OnePlus 12r review: Aspiring flagship with more than essentials at core

by Hansraj Agrawal | Feb 6, 2024 | Technology

The OnePlus 12r smartphone is positioned as an economical offering in the company’s 2024 flagship OnePlus 12 series. At its core, the device harnesses the power of last year’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 series processor while drawing inspiration from both its elder sibling and predecessor. Does this affordable flagship live up to the company’s promise of delivering a premium user experience? Let us find out:

Design

The OnePlus 12r resembles its elder sibling in terms of design. At the back, the smartphone has a glossy glass panel with the OnePlus logo embossed on the lower half. The back panel has a curvature on the sides, flanked by a textured metallic frame. For design symmetry, the frame extends onto the backside to form a ring-shaped camera module that has a circumference resembling the rotating dial of a luxury watch. The circular camera module houses a triple-camera setup while featuring a shiny metal finish beneath the glass cover.

On the front, the OnePlus 12r sports a two-sided curved display that contributes to a bezel-less appearance despite relatively thicker bezels on the top and bottom ends.

The frame has the power and volume rocker buttons on the right, and the alert slider has now been shifted to the left side. The top and the bottom sides of the frame have a flat design, like the elder sibling. The bottom side of the frame has a removable SIM tray, primary microphone, USB-C port and speaker grills. On the top side, the frame houses a secondary microphone, IR blaster, and a relatively smaller pill-shaped speaker opening.

At 207g, the smartphone leans towards the heavier side, yet its well-balanced weight distribution ensures that the smartphone feels comfortable in hand. The rounded edges and a modest camera bump contribute to the overall ergonomics. The slender camera module also ensures that the smartphone does not wobble when placed on a flat surface.

The OnePlus 12r looks and feels premium. However, the glossy back of the Cool Blue colour (review unit) is prone to fingerprint marks. The toothed edges of the camera module also often collect dust, necessitating regular cleaning.

Display and Audio

With a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED ProXDR display, the OnePlus 12r offers crisp visuals with vibrant colours for an exceptional viewing experience. However, the screen resolution is set to 2376 x 1080 in standard mode and requires manual adjustment to high mode (2780 x 1264) under the screen resolution menu in display settings.

Within the display and brightness settings, OnePlus offers a range of options to enhance visuals. The screen colour mode introduces two pro modes—Cinematic, utilising Display P3 for a broader colour gamut, and Brilliant, which amplifies brightness and colour vibrancy. The OnePlus 12r excels in brightness across varied lighting conditions, even without activating the Brilliant mode.

For content consumption, the smartphone supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ viewing on streaming platforms, complemented by video enhancement features. The “Image Sharpener” enhances video clarity, and “Video Color Boost” converts SDR content to HDR. These features work on select apps but cover commonly used ones such as YouTube and Disney+ Hotstar.

In the audio domain, the OnePlus 12r impresses with a stereo speaker system delivering loud and clear audio. Maintaining impressive volume levels without compromising clarity, the device supports Dolby Atmos both at the speaker side and wireless audio accessories.

Camera

The OnePlus 12r has a triple-camera rear setup, comprising a 50-megapixel (Sony IMX890) primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP macro camera. Imaging experience from the rear camera system, however, is a mixed bag. The primary sensor excels, delivering sharp images with balanced colours and fine contrast even in low-light conditions. Portraits showcase the camera’s prowess in adjusting depth, ensuring subjects remain free from blurry outlines. However, the ultra-wide camera falls short, particularly in low-light scenarios, where colours appear washed out. Even under daylight, ultra-wide-angle pictures lack sharpness. Likewise, macro shots lack details, especially under artificial lighting, where issues with white balance impact the overall quality of the images.

For videography, the OnePlus 12r supports 4K video recording at 60fps across 1x, 2x, and 5x zoom levels. However, at 0.6x zoom (ultra-wide), video quality is limited to 1080p at 30fps. The smartphone features an “Ultra Steady” mode that works well and enhances stability during video recording. This feature is exclusive to the primary lens, and only records at the standard 1080p and 60fps. Recorded videos are sharp and the smartphone manages to keep the frame rates consistent. However, the colours appear to be a bit oversaturated, especially in environments with artificial lighting.

