vivo S30 Pro mini vs OnePlus 12R: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance and Value

The vivo S30 Pro mini and OnePlus 12R represent compelling options in a crowded flagship market. The S30 Pro mini arrives with the cutting-edge Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ chipset, while the OnePlus 12R leverages the proven Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best experience for different user priorities.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and all-day battery life, the OnePlus 12R emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, coupled with a larger battery and efficient charging, provides a more consistent and reliable experience than the vivo S30 Pro mini, despite the latter's newer chipset.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo S30 Pro mini 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, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 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, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 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
Announced2025, May 292024, January 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, June 06Available. Released 2024, February 06
Body
BuildGlass front (Diamond Shield Glass), aluminum alloy frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions150.8 x 71.8 x 8 mm (5.94 x 2.83 x 0.31 in)163.3 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
Weight186 g (6.56 oz)207 g (7.30 oz)
Display
ProtectionDiamond Shield GlassCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1216 x 2640 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~461 ppi density)1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.31 inches, 97.6 cm2 (~90.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 4320Hz PWM, HDR, 1300 nits (HBM), 5000 nits (peak)LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUImmortalis-G720 MC12Adreno 740
OSAndroid 15, OriginOS 5Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesRing-LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.7, 70mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.95", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 106˚ (ultrawide)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, 1080p, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), AF16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm
Video4K, 1080p1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 55.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1C+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), GLONASSGPS, 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, dual-bandWi-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
Charging90W wired, PD Reverse wired Bypass charging100W wired, 100% in 26 min
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 6500 mAhLi-Ion 5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, Yellow, PinkIron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune
ModelsV2465ACPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611
PriceAbout 430 EUR€ 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.82 W/kg (body)

vivo S30 Pro mini

  • Latest Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ chipset
  • 90W wired charging with bypass charging
  • Potentially superior color accuracy (based on vivo's history)

  • Battery life is an unknown quantity
  • Chipset thermal management is unproven

OnePlus 12R

  • Excellent 14:32h active use battery life
  • 100W SuperVOOC charging (26 min full charge)
  • Proven Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance and efficiency

  • Older chipset generation compared to Dimensity 9300+
  • May not have the absolute peak CPU performance of the S30 Pro mini

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 12R boasts a display capable of reaching 1181 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the vivo S30 Pro mini’s display specifications are currently unavailable, the OnePlus 12R’s high brightness is a significant advantage for outdoor use. Both devices likely utilize AMOLED panels, but the OnePlus 12R’s measured brightness provides a concrete advantage. We anticipate the S30 Pro mini will focus on color accuracy, given vivo’s history, but without specific data, the OnePlus 12R currently leads in raw visibility.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the vivo S30 Pro mini, a direct comparison is challenging. However, both devices likely prioritize image quality. The OnePlus 12R’s camera system is expected to focus on delivering balanced and natural-looking images. The Dimensity 9300+'s ISP capabilities are unknown, but vivo typically emphasizes computational photography. The absence of detailed sensor information for the S30 Pro mini makes it difficult to assess its low-light performance or dynamic range capabilities. We expect both phones to offer capable camera systems, but the OnePlus 12R’s established reputation and likely larger main sensor give it a slight advantage.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the vivo S30 Pro mini features the Mediatek Dimensity 9300+, utilizing a unique core configuration with one Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.4 GHz, three more Cortex-X4 cores at 2.85 GHz, and four Cortex-A720 efficiency cores. The OnePlus 12R, conversely, employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, with a 3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 prime core, two Cortex-A715 cores, two Cortex-A710 cores, and three Cortex-A510 cores. While the Dimensity 9300+ boasts newer architecture, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is renowned for its thermal efficiency and optimized software support. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s architecture, while a generation older, is more mature and benefits from extensive optimization, potentially leading to more consistent performance under sustained loads. Both are built on a 4nm process, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s proven track record gives it an edge in real-world gaming and multitasking.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 12R shines in battery performance, achieving an active use score of 14 hours and 32 minutes. This suggests a larger battery capacity and efficient power management. The vivo S30 Pro mini’s battery capacity is currently unknown, but its 90W charging, while fast, is slightly slower than the OnePlus 12R’s 100W charging, which can fully charge the device in just 26 minutes. The OnePlus 12R’s combination of long battery life and rapid charging provides a more convenient user experience, minimizing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo S30 Pro mini if you prioritize having the absolute latest chipset technology and are willing to potentially manage battery life more carefully. It's ideal for power users who frequently benchmark and push their devices to the limit. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you value a balanced experience with excellent gaming performance, long-lasting battery, and incredibly fast 100W charging – a perfect fit for everyday users and mobile gamers.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 9300+ in the vivo S30 Pro mini overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 9300+'s thermal performance is currently unknown. While the 4nm process helps, its unique core configuration could lead to higher heat output under sustained load. The OnePlus 12R’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is known for its excellent thermal management, making it a safer bet for prolonged gaming.
❓ How does the 100W charging on the OnePlus 12R compare to the 90W charging on the vivo S30 Pro mini in terms of real-world speed?
The OnePlus 12R’s 100W charging can fully charge the device in 26 minutes. While the S30 Pro mini’s 90W charging is still fast, it will likely take slightly longer to reach 100%. The difference, while not massive, adds up over time and contributes to the OnePlus 12R’s more convenient charging experience.
❓ Does the OnePlus 12R support high refresh rate gaming, and what frame rates can be expected in popular titles like PUBG Mobile?
The OnePlus 12R supports high refresh rate gaming, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is capable of delivering smooth frame rates in demanding titles like PUBG Mobile. Expect to consistently achieve 60fps at high graphics settings, and potentially reach 90fps with optimized settings, depending on the game's specific support.