“Never Settle” used to be a marketing slogan, but with the OnePlus 12 5G, it feels like a promise kept—even in 2026. While the world is chasing AI gimmicks and ₹1.5 lakh price tags, the OnePlus 12 has quietly become the “Value King” of the flagship world.
The real truth is: You don’t need to spend six figures to get a “Pro” experience. As of January 2026, the price of the OnePlus 12 5G has dropped to an irresistible ₹47,798 on Flipkart, making it a nightmare for mid-range “flagship killers.” But is it just a discounted old phone, or does it still hold its own against the newer Samsung S25 and iPhone 17? Let’s dive deep.
1. QUICK SPECS TABLE
| Feature | OnePlus 12 5G (Current 2026 Specs) |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) |
| Display | 6.82-inch 2K LTPO ProXDR AMOLED (1-120Hz) |
| Peak Brightness | 4500 Nits |
| RAM / Storage | 12GB/16GB LPDDR5X |
| Rear Camera | 50MP (LYT-808) + 64MP (3x Periscope) + 48MP (Ultrawide) |
| Front Camera | 32MP Sony IMX615 |
| Battery | 5400 mAh |
| Charging | 100W Wired (0-100% in 26 mins) |
| IP Rating | IP65 (Splash Resistant) |
2. DESIGN & BUILD (Deep Dive)
Holding the OnePlus 12 5G feels like holding a piece of jewelry. The Flowy Emerald finish, inspired by the braided channels of the Dart River, remains the most unique design in a sea of boring glass slabs.
- Materials: It uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and a textured glass back with an aluminum frame.
- The Feel: At 220 grams, it’s a hefty boy. If you prefer small phones, don’t waste your money here. But if you like that “reassuring weight,” it feels incredibly premium.
- The Alert Slider: It’s still there, now moved to the left side. It’s clicky, tactical, and honestly, every Android phone should have one.
3. DISPLAY & VISUALS: A Brightness Monster
In 2026, many phones claim 3000+ nits, but the OnePlus 12 was the pioneer of the 4500 nits peak brightness era.
- Outdoor Visibility: Even under the harsh midday sun in Delhi or Mumbai, the screen is as clear as printed paper.
- Visual Quality: The 2K resolution (510 PPI) makes text look incredibly sharp. If you watch a lot of Netflix, the Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support here are top-tier.
- Aqua Touch: This is the “hidden gem.” You can use the screen with wet fingers. Barish mein phone use karna ab mushkil nahi hai.
4. PERFORMANCE & GAMING: Still a Beast
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 might not be the “latest” chip in 2026, but let’s be honest: It is more than enough. * Gaming: We tested Genshin Impact and BGMI at the highest settings. The phone maintains a stable 60 FPS (90 FPS in BGMI) even after 45 minutes of play.
- Heating: Thanks to the massive 9140mm² Dual Cryo-velocity VC (cooling system), the temperature rarely crosses 42°C.
- Multitasking: With 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, apps stay open for days. You won’t see “refreshing” screens when you switch back to Instagram after an hour.
5. CAMERA: The Hasselblad Magic
The OnePlus 12 camera setup is built for people who love natural colors rather than the over-sharpened “social media” look of some rivals.
- Main Sensor: The Sony LYT-808 sensor is a low-light beast. It captures shadows without introducing grain.
- 3X Periscope Telephoto: This is the star. It gives you 3x optical zoom and up to 120x digital zoom. The real truth is: up to 6x, the quality is indistinguishable from a DSLR.
- Video: It supports 8K at 24fps. The 4K 60fps stabilization is smooth enough to record vlogs while walking.
6. BATTERY & ENDURANCE
OnePlus 12 features a 5400 mAh battery. In 2026, while rivals have moved to 6000 mAh, OnePlus wins with efficiency.
- Charging: Using the in-box 100W charger, you go 0-50% in just 11 minutes and a full 100% in 26 minutes. * Screen On Time (SOT): On a heavy usage day (GPS, 5G, Camera, and some Gaming), I consistently got 7.5 to 8 hours of SOT. * Wireless Charging: Unlike the “R” series, this has 50W wireless charging. You don’t even need cables.
7. THE COMPETITION (OnePlus 12 5G vs Rivals)
| Feature | OnePlus 12 5G | Samsung Galaxy S24 (Snapdragon) | iQOO 12 5G |
| Current Price | ₹47,798 | ₹49,999 | ₹51,999 |
| Display | 6.82″ 2K Curved | 6.2″ FHD Flat | 6.78″ 1.5K Flat |
| Charging | 100W Wired | 25W Wired (Slow!) | 120W Wired |
| Camera | Hasselblad (Balanced) | Samsung (Punchy) | iQOO (Vivid) |
Winner: OnePlus 12 5G. At its current 2026 price point, it offers a superior display and much faster charging than the S24, while feeling more “premium” than the iQOO 12.
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8. FINAL VERDICT
The OnePlus 12 5G is the “G.O.A.T” of 2024 that has aged like fine wine.
Buy it if:
- You want a pro-level display without paying ₹1 lakh.
- You are a heavy user who needs 100W charging (30 mins is life-changing).
- You love natural photography with the Hasselblad touch.
Skip it if:
- You have small hands (the phone is huge and heavy).
- You want 7 years of updates (OnePlus offers 4 years of OS updates).
- You need IP68 rating (this is only splash-proof IP65).
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars.
9. FAQs (People Also Ask)
1. Does OnePlus 12 5G support eSIM in India?
Yes, the Indian variant of the OnePlus 12 5G supports eSIM alongside a physical nano-SIM slot.
2. Is the green line issue fixed in OnePlus 12?
OnePlus has used better quality BOE panels here. While no phone is 100% immune, the OnePlus 12 has not seen the widespread “Green Line” issues that plagued older 9 and 10 series models.
3. Is there a charger in the box?
Yes! Unlike Samsung and Apple, OnePlus still provides the 100W SUPERVOOC Power Adapter and the iconic red cable inside the box.
4. Can it run BGMI at 90 FPS?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 fully supports 90 FPS in BGMI and PUBG Mobile with very stable frame rates.
5. Is the curved screen a problem for screen guards?
It can be. Finding a good tempered glass is tough. We recommend using high-quality UV glass or TPU films for the best fit.
