Google Pixel 8a vs OnePlus 12R: The OnePlus mid-range recreation is just too robust this yr

Intro

The truth is, so far as software program goes, the Pixel is arguably the higher telephone right here, particularly while you consider that it comes with 7 years of assured Android updates. Suffice it to say, that is an attention-grabbing comparability to make, so let’s get into the main points.

Design and Show

Two very completely different appears to be like and sturdiness decisions

Pixel 8a vs OnePlus 12R (Picture by PhoneArena)

The design state of affairs is a bit attention-grabbing when evaluating the Pixel 8a to the OnePlus 12R, as now we have fairly the blended bag right here. For starters, the Pixel is way smaller and compact, have a look:

Pixel 8a vs OnePlus 12R (Picture by PhoneArena)

A small element to level out is that the Pixel 8a comes with a plastic again panel vs the glass one on the OnePlus 12R. That mentioned, we have been left with the impression that each telephones have good construct high quality, so we do not assume this ought to be too massive of a difficulty.

On the subject of sturdiness, there is a option to be made when choosing both of those telephones. When you worth a extra sturdy display screen that can scratch and break much less simply, then the OnePlus 12R’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 would be the more sensible choice in comparison with the Gorilla Glass 3 on the Pixel 8a.

If you would like increased safety towards the weather, although, the Pixel has a considerably increased mud and water resistance ranking (IP67 vs IP64 on the 12R).

After all, we can not overlook to say how completely different these handsets look. The Pixel 8a is rocking a extra delicate model of the long-lasting digicam bar, which, in our opinion, appears to be like significantly better than the round digicam island of the 12R. Additionally, the Pixel appears to be like way more oval and spherical due to these curved edges, whereas the OnePlus is has a extra rectangular form compared.

Listed here are the colour choices for each telephones:

OnePlus 12R colours

The unboxing expertise that Google presents may be very completely different (and arguably worse) in comparison with that of OnePlus. Whereas Pixel 8a consumers get simply the telephone and a cable, OnePlus 12R consumers get an 80W energy adapter, type-A to C cable, a welcome letter, a pre-applied display screen protector, and a brand sticker.

Pixel 8a vs OnePlus 12R (Picture by PhoneArena)

Measurement-wize, in fact, the OnePlus 12R undoubtedly takes the cake with its 6.8-inch display screen right here, no less than if you need as massive of a show as attainable. It is usually a curved show, versus the flat one on the Pixel 8a, so yet one more level of resolution making in case you’re explicit about that side.

Show Measurements:

Okay, so Google claims a peak brightness of 2000 nits for the Pixel 8a whereas OnePlus states that the 12R is able to a staggering 4500 nits. Reality of the matter is that these measurements do not mirror what a consumer would expertise of their each day utilization.

Our show lab exams confirmed us that the Pixel 8a is in reality the telephone with the brighter show, managing to attain about 350 nits greater than the OnePlus 12R.

Issues get reversed after we check out the colour accuracy check, the place the OnePlus has accomplished visibly higher. Consider, nevertheless, that coloration accuracy can range from unit to unit. Then once more, OnePlus tends to usually be according to its high quality assurance, so we’d anticipate comparable outcomes even when we examined extra items.

Efficiency and Software program

New doesn’t imply higher

Pixel 8a vs OnePlus 12R (Picture by PhoneArena)

For normal duties, nevertheless, we didn’t discover too massive of a distinction by way of how fluid and responsive the telephones felt. That is excellent news, particularly for those who do not are likely to do something too system-taxing like taking part in graphically intensive cellular video games or utilizing artistic apps such because the cellular variations of Adobe Lightroom/Photoshop, for instance.

With the OnePlus, you even have the choice to go as much as 16GB of RAM, making the telephone way more succesful at dealing with many duties on the identical time. Now we have the 16GB OnePlus 12R right here on the workplace, which did appear to shut much less minimized apps in comparison with the Pixel.

Each telephones include the identical 128GB and 256GB inside storage choices. Neither has expandable storage.

Benchmarks aren’t at all times a fantastic illustration of precise expertise you get from a telephone, however when one of many gadgets has this away from a bonus it’s protected to say that it is genuinely extra highly effective. The outcomes above resemble the efficiency distinction between two chipsets which might be one technology aside, however the twist right here is that the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is the extra succesful one.

The place the Pixel 8a wins is in its AI prowess, showcased with options comparable to Circle to Search, Reside Translate, Generative Edit, Chat Help, and extra. That is one thing that the 12R is sorely lacking in 2024, and certain will not get something of this type sooner or later.

Talking of the longer term, one main profit that comes with the Pixel 8a is its 7 years of software program assist (updates and safety patches), whereas the OnePlus 12R solely comes with 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of safety patches.

Digicam

Each are nice, however differ barely relying on the situation

Pixel 8a vs OnePlus 12R (Picture by PhoneArena)

If you would like a telephone with a devoted telephoto digicam, then you definately in all probability ought to have a look at an alternative choice, just like the S23 FE, for instance. Neither the Pixel 8a, not the OnePlus 12R include a telephoto digicam. Here is what they do include.

