Oneplus recently launched its flagship product Oneplus 12, which has been making headlines all over the internet as of now. But, remind you the company also launched a semi-flagship level smartphone that has few identical goodies compared to OnePlus 12. If you haven't guessed it already, I am talking about the OnePlus 12R.OnePlus 12R is also making headlines (Okay,  not all over the internet, but deffo among the internet tech circles). I mean, for the price (global), this is a deal you don't want to miss. But there's also bad news for my Nepali fellas... that the OnePlus 12R is ridiculously expensive. Yeah, you heard it right, it costs 25% more than what it would cost in India. I know...I know that sounds like a big turn-off already, but before boring you with the pricing, I will walk you through my experience in this OnePlus 12R Review. Let's have a quick rundown of the specs first

OnePlus 12R Review: Specifications

• Display: 6.78-inch ProXDR AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, LTPO 4.0 (1-120Hz)
• Resolution: 1.5K (2780 x 1264 pixels), 450 PPI
• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 5G (TSMC 4nm)
• GPU: Adreno 740
• Memory: 8/16GB LPDDR5X RAM
• Storage: 128 / 256GB UFS 3.1 storage
• Software: Android 14-based OxygenOS 14
• Front Camera: 16MP, f/2.4 (punch-hole)
• Rear Camera: Triple (with LED flash)
  • 50MP Sony IMX890 primary (OIS), 1/1.56″, f/1.8
  • 8MP ultrawide, 112° FOV, f/2.2
  • 2MP macro
• Battery: 5500mAh with 100W SuperVOOC charging (wired)
• Learn the full specifications of the OnePlus 12R here. 
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OnePlus 12R Review

Design 

• Dimensions: 163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm
• Weight: 207 g (7.30 oz)
• Build: Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back

I'm really impressed with the design of the OnePlus 12R. OnePlus has done a fantastic job in maintaining a consistent and premium look across its lineup, especially on its higher-end models. The circular camera cutout and the sleek curves on the back give the 12R a sophisticated and comfortable feel, reminiscent of its pricier sibling, the OnePlus 12. Plus, it's great to see that OnePlus hasn't skimped on features like the alert slider and IR blaster, which add convenience and functionality to the device.

While the OnePlus 12R boasts an impressive design, there are some subtle differences that set it apart from flagship smartphones. One of the first things I noticed was the haptics—while not necessarily bad, they lack the crispness and responsiveness that you'd find on the OnePlus 12. Additionally, the device opts for a USB 2.0 connection instead of the faster USB 3.2, and its back glass is Gorilla Glass 5 rather than the more durable Gorilla Glass Victus found on its pricier counterpart. Moreover, the IP64 dust and splash resistance of the 12R may not be as robust as what you'd expect from a flagship device.

Display

• Display: 6.78-inch ProXDR AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, LTPO 4.0 (1-120Hz)
• Resolution: 1.5K (2780 x 1264 pixels), 450 PPI

I absolutely love the display on the OnePlus 12R. It's remarkable how OnePlus has managed to maintain such high quality in a more affordable device. Whether I'm outside soaking up the sun or snuggled up indoors, the display adjusts perfectly to the lighting conditions, providing crisp visuals and vibrant colors every time. And let me tell you about the "Aqua Touch" feature—I didn't think I'd use it much, but it's been a lifesaver on more than one occasion. Being able to interact with the screen even when it's a bit wet is incredibly convenient and adds a layer of versatility to the phone that I didn't know I needed.

And let's not forget about the audio experience. The stereo speakers on the OnePlus 12R deliver such rich and immersive sound that I often find myself getting lost in my favorite music or movies. Sure, there's room for improvement in the treble region, but overall, it's a fantastic audio setup that complements the stunning display perfectly.

Now, about the LTPO technology—I was really excited to see how it would enhance the battery life. Unfortunately, in my experience, it hasn't quite lived up to expectations. Despite its supposed ability to adjust the refresh rate as low as 1Hz, I've found that it often fluctuates between 60 and 120Hz without reaching that minimum threshold. It's a bit disappointing, but considering the overall package that the OnePlus 12R offers, it's a compromise I'm willing to make.

Performance

• Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 5G (TSMC 4nm)
• GPU: Adreno 740
• Memory: 8/16GB LPDDR5X RAM
• Storage: 128 UFS 3.1 / 256GB UFS 4.0 storage
• CPU: Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)

Let's dive into the performance of the OnePlus 12R. Powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, paired with either 8 or 16GB of RAM and 128 or 256GB of storage, this phone delivers remarkable speed and reliability across the board. While I do wish OnePlus had offered a 256GB base storage option, the 128GB variant still provides ample space for most users. 

Having used the device extensively, I can confidently say that I've experienced virtually zero performance hiccups. While it may not match the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in benchmark numbers, the practical difference in day-to-day use is negligible. In my gaming tests, the OnePlus 12R performed admirably, handling demanding titles like Genshin Impact with ease and maintaining a near 60 fps average. Though I did notice some minor frame drops when pushing the limits with games like PUBG Mobile at 90 fps, it didn't significantly detract from the overall gaming experience.

