OnePlus has provided the first official glimpses of its upcoming 12R smartphone, showcasing a sleek and stylish design ahead of the device’s launch in India on January 23rd.
Teasers Reveal Premium Build and Colorways
The Chinese tech company teased the 12R through a series of posts on its Indian social media channels over the past week, revealing details about the phone’s design, colors and key features.
Two color variants were shown – Forest Emerald and Galactic Purple. Official renders showcase a glossy glass back with the OnePlus logo etched neatly in the center. The alert slider – a trademark OnePlus hardware feature – is also clearly visible on the 12R frame.
Official renders of the OnePlus 12R in Forest Emerald and Galactic Purple colorways. (Image: OnePlus)
These teasers confirm that OnePlus is sticking to its ethos of offering flagship-level build quality at more affordable price points with the 12R. The phone seems set to feature a premium glass-sandwich design similar to the recently launched OnePlus 11.
Powerful Performance, Reasonable Price
While OnePlus is keeping other specifications under wraps for now, leaks indicate that the 12R will be powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 Mobile Platform. This is the same chip found in 2023 flagships from Samsung, Xiaomi and Motorola.
The 12R promises to deliver cutting-edge performance for gaming, content creation and beyond. Support for super-fast 5G connectivity is also assured.
Storage and memory configurations are still unconfirmed, but the phone will likely offer up to 16GB RAM and 512GB internal storage. Pricing is also unclear, but if previous R-series launches are any indication, the 12R should undercut traditional flagships significantly.
| Launch | Device | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| April 2022 | OnePlus 10R | Rs 38,999 |
| July 2022 | OnePlus 10R Prime Edition | Rs 32,999 |
As the above table shows, past R-series phones from OnePlus have launched at sub-Rs 40,000 price points. Leaks suggest the 12R could start between Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 in India.
Enhanced Camera and Fast Charging
While concrete details remain sparse, rumor mills indicate a triple camera setup headlined by a 50MP primary lens with optical image stabilization (OIS). This should ensure clear, shake-free photos and videos even in low light.
The phone is also said to support blazing-fast 100W wired charging, allowing users to juice up its battery from flat to full in under 30 minutes. 80W wireless charging could also make the cut – a feature still rare among smartphones.
These enhancements to the cameras and charging system should give the OnePlus 12R an edge over rivals like the iQOO 11, Realme GT3 and the rumored Xiaomi 13 Lite.
Major Market Presence for R Series
Perhaps the most interesting part of the 12R story is OnePlus’ stated ambition to make the R lineup its premier series for Europe and North America markets in 2023.
OnePlus phones have historically focused on Asian regions like India and China. However, a company executive recently confirmed plans to launch the 12R in at least 35 European countries simultaneously on January 23rd. This is alongside the India introduction.
There is also chatter about an eventual US debut. Availability is still unconfirmed, but if OnePlus manages to bring the 12R stateside, it could make big waves and eat into sales of mid-range offerings from Apple, Google and Samsung.
This wider international push reflects growing confidence in the R portfolio’s prospects against direct rivals. It is also testament to recent brand-building efforts by OnePlus in the West.
Final Word
Judging purely by design, the OnePlus 12R shapes up as a visually stunning smartphone pairing flagship aesthetics with an expected mid-range price. Performance also seems assured, while camera and charging upgrades are welcome.
Wider questions remain about whether OnePlus can balance affordability with premium user experiences, especially for discerning buyers in Europe and America. However, if the company can stick the landing with this bold 12R launch, it could force the industry giants to take notice.
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