Design and Build Quality
The OnePlus 12R, notably in the Cool Blue variant, showcases a design that's crafted to stand out. At 163.3 mm in height, 75.3 mm in width, and a slim thickness of 8.8 mm, this phone offers a solid feel without being cumbersome at 207 grams.
The materials used speak of durability and class, starting with the Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front, the same robust glass found on high-end devices like the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Pixel 8 Pro. The sleek aluminum mid-frame with a matte finish prevents fingerprints and ensures the phone always looks sharp. The Cool Blue color, exclusive to the higher RAM and storage variant, is a sight to behold.
While the OnePlus 12 sports an IP65 rating, the 12R doesn't have any official IP certification. However, it should handle light rain or accidental spills without issue.
The OnePlus 12R is a device built for everyday life, with a balanced feel that's practical yet premium. The Cool Blue finish adds a touch of class, making it a statement piece ready for whatever life throws at it.
Display Features
The OnePlus 12R features a stunning 6.78-inch AMOLED display that delivers visual brilliance and smooth performance. With a dynamic refresh rate ranging from 1 to 120 Hz, every interaction feels fluid and responsive.
The resolution of 2780 x 1264 pixels ensures sharp details, while the peak brightness of 4500 nits allows for clear visibility even in bright sunlight. The ProXDR Display with LTPO4.0 technology seamlessly adapts to various content, providing a smooth and energy-efficient experience.
OnePlus includes special features like Aqua Touch Technology, which keeps the display responsive even when wet, and HDR10+ support for a vivid multimedia experience. The display's 10-bit color depth and support for sRGB and Display P3 enable it to render over a billion colors, bringing lifelike visuals to your screen.
Comfort and customization options, such as the Nature Tone Display, Eye Comfort Mode, and Bedtime Mode, ensure a pleasant viewing experience in various lighting conditions and at different times of the day.
Whether you're streaming movies, playing games, or browsing through photos, the OnePlus 12R's display delivers brilliant and smooth visuals in any situation.
Performance and Hardware
The OnePlus 12R is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor from Qualcomm, known for its top-tier performance and efficiency. This chipset ensures smooth multitasking and handles demanding apps with ease.
The device comes in two configurations:
8GB LPDDR5X RAM with 128GB UFS 3.1 storage
16GB RAM with 256GB storage
The combination of fast memory and storage ensures responsive performance and ample space for apps, photos, and videos. The RAM expansion feature allows for slight extension if needed.
OnePlus has implemented an upgraded cooling system with an advanced vapor chamber that covers almost the entire phone, efficiently dissipating heat for extended gaming sessions or movie marathons without overheating.
The Adreno 740 GPU handles graphics beautifully, rendering smooth UI transitions and game graphics. The OnePlus 12R may not be marketed as a gaming phone, but it handles titles like "Genshin Impact" and "Diablo Immortal" with impressive visuals and high frame rates.
Features like Aqua Touch Technology and the high peak brightness ensure a satisfying gaming experience even in challenging conditions.
With its powerful internals and advanced cooling system, the OnePlus 12R delivers exceptional all-around performance, whether you're multitasking, streaming, or gaming.
Camera Capabilities
The OnePlus 12R boasts a capable triple camera setup that makes photography a delight. The main 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor, with its large 1/1.56" size and f/1.8 aperture, captures detailed images even in low light. Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) ensure sharp, blur-free shots.1
The 8MP ultra-wide lens, with a 112° field of view and f/2.2 aperture, is perfect for expansive landscapes or group photos. The 2MP macro lens allows for close-up shots of tiny subjects from a distance of about 4cm.
The camera system is enhanced by software features like Nightscape mode for low-light photography, Pro Mode for manual control, and various video recording options. The main camera can shoot 4K video at 60fps, with slow-motion capabilities of 240fps in 1080p or 480fps in 720p. Ultra Steady Mode and Time-lapse options add to the camera's versatility.
The intuitive camera app offers modes like Dual-view Video and Movie Mode, while the 16MP front camera with f/2.4 aperture, EIS support, and features like Face Unlock, Screen Flash, and HDR ensures excellent selfies and video calls.
The OnePlus 12R's camera system caters to both casual snappers and photography enthusiasts, providing the tools to capture stunning photos and videos in various scenarios.
Battery Life and Charging
The OnePlus 12R boasts an impressive 5,500 mAh dual-cell battery, designed to provide a full day's worth of power. In real-world usage, this translates to excellent battery performance, even through heavy usage scenarios like video streaming, gaming, and frequent app-switching. Users can comfortably expect the OnePlus 12R to last an entire day, if not more, on a single charge.
Complementing the battery life is the OnePlus 12R's 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging capability. This technology allows the phone to charge from 0% to 100% in around 30 minutes, making it one of the fastest in its category. A quick top-up during a coffee break is often sufficient to keep the device powered throughout the day.
The OnePlus 12R's battery performance stands out among its competitors in the same price bracket. Devices like the Google Pixel 7a and the Nothing Phone 2, while solid contenders, don't quite match the OnePlus 12R's charging speed and battery capacity.
OnePlus has also incorporated software optimizations within OxygenOS 14 to effectively manage power consumption. These optimizations, along with features like Dark Mode and auto-brightness adjustments, contribute to extending battery life by intelligently reducing power usage during idle periods or when running less demanding applications.
The OnePlus 12R's battery life and charging capabilities offer genuine, day-to-day benefits. Users can enjoy the device's features without constantly worrying about battery levels, thanks to the large capacity and fast-charging support. This combination of power management and replenishment speed sets the OnePlus 12R apart in today's competitive smartphone market.
