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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 15, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerOnePlus 12 vs Apple iPhone 16
If you are torn between OnePlus 12 and Apple iPhone 16, this breakdown is for you. We compare specs, pros, and cons so you can decide confidently.
Ratings: 4.6★ vs 4.8★
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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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Apple iPhone 16
★4.8
(219)•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 A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A18)
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Comparison: OnePlus 12 vs Apple iPhone 16
OnePlus 12
★4.6(78)Amazon
Apple iPhone 16
★4.8(219)Best Buy
| Criterion | OnePlus 12 | Apple iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(78)Amazon | ★4.8(219)Best Buy |
Operating System | Android | iOS |
Software Support | 4 generations of Android OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform | Apple A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) |
Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno 750 | Apple 5-core GPU (A18) |
RAM | 12GB / 16GB LPDDR5X | 8 GB |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB (UFS 4.0) | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe) |
Display Size | 6.82" (measured diagonally from corner to corner) | 6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) |
Screen Type | LTPO AMOLED ProXDR Display | Super Retina XDR OLED |
Resolution | 3168 x 1440 pixels (QHD+), 510 ppi | 2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | 1–120Hz (Dynamic) | 60 Hz |
Peak Brightness | 4,500 nits (Peak) / 1,600 nits (HBM) | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum |
Main Camera | 50MP Wide (Sony LYT-808, f/1.6, 23mm equiv), PDAF, OIS | 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 | 48MP Ultra-Wide (Sony IMX581, f/2.2, 114° FOV) | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support |
Telephoto Camera | 64MP Periscope Telephoto (OmniVision OV64B, 3x optical, f/2.6); OIS | No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS |
Optical Zoom | 3x Optical Zoom; 6x In-Sensor Zoom | 0.5x, 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (4x optical zoom range) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 120x Ultra Res Zoom | Up to 10x |
Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps | 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 | 32MP Front (Sony IMX615, f/2.4, 21mm equiv) | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps |
Battery | 5,400 mAh (Dual-cell 2,700 mAh, non-removable) | 3561 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback |
Wired Charging | 80W SUPERVOOC (US 110V limitation); 100W in 220V regions; Charger included | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher |
Wireless Charging | 50W AIRVOOC; 10W Reverse Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W |
Connectivity | 5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.4; NFC; IR Blaster | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode |
USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 | USB-C connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s); Native DisplayPort output |
Durability | IP65 (Dust tight; Water jet resistant - not submersion proof); Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front) | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front (latest generation); Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused glass back |
Dimensions | 6.47" x 2.98" x 0.36" (164.3 x 75.8 x 9.15 mm) | 5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm) |
Weight | 7.76 oz (220 g) | 6.00 oz (170 g) |
Biometrics | Optical In-display Fingerprint Sensor; Face Unlock | Face ID |
Extras | Hasselblad Camera for Mobile; Alert Slider; Aqua Touch; Trinity Engine | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite |
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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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Apple iPhone 16
Rating:★4.8(219)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 A18 (6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 5-core GPU (A18)
RAM:8 GB
Storage:128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.1" (6.12" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:60 Hz
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 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:12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), 100% Focus Pixels, Macro photography support
Telephoto Camera:No dedicated telephoto lens; 12MP 2x Telephoto enabled by 48MP Fusion sensor (52 mm, f/1.6), sensor-shift OIS
Optical Zoom:0.5x, 1x, 2x optical-quality zoom steps (4x 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:12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:3561 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 22 hours video playback
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 15W; Qi up to 7.5W
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; 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 front (latest generation); Aerospace-grade aluminum; Color-infused glass back
Dimensions:5.81" x 2.82" x 0.31" (147.6 x 71.6 x 7.80 mm)
Weight:6.00 oz (170 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:
- • A18 chip with 8GB RAM specifically optimized for Apple Intelligence
- • 48MP Fusion camera enables optical-quality 2x telephoto crop
- • Added Macro photography support to the non-Pro lineup
- • MagSafe charging speed increased to 25W (requires 30W adapter)
- • New physical Camera Control and Action buttons added
✗ Cons:
- • Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion 120 Hz)
- • USB-C port limited to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds (480 Mb/s)
- • No dedicated telephoto lens (zoom beyond 2x is digital)
- • Always-On display feature is omitted
- • No physical SIM tray in US models (eSIM only)
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Which one is better?
Looking at user satisfaction (Apple iPhone 16: 4.6★ vs OnePlus 12: 4.8★), Apple iPhone 16 pulls ahead. The gap is small—choose based on the priorities below.
Who should buy each?
For performance and polish: OnePlus 12 (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)
For value or versatility: Apple iPhone 16 (A18 chip with 8GB RAM specifically optimized for Apple Intelligence, 48MP Fusion camera enables optical-quality 2x telephoto crop)
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
OnePlus 12 excels if you value excellent value proposition with top-tier specs at a competitive price. Apple iPhone 16 is better if you prioritize a18 chip with 8gb ram specifically optimized for apple intelligence. 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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