Updated Review: June 3, 2024
- Original review date: February 12, 2024
- Launch price: $499.99 / £649
- Target price now: unchanged
It’s only been a couple of months since the OnePlus 12R faced our scrutiny, and in terms of pricing and availability, there’s been little change. Retailers both first and third-party across the US, UK, and beyond have held steady on the phone’s initial price tag. Meanwhile, OnePlus has yet to extend direct sales to Australia for its latest models.
Apart from minor stability enhancements, OnePlus hasn’t deemed it necessary to roll out any significant software updates to the Oxygen OS 14 experience out of the box. However, in early April, the company teased a new AI-powered addition called AI Eraser, slated to debut on several of its latest devices, including the OnePlus 12R. Much like similar AI features seen on Google’s Pixels and Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series, AI Eraser promises to allow users to remove unwanted elements from photos by simply circling them.
ONEPLUS 12R: QUICK RECAP
OnePlus began 2024 with the launch of two new phones: its flagship OnePlus 12 and the intriguing OnePlus 12R, marking the first time an R-series device has debuted internationally rather than solely in India.
The 12R closely aligns with the promises of OnePlus’ flagship devices, featuring familiar hardware akin to the previous year’s OnePlus 11. However, it also introduces some industry and company firsts. Visually, the 12R shares a resemblance with both the OnePlus 11 and 12, sporting rounded edges and the signature ‘Starlight Dial’ circular camera housing introduced in the 2023 OnePlus flagship.
While the iconic physical alert slider has shifted sides (attributed by OnePlus to enhanced antenna performance), and the phone lacks wireless charging and full IP68 dust and water resistance, it maintains a premium feel and boasts substantial power and battery life.
With specifications reminiscent of the OnePlus 11, including the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, up to 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and the largest battery ever featured in a OnePlus phone, the 12R delivers remarkable longevity comparable to top competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Additionally, the OnePlus 12R arrives with OxygenOS 14, boasting a suite of branded technologies, most notably the ‘Trinity Engine,’ which optimizes CPU, RAM, and ROM management to ensure sustained performance over time.
The phone boasts a stunning 1.5K LTPO 4.0 AMOLED display with advanced features such as an adaptive refresh rate, touch response rate, and peak brightness of 4,500nits.
However, the 12R’s camera versatility falls short of flagship status, particularly with its secondary cameras— the 8MP ultra-wide and 2MP macro lenses— which lack in quality and consistency compared to the main 50MP Sony sensor.
In terms of pricing and availability, the OnePlus 12R serves as the global variant of the OnePlus Ace 3, introduced in China at the beginning of 2024. Pricing starts at $499.99 / £649, significantly lower than the equivalent storage variant of the OnePlus 12.
Value Score: 4 / 5
SPECIFICATIONS
- Dimensions: 163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8mm
- Weight: 207g
- Display: 6.78-inch (2780 x 1264) 19.8:9 1Hz to 120Hz LTPO 4.0 ProXDR AMOLED Display
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- RAM: 8GB / 16GB (LPDDR5X)
- Storage: 128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1)
- OS: OxygenOS 14 based on Android 14
- Primary Camera: 50MP, f/1.8, Sony IMX890 with OIS
- Ultra-wide Camera: 8MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX355, fixed focus with 112º FoV
- Macro Camera: 2MP, fixed focus, 4cm effective shooting distance
- Front Camera: 16MP, f/2.4, fixed focus
- Battery: 5,500mAh
- Charging: 80W wired (US) / 100W wired (RoW)
- Colors: Iron Gray, Cool Blue
DESIGN
The OnePlus 12R boasts an elegant curved glass and metal design, featuring the iconic physical alert slider. While lacking wireless charging and full IP68 certification, it offers a premium feel and distinctive aesthetics.
Design Score: 3.5 / 5
DISPLAY
The 6.78-inch 1.5K LTPO 4.0 ProXDR AMOLED display of the 12R sets a new standard, offering outstanding peak brightness of up to 4,500nits, Aqua Touch for wet conditions, and a 120Hz refresh rate for fluid visuals.
Display Score: 5 / 5
SOFTWARE
OxygenOS 14 on Android 14 provides a customizable user experience with features like user-generated wallpapers, gestures, and floating windows. While maintaining simplicity, it offers functionality and supports timely updates for a satisfactory user experience.
Software Score: 4 / 5
CAMERAS
The 50MP Sony IMX890 primary sensor delivers excellent image quality, particularly in HDR shooting. However, the secondary ultra-wide and macro cameras fall short in quality and consistency compared to the main sensor.
Camera Score: 3.5 / 5
PERFORMANCE
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC and enhanced by the Trinity Engine, the OnePlus 12R offers flagship-level performance. It excels in everyday tasks and gaming, although heat build-up may occur during intensive use.
Performance Score: 4 / 5
BATTERY
The OnePlus 12R boasts the largest battery capacity in a OnePlus phone ever, providing exceptional longevity. With up to 100W SuperVOOC wired charging, it offers rapid charging speeds, ensuring minimal downtime.
Battery Score: 4.5 / 5
In summary, the OnePlus 12R offers a compelling package, excelling in display quality, battery life, and performance. While its camera versatility and design fall slightly short of flagship standards, its competitive pricing and feature set make it a strong contender in the smartphone market.
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