OnePlus 12 Launch Event. The OnePlus 12 is one of the most highly anticipated smartphone releases of 2024. As a successor to the very popular OnePlus 11 series, the OnePlus 12 is expected to bring exciting new features and improvements while still maintaining OnePlus’ signature high-end quality and reasonable prices.
The official launch event for the OnePlus 12 took place on January 15, 2024 in San Francisco. This grand unveiling generated huge buzz and attention in the tech world. Now that the details have been revealed, here is an in-depth overview of everything that was announced at the OnePlus 12 launch event.
OnePlus 12 Release Date and Pricing
One of the most important announcements at the launch event was the release date and pricing information for the OnePlus 12. Here are the key details:
- Release Date: April 1, 2024
- Pricing:
- OnePlus 12 8GB/128GB – $799
- OnePlus 12 12GB/256GB – $899
- OnePlus 12 Pro 16GB/512GB – $999
The regular OnePlus 12 variants are very competitively priced starting at $799, while the higher-end Pro model is priced at $999. The phones will be available for pre-order starting March 15, 2024.
Compared to other premium flagships in 2024 that are crossing the $1000 mark, the OnePlus 12 series still maintains that ideal balance of high-end features and reasonable pricing that OnePlus is known for.
OnePlus 12 Specs and Hardware
Since the OnePlus 12 is a flagship phone for 2024, it unsurprisingly comes with top-of-the-line specs and hardware. Here are the key details on performance and features:
- Display: 6.7” QHD+ 120Hz Fluid AMOLED display with HDR10+ certification
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
- RAM/Storage: Up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage
- Battery: 5000mAh battery with 80W wired fast charging and 50W wireless charging
- Cameras:
- Rear cameras: 50MP (wide) + 48MP (ultrawide) + 8MP (3x telephoto)
- Front camera: 32MP
- Other features: Stereo speakers, under-display fingerprint scanner, 5G connectivity, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3
The display retains the high 120Hz refresh rate from previous models for smooth scrolling and transitions. The latest Snapdragon chipset ensures top-notch performance for both regular usage and intensive games. The upgraded camera setup offers great versatility with the 3x optical zoom telephoto lens. Battery charging is impressively quick with both wired and wireless charging.
Overall, the OnePlus 12 hardware leaves no stone unturned and delivers everything you could want in a 2024 flagship phone.
OnePlus 12 Pro Upgrades
The higher-end OnePlus 12 Pro model includes some notable upgrades over the regular OnePlus 12. These include:
- Larger display – 6.9” QHD+ 120Hz LTPO display
- More RAM and storage – Up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage
- Bigger battery – 6000mAh capacity
- Faster charging – 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging
- Additional rear camera – 48MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom
With these improvements, the OnePlus 12 Pro is positioned as an ultra-premium flagship with top-notch visuals from the large high refresh rate display, blazing fast charging speeds, and an extremely versatile quad camera system. The additional RAM and storage also ensure excellent multitasking capabilities and ample room for apps, videos, photos and more.
OnePlus 12 Software and OxygenOS 13
Along with the new hardware, the OnePlus 12 series comes with the latest software based on Android 13. This is OxygenOS 13, OnePlus’ own software layer know for its clean UI and many customization options.
Some of the notable new software features on OxygenOS 13 include:
- Aquamorphic design – Visual themes and animations inspired by water
- Dynamic computing engine – Optimizations for better performance and power efficiency
- Large folders in app drawer – Automatically organized apps in folders
- Quantum animation engine 4.0 – Enhanced animations and transitions
- Improved one-handed usage – More gestures and UI tweaks for easy one-handed use
- Advanced earphone connectivity – Quick pairing and audio customization for wired earphones
- Audio recording features – Voice enhancer and audio zoom for recording clearer audio
- New Always-On Display – More customization options for AOD
In addition to these new features, popular existing OxygenOS elements like Shelf, Dark mode, Zen Mode, and Work-Life Balance are still retained in OxygenOS 13. Long-time OnePlus users will appreciate the mix of new enhancements while still keeping the fast and clean OxygenOS experience.
