Chinese smartphone maker OnePlus has officially unveiled its latest flagship phone, the OnePlus 12, in its home market. The new device packs top-of-the-line features and the most advanced specs seen yet in a OnePlus phone, positioning it as a premium high-end phone to compete with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S series and Google Pixel phones.
Highlights of the OnePlus 12
The OnePlus 12 is stacked with impressive hardware and new technology, including:
- The newest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, providing speedy performance
- Up to 24GB of fast LPDDR5X RAM
- A 6.82-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with dynamic refresh rate up to 120Hz
- A triple rear camera system co-developed with Hasselblad, featuring a 50MP main sensor
- 100W wired fast charging
- Official IP54 dust and water resistance rating
- Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support
With top-notch power, display quality, battery charging tech, and more, the OnePlus 12 has high-end specs that can match or beat the best phones on the market.
Design and Build
In terms of design, OnePlus has crafted the OnePlus 12 with premium materials including aerospace-grade aluminum alloy frame. The phone measures 8.54mm thick and weighs around 215g, making it slimmer lighter than its predecessor.
The OnePlus 12 comes in two colors: Forest Emerald and Desert Stone. The rear glass design features OnePlus’s distinctive camera protrusion in a rounded rectangle shape.
| Thickness | 8.54mm |
| Weight | 215g |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Colors | Forest Emerald, Desert Stone |
In line with its flagship status, the OnePlus 12 has an official IP54 rating for dust and water resistance. This will give consumers peace of mind that the phone can withstand some exposure to dust and splashes without damage.
Powerhouse Performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Fueling the OnePlus 12 is Qualcomm’s cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, built on an advanced 4nm process node and sporting an octa-core CPU based on Arm Cortex technology. This brings substantial improvements to CPU and GPU performance compared to the prior generation.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is paired with a ample LPDDR5X RAM. Users can configure up to 24GB RAM which should provide smooth multitasking capabilities even under heavy workloads. This hardware combo makes the OnePlus 12 a processing powerhouse able to blaze through demanding apps and graphically intensive games.
In terms of storage, UFS 4.0 flash storage comes standard. The fastest variant offers 512GB capacity.
Immersive Display with Variable Refresh Rate
The OnePlus 12 flaunts a stunning 6.82 inch display using latest-gen AMOLED panel technology. With a resolution of over 3K, it equips Quad HD+ 3216 x 1440 pixels across its 20.1:9 aspect ratio.
To enable smoother visual effects, the OnePlus implements a variable refresh rate ranging from 1-120Hz adaptive to on-screen content. It can preserve battery life by dipping down to 1Hz for static image while ramping up full 120Hz for optimal gaming graphics. The display also boasts 1300 nits peak brightness along with PWM dimming for comfortable viewing in dark environments.
Covering the display is the newest Corning Gorilla Glass for enhanced scratch and shatter protection. Under the hood, a potent vapor chamber cooling system leverages evaporation and condensation to keep internal temperatures low during processor-intensive workloads. This will help sustain peak performance during extended gaming sessions or when multi-tasking numerous apps.
Triple Rear Cameras for Photography Excellence
Living up to its flagship billing, the OnePlus 12 touts a highly capable rear triple camera array continuing the brand’s partnership with Swedish camera legends Hasselblad. The main wide angle delivers 50MP clarity using a large 1-inch sensor. It’s joined by a 48MP ultra-wide camera providing a 115° field of view for expansive landscape shots. Finally, there is a 32MP 2X telephoto lens with support for up to 10X hybrid zoom.
On the software side, Hasselblad’s Natural Color Calibration helps tune colors and white balance to recreate natural tones comparable to what is visible to the human eye. This should allow users to capture vibrant, true-to-life photos across a range of shooting situations – even tricky low light environments. Video recording goes as high as 8K resolution at 24 fps (or 4K at 60 fps). Optical and electronic stabilization mitigate shakes for steadier clips.
| Main Camera | 50MP wide angle |
| Ultra-wide Lens | 48MP, 115° FOV |
| Telephoto Lens | 32MP, up to 10X hybrid zoom |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K @ 24fps |
On the front, a 32MP hole-punch camera should capture sharp selfies and facilitate secure face unlock biometrics. Auto-focus and HDR capabilities give strong all-round performance for casual mobile photographers.
Speedy 100W Charging and Large Battery
Energy needs fall to a high-capacity 5400mAh battery featuring cutting-edge dual-cell technology. Even more impressive is wired charging that ramps up to blistering 100W speeds. OnePlus states users can juice up around 50% capacity in just 10 minutes. Completely draining and recharging the full battery takes only 25 minutes. Such rapid charging reduces downtime when power is running low.
For additional flexibility, the OnePlus 12 reintroduces support for Qi-based 50W wireless charging. So those preferring a cable-free charging experience can still rapidly top up battery levels on a wireless charger. Reverse wireless charging is also included for sharing some extra juice with other devices in a pinch.
Global Launch Imminent
The OnePlus 12 is positioned as a true 2023 flagship able to compete head-to-head with top models from Apple, Samsung, and other rivals. While its launch so far is limited to China, OnePlus has confirmed the OnePlus 12 and 12R variant will make its way to India, Europe, and North America soon. The global debut is expected January 2024 at CES 2023 in Las Vegas.
Pricing is yet to be announced for global markets. But in China, the OnePlus 12 starts at around $860 USD for the base 8GB/256GB model. Expect premium pricing on par with other 2023 flagships given its high-end specs and features.
Outlook
With each new generation, OnePlus inches closer to matching its more established competition in quality and capabilities. The OnePlus 12 looks extremely promising bringing together the best available display, photography and battery technologies with sheer processing grunt.
If priced appropriately, it has a shot at converting those seeking a premium smartphone package without paying ultra-premium prices attached to Apple or certain Samsung devices. However sales volumes face challenges as economic conditions have many consumers tightening budgets, though tech enthusiasts may bite for the cutting specs.
In any case, the OnePlus 12 should give the brand greater credibility as not just a “flagship killer” but an outright flagship to compete for the top spot among Android phones this coming year. Its launch sets the stage for rivals to respond with their own 2024 premium models in the next few months.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
