OnePlus 12 vs 12R: Which Model is Right for You?

Table of Content

• Design and Size
• Display Differences
• Performance and software
  • OnePlus 12
  • OnePlus 12R
• Camera Features
  • Main Camera
  • Zoom Quality
  • Portrait Mode
  • Ultra-wide
  • Selfies
• Audio Quality and Haptics
• Battery Life and Charging
• Specs Comparison
• Summary

The smartphone market is ever-expanding, where different brands have options that lurk around every corner. However, in the whirlwind of smartphone innovation, OnePlus made its latest move by launching two phones, the OnePlus 12 and the 12R, ditching the concept of ‘one phone to rule them all’. Both of these phones have lightning-fast processors and impressive specs. The OnePlus 12 delivers an unparalleled user experience and high-end hardware, delivering the best features. However, the OnePlus 12R possesses slightly less remarkable specs, is more affordable, and provides the core OnePlus experience.

Choosing the right OnePlus phone with similar specs and price differences can be tricky. Therefore, this comprehensive guide will break down the OnePlus 12 vs 12R dilemma, meticulously dissecting the finer details to help you select your perfect smartphone match.

Design and Size

The One Plus 12 and 12R possess the recognized design language that OnePlus has employed for the last few years. With the punch-hole selfie cameras, imposing rear camera islands, sleek glass and aluminium sandwiches, and rather thin bezels at the front, the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R flash a similar look. The signature OnePlus ring switch on both phones allows seamless and swift switching between different ring mods.

Both phones have a 6.8-inch display, but the OnePlus 12R is a shorter, thinner, narrower, and lighter version of the OnePlus 12. Therefore, irrespective of the appearance difference, it is still a lucrative deal if you wish to purchase the OnePlus 12R.

The OnePlus 12R is available in Iron Grey and Cool Blue hues. While the OnePlus 12 comes in flowy emerald and silky black colors, the OnePlus 12 has a range of color options, the OnePlus 12R is highly affordable.

Display Differences 

The OnePlus 12R features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 2780 x 1264 resolution at 450 ppi. The OnePlus 12 comes equipped with a 6.8-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 1440 x 3168-pixel resolution at 550 ppi and support for a 120Hz refresh rate, both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, that can increase up to 4,500 nits. Moreover, the OnePlus 12R phone supports the same apex of brightness for HDR10+ and Dolby Vision content and a dynamic refresh rate.

With the larger screen and display, the OnePlus 12 takes the lead in size, offering a larger display than the OnePlus 12R. The larger screen and display allow a bigger view of graphically demanding games and movies, which gives it a feel like your personal mini-cinema. On the other hand, the OnePlus 12R fights back with a higher pixel density due to its FHD+ resolution. This delivers an immaculate experience to individuals with an eye for intricate details and the crispest visuals, like the texture of the mountain peak or patterns of a bird’s feathers on a slightly smaller panel.

Hence, this all comes down to priorities. You can choose the OnePlus 12 for a sharper visual experience on a smaller panel or immersive entertainment on a larger canvas.

Performance and software

OnePlus 12:

Learning from its past mistakes with the Onelus 11, the company has strategically invested in the thermal management of the phone. The OnePlus 12 features the greatest and top-notch Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the best chipset available to Android phones.

OnePlus 12R:

The OnePlus 12R comes equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the best chipset available to Android phones last year. The phone still has a bang-on performance as a chipset won’t be overshadowed by its successor, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 remains superior.

Other factors affecting performance:

• Storage: The OnePlus 12R uses UFS 3.1 storage, while the OnePlus 12 uses the faster UFS 4.0 storage, allowing data transfers and app launches comparatively quicker than the 12R.
• RAM: Both phones come with 8GB and 12GB RAM options, but the OnePlus 12 offers a 16GB option.

For users engaged in graphically intense gaming, video editing, or heavy multitasking, the OnePlus 12 is the right choice; otherwise, the OnePlus 12R’s performance is adequate and saves extra cost.

