Under the $500 price range, we enter the affordable flagship or flagship killer territory. The OnePlus 12R and the iQOO Neo 9 Pro fall in this same category. Both of these models are great offerings for those looking for top notch hardware and features, while not breaking the bank. But which one is better? How do they compare? The competition is fierce, so let’s have a look.

OnePlus 12R vs iQOO Neo 9 Pro
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1. OnePlus 12R vs iQOO Neo 9 Pro: The Performance

When comparing two phones, the specs usually give us a fair idea about what kind of performance we can expect. Hardware doesn’t directly showcase a device’s user experience, but the newer and faster chips makes the devices more future proof and ensure no lags or delays. However, both the OnePlus 12R and the iQOO Neo 9 Pro are practically identical in this regard.

Being budget flagships, these are equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, which is paired with up to 256GB of storage and at least 12GB of RAM. So, the overall performance of these devices in terms of gaming and other day to day use will be mostly similar, with the differences coming down to the software. Although, the OnePlus 12R does max out at a higher 16GB option.

2. Bigger battery or faster charging?

The battery is a crucial aspect that determines what phone you spend your money on. No one likes having to charge their phones more than once or twice a day. But both of these devices have you covered with large enough batteries. Although, the OnePlus 12R has an edge with a larger 5,500mAh capacity, compared to the Neo 9 Pro’s 5160mAh battery pack. But the iQOO model edges out in charging speeds.

It offers 120W wired fast charging that promises to hit 1-50% charge in just 11 minutes. On the other hand, the 12R comes with 100W wired fast charging, which can hit 1-100% charge in 26 minutes. So while it’s a matter of preference, these devices should be evenly matched with their overall battery life experience.

3. Photography

The two devices features a 50-megapixel primary camera and an 8-megapixel ultra wide angle lens on the back, while the front houses a 16-megapixel selfie shooter. However, the main camera is a Sony IMX890 on the 12R and a Sony IMX920 on the Neo 9 Pro. The OnePlus model even has a third 2-megapixel depth sensor on the rear. This third camera doesn’t give a major edge to the photography experience, but both of these have proved to be decent in terms of photography.

4. Pricing

The pricing of the two phones is where things gets interesting. The OnePlus 12R starts from 39,999 INR and goes up to 45,999 INR for the 16GB + 256GB variant. Meanwhile, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro’s price of 34,999 INR for the base model, while the top end 12GB + 256GB version costs 38,999 INR. So even at its most expensive, the iQOO smartphone is still cheaper than the OnePlus 12R.

5. Verdict

Despite being cheaper, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro easily rivals the OnePlus 12R in every aspect. So for its price, it is sweet value for money device. However, there are still more aspects to take into consideration. You may prefer the OxygenOS custom skin over iQOO’s FunTouchOS. The alert slider on the OnePlus 12R is also a unique design element as well. If you wanna go for absolute value, the Neo 9 Pro is a great budget flagship device with barely any compromises.

The OnePlus 12R is more expensive, but comes with a slightly more premium (aluminum frame over plastic) and practical design. Meaning, you won’t go wrong with spending just a bit more. The new 8GB + 256GB variant hits the sweet spot with storage and pricing with bank offers, which recently went on sale. You can even check out video review of the iQOO Neo 9 Pro, which is linked below to help get a better idea.

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