iQOO 12 5G Review
In an era marked by incremental smartphone updates, the iQOO 12 5G arrives on the scene as a breath of fresh air, heralding a new standard of excellence in the Indian smartphone market. Boasting the distinction of being the first smartphone in the country to incorporate the revolutionary Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, the iQOO 12 promises a myriad of advancements over its predecessor, the iQOO 11.
This comprehensive iQOO 12 5G review will delve deeper into every aspect of the iQOO 12, from its design and display to performance, cameras, software, and battery life, helping you make an informed decision about this cutting-edge device, currently available in India starting at ₹52,999.
Table of Contents
iQOO 12 5G Review – Design and Display
The iQOO 12’s design overhaul is not merely cosmetic; it’s a testament to the brand’s commitment to delivering an aesthetically pleasing and premium device. The glass back panel and shiny aluminum frame exude a sense of solidity and sophistication, although a matte coating on the frame could have mitigated fingerprints and improved grip. The raised camera platform on the back, housing a formidable camera array, seamlessly integrates with the design, featuring a chrome finish and ‘100x Tele Lens’ etching, adding a touch of elegance.
One noteworthy aspect is the IP64 water and dust resistance rating, a feature often overlooked in flagship smartphones. This enhancement adds an extra layer of durability, ensuring the iQOO 12 can withstand the rigors of daily life.
Moving to the front, the iQOO 12 boasts a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display that takes the visual experience to new heights. The dynamic refresh rate, ranging from a power-efficient 1Hz to a fluid 144Hz, ensures optimal performance based on the content being viewed. The display’s impressive specifications include a resolution of 1,200 x 2,800p, up to 3,000 nits brightness, 2,160Hz PWM dimming, and HDR10+ support. While the punch-hole for the selfie camera may cover slightly more screen real estate than its counterparts, the display remains a standout feature, delivering crisp visuals with vibrant colors. The sunlight legibility is outstanding, making outdoor usage for activities like watching movies or gaming a delightful experience.
In addition to its visual prowess, the iQOO 12’s audio quality is equally impressive. The inclusion of stereo speakers, while lacking Dolby Atmos support, delivers crisp and immersive audio even at maximum volume. The thoughtful integration of high-quality audio complements the stellar display, enhancing the overall multimedia experience.
iQOO 12 5G Review – Performance and Software
The heartbeat of the iQOO 12 lies in the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, the latest and most powerful offering from Qualcomm. Announced at Qualcomm’s summit in November 2023, this chipset brings a plethora of improvements over its predecessor, promising enhanced gaming, audio, and camera functionalities. The iQOO 12’s benchmark scores are nothing short of groundbreaking, with an AnTuTu score of 20,73,660, setting a new standard in smartphone performance in the Indian market. Geekbench single-core and multi-core results further attest to the device’s processing prowess, standing at 2,182 and 6,637, respectively.
In real-world usage, the iQOO 12 lives up to its benchmark scores, effortlessly handling every task thrown at it without breaking a sweat. A noteworthy feature contributing to its stellar performance is the inclusion of a spacious 6,010mm square vapor chamber cooling system. This system effectively maintains a cool temperature even during prolonged and intense gaming sessions. We tested the device with BGMI at its maximum supported Ultra HD graphics and frame rate settings, and the iQOO 12 not only maintained optimal performance but also remained surprisingly cool.
To augment the gaming experience, the iQOO 12 features the SuperComputing Chip Q1, which enhances resolution and frame rates for select games, minimizing latency and power consumption. Additionally, the device incorporates essential gaming features such as Motion Control, Gyroscope enhancement, and 4D Game vibration, catering to the needs of mobile gamers.
In terms of storage and RAM configurations, the iQOO 12 comes in two variants: 12GB + 256GB and 16GB + 512GB. While the storage is not user-expandable, the device offers a unique option to virtually expand the RAM up to 16GB by utilizing a portion of the phone’s storage. This flexibility caters to users who prioritize multitasking and demanding applications.
