OnePlus 12R review
The OnePlus 12r marks a new direction for the brand's flagship lineup, bringing a more affordable option to the global market. This phone boasts a premium display, fast charging capabilities, and a high-end chipset that still packs enough punch for heavy gaming and multitasking. While it may lack some of the bells and whistles of its pricier counterpart, the OnePlus 12r offers great value, with excellent battery life, an impressive camera setup, and a sleek design that's sure to turn heads. Is this the perfect mid-range phone?
Build Quality and Design
The OnePlus 12r boasts a premium design language, characteristic of recent OnePlus phones. The most striking feature is the rounded camera bump that seamlessly integrates with the wraparound aluminum frame. The back panel appears to be made of glass, which in this glossy finish, is prone to smudging. OnePlus' signature alert slider is present on the side, adding a touch of familiarity to the design. The phone also features IP65-rated ingress protection, allowing it to withstand splashes or short water jets, but not full submersion. The build quality feels solid and premium, with a weighty presence in the hand. The display is a curved 6.78-inch LTPO OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass F2 protection. It boasts excellent screen brightness, reaching over 800 nits when manually adjusted, and can boost to around 1,200 nits in adaptive mode. The phone's design also features an optical under-display fingerprint reader, which works reliably. The OnePlus 12r has a pair of stereo speakers that produce good loudness with clean sound, although the low-end presence leaves something to be desired. Overall, the phone's design and build quality are top-notch, with attention to detail and a premium feel. While it may not stand out in terms of sheer originality, it is certainly an attractive and well-crafted device.
Battery Life
In an era where battery life is becoming increasingly important, the OnePlus 12R truly shines in this department. With a massive 5,500mAh battery, this device delivers class-leading performance that will easily last you through the day and then some. Our active use score measured 14 hours and 32 minutes, which is impressive to say the least. Even with heavy gaming, multitasking, and streaming, the OnePlus 12R managed to keep going without needing a recharge. One of the standout features of this phone is its charging speed. The included Super VOOC adapter can charge the battery from 0 to 70% in just 15 minutes, and a full charge takes only 25 minutes. This level of fast charging is unparalleled in the industry, making it an absolute delight for users who need their device up and running quickly. While the OnePlus 12R may have some drawbacks, its battery life is undoubtedly one of its strongest selling points. Whether you're a gamer, a social media enthusiast, or simply someone who likes to stay connected throughout the day, this phone has got you covered. In short, the OnePlus 12R's battery life is exceptional, and it should be high on your list if you prioritize all-day power in your next smartphone purchase.
Display
The display on the OnePlus 12R is a curved 6.78-inch LTPO OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. It's protected by Gorilla Glass F2 and features a high resolution that translates to 450 PPI, although not quite as sharp as the QHD on the flagship OnePlus 12. The screen's brightness is excellent, reaching over 800 nits when adjusted manually, and can boost up to around 1,200 nits in adaptive mode. One of the standout features of the display is its ability to dial down from 120Hz to as low as 1Hz when idling, saving energy. This feature, known as LTP Tech, allows the phone to conserve power while still maintaining a smooth visual experience. The panel also supports 10-bit color depth, HDR 10+, and Dolby Vision video playback, ensuring that colors remain accurate and vivid even in high-brightness conditions. The screen's performance is further enhanced by its ability to adapt to changing lighting environments, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use cases. In terms of audio, the phone features a pair of stereo speakers that deliver good loudness with clean sound. However, the low-end presence is somewhat lacking, which might be a drawback for some users. Overall, the display on the OnePlus 12R is an excellent feature that makes it a compelling option for those seeking a high-quality visual experience in their smartphone.
Camera
The camera setup on the OnePlus 12r is a standard affair for a mid-range phone, consisting of a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP macro camera. Despite its unassuming nature, the main camera delivers great-looking daytime photos with excellent detail and a natural look to them. Contrast and dynamic range are also impressive, and the color rendition is spot on. When compared side by side with the OnePlus 12, the 12r's output is often indistinguishable from that of the flagship model. In some cases, the 12r even manages to outdo its more expensive sibling in terms of detail. The camera's performance in low light conditions is also commendable, with night mode processing producing nice exposures and wide dynamic range. However, the lack of a telephoto camera does show in certain situations, particularly when using digital zoom. The resulting photos have smeared details and an over-sharpened appearance. Low-light video recording from the main camera is solid, but not spectacular, with decent exposure and color accuracy. The 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens produces acceptable photos with sufficient detail and low noise. Dynamic range is also reasonable, and the colors match those of the main camera. In low light conditions, the ultra-wide cam's auto night mode performs well, capturing a decent level of detail and maintaining good dynamic range and color accuracy. Video recording from the ultra-wide-angle lens is limited to 1080P and, unfortunately, doesn't impress. The quality is not great, with some noticeable wobble while walking and occasional focus hunting. The macro camera's performance is, as expected, nothing special, with a resolution of only 2MP. Selfies taken with the 16MP front-facing camera have okay dynamic range and colors but lack sufficient detail. Overall, the OnePlus 12r's camera setup offers more than enough for casual photography and video recording needs. While it may not match the flagship model's capabilities in every aspect, it does provide a reliable and feature-rich snapper that should satisfy most users.
