iPhone SE (2022) • Unlocked vs OnePlus 12 • Unlocked

The iPhone SE 2022 and the OnePlus 12 represent distinct philosophies in the smartphone market. Released in March 2022, the iPhone SE 2022 operates on Apple's iOS platform, offering a compact form factor and a familiar user experience. In contrast, the OnePlus 12, launched globally in January 2024, runs on Android and delivers a larger display and a focus on high-end specifications. The primary differences lie in their operating systems, physical size, and overall performance capabilities, catering to different user preferences.

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and physical durability.

• Release Timeline and Software Support: The iPhone SE 2022 was released in March 2022 and was discontinued in February 2025, typically receiving iOS updates for approximately 5-6 years from its initial release. The OnePlus 12, launched globally in January 2024, is expected to receive around 4 major Android OS updates and 5 years of security updates, offering a longer support window from its newer release date.
• Durability Features: The iPhone SE 2022 features an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, meaning it can withstand immersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. The OnePlus 12 carries an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, providing protection against splashes and dust ingress. Both devices utilize glass on the front and back with aluminum frames, though the OnePlus 12 incorporates more recent Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for enhanced screen protection.
• Repairability: While specific repairability scores for the OnePlus 12 are not widely available, the iPhone SE 2020 (the predecessor to the 2022 model) received a 6 out of 10 for repairability from specialists, indicating a moderate ease of repair for certain components. The practical lifespan of both devices will also depend on individual usage and care.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from app usage to demanding multimedia. These two devices offer different levels of processing power and battery endurance.

• Processing Power and Responsiveness: The iPhone SE 2022 is equipped with a capable processor that handles demanding applications and multitasking smoothly, ensuring a responsive user experience for most everyday activities and even some intensive tasks. The OnePlus 12, featuring a current-generation mobile platform, delivers high-end performance, making it well-suited for graphic-intensive gaming, advanced video editing, and seamless multitasking with numerous applications open simultaneously.
• Storage and Memory: The iPhone SE 2022 is available with storage options of 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, and includes 4GB of RAM, which supports its operating system efficiently. The OnePlus 12 offers more generous storage configurations, including 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB, with global variants typically offering 12GB or 16GB of RAM, providing ample space and memory for extensive app usage and large files.
• Battery Behavior: The iPhone SE 2022's battery capacity generally provides enough power for a full day of moderate use, though heavy users may find themselves needing to recharge more frequently. The OnePlus 12, with its larger battery capacity, is noted for its excellent battery life, often lasting up to two days on a single charge with moderate usage, and supports rapid wired and wireless charging technologies for quick power replenishment.

The display is a primary interface for any smartphone, and these two models offer distinct visual experiences.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone SE 2022 features a 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD display, providing clear visuals and accurate color reproduction for general viewing. The OnePlus 12 boasts a larger 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display, which offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors, enhancing the viewing experience for multimedia content.
• Resolution and Brightness: With a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels, the iPhone SE 2022 delivers sharp images on its compact screen. The OnePlus 12 features a significantly higher 3168 x 1440 (QHD+) resolution, resulting in exceptionally detailed and crisp visuals across its larger display. The iPhone SE 2022 has a typical peak brightness of 625 nits, suitable for indoor and most outdoor conditions. The OnePlus 12 offers a much higher peak brightness of up to 4500 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright sunlight.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The iPhone SE 2022 has a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which provides a consistent and smooth experience for typical smartphone interactions. The OnePlus 12 features an adaptive refresh rate that can dynamically adjust from 1Hz to 120Hz, resulting in smoother scrolling, more fluid animations, and a more responsive feel during gaming or fast-paced content.

For many users, the camera system is a key differentiator, and both devices approach photography with different capabilities.

• Rear Camera System: The iPhone SE 2022 is equipped with a single 12MP wide camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and an f/1.8 aperture, capable of capturing detailed photos in good lighting conditions. It benefits from computational photography features like Smart HDR 4 and Deep Fusion. The OnePlus 12 features a versatile triple-camera system co-developed with Hasselblad, including a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 48MP ultra-wide lens, and a 64MP periscope telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom and OIS, providing a broader range of photographic options.
• Low-Light and Video Performance: While the iPhone SE 2022 performs well in adequate lighting, it lacks a dedicated Night mode, which can limit its performance in very low-light scenarios. It supports 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second. The OnePlus 12's larger sensors and advanced processing contribute to better low-light photography, and it supports video recording up to 8K at 24fps, or 4K at 60fps, offering more flexibility for high-resolution video content.
• Front Camera and Audio: The iPhone SE 2022 has a 7MP front camera with an f/2.2 aperture, suitable for video calls and selfies. The OnePlus 12 features a higher-resolution 32MP front camera, capable of capturing more detailed selfies and supporting 4K video recording at 30fps. Both devices offer stereo sound recording for videos, and the OnePlus 12 includes Dolby Atmos support for an enhanced audio playback experience.