OnePlus 12

Ryan Haines from Android Authority highlights the OnePlus 12 as a refined evolution of the OnePlus 11, delivering meaningful upgrades without straying far from its predecessor’s design. Praising its powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, massive 5,400mAh battery with fast wired and wireless charging, and impressive gaming performance, Haines emphasizes the phone’s strong all-around capabilities at a competitive $799 price point. The Hasselblad-tuned camera system shows notable improvements in color science and zoom resolution, though low-light photography remains inconsistent. While the software experience is stable and improved, the lack of AI features and limited software support compared to rivals temper enthusiasm. The absence of full IP68 water resistance is a notable drawback for a flagship device. Overall, Haines presents the OnePlus 12 as a compelling “pro phone without the pro name,” ideal for users seeking a balanced, high-performance device with excellent battery life, but who can accept some compromises in camera and software innovation.

Andrew Lanxon from CNET praises the OnePlus 12 as a powerful flagship smartphone with standout performance and excellent battery life, making it a strong contender for gamers and heavy users. The phone’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor delivers smooth, lag-free gameplay and multitasking, while its vibrant, bright 6.82-inch display excels even in outdoor conditions and wet use. Fast charging and wireless charging add to its appeal. However, Lanxon highlights a key flaw: the camera system, especially in low-light and night conditions, falls short compared to rivals like the Pixel 8 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The design is familiar but refined, with a frosted glass back and improved button placement, though some may find the finish less premium. Software support is decent but lags behind competitors offering longer update periods. Overall, the OnePlus 12 impresses with power and battery but leaves room for improvement in photography and software longevity.

Sarah Lord from PCMag highlights the OnePlus 12 as a compelling flagship smartphone that delivers premium performance, an impressive 6.82-inch ProXDR LTPO display, and exceptional battery life at a more affordable price point than competitors like the Galaxy S24+ and Pixel 8 Pro. The phone’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset powers smooth gaming and multitasking, while fast wired and wireless charging add convenience. The design improvements, including a matte finish and striking Flowy Emerald color, enhance usability and aesthetics. Camera performance is solid, especially in daylight and low light, though it lacks AI enhancements found in rival models, and the selfie camera is less impressive. Some trade-offs include a lower IP65 water resistance rating, absence of mmWave 5G, and shorter software update commitments compared to Samsung and Google. Overall, the OnePlus 12 offers excellent value for users seeking flagship features without the highest price, though those prioritizing advanced cameras, AI features, or longer support may look elsewhere.

Philip Berne from TechRadar highlights the OnePlus 12 as a strikingly cool and well-designed smartphone that delivers excellent performance, impressive battery life, and ultra-fast charging at a competitive price point. The phone’s standout features include a vibrant, curved display brighter than many rivals, a large 5,400 mAh battery, and a camera system tuned for unique, compelling portraits, often outperforming pricier flagships in certain shots. However, Berne tempers enthusiasm with notable criticisms: the OnePlus 12 lacks IP68 water resistance, falls short on long-term software update commitments compared to Samsung and Google, and offers less versatile camera capabilities, especially for zoom and macro photography. The omission of advanced AI features and a less durable build also limit its appeal for mainstream users. Ultimately, Berne recommends the OnePlus 12 enthusiastically to those prioritizing design, speed, and battery life, but advises caution for buyers seeking durability, extensive software support, or all-around camera versatility.

Julian Chokkattu from WIRED highlights the OnePlus 12 as a well-rounded, attractive smartphone that prioritizes polished hardware and software over flashy AI features. Praising its sleek design—especially the standout Flowy Emerald color—and smooth performance powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with “CPU-Vitalization,” the review emphasizes the phone’s impressive battery life, fast charging, and solid camera system co-developed with Hasselblad. While the cameras deliver pleasing results, some issues with motion capture and HDR are noted, and the phone’s curved display edges and limited IP65 water resistance draw mild criticism. Chokkattu appreciates the return of wireless charging but points out that OnePlus lags behind Samsung and Google in AI capabilities and software support longevity. Overall, the OnePlus 12 is described as a “Very Good Phone” offering excellent value at $800, though it still plays “third fiddle” to its bigger rivals, suggesting OnePlus should enhance its software intelligence to stay competitive.

