iQOO 12 vs OnePlus 12R: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance and Battery Life

The iQOO 12 and OnePlus 12R represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive flagship-killer segment. The iQOO 12 arrives with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, promising top-tier performance, while the OnePlus 12R leverages the proven Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and prioritizes all-day battery life. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw processing power and the latest technology, the iQOO 12 is the clear winner. However, the OnePlus 12R delivers a more balanced experience with superior battery endurance and remarkably fast 100W charging, making it ideal for power users who don't want to compromise on longevity.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO 12 OnePlus 12R
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - India1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, November 072024, January 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, November 14Available. Released 2024, February 06
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions163.2 x 75.9 x 8.1 mm or 8.4 mm163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198.5 g or 203.7 g (7.02 oz)207 g (7.30 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1400 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 740
OSAndroid 14, upgradable to Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, Funtouch 15 (International), OriginOS 4 (China)Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/2.6, 70mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 15mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), AF50 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@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless (market/region dependent)5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, 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
Charging120W wired100W wired, 100% in 26 min
Type5000 mAhLi-Ion 5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Red, White (BMW M branding)Iron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune
ModelsV2307ACPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611
PriceAbout 640 EUR€ 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.82 W/kg (body)

vivo iQOO 12

  • Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor for top-tier performance
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
  • Potentially more advanced camera system

  • Shorter battery life compared to the OnePlus 12R
  • May run hotter under sustained load

OnePlus 12R

  • Excellent battery life for all-day use
  • Fast 100W charging (full charge in 26 minutes)
  • Proven Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance

  • Less powerful processor than the iQOO 12
  • Dimmer display compared to the iQOO 12

Display Comparison

The iQOO 12 boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1425 nits, compared to the OnePlus 12R’s 1181 nits. This translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the iQOO 12’s higher peak brightness provides a more vibrant and punchy visual experience. Details regarding refresh rate and panel technology (LTPO) are missing, but both are expected to offer smooth scrolling and efficient power consumption. The difference in brightness will be most noticeable when viewing HDR content.

Camera Comparison

Context data lacks specific camera details for both devices. However, given the iQOO brand’s focus on photography, it’s reasonable to expect a more sophisticated camera system on the iQOO 12, potentially with a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. The OnePlus 12R, while likely capable, will probably prioritize a balanced camera experience rather than pushing the boundaries of mobile photography. Without sensor size or aperture information, a definitive comparison is impossible, but the iQOO 12 is likely to offer more versatility and image quality.

Performance

The iQOO 12’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset represents a significant leap over the OnePlus 12R’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The 8 Gen 3 features a new CPU architecture with the Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.3 GHz, offering improved single-core performance. The 12R’s Cortex-X3 core, while still powerful, is clocked lower at 3.2 GHz. The iQOO 12’s CPU configuration (1+3+2+2) also suggests a more balanced approach to performance and efficiency. The 4nm process node used by both chips contributes to thermal efficiency, but the newer architecture of the 8 Gen 3 should result in better sustained performance under heavy load. The iQOO 12 will excel in graphically intensive games and demanding applications.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 12R demonstrates a clear advantage in battery life, achieving an active use score of 14:32h, compared to the iQOO 12’s 13:30h. This suggests more efficient power management or a larger battery capacity (data not provided). The 12R also boasts 100W wired charging, reaching 100% charge in just 26 minutes, while the iQOO 12’s 120W charging is faster on paper, the real-world difference may be minimal. The OnePlus 12R’s combination of long battery life and fast charging makes it a more convenient option for users who are frequently on the go.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO 12 if you demand the absolute best performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and are willing to trade some battery life for it. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you prioritize all-day battery life, fast charging, and a consistently smooth experience without necessarily needing the bleeding edge of processing power. It's the pragmatic choice for most users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the iQOO 12 get significantly hotter than the 8 Gen 2 in the OnePlus 12R during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is more powerful, it also generates more heat. The iQOO 12 will likely require more aggressive thermal throttling during prolonged gaming compared to the OnePlus 12R, potentially leading to slightly reduced sustained performance. However, iQOO may have implemented advanced cooling solutions to mitigate this.
❓ How does the 100W charging on the OnePlus 12R compare to the 120W charging on the iQOO 12 in real-world usage?
Although the iQOO 12 supports faster charging on paper, the difference in charging speed may be negligible in practice. The OnePlus 12R’s 100W charging already achieves a full charge in 26 minutes, and the iQOO 12’s 120W may only shave off a few minutes. The overall charging experience will likely be similar.
❓ Will the iQOO 12's CPU performance difference be noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
The difference in CPU performance between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 8 Gen 2 will be minimal for everyday tasks. Both chips are more than capable of handling browsing, social media, and other common smartphone activities. The iQOO 12’s advantage will be most apparent in demanding applications like video editing and graphically intensive games.