OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 11: Should you upgrade?

As trendy smartphones mature, it makes much less financial sense for customers to improve yearly. That is the dilemma OnePlus followers are going through after the launch of the OnePlus 12. The brand new flagship is arguably the all time OnePlus system on paper, however OnePlus 11 house owners will nonetheless really feel they personal a succesful, competent smartphone. However if you’re seeking to improve, is it value it? Discover out in our OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 11 comparability.

Lately, we’ve seen minor variations between smartphone generations, however OnePlus is lastly bucking this development. The OnePlus 12 is a extra refined, mature, and feature-rich smartphone than its predecessor.

You’ll instantly discover the chipset bump, with the OnePlus 12 working the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 as a substitute of the Gen 2. This provides it extra oomph for gaming and extra mundane processing duties. It additionally packs as much as 12GB of RAM and 512GB of inside storage within the US. The Chinese language mannequin will be had with as much as 24GB of RAM and 1TB of inside storage.

The OnePlus 11 isn’t any slouch compared. It employs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a pacey, succesful chipset. It additionally boasts as much as 16GB of RAM and 512GB of inside storage.

Up entrance, you’ll discover the OnePlus 12’s brighter show. It now packs a peak brightness restrict of 4,500 nits, with a 2K decision and a 120Hz refresh fee. Try the spec desk above for extra detailed data on the variations between the 2 telephones.

After years of experimenting with aesthetics, OnePlus has discovered its most popular design language for its flagships. The OnePlus 12 seems to be very similar to the OnePlus 11 from a distance, however eagle-eyed customers will discover a couple of variations dotted across the unit.

The OnePlus 12 wears an evolution of the OnePlus 11 design. Some could discover it extra cluttered, with a brand new infrared blaster including to the crowded off-center digital camera array. I just like the refined use of the Hasselblad emblem on the 12 as a substitute of the corporate’s title on the OnePlus 11.

One other notable change is the button placement. This is likely to be a sticking level for legacy OnePlus customers with muscle reminiscence, however the OnePlus 12 strikes its quantity rocker and energy button to the telephone’s right-hand flank, with the alert slider shifting to the left. It’s additionally value noting that the OnePlus 12 beneficial properties an IP65 score, permitting extra adventurous customers peace of thoughts when their telephone confronts a pool or dusty park. It’s nowhere close to the upper scores widespread on different flagships, however it does higher than its predecessor.

OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 11: Digicam

When the OnePlus 11 launched, I used to be excited by the system’s imaging prospects, however its 50MP main digital camera, 8MP ultrawide, and 32MP telephoto left a lot to be desired. Low gentle efficiency is the place the telephone dragged its ft, whereas zoom ranges noticeably smudge particulars past the 5x mark. Regardless of this, it’s a stable, if not spectacular, digital camera telephone. View a few of our captured samples under.

With the OnePlus 12, the corporate might lastly be a part of the ranks of the very best digital camera telephone makers in 2024. The brand new telephone brings upgrades the place wanted most — a brand new 50MP Sony LYT-808 important digital camera debuts with a 64MP periscope digital camera and a 48MP ultrawide. Curiously, it’s a forged that mirrors the OnePlus Open — a foldable with a superb imaging pedigree.

OnePlus makes use of a bigger sensor with a a lot wider aperture on the OnePlus 12’s periscope lens, suggesting it’s taking the outgoing mannequin’s low gentle criticisms severely. It additionally talked up its digital zoom prowess past the 3x bodily zoom restrict throughout its launch, which can be facilitated by that giant sensor. We’ll need to get our arms on the system to place it via its paces.

OnePlus has all the time prioritized charging charges, and its new flagship isn’t any exception. The OnePlus 11 is a fast charger that accepts 80W from the wall. Whereas the Chinese language model of the OnePlus 12 bumps this up a little bit additional to 100W, the worldwide mannequin is proscribed to 80W. However, it additionally introduces wi-fi charging again into the fray, with 50W accepted by the handset. The added comfort can be an enormous promoting level for a lot of customers.

As for the batteries, the OnePlus 12 additionally wins this battle, with a 5,400mAh financial institution. That’s a 400mAh (8%) improve over the OnePlus 11’s 5,000mAh battery. To be truthful to the OnePlus 11, its endurance is admirable, which we stretched shut to 2 days of basic use throughout our evaluate. We count on the OnePlus 12 to shade or higher this.

The OnePlus 11 launched in China in January 2023, with world availability coming a month later. It debuted on the flagship-culling worth of $699 for the 8GB/128GB mannequin and $799 for the 16GB/256GB improve. Now that the telephone’s been out for some time, you’ll find it dipping under this checklist worth for those who’re fortunate, making it an ideal funding.

The OnePlus 12 launched in China on December 5, 2023, with native availability beginning December 11. Its world launch befell on January 24, 2024, with pre-orders kicking off the identical day and open gross sales commencing via OnePlus.com, Amazon, and Finest Purchase on February 7, 2024.

The telephone will begin at $799 for the 12GB/256GB model, growing to $899 for the 16GB/512GB mannequin. OnePlus additionally affords a trade-in bonus that enables customers to swap any telephone in any situation for $100 off.

As for colorways, the OnePlus 12 is out there in Silky Black and Flowy Emerald, though the latter is proscribed to the highest configuration.

The OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 11 battle may appear gained for the brand new celebration on paper, however what for those who already personal the latter? Is it value shelling out for the improve? Fortunately, you might have time to ponder (and finances for) this resolution.

If you would like the very best OnePlus telephone on paper, the OnePlus 12 is the one choice. It beneficial properties an upgraded processor, higher imaging {hardware}, a bigger battery, and sooner charging. Even with its $100 premium, it’s nonetheless the higher worth choice for individuals who don’t already personal a OnePlus 11 or OnePlus telephone.

However, for those who’re contemplating upgrading from the OnePlus 11, you would possibly need to contemplate for those who really want these new options or can abdomen spending extra cash on a brand new telephone. Your present handset will nonetheless be related for years to come back.

There’s excellent news for individuals who personal neither and are looking for a cut price. The OnePlus 11, at $699, was already low-cost at launch, and it’s more likely to drop sharply as soon as once more with its successor quickly to be in rotation. If you happen to want a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 system at a mid-range worth, the OnePlus 11 is pretty much as good an choice as any. There’s additionally the query of the OnePlus 12R, which affords lots of the OnePlus 11’s advantages from $499. It’ll be out there from February 13.