OnePlus 11 vs 12: A Closer Look at the Upgrade

OnePlus has been on an interesting journey in recent years. For a while, its phones felt overpriced and underwhelming compared to rivals, especially when it came to camera quality. But things started to turn around with the OnePlus 11, which many considered a return to form. Now the OnePlus 12 is here, and the brand seems determined to show that it belongs in the conversation with Samsung, Apple, and Google.

But is the new device a major step forward, or just a small refinement? Let’s dive into the details and see how these two flagships compare.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, not much has changed in terms of overall appearance. Both phones share the same rounded camera housing and premium glass-and-metal construction. The differences are more subtle this time.

The OnePlus 12 introduces a textured green finish with a patterned back, a design choice that has split opinions. Some find it stylish, while others feel it resembles something less flattering. Luckily, there’s also a more classic black option for those who prefer a clean look. The new frosted glass helps reduce fingerprints, something the glossy OnePlus 11 struggled with.

Weight has increased slightly, with the OnePlus 12 coming in at 220 grams compared to the 205 grams of its predecessor. You do feel the difference, especially if you hold both devices side by side. Protection is handled by Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and Gorilla Glass 5 on the back, along with an IP65 rating. That’s a step up from the IP64 of the previous generation, though still not as water-resistant as some rival flagships.

Quick Comparison

Display Upgrades

The screen is one of the areas where the OnePlus 12 really shines. It has grown from 6.7 inches to 6.82 inches, offering more real estate for gaming, streaming, and browsing. The panel remains AMOLED with sharp resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, but brightness levels are the real story here.

The OnePlus 12 can push up to an incredible 4,500 nits of peak brightness in certain scenarios, making it one of the brightest displays on any smartphone. That means outdoor visibility is excellent, even under harsh sunlight. By comparison, the OnePlus 11 was no slouch, but it doesn’t come close to matching this insane brightness ceiling.

Another design tweak is the placement of the front camera. It has moved from the left corner to the center, giving the device a more balanced look. The selfie camera itself has also been upgraded from 16MP on the OnePlus 11 to a sharper 32MP shooter that can now record in 4K.

Performance and Hardware

As expected, the biggest jump comes from the processor. The OnePlus 11 ran on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which was already very powerful. The OnePlus 12 takes things further with the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, paired with improved vapor chamber cooling.

This results in better sustained performance during heavy tasks like gaming or long video recording sessions. Benchmarks show clear gains, though the stronger chip also consumes a bit more power. In stress tests, the OnePlus 12 remained cooler on the surface compared to its predecessor, but battery drain was slightly faster.

When it comes to raw performance, the difference between the OnePlus 11 and the OnePlus 12 is quite clear. On AnTuTu v10, the OnePlus 11 scored around 1.39 million, while the newer OnePlus 12 pushed past 2.1 million in some tests, marking a huge leap in overall power. Geekbench 6 results also show the progress where the OnePlus 11 managed 1,166 in single-core and 4,962 in multi-core, the OnePlus 12 almost doubles that with 2,188 and 6,525 respectively. Gaming tests tell a similar story: in 3DMark Wild Life Unlimited, the OnePlus 11 hit about 14,089 points at 84 fps, but the OnePlus 12 surged to nearly 19,440 points at 116 fps. These numbers aren’t just for show; they translate into smoother gaming, faster multitasking, and better handling of heavy apps, making the newer phone feel much more future-ready.

In everyday use, both phones feel snappy and fluid, but if you’re after raw performance and future-proofing, the newer chip has the edge.

Software and Experience

Both devices run OxygenOS, OnePlus’s custom Android skin. While not everyone loves it, it has improved over the years and offers a blend of customization and simplicity. The OnePlus 12 ships with the latest version of OxygenOS based on Android 14, while the OnePlus 11 launched with Android 13 but has been receiving updates steadily.

OnePlus typically promises four major Android upgrades and five years of security patches. While that’s not as long as Samsung or Google’s seven years, it’s still a solid commitment for most users.

Cameras: Subtle but Meaningful Changes

Cameras have often been the weak point for OnePlus, but both of these phones deliver respectable results. The OnePlus 11 features a 50MP main sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide, and a 32MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom.

The OnePlus 12 keeps the same 50MP main and 48MP ultra-wide, but upgrades the telephoto to a 64MP sensor with 3x optical zoom. That difference in zoom capabilities translates into sharper portraits and better close-up detail, especially in low light.

Daytime shots are strong on both, with good dynamic range and colors. The OnePlus 12 tends to produce moodier tones, while the 11 sometimes brightens shadows more aggressively. At night, the newer model pulls ahead thanks to cleaner telephoto images and less noise overall.

Selfies also see a noticeable jump thanks to the upgraded 32MP front camera with 4K video support, making it more competitive with other flagships.

Battery and Charging

Battery life is another area where both phones perform well, but the OnePlus 12 has some welcome improvements. Capacity increases slightly to 5,400mAh compared to 5,000mAh on the older model. In practice, both last a full day easily, with around 7 hours of screen-on time in mixed use.

Charging remains extremely fast. The OnePlus 11 offered up to 100W wired charging in some regions (80W in others), while the OnePlus 12 keeps that speed but adds something fans really missed: wireless charging. And not just basic wireless chargingit supports up to 50W wireless speeds when using a compatible charger, along with 10W reverse wireless charging.

This addition alone could sway many users toward the newer phone, especially those who rely on wireless pads at home or in the car.

Audio, Extras, and Haptics

Both phones feature stereo speakers with good volume and clarity, though improvements in the OnePlus 12 are subtle rather than groundbreaking. Haptics have been fine-tuned, delivering satisfying feedback during typing and navigation.

One small but fun addition is the infrared blaster on the OnePlus 12, which lets you control TVs or other devices directly from your phone. It’s not a feature everyone will use, but it’s a neat extra that the OnePlus 11 didn’t have.

Value for Money

Pricing is always a big factor. The OnePlus 11 launched at $699, while the OnePlus 12 starts at $799. That bump is noticeable, but OnePlus has tried to soften the blow with trade-in offers and double storage promotions during launch.

For many, the decision will come down to priorities. If you already own the OnePlus 11, the upgrades may not feel dramatic enough to justify an immediate jump. But if you’re coming from an older device, the OnePlus 12 offers a brighter screen, stronger performance, wireless charging, and an improved camera setup all of which make it one of the best values in the flagship market right now.

Final Thoughts

When weighing oneplus 11 vs 12, it’s clear that the newer model brings thoughtful upgrades without reinventing the wheel. The brighter display, stronger telephoto camera, wireless charging, and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 make it a compelling option for new buyers.

That said, the OnePlus 11 remains an excellent phone in its own right. Its lower price and very similar user experience mean it’s still a smart purchase, especially if you can find it discounted.

In the end, both devices showcase how far OnePlus has come. The brand is no longer playing catch-up, it’s competing head-to-head with the giants of the smartphone world.

Looking for the perfect upgrade? Don’t miss our Pixel 8a vs OnePlus 12R – Ultimate 2025 Buying Guide. Click here ; Pixel 8a vs OnePlus 12R: Ultimate 2025 Buying Guide

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