OnePlus 12 and Google Pixel 8 Pro: 7 biggest differences

They are about the same size, about the same price, and target the same target group. In our OnePlus 12 vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro comparison, we take a look at the biggest differences between these smartphones.

OnePlus 12 vs Google Pixel 8 Pro

Anyone looking for a large, high-end smartphone priced around €1,000 has many options. The OnePlus 12 and Google Pixel 8 Pro are among the leading candidates. These are large devices that have plus and minus points. Which one suits you depends largely on your preferences.

Curious about the main differences between these pieces of art? We include it in our comparison between the OnePlus 12 and the Google Pixel 8 Pro.

1. Screen: How many nits are enough?

The OnePlus 12 has a 6.82-inch OLED display, making it slightly larger than the Pixel 8 Pro, which has a 6.7-inch OLED display. OnePlus still opts for curved screen edges, while Google's panel is completely flat this time. What you prefer is of course very personal.

Both smartphones offer a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth images and achieve very high brightness. The Pixel 8 Pro reaches 2,600 nits, while the OnePlus 12 can reach 4,500 nits. This relates to peak brightness, which they can only maintain for a short time on a limited portion of the screen. For example, if an explosion passes through an HDR movie.

What's even more interesting is the maximum brightness it maintains for a longer period of time. When you're walking outside in the sunshine, it's natural to want to be able to read your email. There's no difference: smartphones achieve a very respectable 1600 nits.

OnePlus has built new technology that registers your fingers better when the screen is wet. This makes it easy to use the device in the rain.

2. OnePlus 12 is faster

There is not much difference between these smartphones in terms of screen. This is different when we look at hardware. The OnePlus 12 phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, which is the fastest at the moment. Especially if you game a lot, you'll notice that the Pixel 8 Pro performs much less well. Google's Tensor G3 chip is simply slower and uses the battery less efficiently.

We have to differentiate this right away: you barely notice it in daily use. Apps also open very quickly on the Pixel 8 Pro and you can multitask with ease. If you're not an avid gamer, the difference in practice isn't exciting. But there is.

3. The Pixel 8 Pro has better cameras

OnePlus has been working with Hasselblad on cameras for several years. This company takes care of color modification, which is very attractive. However, OnePlus often can't keep up with the big boys in photography.

The OnePlus 12 has a 50-megapixel main camera, a 48-megapixel wide-angle lens, and a new 64-megapixel telephoto lens. This brings the image up to 3x closer, but you can also zoom in up to 6x. In this case you can use the middle part of the sensor. This leaves 16 megapixels.

On paper, the Google Pixel 8 Pro is very comparable. It also has a 50-megapixel main camera and a 48-megapixel wide-angle lens. It's much wider than the one on the OnePlus, so you get a bigger picture. The third lens is a telephoto camera that allows you to optically zoom in on the image by 5x.

The biggest difference is in the software. We're still working on our OnePlus 12 review, but our Pixels review is among the best ever. Google smartphones are almost unbeatable, especially in the evening.

4. The OnePlus 12 charges faster

The big advantage of the OnePlus 12 is the ability to charge it very quickly. With the included 100W adapter, the device fully charges in 26 minutes. The Pixel 8 Pro needs more than 80 minutes to do this. So there is a big difference. Moreover, there is no adapter in the box.

Refilling battery juice wirelessly is also faster if you buy the OnePlus: 50W. The Pixel stays stuck at 23W. In addition, the OnePlus 12 has a larger battery: 5,400 mAh versus 5,000 mAh. Combined with a more efficient processor, this ensures longer battery life than a Pixel phone can offer.

5. Google offers longer support

Both smartphones run Android 14. OnePlus guarantees four new versions of the operating system and security patches that block hackers for five years. This was the best refresh policy on the market until last year. However, Google has now gone further. The Pixel 8 Pro gets seven major Android upgrades and seven years of security patches.

Whether you find this difference interesting depends of course on how long you want to use your smartphone. It's important to know that the Pixels runs on a stripped-down version of Android, while OnePlus puts its OxygenOS skin on top. This adds a number of functions, but it also seems more confusing.

6. Artificial intelligence or not?

The Pixel 8 Pro was the first true AI smartphone. You get help composing messages, and the Photos app is packed with key editing options for your photos. Consider moving things around or replacing the entire background. You can read how well that works in our Pixel 8 Pro review.

OnePlus hasn't discovered much about AI yet. There is hardly any AI to be found in their new flagship phone. The manufacturer says that these functions will be added later, but exactly when (and what) is unclear.

7. Price

The OnePlus 12 will be available for purchase starting February 6 and has a suggested retail price of €949. So you get 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. For an additional €150, you have 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

Google released the Pixel 8 Pro in October last year. The device, with 12GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, had a suggested retail price of €1,099 at the time. However, you can now get it for €942. The 256GB model costs €1,039.

The price difference between the OnePlus 12 and the Google Pixel 8 Pro is currently very small. This is mainly because the price of the Pixel is already low. In a few months, you'll likely be getting a new OnePlus phone for a lot cheaper.

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