OnePlus is making a strong start to 2025 with the introduction of the OnePlus 13, bringing considerable upgrades around cameras, battery, and software. With the phone now available globally, we get to the inevitable question: does it still make sense to buy the OnePlus 12, or pick up the OnePlus 13?
Having used the OnePlus 13 extensively over the last month, I can say with some confidence that it is the best OnePlus phone yet. It has better cameras, the design is sturdier, and the battery easily lasts a day and a half.
The downside is that the phone is considerably costlier, and that's what makes the OnePlus 12 enticing in 2025; it still continues to be a solid option, and if you can snag it at a decent discount, I'd still recommend it.
OnePlus 12: Review
I used the OnePlus 12 for just over a week before writing the review, and while some of the tweaks aren't obvious from looking at the device, it is markedly different to the OnePlus 11.
This is how I summed up the OnePlus 12:
Earlier OnePlus phones were a good option for what they cost, but the OnePlus 12 doesn't need that particular qualifier — this is a terrific flagship that holds its own against the best that Samsung, Xiaomi, and Google have to offer.
OnePlus didn't put a foot wrong with the OnePlus 12, and the device has terrific cameras that measure up to other devices in its category. That's a big deal considering this was a continual problem for the brand in previous years, but thankfully, that isn't the case any longer.
If you haven't already, I suggest going through the OnePlus 12 review to know all about how the device holds up in real-world use.
OnePlus 12: Design
OnePlus switched to a new design aesthetic with the OnePlus 11, and it is among the best designs the brand has introduced in its history. The large camera island at the back that seamlessly merges into the mid-frame is designed to turn heads, and the brand did a great job carrying a similar design over to the India-focused OnePlus 11R as well.
Although OnePlus is known to change the design of its phones yearly, it's using a similar design with the OnePlus 12. That said, the OnePlus 12 has a lot of subtle changes — the camera island is noticeably larger, it now uses the same color as the rest of the back, and you get steel rings encircling individual modules, making them stand out. In short, the phone looks terrific, and the Flowy Emerald color option is the one to get this year.
If you want something that looks more elegant, you should take a look at the Glacial White model instead — it has a clean and minimalist design that accentuates the device.
OnePlus is making a lot of other changes on the design side; the alert slider now sits to the left, the selfie camera is centered, and there's now an IR blaster. What hasn't changed is the in-hand feel, and even though the device is heavier, it is still great to hold and use.
OnePlus 12: Software
The OnePlus 12 launched with Android 14 out of the box, and it made the switch to the Android 15-based OxygenOS 15.
While the initial OxygenOS 15 build was a beta, the manufacturer took just a week to launch the stable version globally, and that's a big achievement in and of itself — particularly when you consider how buggy the last two beta cycles have been.
Thankfully, OxygenOS 15 is stable in daily use, and I didn't run into any issues as such with the software. There's a lot to like when it comes to new features, with a suite of AI-assisted editing utilities joining an extensive list.
OnePlus 12: Cameras
Thanks to its partnership with Hasselblad, OnePlus was able to deliver sizeable gains on the camera front over the last 18 months. This is evident when using the OnePlus 12, with the phone able to take amazing photos in just about any situation.
The biggest change is the introduction of a 64MP telephoto lens that delivers 3x optical zoom. This allows the OnePlus 12 to be that much more versatile, and the primary 50MP camera also has a considerable upgrade. The 48MP wide-angle lens is largely unchanged, but the addition of a zoom lens and new hardware for the primary camera means the OnePlus 12 is on par with its immediate rivals in this area.
OnePlus 12: Price and release date
OnePlus continues to deliver a good value with the OnePlus 12, and with the OnePlus 13 available, you get decent deals on the device. This is what the phone currently costs in various global markets as of January 2025:
- OnePlus 12 (12GB/256GB): $649 / ₹59,999 / £749 / €849
- OnePlus 12 (16GB/512GB): $799 / ₹64,999 / £849 / €899
The OnePlus 12 is a good value in the U.S. and India, and the phone is on the costlier side in the U.K. That said, if you need an affordable choice, the OnePlus 13R is now available as well.
The OnePlus 12 has everything you need in a flagship, and the fact that you're getting a great overall value is the icing on the cake.
