Review: OnePlus 12R – A Budget-Friendly Flagship Killer?
OnePlus has been known for its flagship-killing smartphones that offer high-end features at a more affordable price point. The latest addition to their lineup is the OnePlus 12R, which comes in at $500, making it roughly $300 cheaper than the flagship OnePlus 12. But does it live up to its reputation as a flagship killer? I got my hands on the OnePlus 12R to find out.
Design and Display
The design of the OnePlus 12R is sleek and stylish. It comes in two styles: a frosted glass back in dark gray or a cool blue glass back. I tested out the cool blue variant, and while it looks stunning, it is a fingerprint magnet. You’ll definitely want to use a case to keep it looking clean.
The display is equally impressive, featuring OnePlus’ 120Hz ProXDR display. It offers a silky smooth touchscreen experience with vibrant colors in all environments. The display also has Aqua Touch, which allows you to use the phone even when it’s wet. I tested this feature in the rain, and it worked flawlessly.
With a peak brightness of 4500 nits, the HDR10+ and HDR Vivid enabled 6.78-inch display is a marvel to look at. Games look fantastic on it, and I tested it with Genshin Impact and Asphalt 8 without any issues. The large display truly enhances the gaming experience.
Specs
The OnePlus 12R takes some cues from the flagship OnePlus 12 but cuts back on certain internal components to achieve the lower price point. It is powered by an older Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which may not be as powerful as the newer flagship models but still performs well for everyday tasks.
Other specifications include 8GB or 16GB of RAM, 128GB or 256GB of storage, OxygenOS/Android 14 operating system, a 6.78-inch AMOLED ProXDR panel, and a 5,500 mAh battery with 80W SUPERVOOC wired charging. The audio quality is enhanced with Dolby Atmos technology.
The camera setup on the OnePlus 12R is not as impressive as its higher-end counterparts. It features a 50MP Sony IMX890 primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP macro lens. While the photos taken with the OnePlus 12R are adequate for a budget-friendly phone, they lack the saturation and low-light performance of more expensive smartphones.
Performance
In terms of performance, the OnePlus 12R holds up well for its price range. I tested it with intensive games like Genshin Impact and Asphalt 8, and both ran smoothly on the device. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor may be older, but it still delivers solid performance.
The OnePlus 12R also features a dual cryo-velocity cooling system to keep the phone cool during extended gaming sessions. I only noticed slight warmth during a four-hour gaming session, which is impressive considering the intensity of the game.
Battery life on the OnePlus 12R is decent. With its larger battery capacity compared to the OnePlus 12, it can last through a day of heavy usage and even go a day and a half with lighter usage. However, the older processor does not offer the same optimizations as newer processors, so the extra battery capacity doesn’t provide a significant advantage.
Is it really a flagship killer?
While the OnePlus 12R offers great value for its price, I hesitate to call it a flagship killer. OnePlus has made some compromises to achieve the lower price point, such as shorter support time compared to their more expensive models. The OnePlus 12R only guarantees three years of software updates and four years of security updates, whereas the standard OnePlus 12 offers four years of both.
Despite these compromises, the OnePlus 12R is still a solid device. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that delivers on performance and design, the OnePlus 12R is a great choice. It may not be a true flagship killer, but it certainly lives up to OnePlus’s promise of “Never Settle.”
The OnePlus 12R is available for preorder now, starting at $499.99 for the 8GB/128GB variant or $599.99 for the 16GB/256GB option. Additionally, you can trade in any phone and get $100 off, with up to $450 in credits depending on the device.
