Oppo K12 Plus review
The Oppo K12 Plus is a mid-range 5G phone that boasts a fast refresh rate AMOLED display and a powerful Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor. With a 50MP dual camera and lightweight design, this phone promises a seamless multimedia experience. The device also features a 6.7-inch screen, 120Hz refresh rate, and dual stereo speakers. We'll dive deeper into the phone's performance, camera quality, and gaming capabilities in our review, so stay tuned!
Build Quality and Design
The Oppo K12 Plus is a mid-range smartphone that boasts a sleek design and robust build quality. The device's white variant, dubbed "Snow Peak White," features a unique texture that shifts depending on the angle of view, giving it a premium look and feel. One notable aspect of the phone's design is its flat screen, which measures 6.7 inches in size. This layout provides an immersive viewing experience, but may make it slightly harder to hold onto due to the lack of curvature. The frame of the device is made of plastic, but it doesn't detract from the overall aesthetic. The back panel features a vertical camera arrangement with two lenses and a dual LED flash, giving it a distinctive look. The main camera boasts a 50MP Sony IMX 882 sensor, while the secondary camera is an 8MP Sony IMX 355 ultra-wide lens. The power button and volume rocker are situated on the right side of the device, alongside a speaker, IR blaster, and secondary noise cancellation mic at the top. The SIM tray, primary microphone, and bottom-firing speaker are located at the bottom. One potential drawback is the placement of the fingerprint sensor, which is positioned relatively low on the phone's body. However, it does unlock quickly, and the overall design makes for a comfortable grip despite its lightweight build (193.684710 grams). While the Oppo K12 Plus may not win any awards for innovation in terms of design, it does deliver a solid build quality that feels premium to hold. The attention to detail, such as the unique texture on the back panel and the speaker arrangement, adds to its appeal.
Battery Life
One aspect that didn't quite live up to expectations was the battery life of the Oppo K12 Plus. Despite its lightweight design and efficient processor, this mid-range 5G phone failed to deliver impressive juice endurance. During our tests, we found that the K12 Plus' 5000mAh battery struggled to last more than a day with moderate usage. This includes browsing the web, social media, email, and some light gaming. However, when pushed to its limits with heavy gaming, the battery life took a significant hit, lasting only around 8-10 hours. This was somewhat disappointing considering the phone's power-efficient processor and optimized color OS 14 software. While it wasn't catastrophic, the battery life did feel underwhelming compared to other devices in this price range. To be fair, Oppo does include an 80W fast charger with the K12 Plus, which can quickly top up the battery when needed. However, for those who want a phone that can last all day without needing a recharge, the K12 Plus might not be the best choice. Overall, while the battery life was decent in some scenarios, it fell short of our expectations in others. If you're looking for a phone with long battery life, you may want to consider other options before settling on the Oppo K12 Plus.
Display
The Oppo K12 Plus boasts an impressive 6.7-inch AMOLED display, which is one of its standout features. The screen's fast refresh rate and high refresh rate (up to 120Hz) ensure smooth visuals, making it ideal for gaming and multimedia consumption. The display has a Full HD+ resolution, providing vivid colors and crisp details. The diamond frame design around the screen adds an extra layer of protection, while the punch hole in the center is home to the selfie camera. The screen also features 2160Hz PWM dimming and DC-like dimming for advanced eye protection. One notable aspect of the display is its ability to show different textures from various angles on the back panel's unique design. This attention to detail adds a premium feel to the device. While the chin below the screen is slightly larger, it doesn't detract significantly from the overall experience. The AMOLED technology used in the Oppo K12 Plus ensures that colors are rich and vibrant, making it an excellent choice for those who value display quality. In terms of performance, the display is well-suited to handle demanding tasks like gaming and video playback. However, its responsiveness may not be as snappy as some other flagship devices on the market. Overall, the Oppo K12 Plus's AMOLED display is a significant strength of this mid-range 5G phone. Its fast refresh rate, high resolution, and advanced eye protection features make it an excellent choice for those looking for a good display in their next device.
