Asus ROG Phone 9 vs. OnePlus 12R: A Deep Dive into Gaming and Battery Life

The Asus ROG Phone 9 and OnePlus 12R represent distinct approaches to the high-performance Android smartphone market. The ROG Phone 9 doubles down on gaming features and raw power, while the OnePlus 12R aims for a balance of performance, battery life, and value. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For dedicated mobile gamers prioritizing peak performance, the Asus ROG Phone 9 is the clear winner, thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Elite and superior display. However, the OnePlus 12R offers excellent performance for the price, coupled with faster charging and impressive battery endurance, making it ideal for everyday users and casual gamers.

PHONES
Phone Names Asus ROG Phone 9 OnePlus 12R
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - GlobalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 - International1, 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, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE (Up to 7CA), 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, November 192024, January 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, November 20Available. Released 2024, February 06
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight227 g (8.01 oz)207 g (7.30 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 185Hz, HDR10, 1600 nits (HBM), 2500 nits (peak)LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 830Adreno 740
OSAndroid 15, upgradable to Android 16, up to 2 major Android upgradesAndroid 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, gimbal OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)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)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanorama, HDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), GLONASSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C (side), DisplayPort 1.4; USB Type-C (bottom), OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging65W wired, PD3.0, PPS, QC5, 100% in 46 min 15W wireless (Qi) 10W reverse wired100W wired, 100% in 26 min
Type5800 mAhLi-Ion 5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsPhantom Black, Storm WhiteIron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune
ModelsAI2501-12G256G-BK, AI2501-12G256G-WH, AI2501-16G512G-WH, AI2501-16G512G-BKCPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611
Price£ 799.99 / € 899.90€ 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.82 W/kg (body)

Asus ROG Phone 9

  • Superior gaming performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite
  • Brighter and potentially higher refresh rate display
  • Wireless and reverse wired charging capabilities

  • Slower charging speed compared to OnePlus 12R
  • Higher price point

OnePlus 12R

  • Incredibly fast 100W charging
  • Excellent battery life for the price
  • More affordable

  • Less powerful processor than ROG Phone 9
  • Lower peak display brightness

Display Comparison

The Asus ROG Phone 9 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1958 nits, compared to the OnePlus 12R’s 1181 nits. This translates to superior visibility outdoors and a more vibrant HDR experience. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the ROG Phone 9’s higher peak brightness and potential for a higher refresh rate (not specified in data, but typical for ROG phones) give it an edge for visual fidelity. The OnePlus 12R’s display is still excellent, but the ROG Phone 9 caters to users who demand the best possible viewing experience, especially in challenging lighting conditions.

Camera Comparison

While both phones likely feature capable camera systems, the provided data doesn't allow for a detailed comparison. We can infer that the ROG Phone 9, being a premium device, may prioritize image quality and features, but without sensor size or aperture information, it's difficult to assess. The OnePlus 12R likely focuses on delivering a solid, all-around camera experience, but may not match the ROG Phone 9 in low-light performance or advanced features. It's reasonable to assume both will offer competitive image processing, but the ROG Phone 9's higher price point suggests a more sophisticated camera system.

Performance

The ROG Phone 9’s Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) represents a leap in mobile processing power over the OnePlus 12R’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm). The 3nm process node of the 8 Elite promises greater efficiency and sustained performance under heavy load, minimizing thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. The ROG Phone 9’s CPU configuration – 2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M – is optimized for both peak single-core and multi-core performance. The OnePlus 12R’s Cortex-X3 prime core at 3.2 GHz is powerful, but the ROG Phone 9’s architecture and process node give it a clear advantage in demanding tasks.

Battery Life

The Asus ROG Phone 9 achieves an active use battery score of 16:41h, while the OnePlus 12R manages 14:32h. This suggests the ROG Phone 9 offers better overall battery endurance despite the OnePlus 12R’s larger battery capacity (not specified in data, but likely larger). However, the OnePlus 12R compensates with significantly faster charging – 100W wired, achieving 100% charge in just 26 minutes, compared to the ROG Phone 9’s 65W charging (46 minutes). The ROG Phone 9 also offers 15W wireless charging and 10W reverse wired charging, features absent in the OnePlus 12R. The OnePlus 12R prioritizes quick top-ups, while the ROG Phone 9 offers a more versatile charging ecosystem and slightly longer runtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the Asus ROG Phone 9 if you demand the absolute best gaming performance, need a display with maximum brightness, and are willing to pay a premium for specialized features like AirTriggers. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you prioritize all-day battery life, incredibly fast 100W charging, and a more balanced experience at a significantly lower price point. It's the smart choice for users who want flagship-level performance without the flagship price tag.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the OnePlus 12R throttle during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a very capable chip, but its 4nm process is less efficient than the ROG Phone 9’s 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite. While the OnePlus 12R will likely experience some thermal throttling during prolonged, demanding gaming, it’s unlikely to be severe enough to ruin the experience. OnePlus’s cooling solutions are generally effective at mitigating heat buildup.
❓ Does the Asus ROG Phone 9’s 65W charging feel slow compared to the OnePlus 12R’s 100W?
Yes, 65W is noticeably slower than 100W. The ROG Phone 9 takes 46 minutes to reach 100%, while the OnePlus 12R achieves the same in just 26 minutes. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?
The difference of over 800 nits is quite substantial. While you won't always notice it indoors, the ROG Phone 9's brighter display will be significantly more visible and vibrant when used outdoors in direct sunlight. It also enhances the HDR viewing experience.