 12’s 4 years of software program and 5 years of safety updates. I additionally desire the Pixel’s software program. Overall, it is robust to decide on between them, nevertheless it comes right down to what you need out of your cellphone. If you are a eager photographer, go for the Pixel. More into cellular video games? The OnePlus is for you. OnePlus 11 and 12 pricing Phone, RAM + storageUS priceUK valueAustralian value OnePlus 11, 8GB + 128GB $700£729NAOnePlus 11, 16GB + 256GB $800£799AU$1,399OnePlus 12, 12GB + 256GB $800£849Converts to AU$1,640*OnePlus 12, 16GB + 512GB $900£999Converts to AU$1,930* *Australian costs for the OnePlus 12 have but to be introduced. These conversions are from the UK value, which like in Australia contains 20% VAT. A well-recognized design Visually, the OnePlus 12’s design would not stray removed from the OnePlus 11’s. It options an nearly equivalent round digital camera unit set right into a curving glass again with a shiny aluminum body. The 12’s glass again is frosted now although, with my inexperienced evaluation mannequin that includes a wavy sample that I somewhat like. It’s good to carry, with a strong, luxurious really feel that I feel is extra premium than the slippery shiny again of the OnePlus 11. With the equivalent spherical digital camera models, the OnePlus 12 appears to be like acquainted to final 12 months’s OnePlus 11. Andrew Lanxon/CNETThat stated, I took the cellphone to the pub and several other of my mates thought that it regarded, and felt, like “the plasticky laminate coating found on cheap kitchen work surfaces in student housing.” Like something, aesthetics are subjective, so perhaps attempt to test one out within the flesh earlier than spending your money. I like that the amount buttons have been moved to the identical aspect as the ability button, which makes them simpler to make use of with one hand, whereas the attribute OnePlus toggle change now occupies its personal spot on the left aspect. The entrance glass is Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and the again is created from toughened Gorilla Glass 5. The cellphone is IP64-rated to maintain it secure from spilled drinks or when you take calls within the rain. Using the cellphone when it is raining ought to be a bit simpler too, because the cellphone’s display screen has been designed to acknowledge contact inputs, even when moist. I sprinkled the display screen with faucet water and whereas it was noticeably much less correct than when dry, it was nonetheless usable, with nearly no incorrect inputs acknowledged. I attempted sprinkling an identical quantity of water onto the display screen of my iPhone 15 Pro Max and located it to be nearly unusable. A win for the OnePlus right here. The show is brilliant, daring and even works when moist. Nice. Andrew Lanxon/CNET An extremely brilliant, vibrant show At 6.82 inches, the OnePlus 12’s show is large enough to offer you loads of room for movies and cellular video games, whereas its excessive decision signifies that all content material is pin-sharp. Colors are extraordinarily vibrant too, doing justice to all of the colourful Netflix exhibits or neon-toned cellular video games you possibly can need. It has a variable refresh charge from 1 to 120Hz to offer higher efficiency throughout extra intense duties like gaming, and OnePlus says it is the brightest show ever on a cellphone, with a whopping 4,500-nit peak brightness. Theoretically, that makes it brighter than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and about twice as brilliant because the iPhone 15 Pro Max. But these are lab-based figures. Side by aspect, the distinction between the iPhone and OnePlus 12 is not that huge. There is a distinction, nevertheless, and there isn’t any query that the cellphone is exceptionally brilliant, which makes it nice for out of doors use. Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor The OnePlus 12 runs the most recent Qualcomm Snapdragon 3 chip at its core, backed up by both 12GB or 16GB of RAM (as reviewed). As essentially the most cutting-edge chip from Qualcomm, it is secure to anticipate it to be one thing of a powerhouse, however OnePlus additionally boasts that its “Trinity Engine” optimizes the CPU, RAM and storage for a quicker and extra steady expertise. Often these claims are finest taken with a pinch of salt, however the OnePlus 12 does really feel extraordinarily swift in use. The motion RPG Genshin Impact performed at maxed-out settings with extremely easy 60-frames-per-second gameplay with completely zero lag or stuttering seen at any level. Battle royale shooter PUBG was additionally buttery easy. Ditto for racer Asphalt 9: Legends. OnePlus 12 efficiency in contrast OnePlus 12 5,066Galaxy S24 Ultra 4,415iPhone 15 Pro Max 4,193 Note: Longer bars equal higher efficiency
