ZDNET’s comprehensive takeaway highlights how the OnePlus 12 emerges as the most complete, refined, and balanced smartphone of 2024, with a starting price of $799. In every respect—from its lightning-fast wired and wireless charging capabilities to its high-end camera system, expertly crafted premium hardware, and consistent top-tier performance—the device represents the company’s most accomplished effort yet. While the absence of integrated generative AI functions is noticeable, many users will likely view this omission as a non-issue, appreciating instead the phone’s dependable and thoughtfully engineered fundamentals.
The global smartphone market in 2024 was dominated by conversations about artificial intelligence, with developers racing to integrate smart, predictive, or generative AI tools into their products. Yet OnePlus took a markedly different route. The OnePlus 12 was unashamedly conceived as a smartphone first and a digital assistant second. Rather than chasing fleeting trends or overpromising unfinished AI capabilities, the manufacturer from Shenzhen redirected its attention toward areas that affect daily usability—such as faster charging technology, extended battery life, and seamless overall performance. This design logic results in a device that prioritizes practicality and user satisfaction over hype.
The payoff is unmistakable: the OnePlus 12 stands as a phone that truly excels at what consumers consistently prioritize—speed, battery endurance, photo quality, and construction finesse. In 2025, it is difficult to find an alternative handset that delivers this level of cohesiveness across all key categories. Historically, OnePlus has been known for leaving minor but widely discussed gaps in prior models—omitting elements like wireless charging support, better low-light camera performance, or official IP ratings. The OnePlus 12 corrects all those grievances and includes each of these premium features, all while maintaining competitive pricing in a market that continues to edge upward.
At the time of reporting, only the 512GB storage variant is widely available for purchase. Traditionally sold for $900, it is being offered for roughly $600 at Best Buy—an uncommon value proposition for this caliber of device. Admittedly, its base price reflects a $100 increase over last year’s OnePlus 11, yet the improvement in user experience is far more substantial. The transformation begins with the aesthetics: the subtleties of the Flowy Emerald finish lend a marble-like sheen and sophistication, while the refined bodywork optimizes tactile comfort. Underneath the chassis, performance benefits from intelligent memory management, with configurations reaching up to 16GB of RAM.
Physically, the phone embodies polished craftsmanship. Its softly curved edges grant an ergonomic and natural fit in hand, surpassing even flagship competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus and Google Pixel 9 Pro in terms of balance and comfort. Every button is well-positioned for intuitive access—with one minor exception. The signature alert slider, now relocated to the upper-left side, can feel slightly awkward to toggle between Ring, Vibrate, and Silent modes, a subtle yet perceptible friction in an otherwise seamless design. Even so, OnePlus’ industrial design identity is now more distinguished than ever, particularly given that its prominent rivals have abandoned the curved-glass aesthetic that once defined modern smartphone minimalism.
Powering this device is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, a chipset that delivers both heightened efficiency and superior raw computational power. The result is effortless multitasking and fluent app performance whether editing HD video in Premiere Rush, engaging in resource-intensive gameplay like Fortnite or Genshin Impact, or keeping multiple applications active through Picture-in-Picture mode. The display’s peak brightness specification of 4,500 nits theoretically eclipses that of the Galaxy S24’s already impressive 2,600 nits, though in real outdoor conditions it registers a subtler but still notable advantage.
In terms of software intelligence, the OnePlus 12 includes only a limited suite of AI-driven tools—primarily those baked into Google’s stock Android offerings, such as Magic Compose or Photomoji creation. For users whose daily routines do not depend on creative or generative AI, this absence will pass unnoticed. Switching back and forth between Samsung’s AI-saturated Galaxy S24 line and the more restrained OnePlus 12 reveals that the lack of AI embellishments does little to diminish the user experience. Nevertheless, the introduction of the Android 15 update narrows this gap, bringing familiar additions such as Circle to Search, AI Unblur, and AI-assisted note management, as well as an innovative Open Canvas mode for fluid multitasking with floating app windows.
The OnePlus 12 also impresses optically with its triple-camera array consisting of a 50MP primary wide lens, a 64MP 3x periscope telephoto, and a 48MP ultra-wide sensor. The main Sony LYT-808 sensor captures realistic tones and shading, particularly excelling in color fidelity and balanced lighting. Yet the telephoto component reveals certain limitations. Its 3x optical zoom ceiling restricts clarity when photographing distant subjects, leading to images that can appear slightly washed out or lacking in crisp detail. Furthermore, when employing Hasselblad Portrait Mode, the software occasionally struggles to define edges cleanly around subjects with complex or frizzy hair textures, leaving room for enhancement through advanced image recognition algorithms.
Where OnePlus reasserts its dominance is in endurance and recharging speed—two domains where it has long been an industry leader. The OnePlus 12’s 5,400mAh power cell stands as one of the largest batteries fitted to any mainstream phone, easily lasting a full day and a half of regular usage before needing replenishment. When it is time to recharge, the distinction becomes striking: its 80W wired charging—charger included in the box—refuels the device at record pace, while 50W wireless charging (limited to the official OnePlus dock) outperforms even many competitors’ wired standards. These achievements underscore the brand’s commitment to meaningful, real-world user benefits rather than theoretical benchmarks.
From a buying perspective, ZDNET’s verdict is clear. Priced at $799.99, the OnePlus 12 offers arguably the most complete package currently available within its tier. It merges a flagship-level specification sheet, universal 5G carrier support—including Verizon compatibility—and aesthetics that project sophistication. It is particularly appealing to users who value fluid performance and tangible design quality over speculative AI-driven novelty. Though there remain a few trade-offs—specifically, the telephoto camera’s limited range and the IP65 rating that falls just shy of the full industry water- and dust-resistance standard—these compromises are minor in proportion to the overall excellence achieved.
In the ever-evolving landscape of consumer electronics, pricing pressures continue to loom large. Recently imposed U.S. tariffs on imports from nations such as China, Vietnam, and India are reshaping global supply chains and may cause future price escalations across categories like smartphones, laptops, and televisions. Companies reliant on Asian manufacturing—including giants like Apple and Google—must now decide whether to absorb these increased costs or pass them along to consumers, potentially elevating retail prices by up to 20 percent. Such economic shifts could also result in delayed launches or strategic relocations of production centers to minimize trade vulnerabilities.
For consumers, this means that a device like the OnePlus 12—offering top-tier specifications, refined hardware, and remarkable value—could become even more appealing in a climate of rising costs. ZDNET remains committed to tracking changing deals and market adjustments, ensuring readers have access to the latest verified discounts and accurate product insights through its continuous coverage on ZDNET.com.
Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/the-oneplus-12-is-still-a-powerhouse-phone-in-2025-and-its-on-sale-for-300-off/