Price and Value
The OnePlus 12R is a new flagship-killing phone that has finally gone global after being exclusive to the Indian market in the past. While it's exciting to see this device on a larger scale, it's essential to evaluate its value proposition considering its price and features. Priced competitively with other high-end smartphones, the OnePlus 12R offers an excellent display, class-leading battery life, super-fast charging, and a high-end chipset. The phone's camera setup is also impressive, with great photos from the main camera, especially in daylight conditions. However, it's worth noting that the absence of a telephoto camera and limited video recording capabilities might be a drawback for some users. One of the most significant compromises made by OnePlus is the inclusion of last year's flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, instead of the latest high-end silicon. While this still provides more than enough power for heavy gaming, multitasking, and a smooth overall experience, it's a step behind competitors who are now using newer chipsets. Despite these compromises, the OnePlus 12R remains an attractive option for those looking for a powerful phone without breaking the bank. The device's price is competitive with other high-end smartphones, making it a great value proposition considering its features and performance. In conclusion, while the OnePlus 12R may not be perfect, it offers an excellent display, class-leading battery life, and super-fast charging, making it a solid choice for those seeking a powerful phone without sacrificing too much. However, potential buyers should be aware of the compromises made in terms of chipset and camera capabilities. The OnePlus 12R's value proposition is strong, given its competitive price and impressive features. While some compromises have been made, this device remains a great option for those seeking a high-end phone experience without breaking the bank.
Performance
The OnePlus 12r is a powerhouse when it comes to performance. Despite being a notch below the flagship OnePlus 12, this phone still packs enough punch for heavy gaming, multitasking, and a smooth overall experience. Under the hood, you'll find last year's Flagship chipset - a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. While flagships these days come with the new Snapdragon hn3, the 12r still manages to hold its own in benchmarks. You won't get the advanced rate racing for games that newer phones offer, but it's still more than enough power for demanding tasks. One of the standout features of the 12r is its thermal management. During our prolonged stress tests, we did see some thermal throttling, but it wasn't extreme. This means you can expect a stable and cool performance even during intense gaming sessions or heavy multitasking. In terms of sheer processing power, the OnePlus 12r delivers. With a high-end chipset and ample RAM, this phone is capable of handling anything you throw at it. Whether you're playing graphics-intensive games or running multiple apps simultaneously, the 12r will keep up with ease. While some may lament the lack of the latest and greatest chipset, we'd argue that the 12r's performance is still top-notch. And let's be real - most users won't notice a significant difference in day-to-day use. The OnePlus 12r's performance is more than sufficient for an excellent overall experience. In conclusion, the OnePlus 12r's performance is a major selling point. With its powerful chipset and good thermal management, this phone will keep up with even the most demanding tasks. Whether you're a gamer or just someone who likes to stay on top of your digital life, the 12r is definitely worth considering.
Pros
1. Excellent display with high resolution (450 PPI) and good brightness
2. Class leading battery life (14 hours and 32 minutes active use)
3. Super fast charging (0 to 70% in 15 minutes, full charge in 25 minutes)
4. High-end chipset (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2) for heavy gaming and multitasking
5. Great photos from the main camera with excellent detail and natural look
6. Good low light video quality from the main cam
7. Excellent thermal management for sustained performance
8. Premium design with alert slider, IP65 rating, and glass back
Cons
1. Last year's Flagship chipset (Snapdragon 8 Gen 2) compared to latest models
2. No wireless charging option
3. Telephoto camera missing, relying on digital zoom for decent results
4. Video recording quality not great (Overexposed and narrow dynamic range)
5. Selfies from the front-facing cam have okay dynamic range and colors but low detail
6. Low light video stabilization not as good as other models
7. No QHD resolution like some competitors (450 PPI instead of 1440p)
8. Lower water resistance compared to some rivals