OnePlus 12 – Product Review

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OnePlus 12: Redefining Flagship Excellence in 2025

OnePlus, the brand that began as a "flagship killer," has matured into a powerhouse that consistently delivers top-tier smartphones blending performance, design, and innovation. The OnePlus 12, launched globally in early 2024 and arriving in India shortly after, exemplifies this evolution with premium hardware, intelligent software, and an impressive camera system—all packed into a refined, elegant chassis. Here's a comprehensive look at what makes the OnePlus 12 one of the most compelling flagship choices of 2025.

Design and Build: Premium Aesthetics with Practical Enhancements

The OnePlus 12 maintains the design philosophy introduced with the OnePlus 11 but refines it further. It boasts a premium glass and metal build with a curved AMOLED display and a large circular camera module on the back, giving it a distinct identity in the crowded flagship segment.

Available in elegant color options like Flowy Emerald, Silky Black, and Arctic White, the OnePlus 12 feels luxurious in the hand while also being practical with an IP65 water and dust resistance rating—a significant improvement from the previous IP64 of the OnePlus 11.

The ergonomics are excellent despite the large size, and the alert slider—a fan-favorite feature—makes a return, now positioned more conveniently for left-hand usage.

Display: A Visual Feast

The OnePlus 12 features a stunning 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a QHD+ (3168 x 1440) resolution and a refresh rate of 120Hz. With ProXDR technology, the display offers richer contrast and HDR capabilities, resulting in vibrant visuals and deep blacks.

The panel supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, making it a treat for media consumption. Additionally, OnePlus has integrated the Rain Touch technology, which improves touch response even in wet conditions—a practical enhancement for real-world usage.

Brightness is another strong suit, peaking at an incredible 4,500 nits, making outdoor visibility exceptional even under harsh sunlight.

Performance: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Leads the Charge

Under the hood, the OnePlus 12 is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. This combination ensures buttery-smooth performance across gaming, multitasking, and productivity.

Whether you're playing graphic-intensive games like Genshin Impact or editing 4K videos, the OnePlus 12 handles it with ease. The Advanced Trinity Engine optimizes system performance intelligently, reducing power consumption while maintaining snappy responses.

Thermal performance is managed well with the Dual Cryo-velocity VC Cooling System, ensuring the phone stays cool under pressure.

Camera System: A Leap Forward with Hasselblad

The camera setup on the OnePlus 12 is where the brand has made serious strides, thanks to its continued collaboration with Hasselblad.

Main Sensor: 50MP Sony LYT-808 with OIS
Ultra-wide: 48MP Sony IMX581 with a 114° field of view
Telephoto: 64MP OmniVision OV64B periscope with 3x optical and up to 120x digital zoom

The main sensor captures stunning detail, especially in low-light conditions, thanks to larger pixel size and AI processing. The periscope lens offers impressive zoom clarity, and the ultra-wide shooter retains detail without excessive distortion.

Color accuracy, dynamic range, and night photography are all top-tier, bolstered by Hasselblad's Natural Color Calibration. The new Master Mode gives pro users more control, while Portrait Mode has been fine-tuned to produce DSLR-like bokeh effects.

Video capabilities include 8K recording at 24fps and 4K at 60fps, along with super steady modes and cinematic effects.

Battery and Charging: Long Life, Lightning Fast

The OnePlus 12 is equipped with a 5,400mAh battery, one of the largest in any OnePlus flagship to date. Combined with the efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and LTPO display tech, it easily lasts a full day and beyond with moderate to heavy use.

When it’s time to recharge, OnePlus continues to lead with its 100W SuperVOOC wired charging, which fills the battery from 0 to 100% in around 25 minutes. More importantly, the OnePlus 12 reintroduces 50W wireless charging, a feature missed in its predecessor. Reverse wireless charging is also supported.

Software Experience: OxygenOS 14 Brings Refinement

Running OxygenOS 14, based on Android 14, the software on the OnePlus 12 is fluid, feature-rich, and visually clean. It brings subtle animations, better memory management, and practical features like File Dock, Smart Cutout, and Aqua Touch.

OxygenOS continues to blend near-stock Android aesthetics with useful customizations. OnePlus has promised four years of major Android updates and five years of security patches, which is now becoming standard among top-tier Android flagships.

The integration of AI features, like smart photo editing and contextual app suggestions, enhances the overall user experience.

Connectivity and Audio: No Compromises

Connectivity options include 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and an IR Blaster—useful for controlling home appliances. The dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support deliver rich and immersive audio, making the device great for both gaming and entertainment.

Haptics have been upgraded as well, with the X-axis linear motor providing sharp and responsive feedback, especially noticeable in gaming and typing.

Pricing and Availability

In India, the OnePlus 12 is priced competitively considering its specifications:

₹64,999 for the 12GB + 256GB variant
₹69,999 for the 16GB + 512GB variant

It is available on Amazon, OnePlus.in, and authorized retail stores. Offers and exchange bonuses further sweeten the deal, making it one of the best value-for-money flagships in its class.

Comparison: OnePlus 12 vs the Competition

Compared to rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S24+, iQOO 12, and Google Pixel 8 Pro, the OnePlus 12 stands tall in performance, battery life, and charging capabilities. The Pixel 8 Pro may have an edge in computational photography, while Samsung leads in display tech and ecosystem integration. However, for raw performance and all-around balance, the OnePlus 12 is a serious contender—often offering better value at a lower price.

Verdict: A True 2025 Flagship

The OnePlus 12 ticks nearly every box for a flagship smartphone in 2025: powerful hardware, beautiful display, robust camera system, lightning-fast charging, and clean, smooth software. It showcases OnePlus’ commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology while retaining user-focused design and usability.

For users seeking a flagship Android phone that offers both power and refinement without crossing the ₹70K mark, the OnePlus 12 is a clear winner. It’s not just a flagship killer anymore—it’s a flagship redefiner.