OnePlus 12R review
The OnePlus 12r is a flagship-killing phone that has gone global after being previously exclusive to India in the R series. While it's a notch below the OnePlus 12, it still offers high-end gaming performance and a premium display. The phone features a curved 6.78-inch LTPO OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, Gorilla Glass F protection, and a 450 PPI resolution. Powering the device is last year's flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which still provides more than enough power for heavy gaming, multitasking, and smooth overall performance. The phone also features a 5,500mAh battery with super fast charging (up to 100W) and an alert slider on the side. The camera setup is similar to mid-range phones, with a 50MP main cam, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP macro camera. While it doesn't have a telephoto camera, the main camera captures great-looking daytime photos with excellent detail, natural look, and high contrast. Low-light performance is also impressive, with good exposure, dynamic range, and color rendition. The OnePlus 12r offers class-leading battery life, an excellent display, and super fast charging. While it may lack a telephoto camera, wireless charging, and better water resistance compared to competitors, it's still a great choice for those looking for high-end performance without the hefty price tag of the flagship OnePlus 12.
Build Quality and Design
The OnePlus 12r is a notable smartphone that has made its way to the global market, boasting a premium design language reminiscent of other recent OnePlus devices. The device features a sleek aluminum frame with a round camera bump that seamlessly integrates into the phone's wraparound body. The glossy finish on the back adds a touch of elegance, but it also makes the phone prone to smudging. One notable feature is the alert slider on the side, a signature element of OnePlus phones. The 12r also boasts IP65-rated ingress protection, ensuring that it can withstand splashes and even jets of water, although full submersion is not recommended. The display of the OnePlus 12r is a curved 6.78-inch LTPO OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass F protection. The screen's brightness is excellent, reaching over 800 nits in manual mode and boosting to around 1,200 nits in adaptive mode. This high-resolution display (450 PPI) may not be as sharp as the QHD on the flagship OnePlus 12, but it still offers great visuals. The phone's overall build quality feels solid and premium, with a sturdy feel that is characteristic of OnePlus devices. The weight distribution is well-balanced, making it comfortable to hold in one hand. While some users may find the glossy finish too smudge-prone, others will appreciate its sleek look. Overall, the OnePlus 12r's design and build quality are worthy of praise, offering a premium feel that justifies its high-end price tag.
Battery Life
One aspect that truly stands out about the OnePlus 12r is its exceptional battery life. With a generous 5,500mAh power cell, this phone can easily last for two days with moderate use. In our testing, we found that the 12r consistently delivered an active usage score of over 14 hours and 32 minutes, making it one of the longest-lasting flagships available. The battery's efficiency is complemented by a fast charging system, which can propel the phone from 0 to 70% in just 15 minutes. A full charge takes around 25 minutes, further underscoring its rapid refueling capabilities. This means that even when you're on-the-go or forget to charge your phone, you won't be left scrambling for a power source. We were also impressed by the OnePlus 12r's battery conservation features. The display's ability to adapt its refresh rate from 120Hz down to 1Hz in idle mode helps minimize energy consumption, allowing the battery to retain its capacity over time. Overall, the OnePlus 12r's impressive battery life is a significant selling point for anyone seeking a phone that can keep up with their busy lifestyle. Whether you're a heavy user or someone who needs a reliable device for everyday tasks, this phone has got you covered.
Display
The display on the OnePlus 12R is a notable highlight of this device. It's a curved 6.78-inch LTPO OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass F protection. The resolution comes out to an impressive 450 PPI, although it falls short of the QHD standard found on the flagship OnePlus 12. Despite this, the display is still very good, offering excellent brightness levels that can boost up to over 1,200 nits in adaptive mode. This makes it suitable for use under bright conditions, and the LTP technology helps conserve battery life by reducing the refresh rate when idling. The panel also supports 10-bit color depth, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision, ensuring vivid colors and contrast ratios. In addition, it's capable of displaying HDR photos in the gallery, further enhancing the visual experience. In terms of performance, the display is snappy and responsive, making it ideal for gaming and multimedia consumption. The stereo speakers on the 12R also produce good sound quality, although they could benefit from a bit more low-end presence. Overall, the display on the OnePlus 12R is a strong feature that justifies its status as a flagship device. While it may not match the standard of its predecessor, it still offers an excellent viewing experience and makes a compelling case for choosing this phone over others in its class.
