Review of the OnePlus 12R

The OnePlus 12R is a true mid-range phone and isn't meant to be compared to other manufacturers' flagships that are power houses. Nevertheless, when compared to comparable Android smartphones like the Google Pixel 8 and Samsung's A-Series, it boasts some unexpected specs for its class. When paired with its LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) AMOLED (active-matrix organic light-emitting diodes) display, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 CPU is an extremely powerful system-on-a-chip.

Although these high-end capabilities are appreciated on a device that costs half as much as a flagship smartphone, the camera array suffers, especially in low light. Although it's a low price, prospective customers should be aware of the compromises seen in mid-range phones. Is this most recent model deserving of a spot in our ranking of the top OnePlus phones? Let's investigate.

Cost and accessibility

For a mid-range phone with some top-end features, the OnePlus 12R is an excellent offer thanks to its reasonable pricing approach that takes into account the hardware. Commencing at $500 / £649, according to region (AU$1,250, for instance), we're looking at the flagship performance from prior years at a 50% reduced cost.

The release of it has been a gradual process. Instead of going farther west to the States, the OnePlus 12R was first released in Asia and Europe, which is often a safer market for Android markets. There is a transatlantic OnePlus fanbase, and the company sometimes sells things in the US. Customers in the US and Canada are advised to verify availability by visiting the official OnePlus shop or a nearby mobile retailer.

Specifications

Software and features

Running OxygenOS, a modified version of Android 14 from the previous year, gives the OnePlus 12R a very evident and sometimes enormously user-friendly interface. Stock Android or OxygenOS like ASUS, for example, would be a wonderful alternative. It's still nothing unusual, however. It also has a minimal bloatware count and a ton of customization options to help users feel comfortable. On the OnePlus 12R, OnePlus has also guaranteed three years of firmware upgrades, so it's reasonable to assume that OxygenOS versions of Android 15 and beyond will be available.

Two of OxygenOS's best features are Zen Mode and the Game Engine. The OnePlus 12R's Game Engine automatically recognizes when a game starts and assists users in controlling processing power so that the device is optimized for optimal gaming. There are many preset settings included with this for novice users. By instituting screen time limits and always-on display choices to make sure all the information you need is in one location, Zen Mode helps you to think about your digital well-being.

Design

The Cool Blue and Iron Gray OnePlus 12R has a stylish appearance and a strong structure. The rear panel is made of glossy plastic, nevertheless. OnePlus's trademark feature is the circular camera array, which is encased in a scored metal ring for a premium feel and a small bezel.

The extremely scratch- and drop-resistant 6.78-inch screen is shielded by a layer of Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Even though this is a fantastic feature, you should still use a Gorilla Glass screen protector and a decent phone cover to safeguard your phone from scratches.

The OnePlus 12R, like other modern affordable phones that are worth their salt, is held together by an alloy metal frame, which not only looks good but also serves as a reliable means of ensuring the phone's build quality. The OnePlus 12R's curved edges make it comfortable to operate one-handedly, and its important corner fits firmly into the palm of the user.

The OnePlus 12R has a large speaker, a USB-C port for a microphone, and a SIM tray on the bottom, from left to right. The power button and volume rocker are located on the right-hand facing side, while the OnePlus characteristic alert slider is located on the left. Users may easily switch on or off alerts using this slider, which is a great analog feature for those entering and exiting meetings.

Display

The OnePlus 12R's screen, which has the ability to support it, is its primary selling feature, as was already established. The rich colors and deep blacks of the 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display elevate it above the competition in the mid-range. For Android enthusiasts, power users, and gamers, this is one of the greatest deals available.Additionally, a dynamically changeable refresh rate is possible using LTPO technology. As a result, the screen can smoothly transition between 1Hz and 120Hz, guaranteeing responsiveness and fluid scrolling while minimizing battery use. With the OnePlus 12R, users can enjoy optimal visual quality and prolong its battery life, regardless of whether they are reading an e-book or playing Diablo Immortal.Additionally, brightness is a part of the OnePlus 12R plan. With a dazzling 1600 nits, pictures are sharp and visible right out of the box in any situation. This is undoubtedly one of the greatest displays on a mid-range tablet thanks to Dolby Vision and the previously stated features, most notably the Gorilla Glas Victus 2 protection layer.The curved edge construction, a potentially contentious aspect of the form factor, is the sole drawback. Even if a beveled OnePlus 12R phone cover may fix this, it might be too simple to accidently scroll when using the phone on a daily basis or snag the screen while playing games. Once again, this is more of a criticism, but given the market the OnePlus 12R is targeting, there are better design options.

Photographer

The OnePlus 12R's camera configuration may not be its best feature, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 CPU has more than enough ability to run picture and video editing software. For content makers who need to edit away from the office or creative area, users can anticipate quick performance while processing high-resolution photographs or producing video clips. For people who want to edit vlogs and similar content on the fly, we suggest a smartphone with a better camera.The triple camera arrangement, which is centered on a 50MP main sensor, produces crisp, clear images and works very well in well-lit environments. But low light performance isn't much better than that of competitors like the Google Pixel 8. A 2MP macro lens is also lacking some crucial features and seems more like a checkbox feature than a useful addition.Battery

As previously said, the OnePlus 12R's battery supports its high-end screen and processing capability. The OnePlus 12R runs on a 5,500mAh battery throughout the day. It lasts long enough—of course, depending on the game you're playing—for a satisfying gaming experience. The OnePlus 12R can save battery life because to its variable refresh rate screen.The OnePlus 12R has quick charging to ease any concerns you may have about running out of juice. With the company's renowned 80W SuperVOOC charging, the OnePlus 12R offers a quick boost of useable battery life from empty in around 30 minutes. This increases to 100W in other non-US regions, eliminating the need for the typical mid-range battery life complaints and enabling users to play games, stream media, and utilize many applications simultaneously without quickly depleting their battery.

