Opening
It seems like just yesterday that the OnePlus One was being introduced in 2014, and yet 10 years later, we have the OnePlus 12. This special anniversary edition has made its way to our test bench and we now have all the details for you.
The press materials for the OnePlus 12 underline the value of all this experience. We will be quick to point out that over the past decade, the brand’s concept and focus have changed significantly. The original ‘startup’ from 2014, known for its guerilla marketing and aggressive pricing for top-tier hardware, has gradually become a staple in the flagship space. Over time, the brand has also expanded its lineup downwards. In doing so, however, OnePlus lost much of its identity and eventually became just another branch of the parent company, Oppo.
China-exclusive Oppo Find X7 Pro (left) next to OnePlus 12
But let’s not get sidetracked. As we move forward, we will try to avoid such musings on philosophical topics and devote our full attention to the OnePlus 12 itself. And the OnePlus 12 deserves it.
A high-end package, the 12 starts off with a supreme display that has everything – high resolution, brightness, adaptive high refresh rate, Dolby Vision – and more. The latest top-end Snapdragon processor is also no surprise, and the 12 benefits from being among the first to go on sale with it. The world may not be getting the 24GB/1TB top-spec China version, but the half-terabyte version will suffice.
The cameras aren’t region-specific, which is good, and the configuration is quite compelling. A one-incher is still missing, but there’s another high-end Sony imager that leads a competent three-camera setup. A reasonably large-sensor ultrawide with autofocus is included at one end of the zoom range, while a 3x telephoto should also be able to deliver impressive 6x shots, based on our previous experience with it (Oppo Find N3/OnePlus Open).
A notable new addition this year is the increased battery capacity to 5,400mAh – a widespread change across the Oppo/OnePlus/Realme portfolio. The OnePlus 12 comes with a 100W charger, so it is expected to have speedy charging.
OnePlus 12 technical specifications:
- Body: 163.3×75.8×9.2mm, 220g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame; IP65, waterproof and dustproof.
- Display: 6.82″ LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 600 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak), 1440x3168px resolution, 19.8:9 aspect ratio, 510ppi.
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm): Octa-core (1×3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 5×3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2×2.3 GHz Cortex-A520); Adreno 750.
- Memory: 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 24GB RAM; UFS 4.0.
- OS/Software: Android 14, OxygenOS 14 (International), ColorOS 14 (China).
- Rear camera: Wide (main): 50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm, 1/1.43″, 1.12µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS; Telephoto: 64 MP, f/2.6, 70mm, 1/2.0″, 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom; Ultra wide angle: 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚, 1/2.0″, 0.8µm, PDAF.
- Front camera: 32 MP, f/2.4, 21mm (wide), 1/2.74″, 0.8µm.
- Video capture: Rear camera: 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision; Front camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS.
- Battery: 5400mAh; 100W wired, PD, QC, 1-100% in 26 min (advertised), 50W wireless, 1-100% in 55 min (advertised), 10W reverse wireless.
- Connectivity: 5G; eSIM; Dual SIM; Wi-Fi 7; BT 5.4, aptX HD; NFC; Infrared port.
- Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, optical); stereo speakers.
Other notable items in the specification sheet include the IP65 rating, which falls just short of the flagship standard of IP68. On the other hand, the 12 features an infrared emitter, possibly for the first time in a number-only OnePlus model, which may make up for the lower IP rating. Stereo speakers, optical fingerprint reader, alert slider – these are just some predictable features to check off.
Unboxing of the OnePlus 12
The OnePlus 12 comes in the standard red cardboard box, now with a large ’12’ debossed on the lid and some less prominent OnePlus and Hasselblad branding here and there. Inside, you’ll find a 100W adapter and a USB-A-to-C cable to go with it.
There’s no protective case in the retail bundle, just like the previous two generations. The paper sleeve above the phone does hold three stickers, besides the documentation. These stickers can be used to spread your love for OnePlus across your other devices. Also included is a ‘Red Cable Club’ membership card for discounts when shopping for accessories.