Camera
The camera setup on the OnePlus 12R is a mixed bag. On one hand, you get a capable main camera that captures great-looking daytime photos with excellent detail and natural color rendition. The high contrast ratio and good dynamic range make it a pleasure to shoot in bright conditions. The results are similar to those from the flagship OnePlus 12, which might leave some users wondering if they're missing out on anything. However, the lack of a telephoto camera is noticeable. The two times digital zoom produces photos with smeared detail, and sharpening is dialed way too high. This makes it harder to capture good-quality zoom shots, especially in situations where you need more flexibility. Night mode processing works well on the 12R, producing great-looking photos with nice exposures and wide dynamic range. Detail is excellent, and noise is non-existent. However, these results are similar to those from the OnePlus 12, leaving some users wondering if they're missing out on anything by not upgrading to the latest flagship. The 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera produces decent photos with enough detail, low noise, and good dynamic range. Colors match well with the main camera's output, and nighttime shots benefit from auto night mode processing. Video recording is an area where the OnePlus 12R falls short. The main camera can record up to 4K at 60 FPS, but quality is merely okay. Videos are slightly overexposed, and dynamic range isn't the widest. Detail remains pretty good, though, with no noise. Electronic video stabilization could be better, leaving a bit of wobble while walking. Low-light video quality from the main camera is solid, with well-judged exposure, reasonable dynamic range, and accurate colors. Detail can get sketchy in shadows, but it's not too bad overall. In summary, the OnePlus 12R's camera setup is capable but falls short of expectations in some areas. While daytime photos are excellent, the lack of a telephoto camera and decent video recording capabilities will disappoint some users. If you're looking for a great all-around camera experience, there may be better options available.
Price and Value
The OnePlus 12R is the latest addition to the Chinese brand's R series, previously exclusive to India but now available globally. As a notch below the flagship OnePlus 12, it offers a more affordable alternative without sacrificing too much in terms of performance. Priced competitively, the OnePlus 12R delivers an excellent display with a high-resolution LTPO OLED panel and HDR10+ support. The 6.78-inch screen is a highlight, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. While not quite as sharp as the QHD on the flagship OnePlus 12, it's still impressive. The phone also boasts class-leading battery life, with an estimated 14 hours and 32 minutes of active use time. Super-fast charging support ensures that your battery will be topped up in no time, although wireless charging is notably absent. While the camera setup may seem dated compared to newer flagships, the OnePlus 12R's main camera still delivers great results, especially in daylight conditions. Photos exhibit excellent detail and natural color tone. Low-light performance is also commendable, with decent exposure and dynamic range. However, video recording quality could be better, and the absence of a telephoto lens might disappoint some users. Considering its price point, the OnePlus 12R offers impressive value for money. It's a great choice for those seeking a high-end smartphone experience without breaking the bank. While it may not match up to the latest flagships in every aspect, it still delivers an excellent display, long battery life, and fast charging capabilities. If you're in the market for a new phone and are willing to make some compromises on camera performance, the OnePlus 12R is definitely worth considering.
Performance
The OnePlus 12r is powered by last year's flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. While this may seem outdated compared to the latest high-end silicon found in newer flagships, such as the OnePlus 12, it still packs a punch for heavy gaming, multitasking, and a smooth overall experience. In benchmarks, the OnePlus 12r falls behind its competitors that boast the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Additionally, you won't find advanced features like rate racing for games on this device. However, it's essential to note that the 12r still delivers a performance comparable to a 2023 flagship, making it more than capable of handling demanding tasks. Thermal management is also commendable in the OnePlus 12r, with some thermal throttling observed during prolonged stress tests. Nevertheless, this wasn't extreme and shouldn't deter you from purchasing the device. The phone's chipset performs well under normal usage, ensuring seamless transitions between apps and responsive performance. However, it may not provide the same level of power as newer flagships, which could be a concern for some users. Overall, the OnePlus 12r's performance is impressive considering its price point and the older chipset used. While it may not set new benchmarks in terms of raw power, it still delivers a smooth and enjoyable experience that should satisfy most users' needs. 8/10 If you're looking for an affordable option with great performance without breaking the bank, the OnePlus 12r is definitely worth considering. Just be aware of its slightly outdated chipset compared to newer flagships.