• OnePlus 12

    OnePlus 12 Review: A Gentle Evolution with Impressive Upgrades

    Daven Klarsen Posted on

    In the world of flagship smartphones, the OnePlus 12 has arrived with much anticipation and excitement. As a devoted fan of the OnePlus 11, my expectations were high, and I couldn’t wait to explore the upgrades that the OnePlus 12 promised.

    From the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 to the fourth-generation Hasselblad camera, this flagship phone seemed poised to set a new standard. In this in-depth review, I’ll delve into the unboxing experience, design changes, software features, display, audio quality, performance, battery life, and the camera capabilities of the OnePlus 12.

    Unboxing Experience:

    OnePlus has maintained its commitment to delivering a premium unboxing experience. Opening the box, you are greeted with the sleek OnePlus 12, and the familiar super vuk charger, boasting an impressive 100 watts of power.

    The bright red USB cable, OnePlus stickers, and a membership card for the “Red Cable Club” are included. As a nostalgic touch, a welcome letter from Pete commemorates OnePlus’s 10 years in the industry. The attention to detail in the unboxing sets the stage for what’s to come.

     

    Design:

    The design of the OnePlus 12 showcases some notable changes, starting with the relocation of the alert slider from the right edge to the left. While this shift is attributed to a redesigned antenna for better connectivity during gaming or video streaming, it resulted in accidental adjustments when slipping the phone into tight pockets. The curved screen, while sleek, revealed some sensitivity issues when tightly grasped, impacting the user experience.

    Despite these minor concerns, the glass back of the OnePlus 12, available in black, white, or a stunning green, offers a luxurious feel. The textured surface adds grip, and the sizable camera bump serves as a functional finger shelf. The phone’s IP65 water and dust resistance provide peace of mind, though full submersion is not recommended. Overall, the OnePlus 12’s design impresses with its elegance, even if some ergonomic considerations could have been better addressed.

    Features & OxygenOS 14:

    Unlocking the OnePlus 12 reveals OxygenOS 14, the latest iteration of OnePlus’s Android launcher. With a commitment to four OS updates and five years of security patching, OnePlus ensures longevity for its flagship devices. OxygenOS 14 introduces several features, including Zen Space, a do-not-disturb deep cut, and Orax, offering soothing tunes and white noises for relaxation.

    The gaming modes on the OnePlus 12 add to the user experience, with performance modes, touch sensitivity adjustments, and a hyper response engine. The inclusion of a voice changer adds a quirky touch. OxygenOS 14 continues to impress with its smooth and stable performance, making it one of the standout Android launchers in the market.

    Display & Audio:

    The OnePlus 12 boasts a 6.7-inch OLED panel with Quad HD Plus resolution. While lacking HDR support on certain platforms, it is Dolby Vision and HDR10 certified. The lTPO technology allows for a dynamic refresh rate ranging from 1 Hz to 120 Hz, ensuring a smooth viewing experience. The display is bright enough for outdoor use, and stereo speakers deliver solid audio quality for video streaming.

    Despite the absence of a headphone jack, Bluetooth streaming on the OnePlus 12 is flawless. The combination of a high-quality display and impressive audio output enhances the multimedia experience on this flagship device.

    Performance & Gaming:

    Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the OnePlus 12 excels in performance and gaming. With a generous 16GB of RAM, it handles resource-intensive games like Genshin Impact seamlessly.

    The gaming tools, including performance modes, touch optimization, and a hyper response engine, provide a customizable gaming experience. The device’s aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus ensure durability, and the pre-installed screen protector adds an extra layer of protection.

     

    Battery Life:

    The OnePlus 12’s standout feature is its remarkable battery life. Sporting a 5,400mAh battery, it outshines even some of its flagship competitors. With up to 7 hours of screen-on time, heavy users can comfortably rely on the OnePlus 12 throughout the day.

    The inclusion of 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging ensures rapid replenishment of the battery. The combination of impressive battery life and rapid charging capabilities makes the OnePlus 12 a top contender in the flagship market.

    Cameras:

    The camera setup on the OnePlus 12, led by a 50MP fourth-generation Hasselblad sensor, delivers exceptional results. The natural-looking photos in auto mode, without aggressive processing, showcase the device’s camera prowess. The portrait mode, with options for 1x, 2x, and 3x zoom, produces impressive bokeh effects.

    The addition of a 64MP periscope zoom lens introduces versatility, offering up to 3x optical zoom. While the sloped edges occasionally impede camera use, the overall photo quality remains consistent, even in low light. The Ultra Wide shooter performs admirably, though it may struggle in challenging lighting conditions.

    Video recording capabilities, including 8K resolution at 24fps, showcase the OnePlus 12’s commitment to multimedia excellence. The front-facing 32MP selfie camera captures detailed and well-exposed shots, rounding out the device’s imaging capabilities.

    Conclusion:

    In conclusion, the OnePlus 12 builds upon the success of its predecessor with notable upgrades across the board. While design choices and minor ergonomic concerns may raise eyebrows, the device’s performance, battery life, and camera capabilities shine brightly.

    The OxygenOS 14 experience, coupled with the impressive display and audio quality, cements the OnePlus 12 as a top-tier flagship contender in the competitive smartphone market. For users seeking a reliable and feature-rich device, the OnePlus 12 offers a compelling package with a few quirks that are easily overlooked in the grand scheme of its overall excellence.

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    Daven Klarsen
    Daven Klarsen is a technology writer and researcher. He's also an avid sports fan, especially when it comes to the LAL. When not working, you can usually find him tweaking his Android devices or watching soccer news.
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