PhoneLifespan

OnePlus 12

Buy with careValue Score 71/100
$500
used/refurbished market price
$799 at launch

By Muhammad Tahir · Updated June 2026 · how we review

How long will it last?

Official promise

Supported until January 2029 · Buy-by January 2027

910
days
00
hrs
00
min
00
sec
2024◆ Buy-by Jan 20272029

OnePlus promises 5 years of updates for this phone, so it's supported until January 2029 — buying it today still gets you about 2.5 years of safe use (verified June 2026).

Source: OnePlus's official policy · last verified 2026-06-11 · how we compute this

TrueCost

Street price ÷ months of safe use remaining — the number that makes cheap short-lived phones expensive, and well-supported ones cheap.

$16.71/month

76% above the $300–600 median ($9.50/mo, dying phones excluded)

Is the 12 worth buying in 2026?

With caution — only 29 months of updates are left ($16.71/month of safe use). Fine as a short-term or budget pick, risky as a long-term keeper.

Our verdict

A 2024 flagship that still does almost everything today's best phones do — QHD+ screen, periscope zoom, 80W and wireless charging — for around $500 used, with the one catch that updates stop in 2029.

Pros

  • Gorgeous 6.82-inch QHD+ 120Hz LTPO display that peaks at a blinding 4,500 nits
  • Complete camera system, including a genuine 64MP 3x periscope telephoto that's rare at this price
  • Both 80W wired (50W in North America) and 50W wireless charging — empty to full in roughly half an hour
  • Huge 5,400mAh battery and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 that still outruns most 2026 mid-rangers
  • IP65 water resistance, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and Wi-Fi 7 keep it feeling current

Cons

  • Only five years of security support — updates end in early 2029, sooner than the Samsung, Google and Apple equivalents
  • IP65 resists water jets but isn't rated for submersion like the IP68 competition
  • At 220g and 9.2mm it's a genuinely big, heavy phone in the hand
Best for: Bargain hunters who want a former flagship for around $500 usedBest for: Photographers who want a real periscope zoom cheaplyBest for: Users who want both fast wired and wireless chargingAvoid if: You want updates guaranteed well past 2029Avoid if: You prefer a compact or lightweight phone

Full specifications

Display

💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).

Screen6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED ProXDR, QHD+ (3168×1440), 1–120Hz, up to 4500 nits peak
Performance

💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.

ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM12GB / 16GB
Storage256GB / 512GB
Cameras

💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.

main50MP
ultra-wide48MP
periscope 3x64MP
front32MP
Battery & charging

💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.

Battery5,400 mAh
Charging80W SUPERVOOC wired (50W in North America), 50W wireless
Build

💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.

Dimensions164.3 × 75.8 × 9.2 mm
Weight220 g
MaterialsAluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Water resistanceIP65
Software & connectivity

💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.

SoftwareAndroid 14 with OxygenOS 14 at launch
Connectivity5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, USB-C
Update policy4 OS upgrades · 5 years of security updates (official promise)

Better-value alternatives

Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.

Frequently asked questions

Is the OnePlus 12 still worth buying in 2026?

Yes, as a used or refurbished buy around $500. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, QHD+ screen, periscope camera and wireless charging all hold up well; the main caveat is that security support ends in early 2029, sooner than rival flagships.

Does the OnePlus 12 have wireless charging?

Yes — 50W AIRVOOC wireless, which is genuinely fast and something the cheaper OnePlus 12R and 13R both lack. Wired charging is 80W globally but capped at 50W in North America.

When does the OnePlus 12 stop getting updates?

It gets four Android version upgrades and five years of security patches from its January 2024 launch, so security support runs to about January 2029 — plan to replace it or accept the risk after that.

OnePlus 12 or OnePlus 13?

The 13 has a newer Snapdragon 8 Elite, tougher IP68/IP69 rating and a longer update runway. But a used OnePlus 12 is several hundred dollars cheaper and still delivers a flagship experience — the better value unless you specifically want the latest chip and longest support.

How is the OnePlus 12's battery life?

Excellent. The 5,400mAh battery routinely lasts a full day of heavy use, and even in North America's slower 50W mode it charges from empty to full in around 35 to 40 minutes.

Compare it

Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-11.