The OnePlus 12 Revisited: Assessing a 2024 Flagship in 2026
LONDON, 26 January 2026 – In January 2024, OnePlus unveiled its global flagship, the OnePlus 12, promising top-tier specs at a price that undercut giants like Samsung and Apple. Now, two years on, the smartphone landscape has evolved with newer chipsets and advanced AI features. This retrospective examines the OnePlus 12’s legacy, its celebrated hardware, and whether it still represents compelling value for savvy buyers in today’s market.
The 2024 Proposition: Specs and Launch
Launched globally on 23 January 2024, the OnePlus 12 arrived with a clear mandate: deliver a no-compromise flagship experience. It was powered by the then-top-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The centrepiece was its 6.82-inch QHD+ LTPO AMOLED display, boasting an industry-leading peak brightness of 4,500 nits. A 5,400mAh battery supported 100W wired and 50W wireless charging. The Hasselblad-tuned camera system featured a 50MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, and a 64MP periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
In the UK, it launched at £849 for the 12GB/256GB model and £999 for the 16GB/512GB variant, positioning it hundreds of pounds below the premium competition.
Enduring Strengths: What Reviewers and Users Praised
Contemporary reviews and user feedback highlighted several areas where the OnePlus 12 excelled, strengths that remain relevant today.
Display and Performance: The screen was universally lauded. TechRadar noted its 4,500-nit peak brightness made “visibility effortless – even under bright sunlight.” Users on idealo.co.uk echoed this; Elias T. wrote, “The display is a real highlight… you can still see everything outdoors in the sun.” The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 ensured buttery-smooth performance. User Michael B. reported, “The OnePlus 12 impressed me with its strong performance… which allows apps and games to run smoothly.”
Battery and Charging: The 5,400mAh battery was a standout. TechRadar’s review stated it had “better battery life than the previous model,” a sentiment shared by users like Ursula W., who found it lasted “really well – even with a lot of use I can easily get through the day, sometimes even two.” The 100W charging could refill the battery in roughly 26 minutes.
Overall Value: The consensus was that it offered exceptional value. CNN praised its “$800 price tag as being great value for what the phone offered.” TechRadar concluded it was “a stellar phone that exceeds expectations” for the price.
Noted Compromises and Considerations
No phone is perfect, and the OnePlus 12 had its noted shortcomings. The camera, while versatile, was often cited as falling short of the very best in low-light conditions. User Arthur K. noted, “The main camera takes great photos, but the ultra-wide-angle camera could be better.” Its IP65 rating offered dust and water resistance but was less robust than the IP68 ratings common on rivals.
Perhaps the most significant long-term consideration was software support. At launch, OnePlus committed to four years of Android updates and five years of security patches. While respectable, this trailed behind the seven-year promises beginning to emerge from competitors like Samsung and Google, a factor that impacts the device’s longevity in 2026.
OnePlus 12: Key Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.82-inch QHD+ (3168×1440) LTPO AMOLED, 1-120Hz, 4500 nits peak |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Memory & Storage | 12GB/256GB, 16GB/512GB (LPDDR5X RAM, UFS 4.0 storage) |
| Rear Camera System | 50MP main (OIS) + 48MP ultra-wide + 64MP periscope telephoto (3x optical zoom, OIS) |
| Battery & Charging | 5,400mAh, 100W wired SUPERVOOC, 50W wireless AIRVOOC |
| UK Launch Price (2024) | From £849 |
| Software (At Launch) | OxygenOS 14 (Android 14) |
Verdict for the 2026 Buyer
The OnePlus 12’s legacy is that of a brilliantly executed “flagship killer.” It delivered on its core promises of elite performance, a stunning display, and all-day battery life with blistering charging speeds. For users whose priorities are raw power, screen quality, and battery endurance over cutting-edge computational photography or the longest possible software support, the OnePlus 12’s fundamentals remain strong.
In 2026, it is no longer a cutting-edge device. Newer processors and AI-driven features in later models will outpace it. However, for budget-conscious buyers in the secondary market or those seeking a premium experience without a premium price tag, the OnePlus 12 stands as a testament to a time when OnePlus aggressively challenged the status quo. It serves as a high-water mark for value-oriented flagships and a compelling option for those willing to trade the absolute latest features for proven, high-quality hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the OnePlus 12 still a good phone in 2026?
For core tasks like browsing, media consumption, and gaming, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 120Hz AMOLED display ensure a very smooth and responsive experience. Its primary limitations in 2026 would be in camera processing compared to newer AI-heavy models and the approaching end of its official software update cycle.
How does the OnePlus 12’s camera hold up today?
The hardware—a 50MP main and 64MP telephoto—is still capable. In good light, it can take excellent photos. However, low-light performance and computational photography tricks (like advanced portrait modes or object removal) will be surpassed by 2025 and 2026 flagships that leverage more powerful AI.
What was the OnePlus 12’s biggest criticism?
Reviewers most frequently cited its low-light camera performance as not matching the best in class and its IP65 rating being less water-resistant than the IP68 standard on key rivals. Its software support policy, while good, was also noted as being shorter than some competitors.