The OnePlus 12 is an unquestionable hit, with OnePlus nailing the design, {hardware}, and cameras this yr. The telephone continues to carry its personal in opposition to costlier rivals, and actually, if you happen to do not want seven years of software program updates which are assured by Google and Samsung, it’s a improbable selection.
However the introduction of the OnePlus 13 comes with the inevitable quandary: purchase the OnePlus 12 whereas it is discounted now, or wait a number of months and get the OnePlus 13? The OnePlus 13 is even sooner, has new digital camera tech, and comes with a large battery that ought to last more.
I used the OnePlus 12 extensively, and whereas I did not get to check the OnePlus 13 simply but, let’s check out what you get with the brand new system, and whether or not it is best to wait till it goes on sale or purchase the OnePlus 12 proper now.
You get the most recent internals
Like most different 2025 Android telephones, the OnePlus 13 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Clearly, there’s loads of pleasure within the newest Qualcomm platform given the sizeable upgrades — together with the customized cores — and it will likely be attention-grabbing to see how these maintain up in every day use.
The OnePlus 12 isn’t any slouch on this regard, however the OnePlus 13 ought to ship significant features. That stated, it stays to be seen if you happen to’ll really have the ability to use the {hardware} to its potential; OxygenOS throttles most video games to 60fps, so even when the {hardware} theoretically permits 120fps gaming, the software program wants further tweaks.
Though the remainder of the {hardware} is comparatively unchanged, you get different niceties, together with IP69 mud and water resistance. Whereas IP68 continues to be nice, the brand new customary safeguards in opposition to water jets along with submersion, making the system that rather more resilient.
It ought to take even higher pictures
The OnePlus 13 makes use of the identical 50MP f/1.6 predominant digital camera as final yr, and that is not a foul factor in any respect. The sensor is clearly among the many greatest round, and we must always get higher pictures and movies with improved tuning.
What I am enthusiastic about is the auxiliary cameras; the OnePlus 13 has 50MP wide-angle and telephoto cameras, they usually’re the identical as those on the Discover X8 Professional. That ought to give the system a substantial edge; whereas I usually just like the OnePlus 12, its auxiliary lenses do not fairly measure up, so it is good to see that altering this yr.
There is a large battery
One of many largest modifications with the OnePlus 13 is the battery dimension. The telephone incorporates a large 6000mAh battery, and what’s attention-grabbing is that OnePlus is utilizing silicon-carbon battery tech. The battery makes use of a silicon-based anode, and this enables higher density, permitting the model to make use of a much bigger battery with out growing the dimensions of the system.
In consequence, regardless that the OnePlus 13 has a battery that is 500mAh bigger, it’s thinner and 7g lighter than the OnePlus 12, and that is an enormous deal. The silicon-carbon tech additionally has higher sturdiness, and that needs to be noticeable after two to 3 years of use. You continue to get 100W charging tech, however the charging time is barely longer because the system is utilizing a single 6000mAh cell this time.
Why you should not wait — the OnePlus 12 has a greater design
The OnePlus 13 clearly has loads going for it, and whereas I am trying ahead to testing the system, I am not a fan of the brand new design. OnePlus telephones have at all times adopted the same design aesthetic — going all the best way again to the OnePlus 3 — that was characterised by easy curves and a “horizon line” that made the units nice to carry and use.
However the OnePlus 13 switches to a blocky design with flat sides, and that simply does not look as thrilling to me. The renders recommend that the system has beveled edges, so it will not be as uncomfortable to carry because the iPhone 16 Professional Max, nevertheless it nonetheless does not have the identical class because the OnePlus 12.
The OnePlus 12 is far more reasonably priced
One other issue to think about with the OnePlus 13 is that it comes with a noticeable worth hike. Though the system ought to nonetheless price lower than the Pixel 9 Professional XL and the upcoming Galaxy S25+, there’s prone to be a $100 improve over the OnePlus 12 while you account for what the OnePlus 13 is promoting for in China.
Which means you’ll have to pay as a lot as $899 to get your fingers on the system in most international markets. To place issues into context, the OnePlus 12 is routinely accessible for $649, and it’ll go right down to $599 in the course of the upcoming vacation gross sales window.
The OnePlus 13 is a greater general system, however is it price $300 extra? I do not assume so at this second in time. Clearly, I have never used the system but, so I can not make any qualitative judgement on this regard, however the telephone improve cycle is such that you do not get too many noticeable features year-on-year.
The OnePlus 13 shall be a substantial improve if you happen to’re on an older system, however even then, the OnePlus 12 is simply pretty much as good a selection. If I needed to put my very own cash on the desk, I am selecting the OnePlus 12 as a substitute of ready for the OnePlus 13.
The OnePlus 12 continues to be a improbable telephone, and whereas the OnePlus 13 does include a number of upgrades, it is costlier. In the event you want a brand new telephone, my suggestion can be to get the OnePlus 12 whereas it is on sale.