Camera Features

The camera system is the core when selecting the OnePlus 12 and 12R. In this section, we will break down the OnePlus 12 vs 12R regarding camera features to help you decide which phone ticks the photogenic needs criteria.

Main Camera:

• The OnePlus 12 has a larger 1/1.43-inch size due to its Sony LYT-808 sensor, which allows for sharper images and superior low-light performance.
• The One Plus 12R has a smaller 1/1.6-inch size as it uses a Sony IMX80 sensor. This gives great photo results in the daylight, but it might need to catch up if using a Sony IMX80 sensor in low-light situations.

Zoom Quality:

• With the desiccated 64 MP periscope telephone lens, the OnePlus 12 phone offers a 3x optical zoom for sharper zoomed-in photos.
• The OnePlus 12R relies on digital zoom on the main sensor, which results in less detailed zoomed-in shots as it doesn’t have a dedicated zoom lens.

Portrait Mode:

• The OnePlus 12 has a superior main sensor and additional depth-sensing capabilities that allow it to capture better portrait shots. It might offer features like an adjustable background blur.
• The OnePlus 12R, due to its powerful main sensor, might struggle to capture accurate background separation and details in portrait mode.

Ultra-wide:

• For capturing a single shot, the OnePlus 12 offers a 48MP ultra-wide sensor with a wider field view of around 114 degrees.
• The OnePlus 12R uses a lower-resolution 8MP ultra-wide sensor with a slightly narrower field of view of around 112 degrees. This leaves the photos with fewer details and struggles to capture scenes with various light variations.

Selfies:

• The OnePlus 12 boasts a higher-resolution 32MP front-facing camera for sharper selfies with better low-light performance.
• OnePlus 12R has a lower resolution 16MP front camera that gives a decent result in selfies but lacks clarity and detail in low-light situations.

In a nutshell, the OnePlus 12R delivers a decent camera experience for daily use but struggles with zoom and low-light conditions compared to the OnePlus 12, but it prioritizes affordability. The OnePlus 12 has a superior camera system, with a power-packed combination of higher resolution, zoom capabilities, and better sensors.

Audio Quality and Haptics

Reviews may not delve into this aspect. There’s a minimal difference as both phones share core components and likely use the same microphone hardware and speaker. The OnePlus 12, with a potentially higher-quality haptics motor, might have a slight edge. The OnePlus 12R’s haptics may not be as detailed and sharp, but they are decent. Overall, the difference might not even be noticeable to everyone.

Battery Life and Charging

The OnePlus 12R phone has a slightly larger 5,500mAh battery, while the OnePlus 12 has a 5,400mAh battery. However, the phone’s efficient software and components offer excellent battery life. The difference in the battery life between the two phones is likely negligible.

In terms of charging, both phones support super-fast 100W SUPERVOOC wired charging, allowing you to top up the battery quickly. The OnePlus 12 technically beats the OnePlus 12 by around 10 minutes; however, the OnePlus 12R charges the battery in less than 40 minutes, which is way faster than other flagship phones on the market. The OnePlus 12 scores speedy 50W wireless charging with the company’s dedicated wireless charger sold separately. On the other hand, the OnePlus 12R doesn’t support wireless charging.

Specs Comparison

Summary

The OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R are two decent options for users. While the OnePlus 12R rivals other flagships, such as the Galaxy S24 and Pixel 7, the OnePlus 12 comes out as an unapologetic flagship. Both phones boast a smooth display and superfast charging. However, in choosing the best from the breakdown of the OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 12R, users can pick the OnePlus 12 to get the latest processor, faster storage, and a superior zoom camera. The OnePlus 12R is an excellent blend of affordability and performance. It is affordable for users because of its top-notch performance, good camera, and long battery life.

Look only as far as the OnePlus 12 if you want a real flagship phone. However, users on tight budgets can experience the exemplary OnePlus experience with the OnePlus 12R. Both models are available at Spectronic CA, your online smartphone store for the latest devices.