OnePlus has unveiled its latest flagship in China, with a scheduled launch occurred on December 5. This early preview promises an advanced glimpse into one of the initial significant Android releases for the upcoming year 2024. However, the global release of the One Plus 12 will be on January 23rd.
As OnePlus gears up for its next offering, the expectations are high. The target is this time to break the boundaries One Plus has set with its own predecessor. Balancing performance, affordability, and cutting-edge features will be key in crafting a successor that continues to captivate the Android market. Let’s have a sneak peek into what the OnePlus 12 brings to the table compared to its predecessor.
OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 11; What’s new?
| Specs | One Plus 11 | One Plus 12 |
| Screen Size | 6.7″ (17.02 cm) | 6.82″ (17.32 cm) |
| Resolution | 1440×3216 px | 1440×3168 px |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 2600 nits |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Rear Camera | 50 MP + 48 MP + 32 MP | 50 MP + 48 MP + 64 MP |
| Front Camera | 16 MP | 32 MP |
| Battery | 5000 mAH | 5400 mAH |
| Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB |
Design comparison
OnePlus has shared images revealing the appearance of the upcoming OnePlus 12, and at first glance, distinguishing it from the OnePlus 11 might pose a challenge. The OnePlus 12 maintains a familiar appearance, closely resembling its predecessor, the OnePlus 11. Sporting a spacious 6.7-inch screen and a slender body, it retains the distinctive circular camera system and the handy 3-way mute switch. However, the display utilizes an advanced panel that can achieve significantly higher brightness levels. It can reach an impressive maximum of 2,600 nits, making it ideal for outdoor use.
What sets the OnePlus 12 apart is the remarkable craftsmanship evident in the finer details. Notably, the camera system is now encircled by a sleek metal ring, similar to the feature found in high-end luxury watches. This enhancement reflects OnePlus’s commitment to refining even the smallest aspects of design, elevating the overall aesthetic of the device.
The upcoming OnePlus 12 maintains the use of an optical in-screen fingerprint scanner, with no anticipated changes in this aspect. Notably, the OnePlus 11, released last year, brought a revolutionary 600 mm2 vibration motor into play, an impressive size, almost double that of many rivals in the market. This expansive vibration motor delivered precise feedback, replicating the sensation of a physical keyboard during typing. This uniquely crafted vibration motor will probably return in the OnePlus 12, ensuring users continue to experience exceptional tactile feedback.
Water Resistance:
The OnePlus 11 unlike the usual OnePlus phone trend by introducing a water resistance feature. With an IP64 rating, it can handle splashes, although a complete submersion is still beyond its capabilities. This sets it apart, considering many flagship phones can endure full water immersion. The burning question now is whether the OnePlus 12 will step up the game with an even sturdier rating. Let’s keep an eye out for that potential upgrade!
New Colors:
This time a not-worthy change we are going to see is in the Color palette introducing the new white variant, a feature absent in the earlier model. Notably, the black version of the One Plus 11 maintains its stylish glittery finish, while the green version boasts a sophisticated tile-like texture, adding a touch of elegance.
Camera Comparison
One of the standout camera features in recent OnePlus flagships is the collaboration with lens expert Hasselblad. This partnership has consistently elevated the performance of OnePlus cameras, reaching new heights with the OnePlus 11. The good news is that Hasselblad is reportedly continuing this collaboration with the upcoming OnePlus 12, ensuring a promising continuation of top-notch camera capabilities, including the stunning zoom capability.
The telephoto lens is in for a significant upgrade in the upcoming OnePlus model, with reports indicating a shift to a periscope-style design. Unlike the 32MP telephoto lens in the OnePlus 11, which offered a 2x optical zoom, the new design is set to feature a 64MP camera with an impressive 3x optical zoom. While this may not reach the 5x zoom levels seen in other telephoto cameras, it marks a notable improvement, promising enhanced zoom capabilities for a better photography experience.
- Checkout our recommendations about the Best compact phones for photography
Chipset and performance
The latest OnePlus 12 comes equipped with the cutting-edge Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, a notable upgrade from the OnePlus 11’s use of the older Gen 2 chip. Now, the crucial question arises: does this transition truly bring about a worthy difference between the two models? Let’s delve into the details to uncover the meaningful distinctions between the Qualcomm chips powering these OnePlus smartphones.
According to Qualcomm, the Kryo CPU featured in its latest chipset is expected to deliver a notable 30% performance improvement compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Additionally, the Adreno GPU is made for a commendable 25% boost in performance. Given that the benchmark results of the OnePlus 11 were among the top performers for Android devices in the previous year, the OnePlus 12 will likely maintain its status as one of the swiftest Android phones in the market.
It might even present strong competition to the graphics benchmarks of the A17 Pro-powered iPhone 15 Pro models. With these enhancements, the OnePlus 12 is shaping up to offer a compelling combination of speed and performance in the ever-evolving landscape of smartphones.
- Check out the comparison between the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the One Plus 12.
Security updates and Storage
In the previous year, OnePlus made a notable commitment to software updates, introducing four significant OS updates for the OnePlus 11. This year, we anticipate continuing this commendable trend with the OnePlus 12, maintaining a four-year update promise. While this doesn’t compete with the impressive seven-year update assurance seen in Pixel phones, it still offers a good commitment by most standards. This consistency in software support ensures that users can enjoy the latest features and improvements over an extended period.
The Launch Event also claimed that the OnePlus 12 model boasts an impressive 24GB of RAM. However, this high RAM configuration will likely be available for top-tier One Plus 12 Pro models. It’s a big elevations from the previous OnePlus 11 offered configurations with 8GB and 16GB of RAM. This potential upgrade suggests a significant performance boost, particularly for those craving for the premium model.
Battery life and charging
Get ready for the OnePlus 12, anticipated to feature an amazing upgrade in the battery department. With a boosted 5,400mAh battery, it defeats the OnePlus 11’s 5,000mAh and even outshines many other Android flagship phones. This upgraded battery could be a game-changer in setting OnePlus apart from the competition.
From the launch event that occurred on 5 December, I must anticipate that the OnePlus 12 will feature a whopping 100W fast charging, possibly 80W charging for users in the United States.
In contrast to its predecessor, the OnePlus 11, which lacked wireless charging altogether, it’s a huge development for the OnePlus 12. In the past, the company justified the absence of wireless charging by asserting that rapid wired charging meets the needs of most users. However, the OnePlus 12 is breaking away from tradition by not only introducing wireless charging but doing so at an impressive speed of up to 50W.
Price comparison
One aspect which is still unclear regarding the upcoming OnePlus 12, is the price tag attached to the new flagship. The trend in the smartphone market has seen prices steadily climbing. For instance, both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are $100 more expensive than their previous models, and Apple has also upped the prices for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Check out the detailed comparison of the iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. Pixel 8 Pro.
It’s intriguing to observe whether OnePlus will continue this trend and remain unaffected by the overall increase in costs. Stay tuned for the global release of One Plus 12 on January 23rd, 2024.