iPhone 15 Plus vs OnePlus 12R: A Deep Dive into Battery, Performance, and Value

The iPhone 15 Plus and OnePlus 12R represent compelling choices in a crowded smartphone market. The iPhone 15 Plus brings Apple’s established ecosystem and refined software, while the OnePlus 12R aggressively targets the performance-per-dollar segment with flagship-level specs at a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing long-term software support and a seamless ecosystem, the iPhone 15 Plus is the better choice, despite the OnePlus 12R’s faster charging. However, the OnePlus 12R delivers comparable performance and excellent battery life for significantly less money, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious power users.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 15 Plus OnePlus 12R
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 53, 66 - A30941, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A30941, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, September 122024, January 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, September 22Available. Released 2024, February 06
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm (6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 in)163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)· eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight201 g (7.09 oz)207 g (7.30 oz)
Display
ProtectionCeramic Shield glassCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1290 x 2796 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (HBM), 2000 nits (peak)LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUHexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetApple A16 Bionic (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUApple GPU (5-core graphics)Adreno 740
OSiOS 17, upgradable to iOS 26.1Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 0.7µm-
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec.4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, Dolby Vision HDRHDR, panorama
Single12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPortUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band
Features
SensorsFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
ChargingWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update 4.5W reverse wired100W wired, 100% in 26 min
TypeLi-Ion 4383 mAhLi-Ion 5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Green, Yellow, PinkIron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune
ModelsA3094, A2847, A3093, A3096, iPhone15,5CPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611
Price€ 555.00 / $ 441.16 / £ 450.00€ 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00
SAR1.01 W/kg (head)     1.12 W/kg (body)1.19 W/kg (head)     0.82 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.98 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)-

Apple iPhone 15 Plus

  • Exceptional battery life (16:33h active use)
  • Superior display brightness (1642 nits)
  • Seamless iOS ecosystem and long-term software support

  • Slower wired charging (30 min to 50%)
  • Higher price point

OnePlus 12R

  • Blazing-fast 100W wired charging (26 min to 100%)
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
  • More affordable price

  • Lower peak display brightness (1181 nits)
  • Shorter software update commitment compared to Apple

Display Comparison

The iPhone 15 Plus boasts a peak brightness of 1642 nits, significantly outshining the OnePlus 12R’s 1181 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both utilize OLED technology, Apple doesn’t specify a refresh rate, implying a standard 60Hz panel, whereas the OnePlus 12R is expected to have a 120Hz panel (not specified in the data, but standard for this segment). The difference in brightness is particularly impactful for HDR content consumption, giving the iPhone 15 Plus an edge. Bezels are comparable, but the iPhone’s color accuracy is generally considered best-in-class, though not quantifiable with the provided data.

Camera Comparison

The provided data doesn’t offer sufficient detail for a comprehensive camera comparison. However, Apple’s reputation for computational photography and video quality is well-established. The iPhone 15 Plus likely excels in video recording and dynamic range. The OnePlus 12R’s camera performance will depend heavily on its sensor size and image processing algorithms, which are not specified. It’s reasonable to assume the OnePlus 12R will offer competitive still photography, but may not match the iPhone’s video capabilities. The absence of sensor details makes a definitive judgment impossible.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: Apple’s A16 Bionic (4nm) versus Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm). The A16 Bionic employs a hexa-core architecture (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth), optimized for Apple’s software. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 utilizes an octa-core configuration (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510), offering broader multi-tasking capabilities. While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a powerhouse, the A16 Bionic’s tight software integration often results in smoother, more efficient performance in real-world tasks. Both chips are built on a 4nm process, suggesting similar thermal efficiency, but Apple’s thermal management is typically more conservative, potentially leading to slightly lower peak sustained performance.

Battery Life

The iPhone 15 Plus achieves an impressive 16:33h active use score and an endurance rating of 111h, indicating exceptional battery life. The OnePlus 12R, with 14:32h active use, is still very competitive. However, the OnePlus 12R’s 100W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 26 minutes, compared to the iPhone 15 Plus’s 30 minutes for 50%. The iPhone 15 Plus offers 15W wireless charging (MagSafe and Qi2 – requiring iOS 17.2) and 4.5W reverse wired charging, while the OnePlus 12R lacks wireless charging. The OnePlus 12R’s significantly faster wired charging offsets its slightly lower battery endurance for users who prioritize quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Apple iPhone 15 Plus if you need a phone with guaranteed software updates for years to come, a tightly integrated ecosystem of devices, and prioritize video recording quality. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you prefer a faster charging experience, a more customizable Android experience, and want flagship-level performance without the premium iPhone price tag.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the iPhone 15 Plus’s MagSafe charging offer a significant advantage over the OnePlus 12R’s lack of wireless charging?
MagSafe provides a convenient and secure wireless charging experience, and the iPhone 15 Plus supports Qi2, the newer wireless standard. However, the OnePlus 12R’s 100W wired charging is substantially faster, meaning you’ll spend less time tethered to a wall. For users who prioritize speed, the OnePlus 12R’s wired charging is more practical.
❓ How does the A16 Bionic chip in the iPhone 15 Plus compare to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the OnePlus 12R for gaming?
Both chips are incredibly powerful and capable of handling demanding mobile games. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 generally boasts higher raw GPU performance, but Apple’s A16 Bionic benefits from optimized software and MetalFX Upscaling, potentially delivering a smoother gaming experience in some titles. Thermal management will also play a role, with Apple typically prioritizing sustained performance over peak bursts.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness between the iPhone 15 Plus and OnePlus 12R noticeable in everyday use?
The 461-nit difference in peak brightness is most noticeable outdoors in direct sunlight, where the iPhone 15 Plus’s display will remain much more readable. Indoors, the difference is less pronounced, but the iPhone 15 Plus will still offer a brighter and more vibrant viewing experience.