Performance

The OnePlus 12r is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. Despite belonging to the previous generation, this powerful processor seamlessly handles everyday tasks, ensuring swift app launches and effortless multitasking on the smartphone. Additionally, the OnePlus 12r excels at maintaining optimal thermals even during demanding scenarios, such as recording high-resolution videos while simultaneously running multiple apps in the background.

However, the phone does start to get slightly warm when playing graphics-intensive games such as Genshin Impact on high settings for prolonged duration. With apps in the background, there are noticeable frame drops within the game which can be eliminated simply by clearing the background or switching to medium-high graphic settings.

Software and Battery

With OxygenOS 14, the OnePlus 12r boots up with a relatively cleaner UI. There are not many preloaded third-party apps or unnecessary notifications piling up on the smartphone. The UI is mostly streamlined and it does not get uncomfortable to navigate around the smartphone. It is worth noting that while the UI is generally smooth, there are occasional glitches such as prolonged vibration with some notifications. Nevertheless, most of these issues can be addressed through software updates.

One of the standout features of the OnePlus 12r is its impressive on-battery time. Powered by a 5,500 mAh battery, the smartphone easily sustains a day and a half of normal usage, offering users extended periods between charges. When the need for refuelling arises, the included 100W SUPEVOOC charger in the box enables the smartphone to go from zero to 100 per cent in just under 40 minutes.

Verdict

With exceptional display, smooth performance, and good on-battery time, the OnePlus 12r feels no less than a flagship when watching content, multitasking or indulging in casual gaming. However, on the camera front, the smartphone encounters a bit of a setback.

Priced at Rs 39,999 onwards, the OnePlus 12r proves to be a good pick for individuals who primarily use smartphones for performance-oriented tasks. The device caters to users who prioritise a top-notch display for content consumption and a reliable battery that eliminates concerns about running out of power during daily activities.

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Samsung launches enterprise-focused Galaxy XCover7 smartphone: Details here

by Hansraj Agrawal | Feb 6, 2024 | Technology

South Korean electronics maker Samsung on February 6 launched in India the Galaxy XCover7, an enterprise-focused durable smartphone. Samsung said the smartphone adheres to military-grade durability standards and is rated IP68 for water and dust resistance. It added that the Galaxy XCover7 has been tested to withstand severe weather conditions and drops of up to 1.5 metres. On the software front, the smartphone comes with a Samsung Knox Vault for protecting sensitive data.

The Samsung Galaxy XCover7 is offered in 6GB RAM and 128GB on-board storage configurations. The smartphone sports a 50-megapixel camera on the rear optimised for single and multiple barcode/QR code scanning. The smartphone comes with an additional programmable key for carrying out customised tasks.

Samsung Galaxy XCover7: Price and availability

Standard Edition: Rs 27,208

Enterprise Edition: Rs 27,530

The Galaxy XCover7 smartphone is available on Samsung website and its EPP portal for corporate and institutional customers. For purchasing in bulk, customers can enquire on Samsung India’s business portal.

Samsung Galaxy XCover7: Specifications

Display: 6.6-inch fullHD+ TFT display, 20:9 aspect ratio, 60Hz refresh rate

Processor: 6nm Octa-Core

RAM: 6GB

Storage: 128GB

Rear camera: 50MP (F1.8)

Front camera: 5MP (F2.0)

OS: Android 14

Battery: 4,050mAh, removable

Ports: USB Type-C 2.0, POGO 8 Pin (charging only), 3.5mm headphone jack

Connectivity: 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth v5.3, NFC

Sensors: Accelerometer, Geomagnetic, Gyro, Light, Proximity

Durability: IP68, MIL-STD-810H standard

Dimensions: 169.0 x 80.1 x 10.2mm

Weight: 240g

First Published: Feb 06 2024 | 1:42 PM IST

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China's Huawei prioritises AI chips, slows down Mate 60 phone production

by Hansraj Agrawal | Feb 6, 2024 | Technology

Soaring appetite for Huawei’s artificial intelligence (AI) chips coupled with manufacturing constraints has forced the Chinese tech giant to prioritise AI and slow production for its premium Mate 60 phones, people familiar with the matter said.

