OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 12R: A Comparison of Features and Value for Money
In the highly competitive smartphone market, OnePlus has established itself as a brand that offers flagship-level features at a relatively affordable price. With the release of the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R, the company aims to continue this trend and provide consumers with two compelling options. In this article, we will compare the features and value for money offered by these two devices.
Design and In-Hand Feel
Both the OnePlus 12 and 12R share a similar design, featuring a rounded camera module and curved edges on the back. However, there are some notable differences. The fan-favorite alert slider has been moved to the left on both devices, and an IR blaster is present on the top. Both phones also come with a 120Hz LTPO AMOLED display, offering a smooth and immersive viewing experience.
When it comes to display size, the OnePlus 12 has a slight advantage with a higher-resolution 6.82-inch display compared to the 6.78-inch display on the 12R. However, in everyday usage, both displays felt equally smooth and responsive.
In terms of in-hand feel, the OnePlus 12R takes the lead. It is thinner and lighter than its older sibling, making it more comfortable to hold. Additionally, it packs a larger 5,500mAh battery compared to the 5,400mAh setup on the OnePlus 12.
Software and Storage
Both the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R run on the latest Android 14 operating system, based on OnePlus’ own OxygenOS. This software provides a near-stock Android experience with some useful customizations. OnePlus has also committed to providing four years of OS updates and five years of security patches for the OnePlus 12, and three years of OS updates and four years of security patches for the 12R.
In terms of storage and transfer speeds, the OnePlus 12 has an advantage. It comes with a faster USB 3.2 port and UFS 4.0 storage, compared to the older USB 2.0 and UFS 3.1 storage on the 12R. The OnePlus 12 also offers up to 512GB of storage, while the 12R is limited to 256GB.
Performance
On paper, the OnePlus 12 has the upper hand in terms of performance. It is equipped with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and a faster Adreno 750 GPU. In contrast, the 12R comes with last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and Adreno 740 GPU.
However, in real-world use, both phones felt equally responsive and snappy across various tasks, including gaming and multitasking. The OnePlus 12 may perform slightly better in longer gaming sessions due to its latest GPU and faster memory speeds.
Camera
One area where the OnePlus 12 shines is in its camera performance. It boasts an impressive camera setup, including a 50MP Sony LYT-808 primary sensor, a 48MP Sony IMX581 ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 64MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. On the other hand, the OnePlus 12R features the same 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor as last year, accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 2MP macro sensor.
In tests, both devices delivered excellent detail and accurate colors in various scenarios. Surprisingly, the OnePlus 12R sometimes outperformed the OnePlus 12 in maintaining detail, while the OnePlus 12 excelled in terms of color accuracy and detail retention. The OnePlus 12’s 48MP ultra-wide-angle lens also outperformed the OnePlus 12R’s 8MP sensor.
Should You Pay Extra for the OnePlus 12?
While both the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R offer improvements over their predecessors, the OnePlus 12 comes with a higher price tag. The OnePlus 12R, starting at the same price point as its predecessor, offers many of the same features and functionality.
The OnePlus 12 may be the better choice for users who prioritize flagship cameras with Hasselblad branding, the latest processor, faster storage and data transfer speeds, and slightly longer software support. However, if you are on a tight budget, the OnePlus 12R still provides great value for money.
In conclusion, both the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R are solid options for consumers looking for high-quality smartphones at an affordable price. It ultimately comes down to personal preferences and priorities when choosing between these two devices.
