vivo S30 vs OnePlus 12R: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power

The vivo S30 and OnePlus 12R represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The S30 focuses on a sleek design and rapid charging with the newer Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, while the 12R leverages the proven power of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, aiming for flagship-level performance at a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus 12R emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers significantly superior performance, crucial for demanding tasks and gaming, and its impressive 14:32h active use battery life offsets the slightly slower 100W charging compared to the vivo S30’s 90W.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo S30 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, 38, 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 / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, May 292024, January 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, May 29Available. Released 2024, February 06
Body
BuildGlass front (Diamond Shield Glass), plastic frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions160.2 x 74.4 x 7.5 mm (6.31 x 2.93 x 0.30 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
Weight192 g (6.77 oz)207 g (7.30 oz)
Display
ProtectionDiamond Shield GlassCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 3840Hz 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 (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-720 & 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-720 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-520)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7750-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 722Adreno 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, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LHDC 55.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS (B1I+B1c)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, 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
ModelsV2464ACPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611
PriceAbout 330 EUR€ 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.82 W/kg (body)

vivo S30

  • 90W wired charging for rapid power-ups
  • Potentially more stylish design (based on vivo’s brand identity)
  • Bypass charging allows use while charging

  • Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 offers significantly lower performance than the 8 Gen 2
  • Battery life likely inferior to the OnePlus 12R
  • Camera system likely less advanced

OnePlus 12R

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers flagship-level performance
  • Excellent battery life (14:32h active use)
  • 100W fast charging (full charge in 26 minutes)
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility

  • May be slightly bulkier than the vivo S30
  • OnePlus’s OxygenOS can be polarizing for some users

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 12R boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1181 nits, providing superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the vivo S30 (brightness data unavailable). While both utilize 4nm chipsets, the display’s brightness impacts outdoor usability. We expect the OnePlus 12R to have a higher contrast ratio and potentially better color accuracy, though specific panel technology details for the S30 are missing. The 12R’s larger screen size (assumed, based on typical OnePlus designs) will also benefit media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the vivo S30, a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price positioning, we anticipate the OnePlus 12R to have a more sophisticated camera system. The 12R likely features a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing capabilities. While the S30 may excel in specific scenarios, the 8 Gen 2’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) on the OnePlus 12R will likely deliver superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions. We'll assume the S30 will have a focus on selfie quality, a common vivo strength.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 12R’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (SM8550-AB) with its Cortex-X3 prime core at 3.2 GHz offers a substantial performance advantage over the vivo S30’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 (SM7750-AB). The 8 Gen 2’s architecture – 1x Cortex-X3, 2x Cortex-A715, 2x Cortex-A710, and 3x Cortex-A510 – is designed for sustained peak performance, while the S30’s 1x Cortex-720, 4x Cortex-720, and 3x Cortex-520 configuration prioritizes efficiency. This translates to smoother gaming, faster app loading times, and better multitasking on the OnePlus 12R. The 4nm process node is shared, but the 8 Gen 2’s more advanced architecture provides a clear edge.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 12R shines in battery life, achieving an impressive 14 hours and 32 minutes of active use. While the vivo S30’s battery capacity is unknown, its 90W wired charging is competitive. However, the 12R’s 100W charging completes a full charge in just 26 minutes, offering a quicker top-up. The 12R’s larger battery (assumed) combined with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s efficiency allows for extended usage, making it the better choice for power users. The S30’s bypass charging feature is a nice addition, allowing for charging while using the phone, but doesn’t offset the 12R’s overall battery performance.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo S30 if you prioritize a stylish design and extremely fast charging, and your primary use case revolves around everyday tasks and moderate social media consumption. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you demand top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, or content creation, and value long-lasting battery life alongside rapid charging capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 in the vivo S30 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile?
While the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 is a capable chip, it will likely struggle with consistently high frame rates in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile, especially at higher settings. You’ll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a playable experience. The OnePlus 12R’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is far better equipped for these titles.
❓ How does the 100W charging on the OnePlus 12R compare to other fast charging solutions, and is it safe for long-term battery health?
100W charging is among the fastest available, fully charging the OnePlus 12R in just 26 minutes. OnePlus employs multiple layers of safety protocols to mitigate potential risks to battery health, including temperature control and optimized charging algorithms. While all fast charging technologies can contribute to some battery degradation over time, the OnePlus 12R’s implementation is designed to minimize this effect.
❓ Is the lack of a microSD card slot on either phone a significant limitation?
For users who heavily rely on expandable storage, the absence of a microSD card slot on both the vivo S30 and OnePlus 12R is a drawback. Consider your storage needs carefully and opt for a model with sufficient internal storage (256GB or 512GB) to avoid running out of space.