Huawei uses one facility producing both its Ascend AI chips and the Kirin chips that power its rival to Apple’s iPhone, three people said, two of whom said output has been hamstrung by a low yield rate – a proxy for production quality.

But a global race for AI functionality amid a Sino-U.S.

technological standoff has left Huawei second-placing its handsets just as the firm tops Chinese smartphone sales for the first time in more than three years.

Huawei declined to comment.

The situation offers a rare glimpse of Huawei’s challenges as it works to rebuild since U.S. sanctions in 2019 cut access to advanced chipmaking tools on national security grounds and crippled its smartphone unit. Huawei denies it is a security risk.

It also illustrates the impact of U.S. restrictions on sales of AI processing chips to China, a market that was 90% controlled by U.S. giant Nvidia before the latest curbs in October pushed Chinese customers to domestic alternatives.

The government has launched an initiative to improve China’s position in computing power. That has spurred local authorities to announce data centre projects while bolstering public and private demand for Huawei’s Ascend series in particular, according to two of the people and public tenders.

The Ascend 910B is widely considered the most competitive non-Nvidia AI chip available in China.

Huawei has prioritised production of Ascend chips over Kirin chips and so has slowed manufacturing for Mate 60 smartphones, the people said, without disclosing when the arrangement began.

The firm is also working to improve its yield rate – the number of usable chips per wafer – so is hoping this production arrangement is short term, the people said, declining to be identified as they were not authorised to speak with media.

Huawei has been low-key on its chip manufacturing capability and ambition, and there is little public information on its progress or how it has managed to produce advanced chips.

Its advancements became apparent after it surprised market watchers with an unflagged August launch of the Mate 60 series during U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo’s visit to China.

Online tear-downs found the phones to possess a Chinese-made chip capable of fifth-generation (5G) telecommunication speeds.

Analysts said Huawei may have been able to achieve this together with know-how from China’s largest contract chipmaker, SMIC , by tweaking deep ultraviolet lithography machines.

Such a process is more laborious, expensive and likely less productive than using the more advanced extreme ultraviolet machines that the United States has prevented third countries from selling to China, analysts said.

Mate 60 handsets have been consistently out of stock, with would-be buyers complaining online of month-long waiting times for pre-orders to be fulfilled.

Even so, the series was largely responsible for Huawei regaining its status as China’s top smartphone seller in the first two weeks of 2024, said data provider Counterpoint – the first time since the end of 2020.

Other Huawei products affected by the production bottleneck include Ascend-equipped computing unit MDC 810, which powers advanced driver assistance systems, two other sources said.

Chinese automakers had to delay delivery of flagship models due to production issues with the MDC 810, Reuters reported last week.

First Published: Feb 06 2024 | 12:22 PM IST

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Google mulls a dedicated YouTube app for Apple Vision Pro headset: Report

by Hansraj Agrawal | Feb 6, 2024 | Technology

Google is planning to launch a dedicated YouTube app for the Apple Vision Pro headset, according to a report by The Verge. The company’s spokesperson in a statement to the media outlet said that the Vision Pro app for Google’s video streaming platform is on their roadmap.

“We’re excited to see Vision Pro launch and we’re supporting it by ensuring YouTube users have a great experience in Safari. We do not have any specific plans to share at this time, but can confirm that a Vision Pro app is on our roadmap,” said YouTube spokesperson, Jessica Gibby.

Currently, Vision Pro users can access YouTube only through Safari web browser as Google followed Spotify and Netflix in declining to allow its iPad apps to run on the headset.

