A new flagship device from OnePlus has once again shaken up the smartphone market, and we’re comparing it to one of the most notable launches of the past year with the OnePlus 12 vs the Google Pixel 8. In the world of affordable flagship phones, two brands have stood out for delivering high-end specs at a reasonable price: OnePlus and Google Pixel. With its wealth of impressive features, the global release of the OnePlus 12 is highly anticipated. But, is it worth investing in instead of Google’s well-received flagship, the Pixel 8?
With their latest releases, the OnePlus 12 and the Google Pixel 8, both companies continue to impress. But how do these two smartphones stack up against each other? In this article, we’ll compare their specs, features, and prices to help you decide which one is the better choice for you.
OnePlus 12 vs Samsung Google Pixel 8 specs
Google Pixel 8 – Unlocked Android Smartphone with Advanced Pixel Camera, 24-Hour Battery, and Powerful Security – Obsidian – 128 GB
Shop on Amazon
CHECK PRICE| Specifications | OnePlus 12 | Google Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.82-inch AMOLED LTPO, 3168 x 1440 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 402ppi | 6.2-inch OLED, 2400 x 1080 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 428ppi |
| Chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Tensor |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB/24GB LPDDR5X | 8GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0 | 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 |
| Battery | 5,400mAh, 100W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, 10W reverse wireless charging | 4,575mAh, 27W wired charging, 15W Qi wireless charging, 18W Pixel Stand wireless charging |
| Camera | Rear: 50MP wide, 48MP ultrawide, 64MP 3x periscope, 13-channel multispectral color sensor, Selfie: 32MP | Rear: 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, Selfie: 10.5MP |
| Connectivity | 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Wi-Fi 7, eSIM | 5G, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, Wi-Fi 7, eSIM |
| Dimensions | 160 x 74.2 x 8.7mm | 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9mm |
| Software | Android 14, Oxygen OS 14 | Android 14, Pixel UI |
| Durability | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front, Glass back, IP65 rating | Gorilla Glass Victus front and back, IP68 rating |
OnePlus 12 vs Google Pixel 8 features
Now that you know their specs, let’s explore their key features.
Display and Chipset
The OnePlus 12 and Google Pixel 8 offer compelling flagship specs when it comes to their displays and chipsets. The OnePlus 12 features a large 6.82-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with a buttery smooth 120 Hz refresh rate and a whopping peak brightness of 4,500 nits: the brightest smartphone currently available. In terms of chipset, it’s powered by the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, which is built on the enhanced TSMC 4nm process node and utilizes the latest Armv9 architecture for improved performance and AI capabilities. It will likely be the first smartphone in the US to launch with this chipset, if the Galaxy S24 doesn’t beat it to the mark.
The Pixel 8 has a smaller but vibrant 6.7-inch Super Actua OLED display, with a 1344 x 2992 resolution and the same 120Hz variable refresh rate. It also shines with Google’s new Tensor G3 chip, leveraging updated AI silicon that seeks to deliver a much higher peak performance over the prior generation of Pixel phones.
Both handsets promise excellent real-world speeds and graphical prowess. However, with its bigger, brighter high-refresh display and more advanced Qualcomm platform, the OnePlus 12 may have a slight edge for users focused on raw power and display technology. Alternatively, the Pixel 8 promises an AI-enhanced smartphone experience like no other, and still has the upper hand when it comes to photo editing and camera capabilities.
Camera
Both smartphones feature a versatile triple rear camera setup, and are fairly evenly matched when it comes to camera capabilities. For the OnePlus 12, you’re looking at getting a 50 MP wide lens, a 48 MP ultra wide lens, and a 64 MP 3x telephoto periscope zoom lens. Not to mention, it also includes a 13-channel multispectral color sensor for a huge variety of accurate hues and depths. The OnePlus 12 also has a higher resolution selfie camera at 32 MP, while the Pixel 8 has a 10.5MP selfie camera.
However, the Pixel 8 shines when it comes to photo processing and intelligent editing features. It comes loaded with Google’s acclaimed AI-enhanced tools like Photo Unblur, Magic Eraser, Real Tone for inclusive skin tones, and the Best Take for picking the optimal capture. These smarts allow the Pixel 8 to punch above its hardware specs, and compete with the opted-out arrays on rivals like the OnePlus 12. So while the OnePlus may offer more lenses and megapixels, the Pixel 8 delivers an intelligent end-to-end camera experience perfect for users who want great results without much fuss.
Battery Life and Charging
When it comes to battery life and charging, the OnePlus 12 takes the lead with its larger 5,400mAh battery and faster charging capabilities. It supports 100W wired fast charging, 50W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging, setting new benchmarks for smartphone charging performance. The Google Pixel 8, on the other hand, has a 4,575mAh battery with 27W wired charging, 15W Qi wireless charging, and 18W Pixel Stand wireless charging.
OnePlus 12 vs Google Pixel 8 price
Now let’s talk about the price of the OnePlus 12 and the Google Pixel 8, as cost can be a deciding factor when it comes to choosing a smartphone. The OnePlus 12 starts at $799 for the base 12GB RAM / 256GB storage model, and sees an increase of $100 for the next model up at $899 for 16GB RAM / 512 GB storage. This puts it at a competitive price compared to the Pixel 8 considering the features and storage you get, which starts at $699 for the base 128GB model.
In terms of pricing, the OnePlus 12 offers more RAM and storage options compared to the Pixel 8, while maintaining a similar price point. However, it’s worth considering that the Pixel 8 has been on the market for some time and might have some discounts or deals available, while the OnePlus 12 is a newer release, and a flagship phone for OnePlus.
Is the OnePlus 12 better than the Google Pixel 8?
Both the OnePlus 12 and the Google Pixel 8 are impressive flagship smartphones with their own set of strengths. The OnePlus 12 offers a larger display, a more powerful processor, more RAM and storage options, a larger battery, and a more versatile camera setup. On the other hand, the Google Pixel 8 provides a bright and vibrant display, a reliable camera system known for its computational photography capabilities, longer software support, and a better water resistance rating.
In terms of which one is better, I’d be tempted to lean towards the OnePlus 12 – for a starting price of just $100 more expensive than the Pixel 8, you get so many more features and benefits. It’ll come down to personal preference of course, and also the fact that due to being the older model, the Pixel 8 might start getting some price reductions over the next few months.
