OnePlus has launched two flagship smartphones in the global market, the OnePlus 12 and the OnePlus 12R. Both devices claim to offer a premium experience with high-end specifications and features. But there is a significant price difference between them, with the OnePlus 12 costing ₹25,000 more than the OnePlus 12R. So, which one should you buy? Is the OnePlus 12 worth the extra money, or has OnePlus outdone itself with the ‘R’ series this year? Let’s find out in this detailed comparison.
Design and Display: Similar but not the same
Both the OnePlus 12 and the OnePlus 12R have a similar design language, with a glass front and back, an aluminum frame, and a rectangular camera module on the rear. Both phones are also IP65 rated for water and dust resistance. However, there are some subtle differences in the dimensions and weight of the two devices. The OnePlus 12 is slightly taller, wider, and thicker than the OnePlus 12R, and also weighs 13 grams more. The OnePlus 12 has a 6.82-inch display, while the OnePlus 12R has a 6.78-inch display. Both screens are LTPO AMOLED panels with 1B colors, 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection.
However, the OnePlus 12 has a higher resolution of 1440 x 3168 pixels, while the OnePlus 12R has a lower resolution of 1264 x 2780 pixels. This means that the OnePlus 12 has a higher pixel density of 510 ppi, while the OnePlus 12R has a lower pixel density of 450 ppi. The OnePlus 12 also has a brighter display, with a peak brightness of 4500 nits, compared to the OnePlus 12R’s peak brightness of 1600 nits.
Performance and Battery: A big leap in power
One of the biggest differences between the OnePlus 12 and the OnePlus 12R is the chipset that powers them. The OnePlus 12 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which is a 4 nm octa-core processor with a clock speed of up to 3.3 GHz. The OnePlus 12R, on the other hand, is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which is also a 4 nm octa-core processor, but with a lower clock speed of up to 3.2 GHz. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is the latest and most powerful chipset from Qualcomm, and it offers a significant improvement in performance, efficiency, and connectivity over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The OnePlus 12 also has more RAM and storage options than the OnePlus 12R. The OnePlus 12 comes in three variants: 512GB/16GB, 256GB/12GB, and 128GB/8GB. The OnePlus 12R comes in two variants: 256GB/12GB and 128GB/8GB. Both phones run on Android 14, with OxygenOS 14 for the international market and ColorOS 14 for the Chinese market. Both phones also support 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and USB Type-C. However, the OnePlus 12 has a faster wireless charging speed of 50W, while the OnePlus 12R has a slower wireless charging speed of 30W. Both phones have a 4500 mAh battery, and support 65W wired fast charging.
Camera and Audio: A mixed bag of features
The OnePlus 12 and the OnePlus 12R have a similar camera setup, with a triple rear camera and a single front camera. However, the OnePlus 12 has a higher megapixel count and a better sensor for the main camera. The OnePlus 12 has a 64 MP main camera with a Sony IMX686 sensor, a 50 MP ultra-wide camera with a Sony IMX766 sensor, and a 48 MP telephoto camera with a 3x optical zoom. The OnePlus 12R has a 50 MP main camera with a Sony IMX766 sensor, an 8 MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2 MP macro camera. Both phones have a 32 MP selfie camera with a Sony IMX616 sensor. Both phones also support 8K video recording at 30 fps, 4K video recording at 60 fps, and 1080p video recording at 240 fps. However, the OnePlus 12 has a better video stabilization feature, with OIS and EIS, while the OnePlus 12R only has EIS. The OnePlus 12 also has a laser autofocus system, which helps in faster and more accurate focusing. The OnePlus 12R does not have this feature. Both phones have a dual stereo speaker system, with Dolby Atmos support. However, neither phone has a 3.5 mm headphone jack, which may disappoint some users.
Verdict: Is the OnePlus 12 worth the extra money?
The OnePlus 12 and the OnePlus 12R are both excellent smartphones, with a lot of similarities and some differences. The OnePlus 12 has a better display, a more powerful processor, more RAM and storage options, a faster wireless charging speed, a higher megapixel main camera, a better video stabilization feature, and a laser autofocus system. The OnePlus 12R has a slightly smaller and lighter body, a gyroscope, a compass, and a lower TDP. The price difference between the two phones is ₹25,000, which is quite significant. So, which one should you buy? Well, it depends on your preferences and budget. If you want the best of the best, and don’t mind spending more money, then the OnePlus 12 is the obvious choice. It offers a superior performance, display, camera, and battery experience, and will future-proof your smartphone for a longer time. However, if you want a more affordable option, and don’t care much about the extra features, then the OnePlus 12R is a great alternative. It offers a similar design, software, and battery experience, and a decent performance and camera experience. It is still a flagship-level smartphone, and will satisfy most users. Ultimately, the choice is yours, but we hope this comparison has helped you make an informed decision.