Technologies

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.

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.

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

Verum Messenger Launches an AI Mini-Series

Verum Messenger has unveiled a new project — a mini-series created using Verum AI. The story consists of 7 episodes and will be released on the messenger’s social media channels.

The plot revolves around a global corporation seeking to take control of digital communications and a group of heroes who use Verum Messenger as a tool of resistance. Beyond the story itself, the series highlights the app’s key features, technologies, and advantages.

Combining entertainment with a showcase of the Verum ecosystem, the project presents a dynamic digital series designed for the modern era.

The first episode premieres today, with the remaining episodes to be released over time.

Stay tuned for more.

Watch on YouTube
Watch on Instagram

Technologies

Verum Finance: Earn While You Communicate — The Super App That Pays You

Verum has officially launched Verum Finance, an innovative financial application that transforms a private messenger into a true financial super app. News of the launch was also featured on the respected platform Dealroom.co.

Verum Finance can now be used both within Verum Messenger and as a standalone application for iPhone and iPad. When users sign in to Verum Finance with their Verum Messenger account, all balances, settings, and account data are automatically synchronized for maximum convenience.

Users can now do more than communicate securely and protect their data — they can also generate passive income directly within the ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

• Top up your balance with a bank card, Apple Pay, or USDT
• Send money instantly anywhere in the world
• Issue and manage debit cards (virtual and physical)
• Full Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds quickly

One of the most unique features is the built-in cryptocurrency mining system inside Verum Messenger.

The application utilizes your device’s resources and allows you to earn cryptocurrency in the background — passively, while chatting, traveling, or simply using the messenger.

Maximum Privacy + Real Freedom

• Registration without a phone number, email address, or passport
• End-to-end encryption and full control over your data
• Lifetime free VPN
• eSIM connectivity in more than 150 countries
• Reliable offline communication mode
• Support for 12+ languages for users worldwide

Everything is available in one place: secure communication, financial tools, earning opportunities, and privacy protection.

Users can access the full experience directly within Verum Messenger or switch to the dedicated Verum Finance app for iOS. All data is synchronized automatically between the two applications.

Why Download Verum Today

While many messaging platforms collect user data and expose users to restrictions, Verum offers greater independence and the opportunity to earn.

With a one-time purchase of the feature package, users receive lifetime access to privacy tools, VPN, eSIM services, cryptocurrency mining, and financial features.

This is more than just a messenger.

It is your personal tool for financial and digital freedom.

Download Verum Finance and Verum Messenger today — start communicating securely and begin earning tomorrow.

Download Links:

→ App Store (iPhone / iPad): Verum Finance
→ App Store (Verum Messenger): Verum Messenger

Technologies

Verum Finance: A Super App for Private Finance Integrated Into a Messenger

Verum Finance has announced the launch of a new financial application that allows users to manage their money directly within the secure Verum Messenger ecosystem.

The project has already attracted attention from major media outlets. A dedicated feature was published by Forbes Türkiye, while one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges, MEXC, covered the launch. Yahoo Finance had previously reported on the evolution of Verum Messenger into a comprehensive financial ecosystem.

What Verum Finance Offers

Verum Finance transforms a messenger into a complete financial platform. Users can:

• Manage their balance and top up using bank cards or USDT
• Send money instantly to other Verum users
• Issue and use debit cards, including Apple Pay support
• Exchange assets and withdraw funds
• Access all these services without installing separate banking applications

A strong emphasis is placed on privacy. The platform offers registration without a phone number or email address, end-to-end encryption, and full user control over personal data.

Recognition from Forbes Türkiye

In a dedicated article, Forbes Türkiye highlighted Verum Finance as a notable example of modern privacy-driven fintech. The publication emphasized the growing trend of financial services moving from standalone banking applications into unified messaging ecosystems — a model that has proven successful in Asia through platforms such as WeChat and Alipay and is now expanding globally.

Support from the Crypto Community

Alongside the Forbes Türkiye coverage, news about the launch of Verum Finance was also featured by MEXC, one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges. This reflects growing interest in the project from both traditional business media and the cryptocurrency community.

A Strategic Vision

“We are building more than a payments application and more than a messenger. Verum is a unified secure ecosystem where communication, finance, and privacy tools work together,” the company stated.

Verum Finance is now available for iPhone and iPad users. The application complements Verum Messenger, which offers anonymous chats, voice and video calls, VPN services, eSIM connectivity, and other tools designed to enhance digital freedom.

Verum Finance: https://finance.verum.im

Verum Messenger: https://verum.im