On 3DMark’s Wild Life Extreme graphics benchmark, it beat each the brand new Galaxy S24 Ultra and that iPhone 15 Pro Max’s scores. In truth, its rating was the second highest I’ve ever seen on that check, overwhelmed solely marginally by the brand new Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro, which can also be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. General navigation across the cellphone and multitasking is extraordinarily zippy and, in reality, I struggled to seek out something that appeared to gradual it down in any respect. Clearly, the combo of potent chip and software program optimization is doing its half. OnePlus reckons that the larger profit is that it’s going to stay easy over time, at the same time as your cellphone fills up with apps and information. I’ve solely had the cellphone per week, so that is one thing I’ll need to proceed testing over the approaching months. The OnePlus 12 runs Android 14. Andrew Lanxon/CNETThe OnePlus 12 runs on Android 14, with OnePlus’ Oxygen OS laid excessive. I fairly just like the interface — it is neat and straightforward to function. Android novices are simply as nicely catered to right here as skilled Android veterans. OnePlus provides 4 years of software program updates and an extra fifth 12 months of safety updates. That’s the identical as on the OnePlus 11 and, whereas that was respectable then, corporations like Google and Samsung now supply seven years of assist. Longer assist intervals imply your cellphone can be safer to make use of over time, which is healthier for you and higher for the planet. While 5 years is not dangerous, it is nonetheless disappointing to not see OnePlus attempt to up its sport right here, and it is a key approach that the cellphone lags behind the competitors. More annoying nonetheless is that OnePlus has given longer assist to the OnePlus 12 than it has the cheaper OnePlus 12R, which will get one 12 months much less of each software program and safety assist. It’s a irritating stance to take right here, because it means that sustainability is a premium providing reserved just for consumers who can afford it. In the US, the OnePlus 12 helps 80-watt quick charging. Andrew Lanxon/CNETNotable by its absence, although, is any main push for generative AI on the OnePlus 12. AI options have been huge elements of Google’s Pixel telephones for a number of generations now, and AI was a serious a part of Samsung’s launch for the Galaxy S24 collection. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip powering the OnePlus 12 is even designed with AI expertise in thoughts. Yet, OnePlus hasn’t spoken about AI, and there are not any notable generative AI-based options baked into the software program. Personally, I discover this a refreshing stance from the corporate. I have never discovered any AI options on different telephones (just like the wallpaper generator on the Pixel 8 Pro) to be particularly helpful, and I’m happy that OnePlus hasn’t jumped on a bandwagon right here, including redundant options merely in order that it may boast that it has them. Perhaps I’ll be singing a unique tune for the OnePlus 13. Stellar battery life, extremely quick charging The different side to OnePlus’ software program optimizations is energy effectivity, which — along with the capacious 4,500-mAh battery (twin 2,700-mAh batteries) — permits the OnePlus 12 to ship wonderful battery life. After an hour of streaming a YouTube video on Wi-Fi at max brightness, the cellphone hadn’t dropped beneath 100%. After a second hour, it nonetheless confirmed as 100%, and it was solely after the third hour that it dropped to 95%, which is among the finest efforts I’ve seen on this check. By comparability, the Galaxy S23 Ultra dropped from full to 95% after the primary hour and went right down to 82% after the third hour. Similarly, the iPhone 15 Pro Max had dropped to 87% remaining after three hours of streaming. Even after nearly an hour of intense gaming at max settings, the OnePlus 12’s battery had dropped solely 10%. In brief, I’m very impressed with the cellphone’s energy administration, and I’m assured you will simply have the ability to get a full day of even demanding use. With extra cautious use, you possibly can most likely get many of the approach by a second day for these events while you forgot to offer it a cost in a single day. The OnePlus 12 is among the strongest telephones we have ever examined. Andrew Lanxon/CNETIf you do occur to wish to prime the juice up, the cellphone’s fast-charging makes {that a} tremendous fast process. In the US, the OnePlus 12 helps 80-watt quick charging, which ought to take the cellphone from empty to full in just a little over 30 minutes. My UK mannequin takes that even additional, with 100-watt wired charging permitting for a full recharge in 26 minutes, or from empty to half full in solely 11 minutes. Fast charging is considered one of my favourite battery improvements in any cellphone, because it means you need not fear fairly as a lot about your battery operating out later within the day. If you are heading out for an enormous