12 vs 12R
It depends
Too close to call outright
These two are within 1 point overall — it genuinely depends on price on the day. The 12 edges both longevity and performance, so prefer it when prices are close.
Value Score: 12 72 · 12R 73 — methodology
The lifespan decider
When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.
Category by category
The 12's screen is the better one — 6.82-inch ltpo amoled proxdr, qhd+ (3168×1440), 1–120hz, up to 4500 nits peak.
The 12's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is simply the faster chip.
The 12 has the stronger camera system (3 real rear lenses vs 2).
Battery capacities are close enough not to decide this.
The 12 is supported until Jan 2029 — 12 months longer than the 12R.
Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.
Full spec table
| Spec | 12 | 12R |
|---|---|---|
| Price (street) | $500 | $350 |
| Display | 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED ProXDR, QHD+ (3168×1440), 1–120Hz, up to 4500 nits peak | 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED ProXDR, 2780×1264 (450 ppi), 1–120Hz, up to 4500 nits peak |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB | 8GB/16GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB |
| Battery | 5,400 mAh | 5,500 mAh |
| Charging | 80W SUPERVOOC wired (50W in North America), 50W wireless | 80W SUPERVOOC wired, no wireless |
| Rear cameras | 50MP main, 48MP ultra-wide, 64MP periscope 3x | 50MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro |
| Dimensions | 164.3 × 75.8 × 9.2 mm | 163.3 × 75.3 × 8.8 mm |
| Weight | 220 g | 207 g |
| Water resistance | IP65 | IP64 |
| Supported until | Jan 2029 | Jan 2028 |
Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.