DO NOT put your hand between this and the charger - OnePlus 12
ShortCircuit
12 min, 16 sec
A comprehensive review of the OnePlus 12 and 12R smartphones, detailing design, features, performance, and comparisons with other flagship devices.
Summary
- The OnePlus 12 and 12R are introduced with emphasis on their return to flagship killer roots, boasting features like 80W wired and 50W wireless charging.
- The OnePlus 12 features a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, a vapor chamber cooler, and high-performance cameras with OIS on the main shooter.
- The OnePlus 12R, while similar in display and build, uses a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and has slightly downgraded camera specs compared to the OnePlus 12.
- Performance tests show minimal real-world differences between the two models, and both phones offer impressive battery life during YouTube playback tests.
- The review includes hands-on tests of camera quality, speaker performance, and an Aqua Touch feature that improves screen responsiveness when wet.
Chapter 1
Initial impressions of the OnePlus 12 and 12R, highlighting their flagship killer intent and a surprising 50W wireless charger.
- OnePlus unveils the OnePlus 12 and 12R with the 'never settle' slogan, signaling a return to their flagship killer roots.
- A 50W wireless charger is introduced, capable of charging faster than many phones charge with a wire, including flagships like the iPhone 15 and Samsung S24 Ultra.
Chapter 2
Exploration of OnePlus 12's design, charging capabilities, and display brightness claim of 4500 nits.
- The OnePlus 12 comes packed with features including 80W wired charging and a charger included in the box.
- The OLED display claims a peak brightness of 4500 nits, which was only achieved in a developer menu test.
- Design includes usual components like lock button, volume rocker, and OnePlus's trademark notification slider.
Chapter 3
A look at the OnePlus 12's internal specs, cooling system, and performance during YouTube playback.
- The device is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and contains OnePlus's largest vapor chamber cooler to date.
- OnePlus claims 20 hours of YouTube playback, but the phone exceeds expectations with nearly 28 hours at 200 nits brightness.
- The vapor chamber's effectiveness in preventing thermal throttling is questioned without active cooling.
Chapter 4
Assessment of the OnePlus 12's camera setup and video performance, with a focus on the main shooter's capabilities.
- The OnePlus 12 features a 50MP main shooter, a 64MP periscope telephoto, and a 48MP ultrawide camera.
- Video performance is found to be less impressive than photo capabilities, with noticeable stutter during panning.
- Despite past struggles with video, photo responsiveness and dynamic range are praised.
Chapter 5
Details on the OnePlus 12's network capabilities, memory, and external features.
- The phone supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and comes in options of 12 or 16GB RAM with 256 or 512GB storage.
- Features Corning Victus 2 glass and an aluminum frame, maintaining the OnePlus trademark notification slider.
Chapter 6
Introduction to the OnePlus 12R and its comparison to the OnePlus 12, focusing on display and camera differences.
- The OnePlus 12R shares many features with the OnePlus 12, including the same peak display brightness and 120Hz AMOLED screen.
- It offers similar camera numbers but with slight downgrades and lacks wireless charging, though it has a slightly larger battery.
Chapter 7
Performance testing of the OnePlus 12 and 12R, analyzing the real-world implications of different chipsets.
- The 12R uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, which, despite being a generation older, shows negligible performance differences in real-world use.
- In stress tests, the OnePlus 12 throttles to a performance level only about 10% higher than the 12R after repetitive benchmarking.
Chapter 8
Hands-on testing of the OnePlus 12R's camera capabilities.
- The 12R's cameras, particularly the 8MP ultrawide, are seen as the biggest compromise compared to the OnePlus 11.
- Despite the downgrade, the 12R is considered an excellent choice with its similar specs to the 11, upgraded battery, and fast charging.
Chapter 9
Evaluation of the user interface, speaker quality, and water-related features of the OnePlus 12 and 12R.
- Aqua Touch feature enhances screen responsiveness when wet, and a typing test demonstrates its effectiveness.
- Speaker quality is commended for both models, with the 12R offering a surprisingly good audio experience for a budget phone.
Chapter 10
Testing the 50W wireless charging capability and summarizing the reviewer's choice between OnePlus 12 and 12R.
- Wireless charging was tested, but didn't achieve the advertised speeds, raising questions about its efficiency.
- The review concludes with a consideration of the trade-offs between the two models, with the camera quality being a potential deciding factor.