Are you looking for a new smartphone? It can be hard to decide which one to get these days, because there are so many amazing options out there. Two of the most popular high-end phones on the market right now are the OnePlus 12 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Both phones have all the latest features, like super fast processors, beautiful screens, and fancy cameras with lots of bells and whistles. But if you are trying to figure out which one is the better buy for you, don’t worry! Here I will break down all the important details of both phones, so you can compare things like features, performance, and price to make the best choice for you.

Camera Comparison

When it comes to cameras, both phones have a proper setup with a combination of regular, telephoto, and ultrawide snappers on the back. However, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra arguably has the edge regarding camera hardware and versatility.

Main Cameras:

• The OnePlus 12 features a 50MP main snapper with OIS, accompanied by a 64MP, 3x periscope zoom camera, also optically stabilized, and a 48MP ultrawide camera with autofocus to double as a macro shooter. On the front, it has a 32 MP fixed-focus selfie camera.
• The Galaxy S24 Ultra, on the other hand, uses a 200MP main camera with OIS and Laser autofocus, accompanied by two telephotos – a 10MP, 3x, OIS-enabled regular snapper and a 50MP, 5x, periscope-style cam, also with OIS. Finally, on the rear is a 12MP ultrawide with dual-pixel PDAF and Super Steady video capture. The selfie on the S24 Ultra is a mere 12MP in resolution but also has dual-pixel PDAF for extra clear shots.

Photo Quality:

• Comparing the main cameras on the two phones is a rather tough task. We would say that overall, the OnePlus 12 has slightly more natural and laid-back processing with less processing and sharpening applied.
• In contrast, the S24 Ultra tends to sharpen lines a bit more but definitely doesn’t go overboard with it. Interestingly, this does change on a scene-to-scene basis, and in certain photos, we noticed that the OnePlus was exhibiting more aggressive sharpening.

Video Quality:

• Both phones can capture high-quality videos, but the S24 Ultra has an edge in terms of resolution and frame rate. It can record 8K video at 30fps, while the OnePlus 12 is limited to 4K at 24fps. The S24 Ultra also offers 32-bit sound capture instead of standard 24-bit on the OnePlus.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, although the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra uses a customized “Galaxy” edition while the OnePlus 12 uses the basic version. The other key performance spec is RAM, you get 12GB RAM in all Galaxy S24 Ultra models, while there is 12GB in the base OnePlus 12 but 16GB in its top model.

Benchmark Scores:

• The Galaxy S24 Ultra managed higher CPU results on the Geekbench 6 benchmark and a faster transcoding time on our Adobe Premiere Rush test, but the OnePlus 12 fared slightly better than the Samsung on the 3DMark WildLife Extreme Unlimited GPU benchmark.

Design and Display

Both phones boast sleek, premium designs. The Galaxy S24 Ultra features a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X Quad HD display, while the OnePlus 12 sports a 6.82-inch AMOLED display. Both phones offer impressive screen quality, with vibrant colors, sharp images, and high brightness levels.

Display Comparison:

• The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s larger screen and more advanced display technology may appeal to some users. However, the OnePlus 12’s display is still impressive and offers great viewing angles.

Battery Life and Charging Speeds

The OnePlus 12 outshines the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in terms of battery life and charging speeds. With a 5,400mAh battery, the OnePlus 12 can last up to two days with normal usage, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 5,000mAh battery typically lasts a day and a half. The OnePlus 12 also supports faster charging speeds, with an 80W SuperVOOC charger included in the box.

Battery Comparison:

• The OnePlus 12 offers longer battery life and faster charging speeds, making it an attractive option for those who value these features.

Software

Both phones deliver solid performance, with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset ensuring smooth operation. However, the software experience differs between the two devices. The Galaxy S24 Ultra runs on Samsung’s One UI 6, while the OnePlus 12 uses OxygenOS 14. Samsung’s software offers more AI features, while OnePlus’ software focuses on customization and efficiency.

Software Comparison:

• Samsung’s One UI 6 offers more AI features, while OnePlus’ OxygenOS 14 focuses on customization and efficiency.

Pros and Cons

OnePlus 12 Pros:

• Longer Battery Life: The OnePlus 12 offers longer battery life and faster charging speeds.
• Customization: OnePlus’ OxygenOS 14 offers more customization options.
• Lower Price: The OnePlus 12 is generally cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

OnePlus 12 Cons:

• Camera Quality: The OnePlus 12’s camera system is not as advanced as the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s.
• Limited Software Features: OnePlus’ OxygenOS 14 lacks some AI features available on Samsung’s One UI 6.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Pros:

• Advanced Camera System: The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s camera system is more advanced and versatile.
• More Software Features: Samsung’s One UI 6 offers more AI features.
• Larger Screen: The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s larger screen may appeal to some users.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Cons:

• Higher Price: The Galaxy S24 Ultra is generally more expensive than the OnePlus 12.
• Shorter Battery Life: The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s battery life is shorter than the OnePlus 12’s.
• Limited Customization: Samsung’s One UI 6 offers less customization options compared to OnePlus’ OxygenOS 14.

Conclusion

Both the OnePlus 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra are impressive smartphones with their own strengths and weaknesses. The OnePlus 12 offers longer battery life, faster charging speeds, and a more affordable price point. However, it falls short in terms of camera quality and software features.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, on the other hand, boasts an advanced camera system, more software features, and a larger screen. However, it is more expensive and has shorter battery life.

Ultimately, the choice between the two phones depends on your personal preferences and priorities.

If you value camera performance and are willing to pay a premium for it, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better choice. However, if you are looking for a more affordable smartphone with impressive performance, long battery life, and a beautiful design, the OnePlus 12 is an excellent alternative.