The OnePlus 12: A Familiar Yet Refined Flagship with Hardware at its Core
While the tech world is buzzing with AI-powered features on new phones, OnePlus, known for its high-performance flagships, has taken a different approach with the OnePlus 12. It’s a device that embraces a familiar yet refined design language, focusing on delivering a powerful hardware experience rather than chasing the AI-powered software trends. This focus on tried and true fundamentals is a refreshing departure, especially when comparing it to the AI-heavy direction of rivals such as Google and Samsung. But does it mean compromising on cutting-edge technology? Let’s dive into the OnePlus 12, and see if it can hold its own against the onslaught of AI-powered competitors.
A Look that’s Familiar Yet Distinct
The OnePlus 12 builds on the design language of the OnePlus 11, but it feels like a distinct evolution. The Flowy Emerald finish in my review unit boasts a textured rear panel with flowing lines, creating a visually appealing and tactile experience. The camera layout is particularly eye-catching, resembling the elegant design of a traditional timepiece.
The phone itself maintains OnePlus’s signature rounded corners, curved sides, and meticulous attention to detail, but it feels less radical than the brand’s foldable, the Open. This harkens back to the familiar OnePlus aesthetic, delivering a refined and consistent design that might appeal to those who value a traditional flagship look.
Display: Big and Beautiful with Added Protection
The OnePlus 12 boasts a large 6.82-inch QHD+ display in a 19.8:9 aspect ratio, offering sharp visuals with a pixel density of 510ppi. The company claims a peak brightness of 4,500 nits and a maximum brightness of 1,600 nits, ensuring excellent visibility under direct sunlight.
The 3D curved edge display is further enhanced by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection, which also graces the rear panel. This combination ensures both visual appeal and robust protection, a key feature for users who value both style and durability.
Powering Up with a Top-Tier Processor
Under the hood, the OnePlus 12 is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. This makes it one of the few flagships in its price range to feature this top-of-the-line processor, especially since both Vivo and Samsung have opted for MediaTek and Exynos processors this time around.
Coupled with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage, the OnePlus 12 promises a smooth and responsive user experience, catering to demanding users who require seamless multitasking and lightning-fast app loading speeds.
Cameras: An Upgrade with Familiar Features
The OnePlus 12 boasts a camera setup that mirrors the one found on the Open foldable, offering a 50-megapixel primary camera with OIS, a 48-megapixel ultra-wide camera with a 114-degree field of view, and a 64-megapixel telephoto lens with 3X optical zoom. In the front, a fixed-focus 32-megapixel selfie camera captures those all-important moments.
While the camera features might seem familiar, the hardware itself represents a significant upgrade compared to the OnePlus 11. This raises the bar for image quality in several areas, which will likely translate to improved performance in low-light conditions, faster autofocus, and more vibrant colors, all factors that contribute to a superior photography experience.
Long-Lasting Battery and Reliable Charging
Despite housing a large 5,400mAh dual-cell battery, the OnePlus 12 feels surprisingly thin and light. This is achievable due to the efficient design and optimization that OnePlus has become known for.
The phone comes with an included 100W charger for fast charging, which might feel like a slight downgrade from last year’s 100W wired charging, but it’s a necessary compromise to support the larger battery capacity. The added battery life is a significant improvement for users who seek longer usage between charges.
And to sweeten the deal, OnePlus brings back its 50W AirVOOC wireless charging technology, adding further flexibility to the device’s power management.
The Software Side: Less AI, More Optimization
The OnePlus 12 runs OxygenOS 14 based on Android 14. While it doesn’t boast the heavy AI integration found in competitor’s devices, it still promises a smooth and optimized experience. OnePlus is known for fine-tuning its software to the hardware, ensuring optimal performance and responsiveness.
This focus on optimization could prove to be a strong point, particularly when compared to the Google Pixel series, which faced some issues with AI features slowing down performance. It suggests that OnePlus might be able to offer a more consistent and reliable experience overall, even without the extensive AI features.
OnePlus: Redefining Value in a Competitive Market?
The OnePlus 12 presents a compelling case for users seeking a premium flagship that focuses on delivering a powerful hardware experience. By focusing on familiar design elements, top-notch performance, and a robust camera system, OnePlus avoids chasing the AI trend and offers a device that stands out for its smooth and efficient operation.
The ability to provide a rock-solid user experience could be OnePlus’s advantage in the increasingly crowded flagship market.
This device offers a different perspective on what a modern flagship should be, focusing on core fundamentals rather than chasing the latest software trends. Whether this approach will be enough to stand out against the plethora of AI-powered competitors remains to be seen.
My detailed review of the OnePlus 12 is coming soon, offering a deeper dive into its performance, camera capabilities, and overall appeal. Stay tuned for a comprehensive assessment of this impressive flagship, and whether it can truly deliver on its promise of providing a premium experience with a focus on core fundamentals.
