Were you expecting design changes? Us too because this just feels like a OnePlus 11T
Today, OnePlus launched the OnePlus 12, just one more phone before the year ends and OnePlus wants to end with a bang! Are we supposed to expect a OnePlus 12T? Probably not, since the Nords already have taken the role of the T subseries.
Just like the OnePlus 11, the new OnePlus 12 has a circular camera hump and an exclusive Emerald Green-like colour scheme. It also appears to be made of ceramic thanks to its marble-like texture at the back. And yes, the beloved alert slider is present.
The main improvement here is the new Sony Lytia LYT-808 camera. The Lytia series, unlike the Exmor-based IMX series, is specifically designed for smartphones as Sony forecasted that smartphone photography are the future and that their cameras continue to evolve. So much so it competes well with some budget DSLRs.
Let’s get to the front side first. Because of the notoriety of the dreaded green line that affects almost every OnePlus phone with a SAMOLED screen, the company responded by first giving additional warranties (though, only in India) and then outsourcing a different manufacturer for the displays. This time, it’s the very popular BOE. Don’t worry, like last year’s, the OnePlus 12 keeps the same great display features, including a 120Hz refresh rate, DisplayMate A+ rating, HDR10+, 10-bit channel, 12-bit colour, and a QHD+ (3168x1440px) resolution. In China, the display is referred to as “3D AMOLED” whereas globally, it’s called “Fluid AMOLED”. It is bright at 1600nits peak brightness and also has 2160Hz hi-frequency PWM Dimming.
As expected, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is at the helm, since it’s a mainstream flagship phone. If you’re seeing 24GB RAM there, don’t worry, we’re just as surprised as you are. And yes, those are all physical RAM. We also find it unbelievable that a phone now has more RAM than your average PC. We are living in the future. There’s up to 1TB storage inside too. This 24GB RAM was first featured on the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro. A VC cooling graphite sheet is also included with the phone.
Now, the cameras. As expected, Hasselblad is embossed at the back and since the OnePlus 9 Pro, there have been noticeable improvements. The Hasselblad colour calibration is no longer just fancy filters with a brand attached to it. It also helps that Sony’s new 50MP camera, the LYT-808, is directly developed for phones.
Aside from that, there is also a 64MP periscopic telephoto camera with OIS and a 48MP ultrawide covering 114° viewing angles. There is also a 32MP camera which thankfully can capture up to 4K videos. The primary camera can capture 8K@30fps, as expected from flagships.
The OnePlus 12, unlike its predecessors, boasts the largest battery seen on the series. Here, it’s a 5400mAh battery with 100W fast charging and 50W wireless. Reverse charging is supported too but it’s capped at a very slow 10W.
OnePlus is able to include an IP rating here without compromising on everything else that’s great about the phone. It’s no splash resistance either, it’s a full-fledged water and dust resistance. It still has a long way to go, because IP65 is not heard among the competition. It’s usually IP67 or IP68. This means the phone may not be able to survive in large amounts of dirt.
In terms of connectivity, you’re getting 5G services, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, Qualcomm aptX codec, NFC, 4×4 MiMO, L1 Widevine support, and 4G LTE of course. In China it boots up with ColorOS 14 based on Android 14 with a 3 + 4 Android upgrade scheme (3 years major upgrades and 4 years of security patches). Globally, it launches with OxygenOS but these days, the two are very similar, except OxygenOS is better in every way because it lacks bloatware and ads.
There’s also a new haptic feedback chip called the N54 that keeps the typing experience satisfying and smooth, just like the feel of a Cherry Red MX Mechanical Keyboard key.
Finally, we have the speakers. No headphone jack but that’s expected in 2023. This one has stereo speakers with Hi-Res wired and wireless audio and Dolby Atmos certification. The phone uses a USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 port to charge.
The phone comes in White, Emerald Green, and Black. It debuts in China for CNY 4,299 (~PHP 33.3K) for the 12/256 variant. Meanwhile, the highest-end variant with 24GB/1TB configuration, is priced at CNY 5,799 (~PHP 44.9K).
It will arrive in global markets, including the Philippines. However, we need to wait until January 2024 for that to happen.
Source: Oppo OnePlus China
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