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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, Manufacturer

Apple iPhone 17 Air vs OnePlus 12

The Apple iPhone 17 Air is the premium option here, but the OnePlus 12 packs a serious punch with its specs. Key specs: Display: 6.6" vs 6.82" and Battery: 3150 mAh vs 5400 mAh.

📱 Display: 6.6" vs 6.82"🔋 Battery: 3150 mAh vs 5400 mAh⚖️ Weight: 5.82 oz vs 7.76 oz

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Apple iPhone 17 Air

Apple iPhone 17 Air

4.9
(13)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
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OnePlus 12

OnePlus 12

4.6
(78)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of Android OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 750
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Key spec differences

Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.

Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple iPhone 17 Air
6.6" (6.55" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
OnePlus 12
6.82" (measured diagonally from corner to corner)Winner
Refresh Rate
Apple iPhone 17 Air
Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
OnePlus 12
1–120Hz (Dynamic)
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Apple iPhone 17 Air
Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
OnePlus 12
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform
RAMKey
Apple iPhone 17 Air
12 GB (LPDDR5X)
OnePlus 12
12GB / 16GB LPDDR5XWinner
Storage
Apple iPhone 17 Air
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
OnePlus 12
256GB / 512GB (UFS 4.0)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Apple iPhone 17 Air
48MP Fusion (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
OnePlus 12
50MP Wide (Sony LYT-808, f/1.6, 23mm equiv), PDAF, OISWinner
Ultra-Wide Camera
Apple iPhone 17 Air
No dedicated Ultra Wide camera (functionality limited to panoramic stitching via software)
OnePlus 12
48MP Ultra-Wide (Sony IMX581, f/2.2, 114° FOV)
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple iPhone 17 Air
3150 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 26 hours video playback (20 hours streamed)
OnePlus 12
5,400 mAh (Dual-cell 2,700 mAh, non-removable)Winner
Wireless Charging
Apple iPhone 17 Air
MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W
OnePlus 12
50W AIRVOOC; 10W Reverse Wireless Charging
Design2 specs
Weight
Apple iPhone 17 Air
5.82 oz (165 g)Winner
OnePlus 12
7.76 oz (220 g)
Dimensions
Apple iPhone 17 Air
6.15" x 2.94" x 0.22" (156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm)
OnePlus 12
6.47" x 2.98" x 0.36" (164.3 x 75.8 x 9.15 mm)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Apple iPhone 17 Air
iOS
OnePlus 12
Android
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Apple iPhone 17 Air
5G (sub-6 GHz only, no mmWave) using Apple-designed modem; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
OnePlus 12
5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.4; NFC; IR Blaster
+

Full specs, pros, and cons

Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.

Comparison: Apple iPhone 17 Air vs OnePlus 12

Apple iPhone 17 Air

Apple iPhone 17 Air

4.9(13)Best Buy
OnePlus 12

OnePlus 12

4.6(78)Amazon
Apple iPhone 17 Air

Apple iPhone 17 Air

Rating:4.9(13)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A19 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators (A19 Pro)
RAM:12 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.6" (6.55" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2736 x 1260 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 3000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum
Main Camera:48MP Fusion (26 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Ultra-Wide Camera:No dedicated Ultra Wide camera (functionality limited to panoramic stitching via software)
Telephoto Camera:No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS
Optical Zoom:1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (2x optical zoom range)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
Video Recording:4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps
Front Camera:24MP Center Stage (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:3150 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 26 hours video playback (20 hours streamed)
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W; Qi up to 7.5W
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz only, no mmWave) using Apple-designed modem; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 6.0; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
USB:USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield 2 front; Grade 5 Titanium alloy frame (internal aluminum structure); Ceramic Shield back
Dimensions:6.15" x 2.94" x 0.22" (156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm)
Weight:5.82 oz (165 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite

✓ Pros:

  • Thinnest iPhone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium Titanium chassis
  • 120Hz ProMotion display finally arrives on non-Pro tier
  • Powered by the A19 Pro chip with 12GB RAM for full Apple Intelligence support
  • Upgraded 24MP front camera for superior selfies and video calls
  • Excellent main camera performance with 2x lossless crop

