Its the coolest-looking phone in a long time, maybe ever, while others are boring metal slabs.
As of March 2024, the phone’s Oxygen OS software hasn’t yet been updated.
The rest of this review remains as previously published.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
OnePlus 12: Two-minute review
The OnePlus 12 is cool, there is no doubt about it.
Its the best player in a scoring position, but it cant play every role on the field.
You get top-level performance, amazing photography, and battery life that lasts for days.
For the price, the OnePlus 12 is a stellar phone that exceeds expectations.
If that makes you a little suspicious, youre right to raise an eyebrow.
Its hard to recommend any smartphone that doesnt have this bare minimum level of durability.
Then there are more esoteric questions about OnePlus ownership.
How will you afford this phone if you cant pay for it monthly with your carrier contract?
OnePlus has great deals and financing, but that may not be enough for some buyers.
Where will you get it fixed when it breaks?
Hopefully, that never matters, but when it happens to you, youre going to be unhappy.
Im happy to root for an underdog, and theres a lot to love in the new OnePlus 12.
Its weird but take the discount.
Comparing the OnePlus 12 to those phones is almost laughable.
That battery charges much faster, too.
Is it worth saving money and buying a OnePlus 12 instead?
Absolutely, if you promise to be very, very careful with your new phone.
Where the OnePlus wins in specs is in charging and battery size.
The Galaxy S24 is a slab of a phone, no matter which you choose.
The Samsung Galaxy has lost all of its curves and lines.
The OnePlus 12, on the other hand, is gently curved on every edge.
The lines are inviting, not just unobtrusive.
The OnePlus 12 retains the mute switch, and OnePlus fans would revolt if they lost it.
Especially on a phone with true Hasselblad branding, how about it, OnePlus?
Maybe for the lucky number OnePlus 13?
The OnePlus 12 is a chonky beast and Im not gonna complain about it.
Ive been begging for years for phone makers to just add some thickness so the phone can last longer.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
It turns out we were both right, and its worth the trade.
It still feels substantial and thick, though the curved edges make it comfortable to hold.
Shipping a phone without IP68 certification is like selling a car without a backup camera.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Maybe you might drive safely without that feature but would you want to?
Its more likely to simply light up small portions of the screen that need the boost.
Still, when we cross the threshold for potential eye damage, maybe weve gone too far.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
In practice, I couldnt actually hurt myself with the OnePlus 12, and not for lack of trying.
Its simply been cold and cloudy since I picked up my review unit almost a month ago.
Blame Connecticuts terrible winter weather.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
This screen is totally lag-free in every way.
The OnePlus can push more brightness, but the Ultra doesnt need to get so bright.
Its a fair trade.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
That doesnt mean the OnePlus 12 doesnt fall victim to familiar Android traps.
There are multiple Photo apps on this phone, including the OnePlus photo gallery andGoogle Photos.
Its confusing, but you dont get two web browsers or two App Stores.
I doubt OnePlus can sustain its own OS development on older models.
That takes serious developer commitment that only the biggest companies like Google, Samsung, and Apple can offer.
This will remain an ongoing problem for OnePlus, I believe.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
The OnePlus 12 conspicuously skips new AI features that are plaguing other Android phones.
New AI features for editing images fall in between.
On the OnePlus 12, youll find none of these, for better and for worse.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
For now, its almost a relief that the OnePlus 12 is unburdened with AI features that nobody requested.
Apple isnt stuffing AI into the iPhone 15 yet, so it doesnt feel like OnePlus is behind.
If youre looking for extreme accuracy in color and detail, look elsewhere.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
OnePlus says that Hasselblad has tuned its camera processing (ie.
it hasnt helped create the lenses) to imitate classic Hasselblad portrait lenses.
This is not a versatile camera setup.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
I had no performance issue, but Im taking OnePlus claims with a hefty grain of salt.
Theres technically 5,400 mAh of battery in the OnePlus 12, but thats divided into two battery cells.
This technology lets OnePlus charge both batteries simultaneously, which doubles the charging speed.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
OnePlus sent me a special 50W wireless charger that works with the OnePlus 12.
Wireless charging for the OnePlus 12 is faster than most other wired competitors.
It looks cool, it runs cool, and it isnt bogged down with uncool software and AI features.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
charger or OnePluss fast wireless option.
The battery life also beats all competition.
Even worse, OnePlus doesnt offer as many years of Android updates and security patches.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
I used the OnePlus 12 with my car stereo, and with an Xbox controller while playing games.
For battery and benchmark testing, I worked with Future Labs to coordinate testing.
I also tested the devices charging on my own using a wireless AirVOOC charger supplied by OnePlus.
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
Read more about how we test
First reviewed February 2024
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
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(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)
