The last OnePlus phone I tested was the OnePlus Open, a superb foldable from OnePlus that despite being a first gen device, totally knocked it out of the park. The OnePlus 12 on the other hand is all about what OnePlus is known most for – being a flagship killer – and it doesn’t disappoint. As a matter of fact, the OnePlus 12 is an excellent flagship that delivers on nearly all fronts, making it a strong competitor to the flagships from Samsung, Google, and Apple. Read on to find out why.
Design and Build Quality
My first impression of the OnePlus 12 was that it’s a stunner. The design is sleek, modern, and feels every bit as premium as one would hope from a flagship. The standout Flowy Emerald variant is inspired by the natural beauty of the Dart River— and it gives the phone a unique artistic flare. I especially appreciate how the matte finish on the back keeps smudges at bay.
Display
The display on the OnePlus 12 is nothing short of spectacular. We’re talking about a 6.8-inch QHD+ AMOLED panel that dazzles with its 120Hz refresh rate, making everything from scrolling through feeds to watching videos feel ultra-smooth. And with a peak brightness of 4,500 nits, this screen laughs in the face of sunny days. This is a display that holds its own against the industry’s best.
Performance
Under the hood, the OnePlus 12 is a beast. Thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, this phone handles everything from casual use to intense gaming sessions without breaking a sweat. Whether you opt for 12GB or 16GB of RAM, you can expect crazy-smooth performance across all kinds of apps. In benchmark tests, the OnePlus 12 doesn’t just keep up with other flagships—it often surpasses them. This is the kind of performance we’ve seen consistently from OnePlus flagships over the years.
Camera
The camera setup on the OnePlus 12 might not be leading in its class, but it’s definitely no slouch. It delivers beautifully detailed and vibrant photos across a variety of lighting conditions. While it might not outshine the competing Pixel 8 Pro or Galaxy S24 Ultra in most scenarios—it’s more than capable of capturing those picture-perfect moments with finesse.
Battery Life and Charging
The OnePlus 12 has a large 5,400 mAh battery, which is considerably higher than other flagship smartphones. The 5,400mAh battery not only powers you through a full day but can also stretch into the next. I’ve been able to get a full day of heavy use without draining the battery below 25%, that’s a lot better the vast majority of flagship phones out there.
When it’s time to recharge, the 80W wired and 50W wireless charging capabilities mean you’ll be back in action fast. The device supports 80W SUPERVOOC wired charging, which can charge the battery from 0 to 100% in just 26 minutes.
Likewise, the OnePlus 12 is capable of very fast wireless charging speeds, supporting up to 50W using the company’s proprietary AirVOOC wireless charging standard. When using a 50W AirVOOC wireless charger, the OnePlus 12’s large battery can be fully recharged from empty to 100% in just around 1 hour.
Software and Updates
Running on OxygenOS 14 based on Android 14, the OnePlus 12 offers a clean, intuitive user experience that’s pretty close to stock Android. That said, while OnePlus’s commitment to four years of Android upgrades and five years of security updates is solid, it’s worth noting that it’s a tad behind the seven-year support promise from giants like Samsung and Google.
Value Proposition
Fortunately, the OnePlus 12 feels true to the brand’s slogan to “Never Settle”. At a starting price of $799, the OnePlus 12 is practically a great value. It delivers premium features without the premium price tag, competing directly with much pricier rivals.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the OnePlus 12 is quite a force to be reckoned with. It marries stunning aesthetics with robust performance, a pretty capable camera suite, and battery life that just won’t quit. While it’s not quite the best flagship out there, it offers a well-rounded, premium experience at a price that’s very competitive. If you’re in the market for a flagship, the OnePlus 12 deserves your consideration.
However, if camera performance and wireless charging is not a priority for you, we recommend the mid-range OnePlus 12R that is an excellent low-cost alternative to the OnePlus 12.