Best OnePlus phones 2024

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OnePlus 12R review

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

1. At a glance
2. Best overall
3. Best foldable
4. Best value
5. Best mid-range
6. Best budget pick
7. Still going strong

OnePlus started out in 2014 with the OnePlus One, and it is now a major phone manufacturer that sells its devices in over 30 countries. The company makes a wide variety of phones, and it just made its debut in the foldable segment. I used all the phones OnePlus released in its ten-year history, including the terrific OnePlus 5, the OnePlus 7 Pro and its motorized camera system, and more recently the OnePlus 12 and Open. 

So when it comes to OnePlus's extensive device portfolio, I know what I'm talking about. This is the best time to switch to OnePlus; the manufacturer is doing all the right things in the flagship and budget segments, and its phones are a legitimate alternative to what Samsung has to offer — particularly in North America, where other Chinese brands like Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo don't have an official presence. 

If you're interested in seeing what the company has to offer, these are the best OnePlus phones you can buy right now. 

At a glance

Best overall

OnePlus 12 back against colorful background

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
The best OnePlus phone you can get

Specifications

Display: 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED (3168x1440), 120Hz, Dolby Vision, 4500nits
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Adreno 750, 4nm
RAM: 12GB/16GB LPDDR5
Storage: 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0
Battery: 5400mAh battery, 100W charging, 50W wireless charging
Camera: 50MP main + 48MP wide-angle + 64MP 3x telephoto + 32MP selfie

Reasons to buy

+
Outstanding 120Hz AMOLED panel 
+
Gorgeous design
+
Incredible power
+
Cameras take amazing photos and videos
+
Battery lasts two days between charges
+
100W wired and 50W wireless charging
+
Long-term software updates

Reasons to avoid

-
No IP68 ingress protection
-
1TB model isn't launching globally
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Software glitches (as always)

The OnePlus 12 sets a new standard for OnePlus. The phone uses the same fundamentals as the OnePlus 11, but you get a slightly modified design that looks even more enticing than last year, and the Flowy Emerald variant in particular looks stunning. The gorgeous green hue combined with the svelte design makes the phone stand out, and I really like the changes to the camera island this year.

The camera island has the same broad aesthetic as last year, but it has the same color as the rest of the back, and there are rings around the individual camera modules, highlighting the sensors. It looks cleaner and more elegant, and gives the phone a lot of character. On that note, the alert slider is intact, and it has been moved to the left of the phone.

Another design change I like is that the front camera cutout is now centered; this was a point of annoyance in previous years, so it's good to see that the cutout is now in the same location as every other Android phone. The OnePlus 12 feels fantastic to hold and use, and this may just be one of the best phone designs of 2024.

You know you're getting great hardware with OnePlus, and the OnePlus 12 is running the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 along with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage with the base version. There's also a 16GB/512GB model available if you need more storage, and you get all the latest connectivity radios, and high-res audio codecs.

The screen is also among the best of any phone today, with the device able to go up to an insane 4,500 nits in HDR content. Another exciting change is that you can play games at 120fps, and while the games I tested were still limited to 60fps, this should change with a software update. 

But the main reason you'll want to buy this phone is because of the cameras. The OnePlus 12 has the best camera package of any OnePlus device to date, and it comes close to the Pixel 8 Pro in challenging scenarios. That just wasn't possible in the past, and while the OnePlus 11 also had a good imaging system, the OnePlus 12 has considerable upgrades across the board. If you've been using OnePlus phones for a while now, you will see a massive difference when switching to the OnePlus 12.

On the subject of upgrades, the OnePlus 12 also gets 50W wireless charging in addition to the usual 100W charging tech, and this makes the phone that much more versatile. There's more good news on the battery side of things; you get a 5400mAh battery that lasts noticeably longer, and I easily got a day and a half between charges.

The software still has its quirks, but it is stable, and you don't miss out on any major features. Ultimately, the OnePlus 12 is a terrific showcase, and if you're looking to upgrade this year, it is an easy recommendation.

Best foldable

OnePlus Open review

(Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)
An outstanding foldable

Specifications

Display (outer): 6.31-inch Fluid OLED (2482x1116), 120Hz LTPO3, Dolby Vision, 2800nits
Display (inner): 7.82-inch Flexi AMOLED (2440x2268), 120Hz LTPO3, Dolby Vision, 2800nits
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Adreno 740, 4nm
RAM: 16GB LPDDR5
Storage: 512GB UFS 4.0
Battery: 4805mAh battery, 67W charging
Camera: 48MP main + 48MP wide-angle + 64MP 3x telephoto + 20MP selfie (inner) + 32MP selfie (outer)

Reasons to buy

+
Striking design and build quality
+
Smooth hinge with no visible crease
+
Excellent performance
+
Useful multitasking features
+
Fast charging with stellar battery life
+
Great cameras
+
Four Android OS updates

Reasons to avoid

-
No wireless charging
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Games locked to 60fps
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Missing standard Android features

If you're ready to switch to a foldable, the OnePlus Open should be at the top of your list. This is technically OnePlus's first foldable, but it was manufactured in collaboration with OPPO, so it uses all the learnings gained from the Find N series over the last two years. The result of that is the foldable is better than what you get with Samsung's latest Galaxy Z Fold 5.

