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OnePlus 12R Hands-On: Comes With a Small Price, but Big Compromises

We’ve been testing the more-affordable flagship phone from OnePlus and have some early thoughts.

The OnePlus 12 impressed us already with its powerful performance and epic battery life, but if its $800 starting price is too steep, you might want to look toward the $500 or £649 (roughly AU$1,250) OnePlus 12R. This cheaper alternative to the flagship shares some of its pricier sibling’s visual cues, along with a capacious battery. Yet it makes some key tradeoffs to achieve its more affordable starting price. 

It runs on a slightly older Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor — rather than the brand new 8 Gen 3 chip found in the flagship — so you can expect different performance here. It also has a pared-back camera setup, featuring a 50-megapixel main camera, 8-megapixel ultrawide and a 2-megapixel camera with a macro lens. I’ve used similar low-resolution macro lenses on previous OnePlus phones (including the 10T) and often find them essentially redundant.

Read more: Best Android Phone of 2024

Both these tradeoffs are absolutely to be expected for a more budget-focused phone, but what I find less excusable is the shorter support period. OnePlus offers only three years of software updates and four years of security updates on the OnePlus 12R — a year less of each than the company offers on the standard OnePlus 12. Longer support means your phone will remain usable for longer, which is better for you and better for the planet. 

Intentionally offering shorter support periods on its cheaper model is a disappointing stance for OnePlus to take here, as it suggests that sustainability is a premium offering only available to those willing to spend more on the top model. I already argued that OnePlus needs to offer longer support on the OnePlus 12, as both Samsung and Google offer at least seven years of support on their higher-end phones. And even Samsung’s more midrange $599 Galaxy S23 FE is getting four years of software updates and five years of security updates. At the very least I’d want to see OnePlus offer the same support periods on both phones, but ideally take that even further to remain competitive with its rivals. 

Image of a oneplus phone

On the upside, the phone packs a whopping 5,500-mAh battery, which is even bigger than the one found in the OnePlus 12. The 12 put in some of the best results I’ve ever seen on our battery drain tests, so it’ll be interesting to see how the 12R fares here. While it’s easy to think that a bigger battery will last longer, it’s important to keep in mind that the OnePlus 12’s cutting-edge 8 Gen 3 chip will offer different power efficiency over the older 8 Gen 2 in the 12R. 

The 12R sports a frosted glass back, which I find offers a sturdy, premium feel when you hold it. The 6.78-inch display looks very bright and vibrant in my testing so far, and it offers the same wet-touch tech seen on the 12 that allows the screen to still be responsive even when wet. 

Image of oneplus phone in green

Other key features include IP64 water resistance, an in-screen fingerprint scanner, 80-watt fast charging (in the US, 100W in the UK), and a vapor-chamber cooling system to help keep the processor running at full whack during demanding tasks like gaming. Unlike the OnePlus 12, the 12R doesn’t come with wireless charging. 

I’m still testing the OnePlus 12R so I’ll reserve my judgment on it for the full review. But so far it seems like a capable phone with a reasonable price. While it’s no flagship killer, it’s got a solid lineup of specs for those of you looking for a good all-around Android phone that doesn’t require emptying your bank. 

OnePlus 12 and 12R Have an Elegant but Familiar Design

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OnePlus 12 Vs 12R specs comparison chart

OnePlus 12 OnePlus 12R
Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate, brightness 6.82-inch AMOLED; 3,168×1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate 6.78-inch AMOLED; 2,780×1,264 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate
Pixel density 510 ppi 450 ppi
Dimensions (inches) 6.5 x 3 x 0.36 in. 6.43 x 2.96 x 0.35 in.
Dimensions (millimeters) 164.3 x 76 x 9.2 mm 163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm
Weight (grams, ounces) 220 g (7.8 oz.) 207 g ( 7.3 oz.)
Mobile software Android 14 Android 14
Camera 50-megapixel (wide), 48-megapixel (ultrawide), 64-megapixel (telephoto) 50-megapixel (wide), 8-megapixel (ultrawide), 2-megapixel (macro)
Front-facing camera 32-megapixel 16-megapixel
Video capture 8K 4K
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM/storage 12GB RAM + 256GB; 16GB RAM + 512GB 8GB + 128GB; 16GB + 256GB
Expandable storage None None
Battery/charging speeds 5,400 mAh (dual 2,700 mAh) 5,500 mAh
Fingerprint sensor Under display Under display
Connector USB-C USB-C
Headphone jack None None
Special features 4,500-nit peak brightness; 4 years of software and 5 years of security updates; 80W wired charging (100W wired charging outside US); 50W wireless charging with fan dock; IP65 water and dust resistance; Wi-Fi 7; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover glass; Gorilla Glass 5 back glass 100W wired charging outside US; IP64 water and dust resistance; Wi-Fi 7; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover glass
US price off-contract $800 (256GB) $500 (128GB)
UK price £849 (256GB) £649 (256GB)
Australia price Converts to AU$1,640 (256GB) Converts to AU$1,250 (256GB)

Technologies

We May Know What the Next Nintendo Switch 2 Pokemon Game Will Be Called

A massive leak reveals potential details about the 10th generation of Pokemon games coming to the Nintendo Switch 2, including big changes.

