OnePlus 12 vs. OnePlus 13: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 13 are two fantastic phones from OnePlus, a brand known for giving powerful devices at nice prices. Launched in December 2023, the OnePlus 12 impressed users with its fast performance, stunning display, and excellent cameras. OnePlus 13, released in October 2024 in China and January 2025 globally, brings exciting upgrades like a stronger processor, bigger battery, and refreshed design. Both phones cater to tech lovers who want flagship features without breaking the bank. But with the OnePlus 13 hitting the shelves, is it worth upgrading from the OnePlus 12? This article breaks it down in simple terms, comparing their specs, features, and more, so you can decide which one suits you best. Let’s dive into the details and see what’s new with these gadgets!

Key Specs 🔑

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
Processor	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3	Snapdragon 8 Elite
RAM	12GB / 16GB	12GB / 16GB / 24GB
Storage	256GB / 512GB / 1TB	256GB / 512GB / 1TB
Display	6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED	6.82-inch LTPO OLED
Battery	5400mAh	6000mAh
Main Camera	50MP + 64MP + 48MP	50MP + 50MP + 50MP
Front Camera	32MP	32MP
Operating System	OxygenOS 14 (Android 14)	OxygenOS 15 (Android 15)
Charging	100W wired, 50W wireless	100W wired, 50W wireless

Camera 📸

Both phones shine in photography, but the OnePlus 13 tweaks the setup for better results. The OnePlus 12 offers a versatile triple camera, while the OnePlus 13 upgrades sensors for sharper, more vibrant shots, especially in low light.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
Camera Setup	Triple (Rear), Single (Front)	Triple (Rear), Single (Front)
Main Camera	50MP Sony LYT-808	50MP Sony LYT-808
Primary Camera	50MP, f/1.6, OIS	50MP, f/1.6, OIS
Resolution	50MP + 64MP + 48MP	50MP + 50MP + 50MP
Autofocus	Yes	Yes
OIS	Yes	Yes
Flash	LED Flash	LED Flash
Image Resolution	8160 x 6144 Pixels	8160 x 6144 Pixels
ISO Control	Yes	Yes
Shooting Modes	Night, Portrait, Macro	Night, Portrait, Burst
HDR	Yes	Yes
Face Detection	Yes	Yes
Touch to Focus	Yes	Yes
Video Recording	8K @ 24fps	8K @ 30fps
Video Features	Dolby Vision, HDR	Dolby Vision, 4-mic setup
Front Camera	32MP, f/2.4	32MP, f/2.4
Front Autofocus	No	No
Front Video	4K @ 30fps	4K @ 30fps

Battery 🔋

Battery life is a big deal, and the OnePlus 13 takes the lead with a larger capacity. Both support super-fast charging, but the OnePlus 13’s bigger battery means longer usage between charges.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
Capacity	5400mAh	6000mAh
Battery Type	Li-Polymer	Li-Polymer
Removable	No	No
Charging Type	Wired & Wireless	Wired & Wireless
Quick Charging	100W SuperVOOC	100W SuperVOOC
Charging Time	~30 mins (full charge)	~36 mins (full charge)
USB Type-C	Yes	Yes

Design and Dimensions 🎨

The OnePlus 13 switches to a flatter, lighter design compared to the curvy OnePlus 12. Both look premium, but the newer model adds better water resistance and a fresh style.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
Height	164.3 mm	162.9 mm
Width	75.8 mm	75.7 mm
Thickness	9.2 mm	8.5 mm (8.9 mm Midnight Ocean)
Weight	220g	210g (213g Arctic Dawn/Black)
Build Material	Glass back, Aluminum frame	Glass/Leather back, Aluminum frame
Colours	Flowy Emerald, Silky Black	Arctic Dawn, Black Eclipse, Blue
Waterproof	Yes	Yes
Water Resistant	IP65	IP68/IP69
IP68	No	Yes
Ruggedness	Dust resistant	Dust & water resistant

Sensors 🕵️‍♂️

Both phones come with plenty of sensors for a smooth experience. The OnePlus 13 keeps the same reliable setup as the OnePlus 12, with no major changes here.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
Fingerprint Sensor	Yes	Yes
Sensor Position	Under display	Under display
Sensor Type	Optical	Optical
Other Sensors	Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity	Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity

Display 📺

The screens on both phones are gorgeous, but the OnePlus 13 adds slight improvements like better eye care features. Both offer vibrant colors and smooth scrolling for an awesome viewing experience.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
Display Type	LTPO AMOLED	LTPO OLED
Screen Size	6.82 inches	6.82 inches
Resolution	1440 x 3168 pixels	1440 x 3168 pixels
Peak Brightness	4500 nits	4500 nits
Refresh Rate	120Hz	120Hz
Aspect Ratio	19.8:9	19.8:9
Pixel Density	510 ppi	510 ppi
Screen Protection	Gorilla Glass Victus 2	Crystal Shield Ceramic
Bezel-less Display	Yes	Yes
Touch Screen	Yes, Capacitive	Yes, Capacitive
HDR 10 / HDR+ Support	Yes	Yes

Fingerprint and Facelock 🔓

Unlocking is fast and secure on both devices. The OnePlus 12 and 13 use the same under-display fingerprint tech and face unlock, keeping things simple and reliable.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
Fingerprint Sensor	Yes, Under-display	Yes, Under-display
Facelock	Yes	Yes

Launch 🗓

The OnePlus 12 hit the market first, while the OnePlus 13 is the shiny new option. Knowing their release dates helps you see how fresh each phone is.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
Announced	December 2023	October 2024 (China)
Released	January 2024 (Global)	January 2025 (Global)

