OnePlus 12R: Powerful Mid-Range Phone Struggles to Justify Its Price
OnePlus has released its latest mid-range offering, the OnePlus 12R, alongside its flagship OnePlus 12. While the 12R packs impressive specs, its pricing strategy raises questions about its value proposition in a competitive market.
Key Specifications
- 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display (120Hz, 4,500 nits peak brightness)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
- 16GB RAM, 256GB storage
- 50MP main camera with OIS, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro
- 5,500mAh battery with 100W wired charging
- IP64 water and dust resistance
Performance and Battery Life
The OnePlus 12R delivers solid performance thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, handling day-to-day tasks with ease. Notably, it shows improved thermal management compared to its predecessor, rarely overheating under heavy loads.
Battery life is a standout feature, with the large 5,500mAh cell easily lasting two days of regular use. In a YouTube streaming test, it impressively lasted over 21 hours.
Camera Capabilities
The camera system, while competent, fails to stand out at this price point. The main 50MP sensor produces decent shots in good lighting, but low-light performance is underwhelming. The lack of a telephoto lens is also disappointing for a phone in this category.
Design and Software
OnePlus has made some questionable design choices, such as sticking with a curved display despite the industry trend towards flat screens. However, the company deserves praise for the improved placement of the under-display fingerprint sensor, which is now more ergonomically positioned.
OxygenOS 14 remains a lightweight and fluid Android skin, with minimal bloatware and smooth animations.
Value Proposition
The OnePlus 12R's biggest hurdle is its pricing. At around RM3,000 (Malaysian Ringgit), it faces stiff competition from devices offering more advanced features at similar or slightly higher price points. For example:
- iQOO 12: Offers a newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and superior camera setup for just RM200 more.
- Xiaomi 14: Provides the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Leica-tuned cameras, and wireless charging for RM300 more.
- realme GT3: Priced RM500 less while still offering competitive specs and incredibly fast 240W charging.
Conclusion
The OnePlus 12R is a capable mid-range device with excellent battery life and solid performance. However, its pricing strategy puts it in an awkward position, lacking standout features to justify its cost against similarly priced flagships or more affordable alternatives.
For OnePlus fans or those prioritizing battery life, the 12R may still be appealing. But for many consumers, spending a bit more for a true flagship or opting for a cheaper device with comparable specs might prove more enticing.
