OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 11: Should you upgrade?

As modern smartphones mature, it makes less economic sense for users to upgrade annually. This is the dilemma OnePlus fans are facing after the launch of the OnePlus 12. The new flagship is arguably the best-ever OnePlus device on paper, but OnePlus 11 owners will still feel they own a capable, competent smartphone. But if you are looking to upgrade, is it worth it? Find out in our OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 11 comparison.

Recently, we’ve seen minor differences between smartphone generations, but OnePlus is finally bucking this trend. The OnePlus 12 is a more refined, mature, and feature-rich smartphone than its predecessor.

You’ll immediately notice the chipset bump, with the OnePlus 12 running the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 instead of the Gen 2. This gives it more oomph for gaming and more mundane processing tasks. It also packs up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage in the US. The Chinese model can be had with up to 24GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage.

The OnePlus 11 is no slouch in comparison. It employs the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a pacey, capable chipset. It also boasts up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage.

Up front, you’ll notice the OnePlus 12’s brighter display. It now packs a peak brightness limit of 4,500 nits, with a 2K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Check out the spec table above for more detailed info on the differences between the two phones.

After years of experimenting with aesthetics, OnePlus has found its preferred design language for its flagships. The OnePlus 12 looks much like the OnePlus 11 from a distance, but eagle-eyed users will notice a few differences dotted around the unit.

The OnePlus 12 wears an evolution of the OnePlus 11 design. Some may find it more cluttered, with a new infrared blaster adding to the crowded off-center camera array. I like the subtle use of the Hasselblad logo on the 12 instead of the company’s title on the OnePlus 11.

Another notable change is the button placement. This might be a sticking point for legacy OnePlus users with muscle memory, but the OnePlus 12 moves its volume rocker and power button to the phone’s right-hand flank, with the alert slider moving to the left. It’s also worth noting that the OnePlus 12 gains an IP65 rating, allowing more adventurous users peace of mind when their phone confronts a pool or dusty park. It’s nowhere near the higher ratings common on other flagships, but it does better than its predecessor.

OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 11: Camera

When the OnePlus 11 launched, I was excited by the device’s imaging prospects, but its 50MP primary camera, 8MP ultrawide, and 32MP telephoto left plenty to be desired. Low light performance is where the phone dragged its feet, while zoom levels noticeably smudge details beyond the 5x mark. Despite this, it’s a solid, if not spectacular, camera phone. View some of our captured samples below.

With the OnePlus 12, the company could finally join the ranks of the best camera phone makers in 2024. The new phone brings upgrades where needed most — a new 50MP Sony LYT-808 main camera debuts with a 64MP periscope camera and a 48MP ultrawide. Interestingly, it’s a cast that mirrors the OnePlus Open — a foldable with an excellent imaging pedigree.

OnePlus uses a larger sensor with a much wider aperture on the OnePlus 12’s periscope lens, suggesting it’s taking the outgoing model’s low light criticisms seriously. It also talked up its digital zoom prowess beyond the 3x physical zoom limit during its launch, which will be facilitated by that large sensor. We’ll have to get our hands on the device to put it through its paces.

OnePlus has always prioritized charging rates, and its new flagship is no exception. The OnePlus 11 is a rapid charger that accepts 80W from the wall. While the Chinese version of the OnePlus 12 bumps this up a little further to 100W, the global model is limited to 80W. Nevertheless, it also introduces wireless charging back into the fray, with 50W accepted by the handset. The added convenience will be a big selling point for many users.

As for the batteries, the OnePlus 12 also wins this battle, with a 5,400mAh bank. That’s a 400mAh (8%) increase over the OnePlus 11’s 5,000mAh battery. To be fair to the OnePlus 11, its endurance is admirable, which we stretched close to two days of general use during our review. We expect the OnePlus 12 to shade or better this.

The OnePlus 11 launched in China in January 2023, with global availability coming a month later. It debuted at the flagship-culling price of $699 for the 8GB/128GB model and $799 for the 16GB/256GB upgrade. Now that the phone’s been out for a while, you can find it dipping below this list price if you’re lucky, making it a great investment.

The OnePlus 12 launched in China on December 5, 2023, with local availability starting December 11. Its global launch took place on January 24, 2024, with pre-orders kicking off the same day and open sales commencing through OnePlus.com, Amazon, and Best Buy on February 7, 2024.

The phone will start at $799 for the 12GB/256GB version, increasing to $899 for the 16GB/512GB model. OnePlus also offers a trade-in bonus that allows users to swap any phone in any condition for $100 off.

As for colorways, the OnePlus 12 is available in Silky Black and Flowy Emerald, although the latter is limited to the top configuration.

The OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 11 battle might seem won for the new party on paper, but what if you already own the latter? Is it worth shelling out for the upgrade? Thankfully, you have time to contemplate (and budget for) this decision.

If you want the best OnePlus phone on paper, the OnePlus 12 is the only option. It gains an upgraded processor, better imaging hardware, a larger battery, and faster charging. Even with its $100 premium, it’s still the better value option for those who don’t already own a OnePlus 11 or OnePlus phone.

Nevertheless, if you’re considering upgrading from the OnePlus 11, you might want to consider if you truly need these new features or can stomach spending more cash on a new phone. Your current handset will still be relevant for years to come.

There’s good news for those who own neither and are shopping for a bargain. The OnePlus 11, at $699, was already cheap at launch, and it’s likely to drop sharply once again with its successor soon to be in rotation. If you desire a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 device at a mid-range price, the OnePlus 11 is as good an option as any. There’s also the question of the OnePlus 12R, which offers many of the OnePlus 11’s benefits from $499. It’ll be available from February 13.