Camera
The camera system on the Oppo K12 Plus is one of its standout features, and in this review, we'll take a closer look at what it has to offer. The phone boasts a dual-camera setup, consisting of a 50-megapixel main sensor and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens. The Sony IMX 882 sensor used in the primary camera is particularly impressive, capable of producing excellent image quality with great detail and color accuracy. In good lighting conditions, the K12 Plus's camera captures stunning images with vibrant colors and crisp textures. Portrait shots are also well-handled, with a nice bokeh effect and accurate subject isolation. However, it's worth noting that edge detection can be inconsistent at times, which may result in some minor artifacts or unwanted background blur. Low-light performance is where the K12 Plus truly shines. The camera's ability to capture images with minimal noise and excellent detail is commendable, making it a great option for nighttime photography. Additionally, the presence of optical image stabilization (OIS) helps to reduce camera shake and ensure sharper photos in these conditions. The ultra-wide-angle lens also performs well, offering a useful 16mm focal length that's perfect for capturing expansive landscapes or group shots. However, its image quality is not quite on par with the primary sensor, and it can suffer from some distortion and chromatic aberration at times. Video recording capabilities are equally impressive, with the K12 Plus able to capture smooth 4K footage at 30fps. The phone's OIS also helps to reduce camera shake, resulting in more stable video. In conclusion, while not perfect, the Oppo K12 Plus's camera system is a solid offering that will satisfy most users' needs. Its excellent image quality, both in good and low-light conditions, make it a great option for those who want a reliable camera on their smartphone. However, some minor issues with edge detection and ultra-wide-angle performance prevent it from being truly exceptional. 4/5
Price and Value
The Oppo K12 Plus is the latest mid-range smartphone from Oppo, boasting a 6.7-inch AMOLED display, fast refresh rate, and powerful Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor. While it checks most of the right boxes, let's dive into what really matters: price and value. Priced at around $253 (USA), £1995 (UK), and 1199 Chinese yuan in China, the base variant with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage seems like a decent offering. However, upon closer inspection, we can see that other mid-range phones offer similar specs for slightly lower prices. The highest variant of the Oppo K12 Plus comes with 12GB RAM and 512GB storage, but at what cost? This higher-end configuration puts it in direct competition with flagships, which are now more affordable than ever. The value proposition starts to wane when you consider that other phones offer better performance, camera capabilities, or additional features like a headphone jack. In the context of mid-range smartphones, the Oppo K12 Plus feels like an average offering. It's not particularly cheap, nor is it excessively expensive. However, its price puts it in the same category as more established mid-range players, which might make buyers wonder if they're getting the best value for their money. Ultimately, whether or not the Oppo K12 Plus offers good value depends on individual priorities and needs. If you want a solid, no-frills 5G phone with decent performance, it might be worth considering. However, if you're looking for something that really stands out in terms of camera capabilities, battery life, or design, there are likely better options available at similar price points.
Performance
The Oppo K12 Plus is a mid-range 5G phone that boasts impressive specs, including a fast refresh rate AMOLED display and Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor. However, how does it perform in real-world usage? I put the device through its paces to see if it can live up to its promises. During my testing, I observed that the Oppo K12 Plus handled everyday tasks with ease. Opening apps, switching between them, and multitasking were all smooth experiences. However, when I fired up a heavy game like Genshin Impact at high quality settings with 60 FPS, the results were less impressive. After playing for 30 minutes, the average frame rate dropped to 37.6 FPS. While this is not unacceptable, it's clear that the phone may struggle with demanding games. The front temperature reached 42.9°C, and the back temperature hit 41.7°C, indicating some heat buildup during prolonged gaming sessions. According to AnTuTu Benchmark scores, the Oppo K12 Plus scored around 900,000 points, which is respectable for a mid-range phone. However, it's essential to note that this score may not directly translate to real-world performance, especially in demanding scenarios like gaming. While the Oppo K12 Plus performs admirably in everyday use, its performance under heavy loads, such as intense gaming, leaves room for improvement. While it can handle gaming, it may not be the best choice for those who crave a seamless gaming experience. For casual gamers and users looking for a reliable device for general use, the Oppo K12 Plus is still a solid option to consider.
Pros
1. The phone has a good display with a fast refresh rate AMOLED screen.
2. It comes with stereo speakers providing a nice multimedia experience.
3. The camera quality is above average, with a 50MP main camera and an 8MP ultra-wide camera.
4. The phone has a lightweight design making it easy to hold for a long time.
5. It runs on Color OS 14 which is highly optimized for performance.
6. The phone's AMOLED screen also features diamond frame design for better protection.
Cons
1. The phone may not be suitable for heavy gaming due to its average gaming performance.
2. The frame of the phone is made of plastic and has no antenna lines, which might affect the phone's durability.
3. The fingerprint sensor is placed quite low on the phone, making it slightly inconvenient to access.
4. The chin of the phone is slightly larger, affecting its overall aesthetic appeal.
5. The phone's average frame rate dropped to 37.6 FPS after playing a heavy game for 30 minutes at high quality settings with 60 FPS.
6. The phone's back temperature reached 41.7°C during heavy gaming, which might be a concern.