OnePlus 12R vs Motorola Edge 50: A Deep Dive into Performance and Battery

The OnePlus 12R and Motorola Edge 50 represent compelling options in the mid-to-high range smartphone market. The 12R aims to deliver flagship-level performance at a more accessible price point, while the Edge 50 focuses on a balanced experience with a sleek design and efficient power management. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and rapid charging, the OnePlus 12R is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and 100W charging significantly outperform the Edge 50’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 and 68W charging. However, the Motorola Edge 50 offers respectable endurance and a brighter display for everyday use.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge 50 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, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 661, 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, August 012024, January 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, August 08Available. Released 2024, February 06
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, silicone polymer (eco leather or eco suede) backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions160.8 x 72.4 x 7.8 mm (6.33 x 2.85 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· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)207 g (7.30 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5, Mohs level 4Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~92.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeP-OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (peak)LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 AE (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 644Adreno 740
OSAndroid 14, up to 5 major Android upgradesAndroid 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB 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/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f2.0, 73mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF50 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@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, 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
Charging68W wired 15W wireless100W wired, 100% in 26 min
Type5000 mAhLi-Ion 5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsKoala Gray, Jungle Green, Peach FuzzIron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune
ModelsXT2407-1CPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611
Price$ 299.99 / ₹ 21,437€ 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.82 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery45:48h endurance, 1200 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

Motorola Edge 50

  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility
  • Longer battery lifespan (1200 charge cycles)
  • Sleek and potentially more ergonomic design (assumed)

  • Significantly slower processor
  • Slower charging speed
  • Lower active use battery score

OnePlus 12R

  • Flagship-level Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
  • Ultra-fast 100W charging (0-100% in 26 minutes)
  • Superior active use battery score

  • Less bright display
  • Potentially shorter battery lifespan due to faster charging
  • May run warmer under sustained load

Display Comparison

The Motorola Edge 50 boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 1416 nits, compared to the OnePlus 12R’s 1181 nits. This translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While both utilize OLED technology, the Edge 50’s higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage for outdoor users. We lack PWM frequency data, but the Edge 50’s marketing emphasizes eye comfort, suggesting a potentially higher refresh rate for reduced flicker. The 12R’s display, while still excellent, is slightly less vibrant in comparison.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, the OnePlus 12R, positioned as a performance-focused device, likely prioritizes image processing speed and computational photography. The Edge 50, while potentially lacking the raw processing power, may focus on color accuracy and natural-looking images. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and OIS makes it difficult to assess low-light performance. It's reasonable to assume the 12R benefits from the more powerful ISP within the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, enabling features like faster autofocus and improved dynamic range.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 12R is powered by the Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm), featuring a prime Cortex-X3 core clocked at 3.2 GHz. This architecture provides a substantial performance leap over the Motorola Edge 50’s Qualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 AE (4 nm). The 12R’s CPU configuration – 1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710, and 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 – offers superior multi-core and single-core performance. The Edge 50’s 1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710, 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710, and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510 configuration is capable, but will struggle with graphically intensive games and demanding applications compared to the 12R. Both phones utilize a 4nm process, but the 8 Gen 2’s architecture is inherently more efficient and powerful.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 12R excels in charging speed with its 100W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 26 minutes. The Motorola Edge 50’s 68W charging is considerably slower. While the Edge 50 boasts a claimed 1200 charge cycles, indicating potentially longer battery lifespan, the 12R compensates with significantly faster refueling. In terms of endurance, the 12R achieves an active use score of 14:32h, substantially outperforming the Edge 50’s 9:56h. This difference is likely attributable to the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and optimized power management.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge 50 if you need a phone with a bright, easily visible display and prioritize long-term battery health with its 1200 charge cycles. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you prefer a significantly faster processor for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and value the convenience of incredibly fast charging, even if it means potentially shorter battery lifespan.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 in the Motorola Edge 50 struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, while capable, will likely require reduced graphics settings and may exhibit frame drops in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact. The OnePlus 12R’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers a significantly smoother gaming experience at higher settings.
❓ How does the 100W charging on the OnePlus 12R affect long-term battery health compared to the Edge 50's 68W?
While 100W charging is incredibly convenient, it can generate more heat, potentially accelerating battery degradation over time. The Motorola Edge 50’s 68W charging is gentler on the battery, and its advertised 1200 charge cycles suggest a focus on longevity. However, modern battery management systems mitigate much of this impact.
❓ Is the difference in active use battery score (9:56h vs 14:32h) noticeable in everyday use?
Absolutely. The OnePlus 12R’s significantly higher active use score translates to a tangible difference in how long you can go between charges with typical usage – browsing, social media, video streaming, and occasional gaming. The Edge 50 will likely require more frequent top-ups.