Best OnePlus phones 2024

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OnePlus Open Apex Edition review

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

At a glance
1. Best overall
2. Best foldable
3. Best value
4. Best mid-range
5. Best budget pick
6. Still going strong
How to choose

From an obscure, enthusiast-centric brand launching just a single phone at a time, to a global powerhouse with a full fleet of smartphones, TVs, and audio accessories, OnePlus has come a long way in its nearly decade-long existence. The company makes some of the finest smartphones today that rival even the likes of Samsung and Google. Finding the best OnePlus phone is easy thanks to its relatively lean portfolio for the U.S. audience.

The OnePlus 12 is currently the best Android phone that the company makes, and is a strong choice against a Galaxy S24 for its incredible performance, great cameras, and superb battery life. It's already got a great price tag, but you might grab it for even cheaper with a good Cyber Monday deal. There are plenty more though, depending on how much you're willing to spend and what features you need. Here are all the best OnePlus phones under one roof.

At a glance

Best overall

OnePlus 12 home page against colorful background

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
Best overall

Specifications

Display: 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED (3168x1440), 120Hz, Dolby Vision, 4500nits
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Adreno 750, 4nm
RAM: 12GB/16GB LPDDR5
Storage: 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0
Battery: 5400mAh battery, 100W charging, 50W wireless charging
Camera: 50MP main + 48MP wide-angle + 64MP 3x telephoto + 32MP selfie

Reasons to buy

+
Outstanding 120Hz AMOLED panel 
+
Gorgeous design
+
Incredible power
+
Cameras take amazing photos and videos
+
Battery lasts two days between charges
+
100W wired and 50W wireless charging
+
Long-term software updates

Reasons to avoid

-
No IP68 ingress protection
-
1TB model isn't launching globally
-
Software glitches (as always)

The OnePlus 12 sets a new standard for OnePlus. The phone uses the same fundamentals as the OnePlus 11, but you get a slightly modified design that looks even more enticing than last year. You know you're getting great hardware with OnePlus, and the OnePlus 12 is running the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 along with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage with the base version.

The screen is also among the best of any phone today, with the device able to go up to an insane 4,500 nits in HDR content. Another exciting change is that you can play games at 120fps on the OnePlus 12. But the main reason you'll want to buy this phone is because of the cameras. The OnePlus 12 has the best camera package of any OnePlus device to date, and it comes close to the Pixel 8 Pro in challenging scenarios.

The OnePlus 12 also gets 50W wireless charging in addition to the usual 100W charging tech, and this makes the phone that much more versatile. There's more good news on the battery side of things; you get a 5400mAh battery that lasts noticeably longer, and I easily got a day and a half between charges.

Best foldable

OnePlus Open review

(Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)
Best foldable

Specifications

Display (outer): 6.31-inch Fluid OLED (2482x1116), 120Hz LTPO3, Dolby Vision, 2800nits
Display (inner): 7.82-inch Flexi AMOLED (2440x2268), 120Hz LTPO3, Dolby Vision, 2800nits
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Adreno 740, 4nm
RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
Storage: 512GB UFS 4.0
Battery: 4805mAh battery, 67W charging
Camera: 48MP main + 48MP wide-angle + 64MP 3x telephoto + 20MP selfie (inner) + 32MP selfie (outer)

Reasons to buy

+
Striking design and build quality
+
Smooth hinge with no visible crease
+
Excellent performance
+
Useful multitasking features
+
Fast charging with stellar battery life
+
Great cameras
+
Four Android OS updates

Reasons to avoid

-
No wireless charging
-
Games locked to 60fps
-
Missing standard Android features

If you're ready to switch to a foldable, the OnePlus Open should be at the top of your list. This is technically OnePlus's first foldable, but it was manufactured in collaboration with OPPO, so it uses all the learnings gained from the Find N series over the last two years. 

The Open has a smoother hinge that's easier to use, and it closes fully flat. But its biggest differentiator compared to others is that there is no visible crease. Also, the size is ideal. The Open is smaller and a lot lighter than the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and the leather back makes it easy to hold. 

The Open also has some of the best cameras you'll find on a foldable today. The software also has a lot of extras that let you take full advantage of the flexibility of the foldable form factor, and while I noted several software issues in my OnePlus Open review, those have all been rectified.

Ultimately, the OnePlus Open is a groundbreaking foldable, and it competes well even against the Galaxy Z Fold 6 in all meaningful areas while still somehow being more affordable. There's a new OnePlus Open Apex Edition that's worth checking out if you want a striking shade of red and 1TB storage.  