Let's start with the hinge. The Open has a smoother hinge that's easier to use, and it closes fully flat. But its biggest differentiator is that there is no visible crease. I don't mean that the crease is invisible, but in daily use, you don't notice it at all. That wasn't the case when I used the Z Fold 5, and if anything, Samsung has the most visible crease of any foldable I used. With the Open, you just get a large inner screen that's a delight to use, and a big part of that is down to the seamless crease that doesn't get in the way.

Also, the size is ideal. The Open is smaller and a lot lighter than the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and the leather back makes it easy to hold. I also like the matte texture on the sides, and overall, it's clear that a lot of attention went into the design of the foldable. On that note, the camera housing at the back is unmissable, and you get a terrific imaging system that's on par with the best foldables.

Scratch that — these are the best cameras you'll find on a foldable today. The software also has a lot of extras that let you take full advantage of the flexibility of the foldable form factor, and while I noted several software issues in my OnePlus Open review, those have all been rectified.

I also need to mention the outer screen, because it is just right. It isn't tall and narrow like what you get on the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and for most tasks that take less than five minutes, I found myself just using the cover screen, only switching to the inner screen to write emails, browse, or stream content.

Ultimately, the OnePlus Open is a groundbreaking foldable, and it beats the Galaxy Z Fold 5 in all meaningful areas while still somehow being more affordable. Nice one, OnePlus.

Best value

OnePlus 12R review

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
No Hasselblad, no problem

Specifications

Display: 6.78-inch LTPO4 AMOLED (2780x1264), 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 4500nits
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Adreno 740, 4nm
RAM: 8GB/16GB LPDDR5
Storage: 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1
Battery: 5500mAh battery, 100W charging
Camera: 50MP main + 8MP wide-angle + 2MP macro + 16MP selfie

Reasons to buy

+
Nearly identical design to OnePlus 12
+
Outstanding 50MP camera at the back
+
Powerful hardware
+
The biggest battery on any OnePlus  phone
+
Sublime AMOLED panel
+
Best value in OnePlus's portfolio

Reasons to avoid

-
Poor auxiliary cameras
-
No wireless charging
-
Won't get as many software updates as OnePlus 12

I've always maintained that OnePlus was making a mistake by not launching the R series globally. Looks like someone at the brand was listening, because the device is available globally this time around. That's good news, because the OnePlus 12R delivers the best features of the OnePlus 12 at a significantly lower price.

The OnePlus 12R has the same gorgeous design as the OnePlus 12, and while earlier models used polycarbonate designs, it now has a glass back and aluminum mid-frame, giving it much better structural rigidity. You also get the same insane AMOLED panel up front that goes up to 4,500 nits in HDR content, and it is a joy to use.

It may not have the latest silicon, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has more than enough power left over, and I didn't see any slowdowns whatsoever in the two weeks I used the OnePlus 12R. The 5500mAh battery is the largest on any OnePlus phone, and it easily lasts a day and a half without breaking a sweat — you can average two days between charges with medium use.

The camera is on par with the OnePlus 11, and while you don't get the Hasselblad extras, it still manages to take standout photos in just about any situation. The only issue in this area is that the auxiliary cameras aren't anywhere as good as the main camera; the 8MP wide-angle is decent enough in daylight, but it doesn't measure up in low-light scenarios, and the 2MP macro lens doesn't do anything useful at all.

The only other issue is that the OnePlus 12R will get three Android OS updates — one less than the standard model. If that isn't an issue, then the phone has the best value in OnePlus's 2024 portfolio.

Best mid-range

OnePlus Nord 3 review

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
The best OnePlus mid-ranger

Specifications

Display: 6.74-inch Fluid AMOLED (2772x1240), 120Hz, HDR10+, 1450nits
Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 9000, Mali-G710, 4nm
RAM: 8GB/16GB LPDDR5
Storage: 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1
Battery: 5000mAh battery, 80W charging
Camera: 50MP main + 8MP wide-angle + 2MP macro + 16MP selfie

Reasons to buy

+
Good 120Hz AMOLED screen
+
Same 50MP camera as OnePlus 11
+
Powerful hardware is great in daily use
+
IP54 ingress protection
+
Faster software updates than previous years
+
Stellar battery life with fast 80W charging

Reasons to avoid

-
Sub-par macro lens
-
Still no wireless charging

The last two Nord releases didn't do much to push the needle forward, but that changed with the Nord 3. With considerable upgrades across the board, the Nord 3 has all the ingredients of a great mid-range phone.

The Dimensity 9000 also makes a big difference, as it allows the Nord 3 to be much better at gaming. This was an issue over the last two years, and thankfully, the Nord 3 plays intensive titles without breaking a sweat. I rather like the design as well; it doesn't look quite as busy as last year, and the cleaner aesthetic makes the device look a little more upmarket.

