The OnePlus 12, released in December 2023, exemplifies OnePlus’s commitment to delivering high-performance smartphones at competitive prices. With a starting price of $629.99 CAD, it offers a compelling alternative to more expensive flagship models.
Design and Display
The OnePlus 12 features a sleek design with a glass back and aluminum frame, available in Flowy Emerald and Silky Black finishes. Its 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display boasts a 1440 x 3168 resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, providing vibrant colors and smooth visuals. The screen supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, enhancing the viewing experience for multimedia content. Notably, the display can reach a peak brightness of 4,500 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions.
Performance
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, the OnePlus 12 delivers robust performance suitable for demanding applications and gaming. It comes with either 12GB or 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and offers storage options of 256GB or 512GB UFS 4.0, though it lacks expandable storage via microSD card. The device runs on OxygenOS 14, based on Android 14, providing a clean and responsive user interface.
Camera System
The OnePlus 12’s triple rear camera setup includes:
- Main Camera: 50MP sensor with f/1.6 aperture and optical image stabilization (OIS) for sharp and detailed images.
- Telephoto Camera: 64MP periscope lens offering 3x optical zoom and OIS, enabling clear zoomed-in shots.
- Ultrawide Camera: 48MP sensor with a 114° field of view for expansive landscape and group photos.
The front-facing 32MP camera captures high-quality selfies and supports HDR. The camera system, developed in partnership with Hasselblad, ensures accurate color reproduction and impressive low-light performance.
Battery Life and Charging
Equipped with a 5,400mAh battery, the OnePlus 12 offers substantial battery life, with some users reporting up to two days of usage on a single charge. It supports 100W wired charging, capable of fully charging the device in approximately 26 minutes, and 50W wireless charging for added convenience.
Additional Features
The device includes an infrared (IR) blaster, allowing it to function as a universal remote for various electronic devices—a feature not commonly found in many smartphones.
However, it has an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, which is lower than the IP68 rating found in some competing flagship models, indicating it can withstand splashes but not full submersion.
Conclusion
The OnePlus 12 stands out as a well-rounded flagship smartphone, offering high-end specifications and features at a more accessible price point compared to competitors. Its impressive display, strong performance, versatile camera system, and fast charging capabilities make it a compelling choice for users seeking premium functionality without a premium price tag. However, potential buyers should consider the lower water resistance rating and the absence of expandable storage when making their decision.