2024 is just around the corner and is set to be a blockbuster year for new Android smartphones, with the launch of the Galaxy S24 expected before the end of January – but Samsung rival OnePlus has just officially revealed the design of one of its upcoming phones, and if leaks are to be believed this could be an flagship-beating bargain if it comes to the UK.
OnePlus has shared official renders of the OnePlus 12R, a phone that looks a lot like the OnePlus 12 but seemingly with slightly different specs, but overall changes that could mean the 12R is more affordable but makes little compromise on specs and performance.
It’s all a little confusing as these days OnePlus tends to launch its phones first in its home country of China before then doing a totally separate launch for the UK and the rest of the world. The company released the OnePlus 12 in China on 5 December, but we’ll have to wait until 23 January for the pricing and availability details for the UK market when there’s another event in India for the device and its sibling the 12R.
The OnePlus 12R is set to be the first R-series OnePlus phone sold outside of India and China, a heavy hint from the brand that UK Android fans will be able to snap it up when it goes on sale. We hope that’s the case, as the phone (above image) looks great in glossy Cool Blue and matt Iron Grey finishes. The design is very similar to the OnePlus 12 with a circular camera module, though it doesn’t have the Hasselblad branding, very likely one of the reasons the 12R will be a cheaper phone.
If either phone is as good as the OnePlus Open, then Samsung will definitely be worried.
Prominent OnePlus leaker Max Jambor posted an alleged speck list for the OnePlus 12R on X, and if accurate it shows the phone will be no slouch whatsoever:
If the 12R has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, it’ll sit alongside the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in terms of pure power. That’s by no means a mid-range phone, and it would represent an interesting approach from OnePlus, who would be releasing a more affordable version of the OnePlus 12 at the exact same time the 12 itself launches. That rumoured 5,500mAh battery with 100W fast charging is very eye-catching, too.
We’ll bring you the latest news when we have it on the OnePlus 12R and all of 2024’s biggest and best Android smartphone releases, as it looks set to be a busy start to the year for phone fans.