If there’s one buzzword that’s reaching the point of overkill in the consumer tech, and particularly the smartphone, space, it’s AI and more specifically generative AI. It’s not a catchphrase you will hear with the all-new OnePlus flagship, the OnePlus 12. OnePlus has chosen to build the sales pitch for the OnePlus12 smartphone around its hardware and top-of-the-line specs. The OnePlus brand recently turned 10. While the first wave of OnePlus smartphones rode on its flagship killer credo, OnePlus has gradually upped its game with devices that take on pricier flagships on their turf. The OnePlus 12 is a case in point. OnePlus would like us to believe that it’s the smart choice and ticks key boxes. We take you through some of the device’s talking points:
It’s fast: speed is OnePlus’ calling card. The OnePlus 12 joins the pack. It’s powered by the best of breed Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset that teams up with two hardware variants – 12GB/256GB and 16GB/512GB. It consistently crossed the 4700-mark in our GeekBench (multi-core) tests. It’s not just gaming, the device is lightning quick in everyday use case scenarios whether you are snapping images or multi-tasking.
It's probably the most vibrant smartphone display out there: the display is ultrasmooth, with a 120Hz refresh rate. The 6.82-inch display hits a peak brightness of 4500 nits. On paper, it puts OnePlus in a whole different zone vis-à-vis its rivals. While this might hinge on how different brands measure peak brightness, there’s little doubt that this is a terrific display that’s equally good whether you’re binge-watching or gaming.
Playing to the gallery: if there’s one feature that OG OnePlus fangirls and fanboys dig, it’s the alert slider. This allows you to easily toggle between silent, vibrate and ring mode. OnePlus had skipped this design element in a few of its earlier devices; not with the OnePlus 12, though. In a design departure of sorts, the alert slider moves from the right spine to the left. The right spine now houses the volume rocker and the power button, making it a lot more functional in everyday usage.
Premium vibe: there are two key design elements that stand out in the OnePlus 12. First, it’s the bold rear camera module that has come to define OnePlus flagship devices. It certainly makes this device stand out in a crowd. OnePlus seems to love green. We’ve seen some cool shades of green play out in devices like the OnePlus 10 Pro. The OnePlus 12 comes in a gorgeous new shade of green - Flowy Emerald. The matte finish adds to its premium appeal, but the device is a tad slippery in your hand.
Energizer bunny: while some of its rivals might be touting generative AI features, OnePlus focuses instead on daily use case scenarios. The massive 5400 mAh battery typifies this approach. So, it won’t let you down even through those gaming marathons and weekend binge-watch sessions. OnePlus has bundled a 100W SuperVOOC charger that fires this device from 1 to 100 percent in well under 30 minutes.
Flagship stuff: one of our constant cribs with some of OnePlus’ pricier devices has been a lack of some flagship-level features. The OnePlus 12 fixes this with two key enhancements. The device offers wireless charging. The brand’s proprietary 50W AIRVOOC charger (sold separately for Rs 5,499) can take the device from 1 to 50 percent in just 23 minutes, making it one of the fastest wireless charging solutions. The OnePlus 12 comes with an IP65 raring for splash and dust resistance.
Keeping it cool: gamers will appreciate OnePlus’ new Dual Cryo-velocity VC advanced cooling. The OnePlus 12 comes with cutting-edge dual vapour chamber and Laval nozzle technology for the brand’s best cooling solution on any smartphone. This improved heat dissipation efficiency ensures always-smooth performance.
Versatile shooter, powered by Hasselblad: OnePlus has aimed to take on the flagships in the camera department with its partnership with the iconic Swedish photography brand Hasselblad. The OnePlus 12 is the best OnePlus mobile shooter yet. It scores with its sharp portraits and overall colour processing of the cam. We would have liked a better performance in some lowlight scenarios, though. The versatile rear cam combines a 50MP primary lens, a 64MP portrait lens and a 48MP ultra-wide lens.
OnePlus 12 specs:
Cover display: 6.82-inch QHD+/ 3168 x 1440 pixels / 1-120Hz dynamic refresh rate / 510 PPI / 4500 nits peak brightness
Weight: 220 gm
Camera: 50 MP primary lens / 64 MP telephoto lens (6x in-sensor zoom) / 48MP ultra-wide camera; 32MP Selfie Camera
Battery: 5400 mAh (100W in-box SuperVOOC charger)
Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Storage: 12GB/256GB and 16GB RAM / 512GB options
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