Best value

OnePlus 12R review

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
Best value

Specifications

Display: 6.78-inch LTPO4 AMOLED (2780x1264), 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 4500nits
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Adreno 740, 4nm
RAM: 8GB/16GB LPDDR5
Storage: 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1
Battery: 5500mAh battery, 100W charging
Camera: 50MP main + 8MP wide-angle + 2MP macro + 16MP selfie

Reasons to buy

+
Nearly identical design to OnePlus 12
+
Outstanding 50MP camera at the back
+
Powerful hardware
+
The biggest battery on any OnePlus  phone
+
Sublime AMOLED panel
+
Best value in OnePlus's portfolio

Reasons to avoid

-
Poor auxiliary cameras
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No wireless charging
-
Won't get as many software updates as OnePlus 12

The OnePlus 12R has the same gorgeous design as the OnePlus 12, and while earlier models used polycarbonate designs, it now has a glass back and aluminum mid-frame, giving it much better structural rigidity. You also get the same insane AMOLED panel up front that goes up to 4,500 nits in HDR content, and it is a joy to use.

It may not have the latest silicon, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has more than enough power left over. The 5,500mAh battery is the largest on any OnePlus phone, and it easily lasts a day and a half without breaking a sweat. The camera is on par with the OnePlus 11, and while you don't get the Hasselblad extras, it still manages to take standout photos in just about any situation. 

The only issue in this area is that the auxiliary cameras aren't anywhere as good as the main camera; the 8MP wide-angle is decent enough in daylight, but it doesn't measure up in low-light scenarios, and the 2MP macro lens doesn't do anything useful at all.

The only other issue is that the OnePlus 12R will get three Android OS updates — one less than the standard model. If that isn't an issue, then the phone has the best value in OnePlus's 2024 portfolio.

Best mid-range

OnePlus Nord 4 review

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
Best mid-range

Specifications

Display: 6.74-inch Fluid AMOLED (2772x1240), 120Hz, HDR10+, 2150nits
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3
RAM: 8GB/ 12GB LPDDR5
Storage: 128GB (UFS 3.1)/ 256GB/ 512GB (UFS 4.0)
Battery: 5500mAh battery, 100W charging
Camera: 50MP main + 8MP wide-angle + 16MP selfie

Reasons to buy

+
Gorgeous all-metallic chassis
+
Powerful hardware that's great for gaming
+
Amazing 50MP camera at the back
+
IP65 ingress protection
+
Long-term software updates
+
Stellar battery life with 100W charging

Reasons to avoid

-
128GB model doesn't have UFS 4.0
-
Not available in the U.S.

The Nord 3 was a much-needed upgrade in the series, and the latest OnePlus Nord 4 takes it up a notch. The new design language is refreshing, and the mix of aluminum and glass gives it a great in-hand feel that you don't get from many phones in this segment. There's very little fault to be found here, as we also stated in our Nord 4 review.

Even though it's cheaper than the Nord 3 it replaces, OnePlus has given the Nord 4 some notable upgrades. The phone is now IP65 rated, making it properly dustproof. The battery is also larger at 5,500mAh, and charging speeds have gone up to 100W. In our testing, we easily managed to use it for a day and a half before it needed a charge. The display has the same size and specs, except for a higher brightness rating. The 120Hz AMOLED panel is vibrant with punchy contrast and colors.

The hardware is more powerful too thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 SoC, making this a superb phone for mobile gaming. The camera specs haven't changed much, but the main 50MP sensor captures delightful images, just like its predecessor. The biggest problem is that it's not officially sold in the U.S., which is a crying shame as it's hight-time OnePlus retired the Nord N30 5G.

Best budget pick

The shiny back of the OnePlus Nord N30 5G

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Best budget pick

Specifications

Display: 6.72-inch IPS LCD (2400x1080), 120Hz, 680nits
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 695, Adreno 619, 6nm
RAM: 8GB LPDDR4X
Storage: 128GB UFS 2.2
Battery: 5000mAh battery, 50W charging
Camera: 108MP + 2MP macro + 2MP portrait + 16MP selfie

Reasons to buy

+
3.5mm jack and microSD card slot
+
5G connectivity and NFC
+
Great-looking and feeling build
+
Lots of software features
+
Great battery life and ultra-fast charging

Reasons to avoid

-
Gaming performance is lacking
-
Difficult to use with USB gaming controllers
-
Only one OS update

The Nord N30 isn't the most exciting OnePlus phone, but it is a good option if you want a budget device. Coming in at just $249, it goes up against the likes of Motorola and Nokia's offerings in this category, and you get a 120Hz panel as well, albeit one with an LCD screen.

