Look, I’ve been juggling phones longer than some TikTok trends have existed. Flagships, mid-rangers, the weird experimental stuff – seen it, dropped it (sometimes literally). So when OnePlus sent over the 12R, honestly? My expectations were mid. “Another watered-down flagship,” I thought. Boy, was I pleasantly wrong.
This thing, especially this 16GB RAM / 256GB storage beast in that slick Iron Grey (the matte back feels so good), isn’t just playing in the flagship killer arena anymore. It’s practically sitting at the grown-ups’ table, stealing fries off the OnePlus 12’s plate. And the price? Starting under ₹40k? Get outta here. That’s the real headline.
Battery Life? More Like Battery Legend
Let’s cut to the chase. The 5500mAh battery in this phone is insane. Not “oh, it lasts a day”, insane. I’m talking heavy use – GPS, camera, YouTube, doomscrolling – pushing well into a second day territory. Forget the charger overnight. Forget topping up before a night out. It’s liberating. And when do you need juice? 100W SuperVOOC. Empty to full while you shower and grab coffee. Seriously. This battery performance alone makes a stupidly compelling case.
Performance That Doesn’t Sweat (or Throttle)
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2? In this price bracket? Yeah, OnePlus went for the jugular. Paired with 16 gigs of LPDDR5X RAM? It’s obscenely smooth. BGMI, Genshin Impact, whatever – max settings, no stutters, no dramatic heat warnings. Just cool, consistent power. OxygenOS 14 (based on Android 14) is mostly slick too. Not gonna lie, I still miss some of the old OxygenOS simplicity – the new quick settings shade feels a bit… busy? But it’s fast, stable, and bloat-free. Major win.
The Screen? Yeah, It’s Gorgeous
That 6.78-inch LTPO4 AMOLED? 120Hz? 4500 nits peak brightness? It’s stunning. Colours pop, blacks are infinite, and sunlight visibility is genuinely impressive. Watching cricket highlights or binge-watching shows is a joy. The curved edges are subtle, less prone to accidental touches than older curves, and honestly, it just feels premium in the hand. No complaints here. It punches way above its weight class.
Alright, Let’s Talk Camera (The Usual Compromise)
Here’s where the “R” reminds you it’s not the “Pro.” The main 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor? Pretty darn good in daylight. Shots are detailed, colours are pleasing (if a tad saturated sometimes). The 8MP ultrawide? It’s… okay. Usable in good light, gets mushy in lower light. The 2MP macro? Yeah, skip it. Pointless. Low-light performance on the main sensor is decent, not class-leading. Grain creeps in. If photography is your absolute top priority, maybe look elsewhere. But for most everyday snaps, social media, and even some creative stuff? It’s more than capable. Just don’t expect Pixel or iPhone magic in the dark.
The Verdict? A No-Brainer For Most
Look, the OnePlus 12R isn’t perfect. The plastic frame (though it looks good) doesn’t quite have the cold heft of aluminium. The camera system has its limits. But honestly? For the sheer performance, that monster battery with insane charging, the killer display, and the overall smooth software experience – all at this price? It’s an absolute steal. It makes the “Pro” model feel like a luxury, not a necessity, for a huge chunk of users.
If you’re craving the absolute best camera or wireless charging, yeah, step up. But for everyone else who just wants a blazing fast, long-lasting, beautifully built phone that won’t demolish your savings? The 12R isn’t just a contender. Right now, it feels like the smartest buy in the room. OnePlus knocked this one out of the park. Go check it out. You’ll probably walk out with one.
Hi, I’m Ricky, the founder of OKSociety.in. I’m a tech enthusiast with a deep passion for smartphones, mobile technology, and everything that makes our digital lives smarter. I started OKSociety to share honest reviews, the latest phone updates, and practical buying guides to help people make better choices in this fast-paced tech world.