night time out and forgot to cost your cellphone, you’ll be able to simply give it a fast enhance when you wait in your Uber to reach and it will maintain you going for hours. The cellphone additionally has wi-fi charging — one thing not seen on the OnePlus 11 — which helps as much as 50-watt speeds, so long as yow will discover a suitable high-speed wi-fi charger. The cellphone has three most important cameras on the again. Andrew Lanxon/CNET Disappointing cameras OnePlus telephones have sometimes provided wonderful processor efficiency however solely OK imaging expertise, and that is very a lot the case right here. The OnePlus 12 comes with three rear cameras. They embody a 50-megapixel most important digital camera with a bigger picture sensor and large f1.6 aperture, a 48-megapixel ultrawide digital camera and a 32-megapixel telephoto digital camera with a 3x optical zoom. OnePlus 12, most important digital camera. Andrew Lanxon/CNET OnePlus 12, most important digital camera. Andrew Lanxon/CNET OnePlus 12, most important digital camera. Andrew Lanxon/CNETIn daylight, photographs from the principle digital camera are respectable. Exposure is usually good, there’s loads of element to be seen, and colours are largely fairly correct. OnePlus 12, most important digital camera. Andrew Lanxon/CNET OnePlus 12, ultrawide digital camera. Andrew Lanxon/CNETThere’s much less colour shift while you change between most important and ultrawide lenses too, which was one thing I discovered to be a selected downside on the final mannequin. Even at 6x zoom (3x optical and digital mixed), this daylight shot is crisp and vibrant. Andrew Lanxon/CNETThe 3x zoom lens captures zoomed-in photographs with ample element, and even the 6x zoom can produce some handsome photographs so long as you are taking pictures in brilliant situations. The 6x zoom does simply digitally crop into photographs from the 3x lens, nevertheless, so there’s a discount in high quality. It’s a disgrace to not see an extended optical zoom right here as I like the 5x zoom lens on the Pixel 8 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max. OnePlus 12, most important digital camera, night time mode. Andrew Lanxon/CNET iPhone 15 Pro Max, most important digital camera, night time mode. Andrew Lanxon/CNET OnePlus 11, most important digital camera, night time mode. Andrew Lanxon/CNETAt night time, efficiency considerably drops. Images from all lenses are surprisingly darkish, with the ultrawide particularly producing extraordinarily darkish photographs. I usually most well-liked photographs taken on the OnePlus 11. OnePlus 12, ultrawide digital camera, night time mode. Andrew Lanxon/CNETThe optical zoom has been very hit and miss, with some photographs wanting OK, whereas others have come out with such mushy particulars that they appear out of focus. Taken with the telephoto zoom lens, this nighttime picture has come out nicely, with respectable particulars and readability. Andrew Lanxon/CNET While this shot, additionally taken with the telephoto lens, has horrible particulars. Andrew Lanxon/CNET By comparability, the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s shot from its 5x optical zoom lens is crystal clear. Andrew Lanxon/CNETI’ve been somewhat stunned on the poor nighttime efficiency, as the broader aperture of the lens and the massive sensor dimension ought to assist it seize extra mild in darker situations. And certainly in additional low mild somewhat than particularly night time mode situations, I did discover the digital camera was in a position to take some handsome photographs. Overall, I’m underwhelmed by the cameras on the OnePlus 12. It’s undoubtedly able to taking some nice photographs, so long as you are in good situations, and people of you who perhaps simply need good snaps of your loved ones and mates can be nicely served. But it is not up there with its flagship rivals, with its night time mode photographs particularly letting it down. Should you purchase the OnePlus 12? The OnePlus 12 has lots to justify its lofty price ticket. It’s extraordinarily highly effective, its battery life is excellent, and the colourful, brilliant display screen makes your video games and movies pop. It’s additionally obtained a slick design that appears fashionable but nonetheless good. Andrew Lanxon/CNETIt’s a real flagship in lots of respects, however there are some issues that maintain me again from singing its praises fully. Chief amongst them is the digital camera, which actually did not impress, particularly at night time. If images is essential to your cellular expertise, it is price wanting elsewhere. And whereas its software program assist is not the worst round, I actually hoped to see OnePlus extending its assist interval to match what each Samsung and Google are providing. Still, when you’re on the lookout for a high-performance Android cellphone for gaming, with a battery that’ll put up with actual punishment, the OnePlus 12 is nicely