Achievement

As was already noted, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset's performance is another attractive feature of the OnePlus 12R. The efficiency and power of this system on a chip (SoC) have significantly improved, giving the OnePlus 12R a great option for a broad spectrum of consumers—from casual social media users to die-hard gamers. Additionally, the smartphone has up to 16GB of RAM, which guarantees seamless multitasking and rapid program switching.In terms of benchmarks, the OnePlus 12R displays remarkable results that highlight its strengths. The OnePlus 12R receives a strong score on Geekbench, a program that evaluates a device's performance across many cores, indicating its capacity to manage demanding calculations and multitask well. Similar to this, the device showcases its graphics capabilities in GPU-focused benchmarks like 3DMark, guaranteeing smooth gameplay and rich textures and effects generated without sacrificing quality in games and graphically demanding applications. Because the OnePLus 12R heated up a lot during our extended GPU evaluations, we advise using a case that lets the device cool.

• Geekbench Single Core: 1561
• Geekbench Multi Core: 5088
• Geekbench GPU (OpenCL): 8641
• Geekbench GPU (Vulkan): 9092

on GeekbenchFor some background, the Google Pixel 8's single core performance score is 1553. In Multi-Core benchmarks, the OnePlus 12R outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus 5024 by a wide margin of 54 points. In summary, the OnePlus 12R offers flagship performance at an unbeatable price for the mid-range market, especially when you compare it to the competitor's phones.

Three-D Mark Test of Stress in Wild Life:

• Best Loop Score: 13,254
• Lowest Loop Score: 8617
• Stability: 65%
• Battery Drain: 86% to 71%
• Temperature Lowest: 25°C
• Temperature Highest: 39°C
• Frame Rate Lowest:
• Frame Rate Highest:36 FPS to 101 FPS

A more thorough test for overall graphics performance is 3D Mark. In plain English, this means that the temperature is rising by 43.75%. Not good news, but it functions reliably at greater temperatures, reaching highs of 101 and lowests of 36 frames per second. By enabling users to access more system resources for improved performance, the OnePlus Game-Mode overlay significantly improves the user experience. The OnePlus 12R is a terrific mid-range phone that works well for any local mobile game.The following findings are important for certain prospective customers, even if you are not acquainted with benchmarking, as they provide a numerical comparison of the phone's performance against its competitors. The OnePlus 12R's ratings, especially in terms of processing power and graphics performance, easily rank it among the best in the mid-range market and almost push it into flagship territory.When playing games, the OnePlus 12R shines because of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's superior graphics capabilities. Immersive gaming is made possible by games like "Call of Duty: Mobile" and "Genshin Impact," which operate at high settings without any latency or frame dropouts. Even during prolonged gaming sessions, the device's thermal management technology makes sure that there is little heat buildup, which avoids throttling and maintains steady performance.With the ability to multitask, edit documents, conduct video conferences, and more, the OnePlus 12R is a great choice for customers who depend on their phones for business and productivity. Because of its powerful CPU and plenty of RAM, it can effortlessly manage daily chores. In a mid-range Android phone, the smooth transition between apps and the absence of latency while using productivity tools are delightful.The OnePlus 12R is perfect for video up to 2K quality because to its powerful SoC and vivid LTPO AMOLED display. The gadget renders material nicely, making it enjoyable to browse through image-heavy websites or stream high quality films. Even at higher resolutions, the CPU makes sure that streaming applications function without stuttering and provide a seamless viewing experience.

Is the OnePlus 12R a good purchase?

In the mid-range market, the OnePlus 12R is a strong competitor, providing a high-end experience at a reasonable cost. It may not quite match the photography prowess of its rivals, but a variety of users will find its performance, display, and battery life appealing. Take a look at the OnePlus 12R if you want premium features without the price tag.The OnePlus 12R camera array performs worse in low light conditions than the other mid-range competitors, but it's hardly a deal breaker. The OnePlus 12R lacks a few features that are standard on other mid-range phones, such certified IP water and dust certifications and wireless charging. Android devices are by no means new to have curved edges. Still, if you're not utilizing a bezel phone cover, they might result in inadvertent inputs.

Substitutes

If our evaluation of the OnePlus 12R isn't convincing enough, have a look at some more choices down below.

Phone (2)

NothingAnother amazing mid-range handset with impressive hardware is the Nothing Phone (2), if you're searching for something unusual. The Glyph system, a highlight feature of Nothing that lets you make creative designs with the LED lights visible behind the phone's transparent case, is still the nicest thing about its substitute. See our Nothing Phone (2) review for more information.

Google Pixel 8Although the Google Pixel 8 costs a bit more than the OnePlus 12R, it's well worth the investment if you're an avid smartphone photographer who wants to capture amazing shots in low light. Another area where the 12R falls a little short is wireless charging, which is also available on this most recent Pixel flagship. See our Google Pixel 8 review for additional information on this one.