Pixel 8a digicam specs:

Now that now we have the nerdy specs out of the best way, let’s check out some pattern photographs and see real-world examples of those two telephone digicam techniques.

Most important Digicam

In comparison with the Pixel 8a, the OnePlus 12R has dealt with the HDR significantly better right here. There’s extra element within the shadows, which reveals extra of the leafs and grass. Distinction can be increased, because the highlights seem brighter. In brief, the 12R has a way more pleasing picture versus the somewhat dull-looking instance from the Pixel 8a.

Okay, unintentional foolish faces apart, we there are some variations right here which might be clear as night time and day. For starters, the 12R’s important digicam has as soon as once more captured extra element within the darker areas, which is what we would like in a low-lit atmosphere comparable to this.

The 2 different main variations are that the OnePlus has a wider subject of view so it has seize extra contained in the shot, and it has a extra saturated look with with a slight purple tint vs the extra greenish and toned down photograph of the Pixel.

Zoom High quality

Provided that neither of those telephones has a telephoto digicam, they’re really not half unhealthy at 5X zoom. The 12R appears to use extra post-processing and has gone with a colder white stability, whereas the Pixel 8a presents way more correct colours with barely much less sharpness.

Extremely-wide Digicam

Right here we really desire the extra toned down photograph of the Pixel 8a, as you may see extra from the scene. The 12R has utilized an excessive amount of distinction, which has resulted in a number of the areas not being seen sufficient.

The 8a’s ultra-wide digicam additionally captures extra within the shot in comparison with the 12R, due to its wider subject of view. 

Selfies

The Pixel 8a‘s selfie digicam presents a sharper picture in comparison with the OnePlus. It additionally appears to have extra true-to-life colours. The picture from the OnePlus 12R seems with a slight inexperienced tint.

Technically, the OnePlus 12R has yet one more digicam meant for macro images. That mentioned, it’s fairly a ineffective digicam so we won’t actually name it a bonus over for the 12R.

As for video recording, each telephones are able to 4K 60FPS with the primary cameras, however solely the Pixel can file 4K 30FPS with the selfie digicam. The 12R can solely go as much as 1080P 30FPS with its entrance snapper.

Audio High quality and Haptics

OnePlus telephones, even the extra inexpensive OnePlus 12R, have nice audio system. The 8a additionally has fairly good audio high quality, however we desire the sound from the 12R, because it has a richer high quality with extra depth.

Battery Life and Charging

OnePlus 12R has a lot quicker charging however no wi-fi

Pixel 8a vs OnePlus 12R (Picture by PhoneArena)

The OnePlus 12R comes with a 5,500 mAh battery vs 4,492 mAh on the Pixel 8a. After all, there’s extra to battery life than simply the battery capability and the top outcome can be affected by the facility effectivity of a telephone. Tensor G3, for instance, will not be as environment friendly because the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

The mix of a considerably bigger battery and a chipset that’s extra energy environment friendly makes the OnePlus 12R a significantly better selection in comparison with the Pixel 8a if you’re in search of a telephone that can final you longer. As you may see from our battery exams, that’s very true for those who play lots of video games and watch movies.

Charging is sort of a no brainer more often than not when a OnePlus telephone is in a single finish of the ring, as its telephones usually have quicker charging then a lot of the competitors.

The case right here is precisely that, the the OnePlus 12R sporting a most of 80W wired (100W outdoors the US) charging in comparison with the 18W of the Pixel 8a. That mentioned, the OnePlus does not include wi-fi charging, not like the Pixel, which may be wirelessly charged at a most of seven.5W.

Specs Comparability

There may be nearly no resemblance between the Pixel 8a and OnePlus 12R spec sheets. For essentially the most half, the OnePlus is supplied with extra spectacular {hardware}, given its bigger show and battery, quicker charging and chipset, in addition to the choice to go for extra RAM.

Which one do you have to purchase?

Pixel 8a vs OnePlus 12R (Picture by PhoneArena)

However, the Pixel 8a opens a door to the entire Google software program that makes Pixel telephones (and different Pixel gadgets) spectacular, and does that for a considerably lower cost than Google’s flagships. After all, there’s additionally the longevity side after we discuss in regards to the Pixel, notably relating to these 7 years of software program assist.

Appears to be like are additionally essential to many consumers on the market, and we genuinely assume the Pixel 8a has the OnePlus 12R beat in that division, simply. However on the finish of the day, this can be a extra private desire sort of factor.

In addition to the longer battery life, higher show, and extra highly effective chipset, the OnePlus 12R additionally has a barely extra succesful digicam system than the Pixel 8a. Objectively talking, the OnePlus merely presents you extra for a similar value. If the longer software program assist or any of the Pixel-specific AI options will not be essential to you, we advocate going for the OnePlus 12R.