OnePlus Hasselblad Camera Partnership Continues
OnePlus and Hasselblad began collaborating in 2021 for camera optimizations starting with the OnePlus 9 series. This partnership continues with the OnePlus 12, bringing Hasselblad’s legendary imaging expertise to the new camera hardware.
Some of the key Hasselblad contributions on the OnePlus 12’s cameras include:
- Hasselblad Natural Color Calibration – For lifelike and accurate colors in photos and videos
- Hasselblad Portrait Mode – Software processing for professional-looking portraits
- Xpan Mode – Special panorama-style shot inspired by Hasselblad’s famous XPan camera
- Pro Mode UI – Interface customizations for easier manual camera adjustment
- Improved stabilization – Updates to OIS and EIS systems for smoother shots and videos
The steady partnership between OnePlus and Hasselblad aims to continuously refine and improve the photographic capabilities from one generation to the next. For mobile photography enthusiasts, the OnePlus 12 series delivers on that promise with noticeably enhanced camera performance compared to older models.
OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Launch
Alongside the new phones, OnePlus also unveiled its next generation of wireless earbuds at the launch event – the OnePlus Buds Pro 2.
Key features and specs of the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 include:
- 11mm dynamic drivers with surround sound support
- Noise cancellation with transparency mode
- Low latency response for gaming, videos and calls
- 38 hours total battery life with case charging
- Fast charging provides 10 hours of listening time in just 10 minutes
- IP55 dust and water resistance
- Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and Google Fast Pair
The OnePlus Buds Pro 2 promise major improvements in audio quality, noise cancellation, and battery life compared to previous generations. They should be an excellent companion to the OnePlus 12 series for those who want top-quality wireless earbuds with great integration and easy connectivity.
Pricing for the OnePlus Buds Pro 2 is set at $179, and they will be available starting April 1 alongside the new phones.
Positive First Impressions
Based on the announcements and first look reveals at the launch event, tech reviewers and consumers had largely positive initial impressions of the OnePlus 12 series.
Here are some of the key points of praise:
- Displays look stunning with excellent brightness and smooth high refresh rate performance
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers noticeable speed and power improvements
- Cameras capture impressive detail and color accuracy in test samples
- OxygenOS 13 retains clean UI while adding useful new features
- Battery capacities combined with fast charging capacities are very promising
- OnePlus Buds Pro 2 major upgrade over previous models in audio and ANC
- Overall combination of premium features at reasonable pricing stands out among 2024 flagships
Of course, full reviews based on extensive hands-on testing will be the definitive evaluation of the OnePlus 12 series. But so far, the phones appear very promising and potentially class-leading based on these initial launch impressions.
The OnePlus 12 series continues the company’s history of offering flagship-caliber specs and innovative technology while still undercutting many rivals on pricing. With these new phones, OnePlus aims to compete strongly among the best high-end smartphones of 2024 while retaining that ideal blend of premium features and value.
OnePlus 12 Launch Sets Up Exciting 2024
The OnePlus 12 launch event provided a comprehensive first look at the upcoming flagship phones and earbuds. Based on the details revealed so far, OnePlus has delivered a very compelling flagship lineup for 2024 that combines impressive technology with reasonable pricing.
Here is a quick recap of the key announcements from the event:
- OnePlus 12 and 12 Pro with cutting-edge specs starting at just $799
- Major hardware improvements like new Snapdragon chip, faster charging, and upgraded cameras
- OxygenOS 13 software brings new design and enhanced features
- OnePlus Buds Pro 2 with better audio, ANC, and battery life
- Initial impressions are very positive among reviewers and tech enthusiasts
With these new products, OnePlus is positioning itself strongly to compete against other major flagships like the iPhone 15, Samsung Galaxy S23, and Google Pixel 8 coming later in 2024. The OnePlus 12 series sets the stage for what should be an exciting year for high-end smartphones.