Both the OnePlus 12 and the 12R feature an identical vapor chamber cooling system, ensuring that temperature management remains consistent across both devices. However, it's worth noting that the OnePlus 12 offers a few gaming enhancements not available on the 12R, such as "Hyper Resolution" for upscaling game render quality and "Adaptive Frame Boost" for improving fps numbers. While these features may hold promise for the future, their current impact is limited as many popular titles are yet to fully support them.

Battery

• Battery capacity: 5500 mAh, non-removable
• Charging: 100W Wired

I must admit, I didn't have high expectations for the battery life of the OnePlus 12R, but it pleasantly surprised me. Even with demanding usage involving extensive gaming, photography, and videography, I consistently achieved an impressive 7 to 8 hours of screen time on average. 

What's more impressive is the blazing-fast charging capability of this device. With the 100W charger included in the box, I found myself reaching 50% battery capacity in just 10 minutes, and a full recharge took less than half an hour. While it's true that the OnePlus 12R lacks wireless charging functionality, a feature present in the standard OnePlus 12 with its impressive 50W wireless charging support, I believe most users won't mind. After all, the exceptional battery life and lightning-fast wired charging of the 12R more than make up for the absence of wireless charging.

 UI 

• OS: Android 14, OxygenOS 14

Transitioning to the software aspect, I found that the OnePlus 12R offers a software experience identical to its pricier counterpart. Running on Android 14 with OxygenOS 14 overlay, it delivers a smooth, optimized, and bloatware-free user experience. However, I did encounter a peculiar bug while using YouTube, where the app would suddenly become stuttering after playing a video in landscape mode. Hopefully, this issue will be addressed in a future software update.

Unfortunately, there's a bit of disappointing news regarding software updates. Unlike the standard OnePlus 12, which enjoys four generations of operating system updates and five years of security updates, the OnePlus 12R falls short by a year on both fronts. While this may not be a dealbreaker for everyone, it's worth noting for those who prioritize long-term software support.

OnePlus 12R Review: Cameras

• Main: 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, Laser AF, OIS
• Ultrawide: 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚, 1/4.0", 1.12µm
• macro: 2 MP, f/2.4
• Selfie: 16 MP

Let's dive into what sets the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R apart—their cameras. The OnePlus 12 flaunts a periscope zoom camera alongside larger, higher-resolution main and ultrawide sensors, whereas the 12R sticks to the same camera setup as last year's OnePlus 11R. This includes a 50MP primary camera, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a rather lackluster 2MP macro lens. Unfortunately, the OnePlus 12R misses out on the Hasselblad collaboration, unlike its counterpart.

I was pleasantly surprised by the OnePlus 12R's primary camera performance. In many cases, I preferred its photos over those from the OnePlus 12, thanks to its ability to maintain a natural white balance. Unlike the OnePlus 12's shots, which often leaned towards warm tones, the 12R's images retained a more neutral balance, which I found appealing.

However, upon closer inspection, the OnePlus 12 demonstrated superior image processing, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The 12R did well in daylight, but couldn't match the OnePlus 12's performance in challenging lighting. The 12R's 8MP ultrawide camera left much to be desired, with some color shift compared to the main camera. Although it produced decent shots occasionally, it couldn't match the detail and dynamic range of the OnePlus 12's 48MP ultrawide shooter.

In low-light conditions, the OnePlus 12R delivered acceptable results but fell short in exposure compensation, glare control, and contrast levels compared to its counterpart.

Selfies from both phones were underwhelming, with the OnePlus 12 preserving more detail but exhibiting a yellowish skin tone, while the 12R's selfies had a reddish tint.

When it came to portraits, the OnePlus 12's versatility stood out, allowing for shooting from multiple focal lengths for better composition and subject focus. Although the 12R offered capable 1x portraits, it lacked the option for 2x portraits available on the OnePlus 12. Nonetheless, its portraits maintained a pleasing aesthetic, albeit with less emphasis on enhancing the subject's features compared to its counterparts.

Videography

Let's talk about videos on the OnePlus 12R. It shoots 4K at 60 fps, which looks decent for still shots. But, when you're on the move, you might notice some shakiness. Also, the ultrawide and selfie cameras are limited to 1080p at 30 fps, and their quality isn't anything special. Compared to the OnePlus 12, colors, contrast, and dynamic range aren't as good. Overall, while it's okay for casual video, there's room for improvement, especially in the selfie and ultrawide lenses.

OnePlus 12R Review: Conclusion 

In conclusion, the OnePlus 12R emerges as a standout device, particularly with its exceptional camera performance. It's undeniably a remarkable phone that commands attention with its impressive capabilities. I would readily recommend it to anyone seeking a semi-flagship smartphone that meets their needs.

Despite its merits, the OnePlus 12R is ridiculously expensive here in Nepal, yet is superbly priced in the global market. While the lack of a telephoto lens and the average performance of its ultrawide and selfie cameras are notable drawbacks, along with the variable refresh rate not being optimized to its fullest potential, the OnePlus 12R remains a compelling choice for many users. 

Looking ahead, the imminent launch of the iQOO Neo9 Pro poses a formidable challenge to the OnePlus 12R. I'm confident that OnePlus' superior software will keep it ahead of the competition. 

OnePlus 12R Review: Pros and Cons

Pros

• It's fast
• Premium design and hands-on feel
• Excellent display
• Terrific battery endurance
• The main camera is plenty reliable
• Nice haptics

Cons