That said, the device is built to cost, and that is evident when you use it. It is powered by the Snapdragon 695, and you get 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Although it isn't as fast as the OnePlus 11, it is still serviceable in daily use, and does a good job with most games. There's a 108MP camera at the back, and again, it is decent enough in this segment — it doesn't excel in low-light conditions, but in most outdoor situations with decent lighting, it delivers usable shots.

You don't get as many software updates either, and that more than anything else is the biggest limitation with the N30. Still, there's a 5,000mAh battery that lasts a day and a half with ease, and you even get a microSD slot. 

Still going strong

OnePlus 11 Marble Odyssey hands-on

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
Still going strong

Specifications

Display: 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED (3216x1440), 120Hz LTPO3, Dolby Vision, 1300nits
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Adreno 740, 4nm
RAM: 8GB/12GB/16GB LPDDR5
Storage: 128GB UFS 3.1, 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0
Battery: 5000mAh battery, 80W charging, 50W wireless charging
Camera: 48MP main + 50MP wide-angle + 8MP 3x telephoto + 32MP selfie

Reasons to buy

+
Hardware is still among the best
+
Terrific cameras
+
Standout 120Hz AMOLED panel
+
All-day battery life with 100W charging
+
Long-term Android OS updates
+
Good overall value

Reasons to avoid

-
Games limited to 60fps
-
Base model has slower UFS 3.1 storage
-
Charger isn't as good as previous years
-
No wireless charging

The OnePlus 11 continues to be a fantastic choice if you want to get your hands on a OnePlus phone. What makes it stand out is that it has upgrades that were traditionally limited to the Pro models — like a vibrant QHD+ AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh — but at the same time, you get a great overall value. It's this value that makes the device such a strong contender; it undercuts the likes of the Pixel 8 Pro while still offering a versatile camera package, terrific internals, and a large battery with 100W charging tech.

I used the OnePlus 11 quite a bit, and I think the company did a magnificent job with the design. The device is sleeker than most of its rivals and has an excellent in-hand feel, and the camera housing at the back immediately grabs attention. The Titan Black model has a great texture at the back, and overall, there isn't much that the phone doesn't get right on the design side of things.

The hardware is another area where you'll find a lot of positives. With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 under the hood and 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for the base version, the OnePlus 11 ticks all the right boxes, and it is one of the fastest phones I used. While the software situation over the last two years meant that recent OnePlus phones couldn't take full advantage of all the hardware prowess — they were buggy out of the box — that isn't an issue here. OxygenOS 14 on the OnePlus 11 is stable, and the interface is fluid in daily use.

How to choose

Upgrade your phone with OnePlus

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OnePlus makes some of our favorite Android phones with competitive offerings across a wide range of budgets. OnePlus stands out mainly for its hardware offering specs that are often better than the competition without letting the price balloon out of control too much. While traditionally, software support hasn't been a OnePlus strength, things have gotten a lot better with its most recent phones with the OnePlus 12 even getting five years of security updates with four OS updates planned.

If you've been thinking about trying out a folding phone, the OnePlus Open is one of our favorites with gorgeous displays and fast charging. Notably, the OnePlus Open has one of the best camera systems ever put in a folding phone, so you don't have to give up picture quality for a big screen.

Overall, the OnePlus 12 is our top pick thanks to its powerful SoC, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, an excellent display, and impressive cameras. This phone has a large battery at 5,400mAh, and it can charge faster than most other phones with up to 100W supported on wired and 50W wireless. If you're looking for one of the most powerful Android phones available with plenty of software support, the OnePlus 12 is a great pick.

Do you need a flagship phone?

Flagship phones are the best of the best available and are made to show off what a company like OnePlus can build rather than focusing on the best value. The OnePlus 12 is impressive, but it's too expensive for a lot of people, and if you're looking to save, you're really not giving up all that much with OnePlus.

For example, the OnePlus 12R is a lot cheaper than the 12, but it doesn't sacrifice as much as you'd think. In fact, it's got the same snappy processor from the OnePlus 11 that still has plenty of speed for Android 14, with several years of updates planned. The Nord 4 is an excellent mid-range option, and a huge upgrade over its predecessor. If you can find one in the U.S., you should definitely consider it.

Going even cheaper, the Nord N30 has 5G connectivity, and excellent battery life. It also keeps some budget phone favorites, the 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card slot so you can get plenty of storage for your music without needing to spend a small fortune on decent bluetooth earbuds.

Harish Jonnalagadda
Senior Editor - Asia

Harish Jonnalagadda is Android Central's Senior Editor of Asia. In his current role, he oversees the site's coverage of Chinese phone brands, networking products, and AV gear. He has been testing phones for over a decade, and has extensive experience in mobile hardware and the global semiconductor industry. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.

With contributions from