OnePlus 12: How It Stacks Up Against Competitors - trade.com.au

OnePlus 12: How It Stacks Up Against Competitors

When it comes to smartphones, finding the right balance between price, performance, and features is always a challenge. As someone who follows tech trends closely, I have seen OnePlus carve out a unique place in the smartphone market over the years. The upcoming OnePlus 12 has generated quite a buzz, and I was curious to see how it compares to other flagship phones like the Samsung Galaxy S24, iPhone 15, and Google Pixel 8 Pro. Here I shall break down the OnePlus 12's key features and see how it stacks up against these competitors.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing that catches your attention about any phone is its design and build quality. The OnePlus 12 sticks to the minimalist design philosophy that the brand is known for, with a sleek body and curved edges. It has a glass front and back, paired with a sturdy aluminum frame, giving it a premium look and feel. The phone is available in a variety of colors, which makes it stand out in a crowd.

Compared to the Samsung Galaxy S24, which also boasts a sleek design but with more sharp edges, the OnePlus 12 feels a bit more comfortable to hold. The iPhone 15, on the other hand, retains its iconic boxy design with flat edges, which some people might prefer. However, the Google Pixel 8 Pro opts for a more utilitarian design with matte finishes and feels a little bulkier in hand.

When it comes to water and dust resistance, the OnePlus 12 offers IP68 certification, putting it on par with both the Samsung Galaxy S24 and iPhone 15. The Google Pixel 8 Pro is also IP68-rated, so all these flagship models are equally protected against spills and dust.


Key Features:

  • OnePlus 12: Sleek, curved design, IP68 rated, aluminum frame.

  • Galaxy S24: Sharp edges, IP68 rated, premium glass and metal build.

  • iPhone 15: Boxy design, flat edges, IP68 rated.

  • Pixel 8 Pro: Matte finish, bulkier, IP68 rated.

Display

OnePlus has always been known for delivering exceptional displays, and the OnePlus 12 does not disappoint. It comes with a 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED display that offers a 120Hz refresh rate. This ensures super smooth scrolling and a vibrant, crisp viewing experience. The 1440p resolution makes everything from videos to games look sharp.

In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S24 also offers a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Samsung’s displays have a reputation for being some of the best in the business, and the S24 certainly continues that trend with its rich colors and high brightness levels.

The iPhone 15 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display. While smaller than the OnePlus 12 and Galaxy S24, it is still sharp and offers excellent color accuracy. Apple’s displays are great for those who prefer a more compact screen size, although some users might find it a bit limiting for media consumption.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro sports a 6.7-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which is comparable to the OnePlus 12. The Pixel 8 Pro's display performs well, especially in terms of color accuracy and brightness, but it does not quite reach the vibrancy of the OnePlus or Samsung models.

Key Features:

  • OnePlus 12: 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, 1440p resolution.

  • Galaxy S24: 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz refresh rate, 1440p resolution.

  • iPhone 15: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR, excellent color accuracy.

  • Pixel 8 Pro: 6.7-inch OLED, 120Hz refresh rate.

Performance and Software

The OnePlus 12 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, making it one of the fastest phones on the market. It is equipped with up to 16GB of RAM, ensuring a smooth multitasking experience. Whether you are gaming, streaming, or switching between apps, the OnePlus 12 delivers top-tier performance without any lag.

Samsung’s Galaxy S24 also features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (or Exynos depending on the region), with similar RAM configurations, making the performance between these two phones almost identical. However, Samsung’s One UI software is heavier compared to OnePlus’ OxygenOS, which can sometimes feel a bit cluttered.

The iPhone 15, on the other hand, comes with Apple’s A17 Bionic chip. While it is not a direct comparison with Snapdragon chips, Apple’s processors are known for their incredible performance and efficiency. In everyday tasks and gaming, the A17 Bionic holds its own against the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, though some might prefer the customization options of Android over iOS.

Google’s Pixel 8 Pro is powered by Google’s Tensor G3 chip, which is great for AI-driven tasks like image processing and voice recognition. While not as fast as the Snapdragon or Apple’s A17 Bionic, it is optimized for tasks specific to the Google ecosystem. However, in raw performance, the OnePlus 12 and Galaxy S24 still have the edge.

Key Features:

  • OnePlus 12: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, up to 16GB RAM, OxygenOS.

  • Galaxy S24: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (Exynos in some regions), One UI.

  • iPhone 15: A17 Bionic chip, iOS.

  • Pixel 8 Pro: Tensor G3 chip, great for AI tasks, but not as fast as Snapdragon.

Camera System

One of the most important features for many smartphone users is the camera. The OnePlus 12 comes with a triple camera system that includes a 50MP main sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide lens, and a 64MP telephoto lens. The camera software has been further optimized, allowing for sharp, vibrant photos even in low light.

Samsung’s Galaxy S24 also features a powerful triple camera setup with a 200MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP periscope telephoto lens. Samsung’s high megapixel count gives it an edge in detail, especially in daylight, but in low-light situations, both the OnePlus 12 and Galaxy S24 perform equally well.

The iPhone 15 has a dual-camera system with a 48MP main sensor and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. While it may seem limited compared to the triple-camera systems of the OnePlus 12 and Galaxy S24, Apple’s image processing is top-notch, producing natural and color-accurate photos.

The Pixel 8 Pro is well known for its computational photography and features a 50MP main sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide lens, and a 48MP telephoto lens. While its hardware is not as impressive as Samsung’s, its software processing often produces some of the best smartphone photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions.

Key Features:

  • OnePlus 12: 50MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 64MP telephoto.

  • Galaxy S24: 200MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto.

  • iPhone 15: 48MP main, 12MP ultra-wide.

  • Pixel 8 Pro: 50MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 48MP telephoto.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is another key factor for anyone looking to buy a flagship phone. The OnePlus 12 is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day with moderate to heavy use. It also supports 100W wired charging, allowing you to quickly top up the battery when needed.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 has a similar 5,000mAh battery but offers slightly slower charging speeds compared to the OnePlus 12, with 45W wired charging. However, it supports wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, which the OnePlus 12 also has.

The iPhone 15, with its slightly smaller battery, offers impressive battery optimization thanks to iOS. However, it does not charge as quickly as its Android competitors, with a maximum wired charging speed of 27W.

The Pixel 8 Pro has a 5,100mAh battery, slightly larger than the OnePlus and Samsung models, but its charging speeds are slower at 30W wired and 23W wireless. While it lasts a full day, it does not recharge as quickly as the OnePlus 12.

Key Features:

  • OnePlus 12: 5,000mAh, 100W wired charging, wireless charging.

  • Galaxy S24: 5,000mAh, 45W wired charging, wireless/reverse wireless charging.

  • iPhone 15: Smaller battery, 27W wired charging, wireless charging.

  • Pixel 8 Pro: 5,100mAh, 30W wired charging, 23W wireless.

Conclusion

The OnePlus 12 is a strong contender in the flagship smartphone market, offering top-tier performance, a stunning display, and a powerful camera system. While it holds its own against competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S24, iPhone 15, and Google Pixel 8 Pro, its standout features are its blazing-fast charging speeds and fluid OxygenOS interface. 

However, each phone has its own strengths, whether it is Samsung’s superior display, Apple’s smooth software experience, or Google’s excellent camera processing.

For users looking for a balanced and feature-rich phone without the steep price tag of some other flagships, the OnePlus 12 is an excellent choice.

 

Back to blog