A new Pokemon game, Pokemon Legends: Z-A, will be released for the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on Thursday, but a recent leak might have revealed info about what’s coming next from the creators of the franchise. The names of the next games headed to the Switch 2, as well as some of the big changes to the Pokemon formula, may have been part of the leak. 

The leak showed up on X Monday from the account Centro Leaks, as first spotted by Insider Gaming. Data about the upcoming games reportedly stems from a hack of the servers of the franchise developer Game Freak that happened in August 2024, referred to online as the Teraleak, that included the source code for the upcoming Pokemon Legenda: Z-A

Among the information shared by the account was the possible name for what would be the 10th generation of Pokemon games that would come to the Switch 2 next year: Pokemon Wind and Pokemon Wave. 

The Pokemon Company didn’t immediately respond to a request for confirmation about this leak. 

According to the leak, Pokemon Wind/Wave is inspired by the Southeast Asia region and will feature a jungle-themed environment. It could also feature a new mechanic referred to as a Seed Pokemon, which is reportedly a special Pokemon that is heavily involved in the story and must be raised by the player. As it evolves, it will have a unique look that is procedurally generated, and once it’s fully evolved, it will allow the player to gain access to an island where they can find the main legendary Pokemon of the game. 

The main theme of Pokemon Wind/Wave is the concept of infinity, according to the leak. This would match with the reported focus of procedurally generated content, not only with the special Seed Pokemon, but also with the islands of the game being procedurally generated, so each game is unique and could continue to grow with no end. 

Also included in the leak were other details, including Pokemon on the overworld being interactable, weather affecting gameplay in some way, 18 new challenges for players instead of traditional gyms, and a few screenshots of the game in development that are still available to see at the PokeLeaks subreddit. There was also info that the 11th-generation Pokemon game could be released in 2030. 

It is unlikely that Nintendo, The Pokemon Company or Game Freak will confirm the details of the leak. Expect to see the official announcement early next year, with the fall being the most likely release window for Pokemon Wind/Wave. 

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Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, Oct. 15

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Oct. 15.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.


Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It includes both the first and last name of one of my favorite chefs of all time — maybe yours, too. Read on for the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Chromebooks, but not MacBooks
Answer: PCS

4A clue: «Yippee!»
Answer: WAHOO

6A clue: Reveal, as juicy gossip
Answer: SPILL

7A clue: With 2-Down, chef who helped popularize chicken cordon bleu in the U.S.
Answer: JULIA

8A clue: Toss in
Answer: ADD

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Toss in
Answer: PAPUA

2D clue: See 7-Across
Answer: CHILD

3D clue: State of matter for most elements at room temperature
Answer: SOLID

4D clue: Business-focused newspaper, for short
Answer: WSJ

5D clue: Hello, in Portuguese
Answer: OLA

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Technologies

Want to Watch a Podcast? Netflix and Spotify Partner to Bring Video Podcasts to Streaming

Starting in early 2026, Netflix subscribers in the US will be able to watch select Spotify Studios and Ringer podcasts directly on the streaming platform.

Netflix and Spotify are teaming up to blur the line between streaming and podcasting. The two companies announced a new partnership that will bring a curated slate of Spotify’s top video podcasts, including shows from Spotify Studios and The Ringer, to Netflix starting in early 2026. The goal is to make popular podcasts as watchable as TV, expanding both services’ reach into sports, culture, lifestyle and true crime.


Don’t miss any of our unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add CNET as a preferred Google source.


The deal marks Spotify’s most significant distribution push beyond its own platform, and for Netflix, it’s a new way to keep audiences engaged with talk-driven, low-cost programming. Early titles include The Bill Simmons Podcast, The Rewatchables, Dissect, Conspiracy Theories and Serial Killers, among others. You can find the complete list here.

More shows and genres are expected to be added over time.

Netflix says the partnership complements its library of documentaries and talk shows, offering «fresh voices and new perspectives.» Spotify, meanwhile, described it as «a new chapter for podcasting,» giving creators access to Netflix’s global audience while expanding discovery for listeners who prefer watching podcasts.

The rollout will begin in the US early next year, with additional markets to follow in 2026.

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