Earlier, during an interview with The Verge, Apple spokesperson Jackie Roy stated that YouTube’s 360 and 3D videos are not good enough for the Vision Pro. “Much of this content was created for devices that do not deliver a high-quality spatial experience. In some cases, this content could also cause motion discomfort. We’ve focused our efforts on delivering the best spatial media experience possible including spatial photos and videos, Apple Immersive Video, and 3D movies available on Apple TV,” Roy added. YouTube did not respond when asked about VR and 360 video support on the Vision Pro app.

According to the report, Safari web browser does not have WebXR support, thus, not allowing VR videos from other platforms on the Vision Pro. Commenting on this, Roy said that the company is working on it but it might take some time. “WebXR is still a relatively new open standard and as such it doesn’t take full advantage of the power, performance and interaction capabilities of Apple Vision Pro and visionOS,” she added.

Google has not yet provided the exact launch roadmap for a dedicated YouTube app for the Vision Pro headset and it is yet to be seen if it will just be a tweaked version of the iPad app or Google decides to add much more to it.

First Published: Feb 06 2024 | 12:17 PM IST

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HP unveils 2024 Spectre x360 laptops in India: Know price, details and more

by Hansraj Agrawal | Feb 6, 2024 | Technology

American PC maker HP on February 6 unveiled the Spectre x360 14-inch and 16-inch laptops in India. Powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 processors, the HP Spectre x360 laptops have built in AI-features for enhancing performance, and security. Additionally, the laptops feature Nvidia RTX 4050 discrete GPU for enhanced graphics.

The 14-inch model is offered in two colours – Nightfall Black and Slate Blue – while the 16-inch HP model is offered only in the Nightfall Black colour.

“Designed to meet the diverse needs of young consumers, the new Spectre laptops feature smart AI enhancements, offering an elevated experience in performance, collaboration, and security. Notably, they represent HP’s inaugural consumer portfolio integrating a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for efficient AI workload management,” said HP in a press note.

HP Spectre x360: Pricing and availability

HP Spectre x360: Details

The HP Spectre x360 laptops come in two screen sizes, 14-inch and 16-inch. The OLED displays on the laptops boasts up to 2.8K resolution in 16:10 aspect ratio and variable refresh rate that adjusts from 48 Hz to 120 Hz based on the type of content. Additionally, HP said, the display is IMAX Enhanced certified for better quality while watching movies. HP said that the Spectre x360 laptops are the first device to feature audio tuning by Poly.

The laptops sport a 9MP camera for video conferencing. These feature a dedicated AI chip for built in security features such as walk away lock, wake on approach, and privacy alerts to warn the users when someone else walks into the frame.

With a dedicated Nvidia RTX 4050 laptop GPU, the HP Spectre x360 supports Nvidia Studio and Windows Studio effects which offers various AI features like automatic framing, background blur, and the ability to maintain eye contact during video calls.

First Published: Feb 06 2024 | 12:12 PM IST

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OnePlus 12 review: Competitive pricing makes it a potential flagship killer

by Hansraj Agrawal | Feb 6, 2024 | Technology

OnePlus commenced 2024 by introducing the OnePlus 12 series, comprising two flagship smartphones – the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12r. The premier model, OnePlus 12, boasts significant upgrades including a novel design language, a vibrant and responsive display, a new camera system crafted in collaboration with Hasselblad, and the Android 14-based OxygenOS 14 user interface. Do these enhancements suffice for a 2024 flagship smartphone, particularly in a landscape increasingly oriented towards AI? Let us explore.

Design

The OnePlus 12 refines the design seen in its predecessor, the OnePlus 11. Featuring a premium glass-metal construction with tapered sides for a secure grip, its new design language is prominent, particularly in the Flowy Emerald colour variant. Inspired by natural elements, this variant showcases a green back cover with a marble-like finish and a sandstone-like texture, providing a confident and fingerprint-resistant in-hand feel. Additionally, the back cover is fortified with Gorilla Glass 5 for protection against scratches and smudges.