price a glance. How we check telephones Every cellphone examined by CNET’s evaluations staff is definitely utilized in the actual world. We check a cellphone’s options, play video games and take images. We study the show to see if it is brilliant, sharp and vibrant. We analyze the design and construct to see how it’s to carry and whether or not it has an IP-rating for water-resistance. We push the processor’s efficiency to the extremes, utilizing standardized benchmark instruments like GeekBench and 3DMark in addition to our personal anecdotal observations navigating the interface, recording high-resolution movies and taking part in graphically intense video games at excessive refresh charges. All the cameras are examined in a wide range of situations, from brilliant daylight to darkish indoor scenes. We check out particular options like night time mode and portrait mode and examine our findings in opposition to equally priced competing telephones. We additionally take a look at the battery life through the use of the cellphone day by day in addition to operating a collection of battery drain checks. OnePlus 12 specs vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Google Pixel 8 Pro, Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max OnePlus 12Samsung Galaxy S24 UltraGoogle Pixel 8 ProApple iPhone 15 Pro Max Display dimension, tech, decision, refresh charge 6.82-inch AMOLED; 3,168×1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate6.8-inch AMOLED; 3,120×1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate6.7-inch OLED; 3,120×1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate6.7-inch OLED; 2,796×1,290 pixels; 120Hz adaptivePixel density 510 ppi501 ppi489 ppi460 ppiDimensions (inches) 6.5 x 3 x 0.36 in6.40 x 3.11 x 0.34 in6.4 x 3.0 x 0.3 in3.02 x 6.29 x 0.32 inDimensions (millimeters) 164.3 x 76 x 9.2 mm163 x 79 x 8.6 mm162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm76.7 x 159.9 x 8.25 mmWeight (grams, ounces) 220 g (7.8 oz)233 g (8.22 oz) 213 g (7.5 oz)221 g (7.81 oz)Mobile software program Android 14Android 14Android 14iOS 17Digicam 50-megapixel (large), 48-megapixel (ultrawide), 64-megapixel (telephoto)200-megapixel (large), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto), 50-megapixel (5x telephoto)50-megapixel (large), 48-megapixel (ultrawide), 48-megapixel (telephoto)48-megapixel (large), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel telephoto (5x optical)Front-facing digital camera 32-megapixel12-megapixel10.5-megapixel12-megapixelVideo seize 8K8K4K4KProcessor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Google Tensor G3A17 ProRAM/storage 12GB RAM + 256GB; 16GB RAM + 512GB12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB, 1TB12GB RAM + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB256GB, 512GB, 1TBExpandable storage NoneNoneNoneNoneBattery 5,400 mAh (twin 2,700 mAh)5,000 mAh5,050 mAhUndisclosed; Apple claims as much as 29 hours of video playback (25 hours streamed)Fingerprint sensor Under showUnder showUnder displayNone (Face ID)Connector USB-CUSB-CUSB-CUSB-C (USB 3.0)Headphone jack NoneNoneNoneNoneSpecial options 4,500-nit peak brightness; 4 years of software program and 5 years of safety updates; 80W wired charging (100W wired charging exterior US); 50W wi-fi charging with fan dock; Wi-Fi 7; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cowl glass; Gorilla Glass 5 again glassTitanium body, 2,600-nit peak brightness; 7 years of OS and safety updates; 5G (mmWave); IP68 water and mud resistance; wi-fi PowerShare to cost different units; built-in S Pen; UWB for locating different units; 45W wired charging (charger not included); Galaxy AI; Wi-Fi 7; Gorilla Glass Armor cowl glass5G (Sub 6 and mmWave); VPN by Google One; 7 years of OS, safety and Feature Drop updates; front-facing digital camera has autofocus; 13W Qi wi-fi charging; 30W wired charging; USB-3.2 speeds by way of USB-C; IP68 mud and water resistance; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on entrance and back5G (mmw/Sub6), Action Button, Always-On show, IP68 ranking, MagSafe, Dynamic Island, 5x optical zoom (120mm equal), satellite tv for pc connectivity, eSIM, Thread networking technologyUS value begins at $800 (256GB)$1,300 (256GB)$999 (128GB)$1,199 (256GB)UK value begins at £849 (256GB)£1,249 (256GB)£999 (128GB)£1,199 (256GB)Australia value begins at Converts to AU$1,640 (256GB)AU$2,199 (256GB)AU$1,699 (128GB)AU$2,199 (256GB) We keep in mind further options, like assist for 5G, satellite tv for pc connectivity, fingerprint and face sensors, stylus assist, quick charging speeds, and foldable shows, amongst others that may be helpful. And we stability all this in opposition to the worth to provide the verdict on whether or not that cellphone, no matter value it’s, really represents good worth. Though these checks could not at all times be mirrored in CNET’s preliminary evaluation, we conduct follow-up and long-term testing in most circumstances.