Galaxy Z Flip6 • Unlocked vs OnePlus 12 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 (released July 2024) and the OnePlus 12 (released December 2023 globally in February 2024) represent distinct approaches to modern smartphone design. While the Galaxy Z Flip6 offers a compact, foldable clamshell form factor with a focus on portability and unique usage modes, the OnePlus 12 provides a traditional slab design emphasizing a large, immersive display and a comprehensive camera system. Both devices operate on the Android platform, with Samsung's One UI and OnePlus's OxygenOS offering different software experiences.

The expected practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its physical durability and the duration of software support it receives.

• Release Timeline: The OnePlus 12 was released globally in February 2024, making it slightly older than the Galaxy Z Flip6, which launched in July 2024. This difference in release dates can impact the total duration of software updates each device will receive.
• Software Longevity: Samsung typically offers extensive software support for its flagship devices, with the Galaxy Z Flip6 expected to receive updates for approximately seven years. The OnePlus 12 generally receives around four to five years of operating system updates and five years of security updates. Users prioritizing the longest possible software support might find the Z Flip6's extended timeline beneficial.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy Z Flip6 features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection on its cover screen and back panel, along with an improved hinge design and an IP48 rating for particle and water resistance. The OnePlus 12 also utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for its display and has an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating good protection against dust and water jets. The Z Flip6's foldable nature introduces a unique durability aspect related to its hinge and internal display, which is covered by Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) and a protective film.

Both the Galaxy Z Flip6 and the OnePlus 12 are equipped with powerful processors designed to handle demanding tasks and ensure smooth operation.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy Z Flip6 is powered by a current-generation processor optimized for Galaxy devices, enabling smooth performance across applications and efficient handling of AI features. The OnePlus 12 also features a current-generation processor, providing robust performance for gaming, multitasking, and intensive applications. Both processors ensure a responsive user experience.
• Memory and Storage: The Galaxy Z Flip6 comes with 12 GB of RAM and is available with 256 GB or 512 GB of internal storage. The OnePlus 12 offers configurations with up to 16GB of RAM and storage options up to 512GB, utilizing fast UFS 4.0 storage. Higher RAM configurations on the OnePlus 12 can provide a slight edge in managing a large number of open applications simultaneously.
• Battery Performance: The Galaxy Z Flip6 is equipped with a 4,000 mAh battery, which, combined with its efficient processor, generally provides a full day of use for many users. The OnePlus 12 features a larger 5,400 mAh battery, contributing to extended usage times, with many users reporting excellent screen-on time even with heavy use. Both devices incorporate advanced cooling systems to maintain performance during sustained workloads; the Z Flip6 includes a vapor chamber, and the OnePlus 12 features a Dual Cryo-Velocity VC system.

The display experience on these two smartphones differs significantly due to their distinct form factors and display technologies.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy Z Flip6 features a 6.7-inch foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display with a resolution of 1080 x 2640 pixels, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. When folded, it reveals a 3.4-inch Super AMOLED cover display with a resolution of 720 x 748 pixels, which supports interactive widgets and quick actions. The OnePlus 12 boasts a larger 6.82-inch AMOLED LTPO display with a higher resolution of 3168 x 1440 pixels, providing exceptional clarity and detail.
• Refresh Rate and Brightness: Both devices offer a smooth viewing experience with adaptive refresh rates. The Z Flip6's main display has a variable refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, while its cover screen operates at 60 Hz. The OnePlus 12's display also features a dynamic refresh rate ranging from 1 to 120 Hz and can reach a peak brightness of 4,500 nits, making it highly visible even in bright outdoor conditions.
• Viewing Experience: The Z Flip6's foldable screen offers a unique, compact form factor when closed, and a full-sized display when unfolded, with an improved, less noticeable crease. The OnePlus 12's large, flat display provides an expansive and immersive canvas for media consumption and productivity, with excellent color accuracy.

The camera systems on the Galaxy Z Flip6 and OnePlus 12 offer different strengths, catering to varied photography preferences.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy Z Flip6 features a dual-camera setup on the rear, including a 50 MP wide-angle main lens with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle lens. This main sensor is similar to those found in other flagship Samsung devices, offering strong performance in various lighting conditions. The OnePlus 12 provides a more versatile triple-camera system, co-developed with Hasselblad. It includes a 50 MP main camera with a large sensor, a 48 MP ultra-wide camera, and a 64 MP periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and 6x in-sensor zoom capabilities.
• Photography Performance: The Z Flip6's main camera delivers sharp images with good dynamic range, and its ultrawide lens offers a broad field of view. The FlexCam feature allows for unique shooting angles using the cover screen. The OnePlus 12's Hasselblad-tuned cameras are praised for their color science and detail, particularly the telephoto lens which excels at zoomed shots and macro photography.
• Video Recording and Selfie Cameras: Both phones are capable of high-quality video recording. The Z Flip6 supports 4K video capture at up to 60fps. The OnePlus 12 can record 8K video at 24 fps and 4K video at 60fps. For selfies, the Z Flip6 has a 10 MP front camera, while the OnePlus 12 features a 32 MP front camera.