The iQOO 12 stands out as a visually appealing device, boasting impressive designs in both the Legend (BMW, White) and the Alpha (Black) versions. This smartphone holds an IP64 rating, ensuring complete resistance to dust and heavy splashes. The standard iQOO 12 features a remarkable 6.78-inch E7 AMOLED panel with a 1280p resolution and a dynamic 144Hz refresh rate. Supporting 10-bit color depth, HDR10+ streaming, and achieving a peak brightness of up to 3,000nits, this device promises a stunning visual experience.
At the heart of the iQOO 12 is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, acclaimed for effective cooling through a large vapor chamber, facilitating excellent heat dissipation and sustained performance. The phone boasts a flagship-grade camera setup at the back, comprising a substantial 50MP primary with OIS, a 50MP ultra-wide with autofocus, and a 64MP camera equipped with a periscopic lens featuring OIS for 3x optical zoom and up to 10x lossless zoom. Similar to vivo’s phones, the iQOO 12 camera supports Vivid and Natural color options and introduces a new one – Cinematic. Powering the iQOO 12 is a robust graphite 5,000mAh battery with an enhanced lifespan of 1,600 cycles (maintaining 80% capacity) and an impressive 120W super-fast wired charging capability. Operating on Android 14 with Funtouch 14, a performance-optimized launcher with minimal bloatware, the phone commits to three major Android updates and four years of security patches. Despite its impressive specifications, two aspects leave a somewhat bitter taste – the selfie camera and the incomplete water protection. The 16MP front camera may not meet expectations, potentially producing lower-quality photos. While the IP64 rating provides resistance to occasional water sprays, the phone remains unsuitable for water submersion. The white iQOO 12 arrives in a sleek black matte box, accompanied by a 120W power adapter and a 6A-rated USB-C-to-C cable. The retail bundle further includes a transparent silicone case and a double-sided BMW M printed card, enhancing the overall user experience.
In-Depth Technical Details Of iQOO 12
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Body | 163.2 x 75.9 x 8.1mm, 199g; Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame; IP64 dust/water resistant. |
| Network | 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G. |
| Display | 6.78″ AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1400nits (HBM), 3000nits (peak), 1260x2800px resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 453ppi. |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm). |
| Memory | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM; UFS 4.0. |
| OS | Android 14, Funtouch 14 (1st Release). |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7. |
| Bluetooth | v5.4. |
| Rear Camera | Wide (main): 50MP; Telephoto: 64MP, 3x optical zoom; Ultra-wide: 50MP. |
| Front Camera | 16MP. |
| Battery | 5000mAh; 120W wired. |
| Others | Fingerprint (under display); Stereo speakers; Infrared port; NFC. |
Conclusion
The iQOO 12 stands out as an exceptional smartphone, available at a competitive price. Positioned as a true flagship, it boasts a premium design and an exclusive collaboration with BMW M Motorsport. Powered by the latest Snapdragon chip, the device features a top-notch display and impressively rapid charging capabilities. Upon concluding our comprehensive review, we are overwhelmingly positive about the iQOO 12. The device showcases an appealing design, although it tends to be slippery, and we commend the inclusion of IP64 protection. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 meets expectations, delivering robust performance with commendable thermal management. Notably, the battery life exceeds expectations, and the charging speed is truly remarkable. The speakers contribute to a satisfying audio experience with ample volume.
While the photo quality from all cameras is consistently impressive, occasional processing issues and inconsistencies arise in video capturing. The selfie camera, however, falls short of expectations. The iQOO 12 retains some bloatware on its Android 14, although the reduction promised by the manufacturer is evident. iQOO has committed to providing three major Android updates for this smartphone. Despite its strengths, there is room for improvement in areas such as camera optimization, speaker equalization, and software refinement. Nevertheless, the iQOO 12 stands out as a commendable smartphone, especially for gaming and photography enthusiasts seeking a distinctive design. Embracing its minor flaws may lead to a genuine appreciation for this remarkable device.