Network & Connectivity 🌐

Both phones support fast 5G networks and modern connectivity options. The OnePlus 13 adds 5.5G support in some regions, making it slightly more future-proof.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
SIM Slot(s)	Dual SIM	Dual SIM
SIM Size	Nano + Nano	Nano + eSIM
Network Support	5G, 4G, 3G, 2G	5G, 5.5G, 4G, 3G, 2G
VoLTE	Yes	Yes
5G Bands (SIM 1)	Multiple bands	Multiple bands
5G Bands (SIM 2)	Multiple bands	Multiple bands
GPRS	Yes	Yes
EDGE	Yes	Yes
SAR Value	Within limits	Within limits
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 7	Wi-Fi 7
Wi-Fi Direct	Yes	Yes
Bluetooth	v5.3	v5.4
GPS	Dual-band GPS	Dual-band GPS
NFC	Yes	Yes
USB Connectivity	USB 3.2 Gen 1	USB 3.2 Gen 1
USB Charging	Yes	Yes

Sound 🔊

Audio is loud and clear on both phones, thanks to stereo speakers. Neither has a headphone jack, but they deliver great sound for music and calls.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
Stereo Speakers	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes
Audio Jack	No	No
Audio Features	Dolby Atmos	Dolby Atmos

Processor ⚙️

The OnePlus 13’s Snapdragon 8 Elite outshines the OnePlus 12’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It’s faster and more efficient, making the newer phone a powerhouse for gaming and multitasking.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
Chipset	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3	Snapdragon 8 Elite
CPU	Octa-core (3.3 GHz)	Octa-core (4.32 GHz)
Architecture	64-bit	64-bit
Fabrication	4nm	3nm
Graphics	Adreno 750	Adreno 830

Multimedia 🎵

Enjoy movies and music with rich sound and visuals on both phones. They skip the FM radio and audio jack but focus on wireless audio quality.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
FM Radio	No	No
Stereo Speakers	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes
Audio Jack	No	No
Audio Features	Dolby Atmos	Dolby Atmos

Software 💻

The OnePlus 13 runs the latest Android 15 with OxygenOS 15, adding cool AI features. The OnePlus 12 started with Android 14 but can update to match, though it gets fewer years of support.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
Operating System	OxygenOS 14 (Android 14)	OxygenOS 15 (Android 15)
Software Support	4 OS updates, 5 years security	4 OS updates, 6 years security

Performance 🚀

Performance is where the OnePlus 13 shines with its Elite chipset and extra RAM options. The OnePlus 12 is still speedy but can’t match the newer model’s raw power.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
Chipset	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3	Snapdragon 8 Elite
CPU	Octa-core (3.3 GHz)	Octa-core (4.32 GHz)
Operating System	OxygenOS 14 (Android 14)	OxygenOS 15 (Android 15)
Software Support	4 OS updates, 5 years security	4 OS updates, 6 years security
Architecture	64-bit	64-bit
Fabrication	4nm	3nm
Graphics	Adreno 750	Adreno 830
RAM	12GB / 16GB	12GB / 16GB / 24GB
RAM Type	LPDDR5X	LPDDR5X

Storage 💾

Storage options are generous on both phones, with no expandable memory. The OnePlus 13 matches the OnePlus 12 but pairs it with faster performance.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
Internal Memory	256GB / 512GB / 1TB	256GB / 512GB / 1TB
Expandable Memory	No	No
Available Storage	~230GB (256GB model)	~230GB (256GB model)
USB OTG	Yes	Yes

Ports 🔌

Both phones stick to a single USB-C port for charging and data. They’re modern and simple, with no extra ports like a headphone jack.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
USB Type-C	Yes, v3.2 Gen 1	Yes, v3.2 Gen 1
Audio Jack	No	No

Other Important Features 🌈

The OnePlus 13 adds handy extras like AI tools and better water resistance. The OnePlus 12 keeps it solid with its own set of cool features.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
AI Features	Basic AI	AI Unblur, Intelligent Search
Haptic Feedback	Yes	Yes
Alert Slider	Yes	No
Cooling System	Vapor chamber	Enhanced vapor chamber

Price (INR) 💰

The OnePlus 13 costs a bit more, reflecting its upgrades. The OnePlus 12 is now cheaper, making it a budget-friendly pick.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
Price (INR)	₹56,998 (12GB/256GB)	₹64,820 (12GB/256GB)
Top Variant	₹64,999 (16GB/512GB)	₹79,999 (24GB/1TB)

Availability on Stores 🏬

Both phones are widely available, but the OnePlus 13 is the hot new item. Check your favorite stores for deals on the OnePlus 12.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
Online Stores	Amazon, Flipkart, OnePlus.in	Amazon, Flipkart, OnePlus.in
Offline Stores	Authorized retailers	Authorized retailers
Launch Discount	Often available	₹64,999 (initial offer)

Pros and Cons ✅❌

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s great and what’s not. The OnePlus 13 offers more power, while the OnePlus 12 is a solid value option.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
Pros	Affordable, Great display, Fast	Powerful chipset, Bigger battery
Cons	Older chipset, Smaller battery	Higher price, No alert slider

Top Competitors 🏅

The OnePlus 13 and 12 face tough rivals. Here’s who they’re up against in the flagship race.

Feature	OnePlus 12	OnePlus 13
Competitors	Samsung Galaxy S24, iPhone 15	Samsung Galaxy S25, iPhone 16

So, is the upgrade worth it? If you love the latest tech and want top performance, the OnePlus 13 is a fantastic choice. But if your OnePlus 12 still works great, you might not need to switch just yet—it’s still a champ!