Also Read: OnePlus 12r, Buds 3 go on open sale with introductory offers: Price, specs

Beyond aesthetics, the phone offers comfortable ergonomics for everyday use. However, noteworthy is the shift of the alert slider from the right side to the left, requiring a period of adjustment.

Display and Audio

The OnePlus 12 features a two-sided curved 6.82-inch 2K resolution 10-bit AMOLED display. Employing LTPO (1Hz-120Hz) technology ensures a smooth experience without compromising power efficiency. The display’s enhanced brightness, reaching up to 4,500 nits, facilitates readability in outdoor settings. As a ProXDR display, it maintains contrast across brightness levels, especially evident when viewing HDR content. Supporting Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HDR 10 Vivid, the display impresses with vibrant colours, contrast, and dynamic range across various content platforms.

The gaming-focused HyperRendering engine, powered by the Pixelworks X7 co-processor, enhances in-game visuals through frame interpolation and resolution upscaling. This feature, found within the in-game menu named “Hyperboost,” improves the visual quality of games, ensuring compatibility with the display’s native specifications.

Introducing “Aqua Touch,” the OnePlus 12 allows operation of the display with wet fingers without registering accidental touches. While the phone holds an IP65 certification for water splash resistance, it is not entirely waterproof.

Complementing the visual experience is the Dolby Atmos-powered audio. The speakers deliver loud and full sound, particularly strong in mid frequencies, catering well to voice-centric content like podcasts. Though lacking a 3.5mm audio jack, the OnePlus 12 supports Hi-Res audio over wireless (Bluetooth) and spatial audio, even with accessories not inherently supporting object-based audio virtualization. The spatial audio quality, however, varies across devices.

Imaging

Equipped with a triple-camera setup on the back and a 32MP front sensor, the OnePlus 12 marks the fourth-generation of OnePlus cameras co-created with Hasselblad. This partnership is more pronounced in this iteration, influencing modes, effects, and colour science.

Notably, the Hasselblad collaboration brings improvements to portrait photography, introducing bokeh effects inspired by Hasselblad XCD lenses and three additional Hasselblad filters – Serenity, Radiance, and Emerald.

Renaming the Hasselblad colour science-backed Pro mode to “Master mode,” the OnePlus 12 offers a familiar layout with added options for adjusting tint, sharpness, saturation, and more. The camera system performs well across lighting conditions, ensuring consistency in colours, framing, and details. However, the front camera falls slightly short compared to the overall imaging setup.

Video capabilities include up to 8K resolution at 24fps and 4K resolution at 60fps. While 8K is limited to the main sensor, all three back sensors support 4K at 60fps. Video recording from the front reaches up to 4K at 30fps. Stabilisation is the weak point, with “Ultra Steady” mode limited to 1080p at 60fps and not as effective as expected from optical image stabilisation. On a positive note, the OnePlus 12 supports HDR video recording in Dolby Vision at 4K 30fps.

Performance

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, paired with up to 16GB RAM (LPDDR5x) and up to 512GB (UFS 4.0) onboard storage, the OnePlus 12 delivers flagship-grade performance without throttling even during extended usage. Gaming showcases consistent performance and power efficiency, with no heating issues affecting the overall experience. The Android 14-based OxygenOS 14 enhances the user experience with a classic OnePlus interface, free from clutter, bloatware, and ads. Although lacking AI features, a recent firmware update in the home country hints at potential integration in the future.

Battery and Charging

The OnePlus 12 houses a dual-cell 5,400mAh combined capacity battery, providing a full day of usage with moderate settings. With a 100W fast-wired-charger included, the phone supports 80W charging, taking 50 minutes to reach 100 per cent from 10 per cent. Additionally, it supports 50W wireless charging through its proprietary charger.

Verdict

The OnePlus 12 emerges as more than a seasonal upgrade, emphasising essential smartphone features such as premium design, a captivating display, immersive audio, versatile imaging, smooth performance, and a clutter-free user experience. Despite the absence of AI features, the OnePlus 12 stands as a cost effective professional-grade smartphone at Rs 69,999 (top-end variant: review unit) poised to rival other flagship models.