Software and User Experience
The OnePlus 12R runs on OxygenOS 14, based on Android 14, which delivers a clean, intuitive interface focused on speed, customization, and user-friendliness. The minimalist design ensures a clutter-free home screen and smooth navigation, with crisp and clear icons that complement the device's sleek appearance.
OxygenOS 14 offers extensive customization options, allowing users to personalize almost every aspect of the interface, from icon shapes to system fonts. The phone comes with minimal pre-installed apps, primarily OnePlus' own suite of tools and Google's essential apps, ensuring a straightforward initial setup without unnecessary distractions.
OxygenOS 14 also includes a range of unique software features:
Smart Sidebar provides quick access to frequently used apps and tools, perfect for multitasking.
Zen Mode encourages digital well-being by allowing users to take breaks from their devices, while the integrated Digital Wellbeing suite offers insights and tools for managing screen time effectively.
Gaming Mode optimizes system performance, blocks notifications, and enhances network connectivity for an immersive experience. The Game Space feature allows users to manage all their games in one place, tweak performance settings, and even record gameplay.
The Fluidity Engine ensures smooth animations, transitions, and interactions throughout the OxygenOS interface. Assistive features like smart gestures and shortcuts further enhance the user experience, making interactions more efficient.
Security and privacy are top priorities, with regular security updates, robust biometric authentication options, and privacy-focused features integrated into the OS. The software is optimized to work seamlessly with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, resulting in quick app launches, effortless multitasking, and energy efficiency.
Overall, the OnePlus 12R's OxygenOS 14 offers an exceptional software experience characterized by smooth performance, deep customization, and a thoughtful selection of features aimed at enhancing user satisfaction. It strikes a balance between simplicity and functionality, making it enjoyable for both tech enthusiasts and casual users.
Connectivity and Additional Features
The OnePlus 12R is equipped with top-tier connectivity options, ensuring users stay connected no matter where they are. The device supports 5G connectivity, enabling faster download speeds, smoother video calls, and minimal buffering for web-based applications and services.
In addition to 5G, the OnePlus 12R features Wi-Fi 7 capability, promising faster data rates, lower latency, and improved efficiency, particularly in environments with multiple connected devices. This ensures a stable and swift internet connection, even in busy settings.
Bluetooth 5.3 support allows for faster pairing, lower energy consumption, and more reliable data transfers with wireless peripherals like headphones, speakers, and fitness trackers. The device also supports high-quality audio codecs like aptX HD, LDAC, and LHDC for stellar sound quality when connected to compatible audio devices.
The OnePlus 12R includes an NFC (Near Field Communication) chip, enabling convenient features like contactless payments through services like Google Pay, quick data transfers, and pairing with other smart devices.
Security and convenience are enhanced by the in-display fingerprint sensor, which provides quick and accurate access to the device while keeping it protected from unauthorized access.
Audio enthusiasts will appreciate the dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support, delivering rich, immersive sound for movies, games, and music. The sound quality is crisp, clear, and more spatial compared to single-speaker setups.
The OnePlus 12R also features smart sensors like an accelerometer, gyroscope, electronic compass, and ambient light sensor, providing high-precision functionality for various applications, from navigation to augmented reality (AR) apps.
An infrared blaster allows users to control household appliances like TVs and air conditioners, turning the smartphone into a universal remote. The Alert Slider on the side of the device enables effortless switching between ring, vibrate, and silent modes without looking at the screen.
The connectivity and additional features on the OnePlus 12R are thoughtfully designed to offer a cohesive and user-centric experience. From cutting-edge wireless standards and powerful audio capabilities to intuitive sensors and convenient physical controls, the OnePlus 12R ensures users stay connected and engaged with the world around them efficiently and enjoyably.
Customer Reviews and Feedback
The OnePlus 12R has largely met user expectations, with predominantly positive feedback highlighting its impressive features. The camera quality consistently receives praise, with users appreciating the clarity, detail, and versatility offered by the 50MP main camera, ultra-wide, and macro lenses. The night mode and AI-enhanced photography features have earned commendations for their ability to capture high-quality images in low-light conditions.
Performance is another area where the OnePlus 12R shines. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, coupled with either 8GB or 16GB of RAM, ensures smooth and responsive performance across various tasks, including gaming, multitasking, and running heavy applications. The advanced cooling system effectively manages heat during extended usage, ensuring a comfortable user experience.
Battery life and charging speed are standout features that have resonated well with users. The 5,500 mAh battery is appreciated for its longevity, often lasting a full day of typical use without needing a recharge. The 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging impresses users with its ability to quickly power up the device, often reaching full charge within 30 minutes.
The build quality and design receive positive feedback for their premium feel, with particular praise for the Cool Blue variant. The matte aluminum mid-frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 contribute to the phone's durability and aesthetics.
Display quality is another highlight, with users enjoying the 6.78-inch AMOLED display's sharpness, vibrant colors, and smooth scrolling experience. The high peak brightness of 4500 nits ensures visibility under bright sunlight, while the Aqua Touch Technology allows the screen to remain responsive even when wet.
However, some users have pointed out that the macro camera doesn't match the performance of the main and ultra-wide cameras. The lack of wireless charging and an official IP rating are also mentioned as minor drawbacks.
While many users praise the customization options and fluidity of OxygenOS 14, there are occasional mentions of minor bugs or glitches. However, OnePlus's reputation for regular updates and support provides reassurance that these issues will be addressed promptly.
Value for money is a recurring theme in customer reviews, with users highlighting that the OnePlus 12R offers a remarkable set of features and performance for its price, comparing favorably to more expensive flagship models from other brands.