The smartphone landscape is increasingly segmented. The OnePlus 12R aims to deliver near-flagship performance at a more accessible price point, while the HMD Arc represents a budget-conscious option. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, focusing on where each excels and who will benefit most from their respective strengths.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus 12R is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset provides a dramatically superior experience in demanding tasks, complemented by incredibly fast 100W charging and a bright, vibrant display. The HMD Arc is a viable option only for those prioritizing absolute minimum cost.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, December 18 | 2024, January 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, January | Available. Released 2024, February 06 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back |
| Dimensions | 166.4 x 76.9 x 9 mm (6.55 x 3.03 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 | · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185.4 g (6.53 oz) | 207 g (7.30 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Resolution | 576 x 1280 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~215 ppi density) | 1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~80.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 460 nits (peak) | LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 14 (Go edition) | Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, (wide), AF | - |
| 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) |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 100W wired, 100% in 26 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Ion 5500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Iron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune |
| Models | - | CPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611 |
| Price | - | € 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.82 W/kg (body) |
HMD Arc
- Extremely affordable price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Acceptable for light usage
- Poor performance with demanding apps
- Very slow charging speed
- Likely low-quality display
OnePlus 12R
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
- Ultra-fast 100W charging
- Bright and vibrant display (1181 nits)
- Higher price compared to the HMD Arc
- May not have the absolute best camera system
- Larger size and weight than some budget options
Display Comparison
The OnePlus 12R boasts a significantly brighter display, peaking at 1181 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the HMD Arc’s display specifications are unavailable, it’s reasonable to assume it falls far behind in brightness and likely lacks features like LTPO for adaptive refresh rates, common in the 12R. This difference translates to a more immersive and comfortable viewing experience on the OnePlus, particularly for media consumption and outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the HMD Arc, a direct comparison is limited. However, given its price point, it’s likely equipped with basic sensors. The OnePlus 12R, while not featuring a top-tier camera system, benefits from a more advanced image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, resulting in better image quality and processing speed. The absence of information regarding OIS or large sensors on the Arc suggests it will fall behind in low-light performance and overall detail capture.
Performance
The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The OnePlus 12R’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is a flagship-tier chipset featuring a prime Cortex-X3 core clocked at 3.2 GHz, alongside high-performance Cortex-A715 and A710 cores. This contrasts sharply with the HMD Arc’s Unisoc SC9863A (28nm), which utilizes less efficient Cortex-A55 cores clocked at lower frequencies. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers significantly better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. The 12R will handle demanding apps and games with ease, while the Arc will struggle with even moderate tasks.
Battery Life
The OnePlus 12R’s 100W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 26 minutes. This is a massive advantage over the HMD Arc’s slow 10W charging. While the OnePlus 12R’s battery capacity isn’t specified, its active use score of 14:32h demonstrates excellent battery life, likely due to the efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The HMD Arc, with its less efficient chipset and slow charging, will require more frequent charging and offer a less convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the HMD Arc if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light web browsing, and your budget is extremely limited. You're willing to accept significant performance compromises and slow charging. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you prioritize smooth multitasking, gaming, fast charging, and a high-quality display, and are willing to spend more for a significantly improved user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Unisoc SC9863A chipset in the HMD Arc capable of running popular social media apps smoothly?
While the HMD Arc can likely handle basic social media apps like Facebook and Instagram, expect noticeable lag and slowdowns when multitasking or using more demanding features within those apps. The chipset's limited processing power and RAM will struggle with resource-intensive tasks.
❓ How does the 10W charging on the HMD Arc compare to typical charging speeds in 2024?
10W charging is exceptionally slow by 2024 standards. It will take several hours to fully charge the HMD Arc, making it inconvenient for users who rely on their phone throughout the day. The OnePlus 12R’s 100W charging is a stark contrast, providing a full charge in under 30 minutes.
❓ Will the OnePlus 12R get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the OnePlus 12R is relatively efficient, but it can still generate heat during prolonged gaming. However, the phone is likely to have adequate thermal management to prevent significant throttling, maintaining a playable frame rate for extended periods. The HMD Arc, while less powerful, may also throttle due to its less efficient chipset.
❓ Does the OnePlus 12R support high refresh rate gaming?
Yes, the OnePlus 12R supports high refresh rate gaming, allowing for smoother visuals in compatible games. The exact refresh rate support will depend on the game, but the phone's powerful chipset and display are capable of delivering a fluid gaming experience.
