If you’re quick, you can get last year’s outstanding OnePlus flagship phone for the same price as a mid-ranger.
For the Android users out there who might be sifting through the current crop of top mid-range phones, searching for an affordable upgrade, typical staples like the Pixel 9a and the Honor 200 are a great shout, but now there’s a new contender in the ring.
Only last year, you would have had to part with a hefty £849 to buy the OnePlus 12, but now that same high-end phone can be yours for just £499 when shopping through the official OnePlus Store.
The OnePlus 12 is now a smartphone bargain
Last year's OnePlus flagship has now plummeted to the same price as most mid-range phones, making it an instant bargain for any Android users after a fully-featured handset that doesn't break the bank.
That’s a massive £350 discount to be had, and if you’re a student then you can deduct an extra 10% off the price, making a bargain for those who need a more capable handset to get them through their studies.
With so much choice amongst the Android crowd however, it’s easy to overlook the OnePlus 12 in favour of options from Samsung and Google, let alone the newer OnePlus 13, but to do so would be a mistake. This phone still has that premium feel with tons of features to boot.
For starters, its display is nothing short of gorgeous. This 6.8-inch 2K OLED panel not only looks incredible, but its 120Hz refresh rate lets you scroll through apps with buttery smooth motion, and the 4500nits of peak brightness allow it to be used outdoors with ease.
It’s the type of screen that makes the OnePlus 12 a true joy for a spot of gaming or even watching the odd film or TV show when you’re travelling.
Despite the fact that it needs to power the aforementioned display, the OnePlus 12’s battery still managed to impress us. The massive 5400mAh cell can stretch into two days of use if you’re careful, but you won’t have to wait around for a top-up as it can reach a full charge in just 30 minutes thanks to OnePlus’ 100W SuperVOOC charging.
The final cherry on top is OxygenOS which is one of the best Android overlays we’ve ever used. In his four-star review for the phone, Mobiles Editor Lewis Painter wrote: “everything about OxygenOS 14 on the OnePlus 12 feels polished. You’ve got an easy-to-understand interface with very little difference to stock Android in terms of the core layout – the Settings menu looks pretty stock, and the notification shade functions in the way you expect – and where things do differ, they’re generally for the better.”
For just £499, the OnePlus 12 offers incomparable value for money, making it a bargain buy for any Android user looking to upgrade.