OnePlus 12R goes on sale in India: 7 features that make it a possible flagship killer

OnePlus 12R comes in Cool Blue and Iron Gray. It costs Rs 39,999 (8GB/128GB) or Rs 45,999 (16GB/256GB).

If there’s one word in the consumer tech space that OnePlus has almost made its own over the last decade, it’s ‘flagship killer’. The first few generations of OnePlus devices delivered flagship-level performance at a price that didn’t break the bank. Even as the brand has ventured into flagship territory, it has kept one foot firmly entrenched in the sub-Rs 40,000 price range with devices that deliver solid bang for your buck. Of late, the brand’s R series devices have taken that mantle; it’s almost a tribute to the OnePlus of old. The OnePlus 12R is the newest addition to this R series and was launched alongside the top-of-the-line OnePlus 12. OnePlus 12R comes in Cool Blue and Iron Gray. The price? OnePlus 12R costs Rs 39,999 (8GB/128GB) or Rs 45,999 (16GB/256GB).

Is this one of the best smartphones in the Rs 40,000 - 46,000 price tag? We take you through the key features:

1. Display: The 6.78-inch display AMOLED Pro XDR display is one of the best in the segment and is ultra-smooth. It boasts of a similar 4500 nits peak brightness as the pricier OnePlus 12. Just like the OnePlus 12, OnePlus’ measurement of peak brightness might differ from its competitors. It’s still extremely bright even under direct sunlight. The display boasts a 120Hz refresh rate that adds to its appeal as a binge watch screen.

2. Speed: the OnePlus 12R will satiate your need for speed, even for heavy-duty gamers. It’s powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and comes in two hardware options– 16GB/256GB and 8GB/128GB. It sailed through our benchmark tests and crunched everything we threw at it. It kept hovering around the 4500 mark in our GeekBench (multi-core) tests. It’s easily one of the fastest devices in this segment. This is one of the key differences with the OnePlus 12 is propelled by the all-new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.

3. Colour: OnePlus calls it Cool Blue and it’s not an over statement. It’s one of our favourite shades of blue in any recent smartphone. It’s a blend of icy blue with a metallic vibe. It loves fingerprints, though, and it’s a tad slippery. The 12R also comes in a more sober shade of Iron Gray, if a more refined matte finish is your thing. The other standout design feature is the rear camera module that has become a trademark OnePlus element over the last one year.

The icy blue colour is cool, but the phone loves fingerprints and is a tad slippery.

4. Power: battery life is a deal-breaker for most consumers in India. It’s why OnePlus scores with the battery on the 12R. You won’t run out of juice in quick time, even through intense gaming or video sessions, thanks to a massive 5500 mAh battery under the hood. And even if you do, the 100W in-box charger takes this device from 1 percent to 100 percent charge in about 26 minutes.

5. For gamers: the OnePlus 12R comes with same Dual Cryo-velocity VC that we checked out on the OnePlus 12. This cool new feature redefines advanced cooling; it comes with a cutting-edge dual vapour chamber and pioneering Laval nozzle technology for a cooling solution that significantly improves heat dissipation.

6. Alert slider position: OnePlus fans love the alert slider; it’s similar to iPhone fans who still swear by the ring/silent button. OnePlus has shifted this convenient toggle switch from the right spine to the left spine, in both the OnePlus 12 and 12R, making it a lot more functional in everyday usage.

7. Dependable camera: a nicer ultra-wide lens and zoom lens instead of the 2MP macro lens would have been better, but that doesn’t take away from the credentials of the primary lens. The rear cam is driven by a Sony IMX890 lens that does a great job in most lighting scenarios. If you’re looking for sharp portraits or zoom photography, then you might want to consider the OnePlus 12.

The rear cam is driven by a Sony IMX890 lens that does a great job in most lighting scenarios.

OnePlus 12R specifications

Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED / 2780 x 1264 pixels / 1-120Hz dynamic refresh rate / 450 PPI

Weight: 207 gm

Camera: 50 MP primary lens / 2MP macro lens / 8MP ultra-wide camera; 16MP Selfie Camera

Battery: 5500 mAh (100W in-box SuperVOOC charger)

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

Storage: 16 GB/256GB and 8GB/128GB options