The OnePlus 12 and 12R offer compelling flagship-level features at distinct price points. While the OnePlus 11R, last year’s value option, wasn’t available in the U.S., both the OnePlus 12 and 12R are readily accessible to American consumers. This head-to-head comparison will help you decide whether to splurge on the OnePlus 12 or save with the feature-rich OnePlus 12R.
OnePlus 12 vs. OnePlus 12R: Specifications Comparison
| Feature | OnePlus 12 | OnePlus 12R |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 6.47 x 2.98 x 0.36 inches | 6.43 x 2.96 x 0.34 inches |
| Weight | 7.76 ounces | 7.30 ounces |
| Display | 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED (1-120Hz) | 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED (1-120Hz) |
| Resolution | 3168 x 1440 (510 ppi) | 2780 x 1264 (450 ppi) |
| Operating System | OxygenOS 14 (Android 14) | OxygenOS 14 (Android 14) |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0 | 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 |
| MicroSD Slot | No | No |
| NFC | Yes (Google Pay) | Yes (Google Pay) |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB LPDDR5X | 8GB/12GB LPDDR5X |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP Main, 48MP Ultrawide, 64MP Periscope Telephoto (3x) | 50MP Main, 8MP Ultrawide, 2MP Macro |
| Front Camera | 32MP | 16MP |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@60fps |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Charging | 100W Wired (80W in U.S.), 50W Wireless | 100W Wired (80W in U.S.) |
| Battery | 5,400mAh | 5,500mAh |
| Water Resistance | IP65 | IP54 |
| Starting Price | $800 | $500 |
OnePlus 12 vs. OnePlus 12R: Design and Build
OnePlus 12 in hand with OnePlus 12R in the background.OnePlus 12 (Prakhar Khanna / MaagX)
OnePlus 12R in hand with OnePlus 12 in the background.OnePlus 12R (Prakhar Khanna / MaagX)
Both phones inherit design cues from the OnePlus 11, offering a familiar yet distinctive aesthetic. The OnePlus 12’s Flowy Emerald finish, inspired by the OnePlus 11 Marble Odyssey Edition, stands out with its textured matte back. The Silky Black option provides a classic look. The OnePlus 12R offers a glossy Cool Blue and a matte Iron Gray. A notable change is the repositioned Alert Slider on the left and the power/volume buttons on the right, potentially requiring a short adjustment period for existing OnePlus users.
OnePlus 12 vs. OnePlus 12R: Display Quality
OnePlus 12 Flowy Emerald showing Home screen.OnePlus 12 Display (Christine Romero-Chan / MaagX)
OnePlus 12R display.OnePlus 12R Display (Joe Maring / MaagX)
The OnePlus 12 boasts a vibrant 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a sharp 1440p resolution, supporting a 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+ with a peak brightness of 4,500 nits. The OnePlus 12R impresses with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display, also supporting Dolby Vision, HDR10+, a dynamic refresh rate, and a surprisingly high peak brightness for its price. Both feature curved displays for a premium feel and ProXDR technology for enhanced HDR content display within apps. The “Aqua Touch” feature effectively distinguishes between finger touches and water droplets.
OnePlus 12 vs. OnePlus 12R: Performance and Gaming
OnePlus 12R and OnePlus 12 back.OnePlus 12 and 12R (Prakhar Khanna / MaagX)
The OnePlus 12 utilizes the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, while the 12R features the still-powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Both phones deliver smooth performance in everyday tasks and gaming. The 12R handles demanding games at 60fps, even reaching 120fps in some titles. While both can get warm during extended gaming, it’s not uncomfortable. The 12 benefits from faster UFS 4.0 storage and a base RAM of 12GB compared to the 12R’s UFS 3.1 storage and 8GB base RAM, though both offer 16GB RAM options.
OnePlus 12 vs. OnePlus 12R: Battery Life and Charging
The battery settings page on a OnePlus 12R.OnePlus 12R Battery Settings (Joe Maring / MaagX)
The OnePlus 12 offers a 5,400mAh battery with 100W wired and 50W wireless charging (80W wired in the U.S.). The 12R features a slightly larger 5,500mAh battery with 100W wired charging (80W in the U.S.), but lacks wireless charging. Both include a 100W charger and easily last a full day on a single charge.
OnePlus 12 vs. OnePlus 12R: Camera Capabilities
OnePlus 12R and OnePlus 12 camera modules.OnePlus 12 and 12R Camera Modules (Prakhar Khanna / MaagX)
The OnePlus 12 showcases a triple camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, a 64MP periscope telephoto lens (3x optical zoom), and a 48MP ultrawide lens. The 12R features a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a less impressive 2MP macro lens. The 12 delivers bright, detailed images with excellent dynamic range and low-light performance. Its portrait mode and 3x telephoto option impress. The 12R’s primary camera produces good photos in ample light, but the ultrawide and macro lenses are less capable. The 12 also has a superior 32MP front camera compared to the 12R’s 16MP selfie camera.
Prakhar Khanna portrait shots comparison on OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R.OnePlus 12 vs. OnePlus 12R Portrait Comparison (Prakhar Khanna / MaagX)
OnePlus 12 vs. OnePlus 12R: Software and Updates
Screenshots of Android 14 software from the OnePlus 12R.OnePlus 12R Software (MaagX)
Both phones run OxygenOS 14 based on Android 14. The OnePlus 12 will receive four major Android updates and five years of security updates, while the 12R gets three OS updates and four years of security updates. OxygenOS 14 provides a smooth and feature-rich experience with various customization options.
OnePlus 12 vs. OnePlus 12R: Price and Availability
The OnePlus 12OnePlus 12 (Andy Boxall / MaagX)
The OnePlus 12 starts at $800, while the 12R starts at $500. Both are available from OnePlus, Amazon, and Best Buy. Trade-in options are available directly through OnePlus.
OnePlus 12 vs. OnePlus 12R: Which One Should You Choose?
OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R camera modules.OnePlus 12 and 12R Camera Modules (Prakhar Khanna / MaagX)
The OnePlus 12 offers a premium experience with superior cameras, a faster processor, wireless charging, and longer software support. The OnePlus 12R presents exceptional value with robust performance, a great display, and fast charging. If budget is a primary concern, the 12R is an excellent choice. However, if you prioritize camera quality, processing power, and future-proofing with software updates, the OnePlus 12 is the clear winner.