But the biggest upgrade is around the cameras, with the Nord 3 featuring a 50MP module that takes outstanding photos in any situation. I talked about this extensively in my Nord 3 review, but the high-level overview is that you're getting a higher-quality sensor and much better software tuning, resulting in photos and videos that are on par with the best phones in this category.

There's also a larger 5000mAh battery this time, and I easily got over a day's worth of use consistently. And with 80W charging, the battery takes just over 40 minutes to fully charge, and that just makes things highly convenient if you don't want to leave the device plugged in overnight.

Best budget pick

The shiny back of the OnePlus Nord N30 5G

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)
Best entry-level OnePlus phone

Specifications

Display: 6.72-inch IPS LCD (2400x1080), 120Hz, 680nits
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 695, Adreno 619, 6nm
RAM: 8GB LPDDR4X
Storage: 128GB UFS 2.2
Battery: 5000mAh battery, 50W charging
Camera: 108MP + 2MP macro + 2MP portrait + 16MP selfie

Reasons to buy

+
3.5mm jack and microSD card slot
+
5G connectivity and NFC
+
Great-looking and feeling build
+
Lots of software features
+
Great battery life and ultra-fast charging

Reasons to avoid

-
Gaming performance is lacking
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Difficult to use with USB gaming controllers
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Only one OS update

The Nord N30 isn't the most exciting OnePlus phone, but it is a good option if you want a budget device. Coming in at just $249, it goes up against the likes of Motorola and Nokia's offerings in this category, and you get a 120Hz panel as well, albeit one with an LCD screen.

That said, the device is built to cost, and that is evident when you use it. It is powered by the Snapdragon 695, and you get 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Although it isn't as fast as the OnePlus 11, it is still serviceable in daily use, and does a good job with most games. There's a 108MP camera at the back, and again, it is decent enough in this segment — it doesn't excel in low-light conditions, but in most outdoor situations with decent lighting, it delivers usable shots.

You don't get as many software updates either, and that more than anything else is the biggest limitation with the N30. Still, there's a 5000mAh battery that lasts a day and a half with ease, and you even get a MicroSD slot. 

Still going strong

OnePlus 11 Marble Odyssey hands-on

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)
Still a good choice

Specifications

Display: 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED (3216x1440), 120Hz LTPO3, Dolby Vision, 1300nits
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Adreno 740, 4nm
RAM: 8GB/12GB/16GB LPDDR5
Storage: 128GB UFS 3.1, 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0
Battery: 5000mAh battery, 80W charging, 50W wireless charging
Camera: 48MP main + 50MP wide-angle + 8MP 3x telephoto + 32MP selfie

Reasons to buy

+
Hardware is still among the best
+
Terrific cameras
+
Standout 120Hz AMOLED panel
+
All-day battery life with 100W charging
+
Long-term Android OS updates
+
Good overall value

Reasons to avoid

-
Games limited to 60fps
-
Base model has slower UFS 3.1 storage
-
Charger isn't as good as previous years
-
No wireless charging

The OnePlus 11 continues to be a fantastic choice if you want to get your hands on a OnePlus phone. What makes it stand out is that it has upgrades that were traditionally limited to the Pro models — like a vibrant QHD+ AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh — but at the same time, you get a great overall value. It's this value that makes the device such a strong contender; it undercuts the likes of the Galaxy S23 and Pixel 8 Pro while still offering a versatile camera package, terrific internals, and a large battery with 100W charging tech.

I used the OnePlus 11 quite a bit, and I think the company did a magnificent job with the design. The device is sleeker than most of its rivals and has an excellent in-hand feel, and the camera housing at the back immediately grabs attention. The Titan Black model has a great texture at the back, and overall, there isn't much that the phone doesn't get right on the design side of things.

The hardware is another area where you'll find a lot of positives. With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 under the hood and 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for the base version, the OnePlus 11 ticks all the right boxes, and it is one of the fastest phones I used. While the software situation over the last two years meant that recent OnePlus phones couldn't take full advantage of all the hardware prowess — they were buggy out of the box — that isn't an issue here. OxygenOS 14 on the OnePlus 11 is stable, and the interface is fluid in daily use.

Of course, you don't get the same clean interface as legacy OxygenOS builds, but it is good to use, and you get a lot of customization options. And then we come to the camera; this is the biggest reason to get the OnePlus 11. I used all the OnePlus phones to date, and while I enjoy the hardware and design, they haven't had the best cameras. That changed with the OnePlus 11, and the camera system combined with Hasselblad tuning gives the phone a distinct advantage over its predecessors, and it holds up against the likes of the Galaxy S23.

Ultimately, what you're getting here is a good bargain. The OnePlus 11 has the same caliber of hardware as phones that cost a lot more, and you get standout cameras, fluid software, and a battery that easily lasts a day. Yes, the OnePlus 12 has better cameras, a brighter screen, and lasts longer. But if you want a better value, you should just consider the OnePlus 12. 

Harish Jonnalagadda
Senior Editor - Asia

Harish Jonnalagadda is a Senior Editor overseeing Asia at Android Central. He leads the site's coverage of Chinese phone brands, contributing to reviews, features, and buying guides. He also writes about storage servers, audio products, and the semiconductor industry. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.