On the software front, the iQOO 12 runs on the latest iteration of FunTouchOS, FunTouchOS 14, based on Android 14. The software experience has seen refinements compared to its predecessor, featuring smoother animations, fewer pre-installed apps, and reduced ad notifications. The user interface (UI) has become more user-friendly, with new lock screen customizations and the option to view recently opened apps in both standard carousel formation and horizontal tiles.
iQOO’s commitment to software support is evident with the promise of three years of major OS updates and four years of security updates. While commendable, this falls slightly short when compared to some other flagship offerings that offer longer-term software support.
iQOO 12 5G Review – Cameras
One of the standout features of the iQOO 12 is its flagship-grade camera setup. The device boasts a triple-camera array on the rear, comprising a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 64MP telephoto lens with 3x optical and 10x lossless zoom capabilities. The results from these cameras are nothing short of impressive, capturing detailed, sharp, and well-saturated images across various lighting conditions.
The primary 50MP camera, while defaulting to outputting 12.5MP images, supports 2x digital zoom. The 50MP ultra-wide camera, also outputting 12.5MP images, manages to produce pleasing results with minimal warping around the edges of the frame. However, indoor shots may exhibit some noise.
The star of the camera setup is the 64MP telephoto lens, delivering exceptional results with 3x optical zoom. The images showcase an intricate level of detail, vibrant colors, and a commendable dynamic range. Even the 10x lossless zoom shots, while not as outstanding as the 3x optical zoom, provide usable results in well-lit environments. It’s worth noting that the camera can achieve up to 100x zoom, but the results beyond 50x may appear subpar, and stability becomes a challenge.
Lowlight photography is another area where the iQOO 12 excels, capturing rich details with surprisingly low noise levels and balanced colors. All three cameras automatically detect available light conditions and activate the night mode accordingly, resulting in brighter images with a touch of smoothening to reduce noise.
Portrait photography is a forte of the iQOO 12’s camera setup, producing sharp images with a pleasing separation of the subject from the background. The bokeh effect looks natural, adding a professional touch to portrait shots.
For selfies and video calls, the iQOO 12 relies on a 16MP front-facing camera. The front camera delivers slightly beautified results with good facial detailing, catering to users who prioritize high-quality selfies and video calls.
iQOO 12 5G Review – Battery and Charging Speeds
The iQOO 12 houses a robust 5,000mAh battery, maintaining the same capacity as its predecessor. Despite maintaining the same battery capacity, the iQOO 12 benefits from an improved screen and chipset, resulting in a respectable battery backup. For users incorporating navigation or slightly heavier usage, the battery life might experience a modest reduction, but it should still comfortably last through the end of the day.
On the PC Mark battery test, the iQOO 12 returned with an impressive score of 14 hours and 14 minutes, showcasing its efficiency in handling diverse usage scenarios.
When it comes to charging, the iQOO 12 stands out with its support for 120W fast charging. This ensures that even if you find yourself with a critically low battery, a quick 27-minute charge from 0 to 100 percent is all it takes to get you back in action. To the delight of users, the 120W fast charger is provided in the box, eliminating the need for separate purchases.
