OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 11: What’s new?

OnePlus launched the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R smartphones, along with the OnePlus Buds 3 in India last night. Many of you who may be looking to upgrade to the OnePlus 12, especially existing OnePlus 11 users. But is it worth upgrading? How different is the new phone from the old? Read on to find out.

OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 11: Performance and storage

The new OnePlus 12 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, whereas the OnePlus 11 has the last-gen Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 under the hood. While performance won’t be a concern on either of the phones, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 also gets onboard AI capabilities.

Speaking of RAM and storage options, the OnePlus 12 can be had in two configurations – one with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, and one with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. The OnePlus 11, on the other hand, is available in two variants in India – one with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, and one with 16GB RAM and 256GB storage.

OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 11: Battery

The OnePlus 12 is backed by a 5,400mAh battery, with support for 100W SuperVOOC charging and 50W AirVOOC charging. The OnePlus 11 is not too far behind though with a 5,000mAh battery.

Though last year’s phone does come with support for 100W SuperVOOC charging, it misses out on wireless charging support. Strangely though, OnePlus’ older OnePlus 10 Pro did come with support for wireless charging.

OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 11: Display and audio

The OnePlus 12 sports a 6.82-inch display with a 2K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and a whopping 4,500 nits of peak brightness. Moreover, it is an LTPO panel, which allows the device to automatically drop its refresh rate and vary it to any number between 1-120Hz to save battery. The OnePlus 12’s display also supports Dolby Vision as well as HDR10+. For audio, there is a dual stereo speaker setup with support for Dolby Atmos.

The OnePlus 11 features a slightly smaller 6.7-inch QHD+ resolution AMOLED display, with a 120Hz refresh rate. The unit also features LTPO, the same as the OnePlus 12. The peak brightness on the screen though, tops out at 1,300 nits. However, it does get a Dolby Vision Support and an HDR10+ certification as well. Moreover, the device also features a dual stereo speaker setup with support for Dolby Atmos, same as the OnePlus 12.

OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 11: Cameras

The OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 11 both get a triple-camera setup at the rear with Hasselblad branding.

The OnePlus 12 comes with a 50MP Sony LYT-808 primary sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide-angle sensor, and a 64MP 3x optical zoom periscope telephoto sensor, with support for OIS. In comparison, the OnePlus 11 comes with a 50MP Sony IMX890 primary sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 32MP portrait telephoto sensor with support for 2x optical zoom.

On the front, the OnePlus 12 gets a 32MP camera for selfies and video calls, whereas the OnePlus 11 gets a 16MP unit, both housed in a punch-hole cutout.

OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 11: Software

The OnePlus 12 runs Android 14-based OxygenOS 14 straight out-of-the-box, whereas the OnePlus 11 runs Android 13-based OxygenOS 13.

Now, OnePlus has guaranteed four years of OS upgrades and five years of security patches with the OnePlus 11. However, there have been no explicit promises from the company regarding the OnePlus 12, though they have hinted at the same four-year policy with the device as well.

OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 11: Design and connectivity options

The OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 11 look largely similar, albeit with a few key differences. For starters, both devices feature a similar large, offset circular camera island at the back and curved displays. They also feature OnePlus’ iconic alert slider. However, it has been moved to the left in the OnePlus 12, from the right side, in the OnePlus 11.

Secondly, the OnePlus 12 features a punch-hole cutout for the front camera in the center, as compared to the offset cutout in the OnePlus 11. The OnePlus 12 is also a tad bit larger than the OnePlus 11, owing to the bigger display.

Now, the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 11 both get a USB Type-C port for charging. Wi-Fi 802.11 and 5G support, as well as support for Bluetooth 5.3. However, the OnePlus 12 also gets an IR blaster, a feature its predecessor missed out on. Strangely though, the feature was available on the cheaper OnePlus 11R.

OnePlus 12 vs OnePlus 11: Pricing and availability

The OnePlus 12 is available in Flowy Emerald and Silk Black colourways, and is priced at Rs 64,999 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant, whereas the 16GB RAM and 512GB storage variant will cost Rs 69,999.

The OnePlus 11, on the other hand, is available in Eternal Green, Titan Black, and Marble Odyssey colourways. It is priced at Rs 56,999 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant, and Rs 61,999 for the 16GB RAM and 256GB storage variant in either Eternal Green or Titan Black. The 16GB RAM and 256GB storage variant in Marble Odyssey, on the other hand, is priced at Rs 64,999.

Should you upgrade to the OnePlus 12?

Though the design and the price tags of the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 11 may appear to be largely the same, the former offers several upgrades over its predecessor under the hood, including its processor and cameras, which could greatly help enhance the everyday user experience on the device.

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Make no mistake however, the OnePlus 11 still does remain an extremely potent device in its own right, and can give several devices priced similarly a run for their money.