Chris Wedel from Android Police highlights the OnePlus 12 as a strong flagship contender that excels in performance, display quality, battery life, and camera capabilities, all while maintaining a competitive price under $1000. The review conveys clear enthusiasm for the phone’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, 6.82-inch 4500-nit AMOLED display, and versatile triple-camera system, which notably improves on its predecessor and rivals some top-tier competitors. Wedel appreciates the return of wireless charging and praises the phone’s efficient cooling and smooth multitasking. However, he expresses mild frustration with software inconsistencies, such as the missing notification snooze feature and a slower optical fingerprint reader, which he feels should be replaced. The design is described as refined but somewhat stale, with a call for a fresh look in future models. Despite limited carrier availability, Wedel recommends the OnePlus 12 as a well-rounded, high-performance device that keeps the brand exciting for 2024 and beyond.

Peter Kostadinov from PhoneArena highlights the OnePlus 12 as a strong contender in the 2024 flagship smartphone arena, praising its superb performance, bright and accurate OLED display, and excellent battery life with ultra-fast charging. The review conveys a generally positive and measured enthusiasm, appreciating the phone’s ergonomic design, innovative camera improvements—especially the return of a 3X telephoto lens—and the inclusion of practical features like an IR blaster and IP65 water resistance. However, the tone remains balanced, noting that the design feels safe and somewhat formulaic, lacking bold innovation or color variety. The camera system, while capable, falls short of matching the longer telephoto zoom offered by competitors. Software support is another drawback, with only four years of major updates compared to longer support from rivals. Overall, the OnePlus 12 is portrayed as a well-rounded, no-nonsense flagship that delivers excellent value and performance but plays it cautiously rather than pushing boundaries.

Samuel Gibbs from The Guardian highlights the OnePlus 12 as a powerful smartphone with a sleek design, excellent battery life, and a vibrant, bright OLED screen. Powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, it delivers smooth everyday performance and impressive charging speeds, reaching full charge in under 30 minutes. However, Gibbs points out that the phone feels somewhat outdated due to its lack of advanced AI features that competitors like Samsung, Google, and Apple now offer. The camera system, while solid in good lighting, struggles in low-light and high-contrast scenarios, falling short of rival flagship models. Additionally, the limited software support of four years for Android updates and five years for security patches is a notable drawback. Priced at £849, the OnePlus 12 sits awkwardly between mid-range and premium tiers, offering top-tier performance but missing key modern features, making it a less compelling choice compared to its more feature-rich rivals.

Dave Altavilla from Forbes highlights the OnePlus 12 as a compelling, value-packed flagship that nearly achieves a no-compromise experience for Android users. Praising its stunning 6.82-inch Quad HD+ AMOLED display, top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance, and impressive battery life with ultra-fast charging, Altavilla emphasizes the phone’s ability to rival much pricier competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max. The review offers unique insights into real-world 5G speeds, camera versatility with advanced computational photography, and a clean, near-stock Android experience. While noting minor drawbacks such as the lower IP65 water resistance rating and absence of mmWave 5G, these are framed as non-critical for most users. Altavilla’s month-long daily use and detailed testing underscore the OnePlus 12’s strong all-around performance, making it a highly recommended choice for Android enthusiasts and even some iPhone switchers seeking flagship quality at a significantly lower price point.

Myriam Joire from HotHardware highlights the OnePlus 12 as a powerful flagship contender that lives up to its “flagship killer” reputation with impressive specs and competitive pricing. The review conveys clear enthusiasm for the phone’s standout 6.82-inch Quad HD+ AMOLED display, which offers exceptional brightness and smooth variable refresh rates, making it excellent for outdoor and low-light use. Joire praises the camera system extensively, noting the advanced triple-lens setup with Hasselblad tuning, especially the versatile 3x periscope telephoto lens that delivers impressive zoom quality up to 20x. The review balances this praise with measured critiques, such as the less appealing marble-like finish on the Flowy Emerald colorway and the modest IP65 rating, which limits water resistance. Overall, the tone is optimistic and confident, emphasizing the OnePlus 12’s ability to compete with pricier rivals like the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max, while offering unique features and excellent imaging performance that may even surpass some top competitors.