iQOO 12 5G Full Specifications
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Launch Date | December 13, 2023 (Official) |
| Operating System | Android v14 |
| Custom UI | Funtouch OS |
| Processor and Storage | |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| CPU | Octa core (3.3 GHz, Single core, Cortex X4 + 3.2 GHz, Penta Core, Cortex A720 + 2.3 GHz, Dual core, Cortex A520) |
| Architecture | 64 bit |
| Fabrication | 4 nm |
| Graphics | Adreno 750 |
| RAM | 12 GB |
| RAM Type | LPDDR5X |
| Internal Memory | 256 GB |
| Storage Type | UFS 4.0 |
| Expandable Memory | No |
| Display | |
| Display Type | AMOLED |
| Screen Size | 6.78 inches (17.22 cm) |
| Resolution | 1260 x 2800 pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 20:9 |
| Pixel Density | 453 ppi |
| Screen to Body Ratio (calculated) | 89.71% |
| Bezel-less display | Yes with punch-hole display |
| Touch Screen | Yes, Capacitive Touchscreen, Multi-touch |
| HDR 10 / HDR+ support | Yes, HDR 10+ |
| Refresh Rate | 144 Hz |
| Screen to Body Ratio (claimed by the brand) | 93.43% |
| Design and Dimensions | |
| Height | 163.2 mm |
| Width | 75.8 mm |
| Thickness | 8.1 mm |
| Weight | 203.7 grams |
| Build Material | Back: Mineral Glass |
| Colours | Legend, Alpha |
| Camera Setup | |
| Rear Camera | Triple |
| Front Camera | Single |
| Rear Camera Resolution | 50 MP f/1.68, Wide Angle, Primary Camera (23 mm focal length, 1.31″ sensor size, 1.2µm pixel size) 50 MP f/2.0, Ultra-Wide Angle Camera (15 mm focal length) 64 MP f/2.57, Periscope Camera (70 mm focal length, 2″ sensor size) |
| Front Camera Resolution | 16 MP f/2.45, Wide Angle, Primary Camera |
| Autofocus | Yes |
| OIS | Yes |
| Flash | Yes, Dual LED Flash |
| Battery | |
| Capacity | 5000 mAh |
| Type | Li-Polymer |
| Removable | No |
| Quick Charging | Yes, Flash, 120W |
| Connectivity and Sensors | |
| USB Type-C | Yes |
| SIM Slots | Dual SIM, GSM+GSM |
| SIM Size | Nano |
| Network Support | 5G Supported in India, 4G Supported in India, 3G, 2G |
| VoLTE | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes, Wi-Fi 7 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/be/ax) 5GHz 6GHz |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v5.4 |
| GPS | Yes with A-GPS, Glonass |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB Connectivity | Mass storage device, USB charging |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Yes |
| Fingerprint Sensor Position | On-screen |
| Fingerprint Sensor Type | Optical |
| Other Sensors | Light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope |
| Miscellaneous | |
| SAR Value | Head: 1.377 W/kg, Body: 1.276 W/kg |
| Stereo Speakers | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes |
| Audio Jack | USB Type-C |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Yes |
Final Verdict
As a user who transitioned from the iQOO 11 to the iQOO 12, the experience has been nothing short of transformative. The iQOO 12 has successfully addressed and surpassed the shortcomings of its predecessor, presenting itself as a worthy upgrade. The design exudes polish and premium quality, the display sets new standards for visual excellence, and the cameras, while not flawless, capture impressive images across various scenarios. The iQOO 12’s battery life is commendable, and the inclusion of 120W fast charging ensures that charging woes are a thing of the past.
While we would have preferred a cleaner software experience with fewer pre-installed apps, the refinements in FunTouchOS 14 contribute positively to the device’s overall performance. The inclusion of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC elevates the iQOO 12 to the pinnacle of performance-focused smartphones. The promises of three years of major OS updates and four years of security updates, while admirable, fall slightly short of the extended software support offered by some competing flagship devices.
Priced at ₹52,999, the iQOO 12 emerges as a formidable contender in the Indian smartphone market. Its performance-centric approach, combined with a well-rounded feature set, makes it a top choice for users seeking a flagship device that excels in various aspects.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC positions the iQOO 12 as a trendsetter, and while other devices with the same chipset are expected to launch soon, the iQOO 12 currently stands tall as a benchmark for best-in-class performance, among other attributes. Whether it maintains its lead against upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 smartphones remains to be seen, but for now, the iQOO 12 stands as a testament to the brand’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the competitive world of smartphones.
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