✗ Cons:

  • High price for a single-camera system (no Ultra Wide or Telephoto lenses)
  • Battery life is shorter than the 'Plus' model it replaces due to thinness
  • USB-C port is limited to USB 2.0 speeds (480 Mb/s)
  • No mmWave 5G support (Sub-6 GHz only due to Apple modem restrictions)
  • No physical SIM tray (eSIM only in US)

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OnePlus 12

OnePlus 12

Rating:4.6(78)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of Android OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 750
RAM:12GB / 16GB LPDDR5X
Storage:256GB / 512GB (UFS 4.0)
Display Size:6.82" (measured diagonally from corner to corner)
Screen Type:LTPO AMOLED ProXDR Display
Resolution:3168 x 1440 pixels (QHD+), 510 ppi
Refresh Rate:1–120Hz (Dynamic)
Peak Brightness:4,500 nits (Peak) / 1,600 nits (HBM)
Main Camera:50MP Wide (Sony LYT-808, f/1.6, 23mm equiv), PDAF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:48MP Ultra-Wide (Sony IMX581, f/2.2, 114° FOV)
Telephoto Camera:64MP Periscope Telephoto (OmniVision OV64B, 3x optical, f/2.6); OIS
Optical Zoom:3x Optical Zoom; 6x In-Sensor Zoom
Digital Zoom:Up to 120x Ultra Res Zoom
Video Recording:8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps
Front Camera:32MP Front (Sony IMX615, f/2.4, 21mm equiv)
Battery:5,400 mAh (Dual-cell 2,700 mAh, non-removable)
Wired Charging:80W SUPERVOOC (US 110V limitation); 100W in 220V regions; Charger included
Wireless Charging:50W AIRVOOC; 10W Reverse Wireless Charging
Connectivity:5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.4; NFC; IR Blaster
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1
Durability:IP65 (Dust tight; Water jet resistant - not submersion proof); Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front)
Dimensions:6.47" x 2.98" x 0.36" (164.3 x 75.8 x 9.15 mm)
Weight:7.76 oz (220 g)
Biometrics:Optical In-display Fingerprint Sensor; Face Unlock
Extras:Hasselblad Camera for Mobile; Alert Slider; Aqua Touch; Trinity Engine

✓ Pros:

  • Excellent value proposition with top-tier specs at a competitive price
  • Massive 5,400mAh battery paired with very fast 80W wired and 50W wireless charging
  • High-quality Hasselblad camera system with a versatile 3x periscope zoom
  • Extremely bright QHD+ LTPO display (4,500 nits peak)
  • Includes useful enthusiast features like an IR blaster and the Alert Slider

✗ Cons:

  • IP65 rating is inferior to the industry-standard IP68 (not rated for submersion)
  • Curved screen edges can be prone to accidental touches despite rejection algorithms
  • US wired charging is capped at 80W (vs 100W global) due to voltage differences
  • OxygenOS has moved visually closer to ColorOS, which may deter purists
  • Large and heavy device (220g) can be cumbersome

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Which one is better?

Grab the iPhone 17 Air if you want a sleeker design and are okay with a less versatile camera setup—it's lighter at 5.82oz compared to 7.76oz.

Who should buy each?

Choose the Apple iPhone 17 Air if: you want the thinnest iPhone ever at 5.6mm, prefer a premium build with a titanium frame, or you prioritize a smoother display for gaming.
Choose the OnePlus 12 if: you need a massive battery for all-day use, want a versatile camera setup, or enjoy fast charging features with 80W wired charging.

Conclusion

Apple iPhone 17 Air and OnePlus 12 are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.

Frequently Asked Questions

+Which has better value?

Apple iPhone 17 Air excels if you value thinnest iphone ever (5.6mm) featuring a premium titanium chassis. OnePlus 12 is better if you prioritize excellent value proposition with top-tier specs at a competitive price. Pick based on your budget and daily use.

+Is this an independent review?

Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.

+Do newer models exist?

Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.

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