The best OnePlus phones might not be on your radar from the get-go, but they absolutely should be. It can be easy to get drawn to recognizable brands like Apple, Google, or Samsung, but OnePlus has been making excellent phones since 2013. Thanks to a prosperous partnership with OPPO, OnePlus continues to grow from strength to strength. Whether you’re after a mid-range or flagship phone, our list of the best OnePlus handsets will have a great option for you.
We’ve picked out a range of phones currently available, from the mighty mid-range OnePlus 12R with its premium gaming performance, to the flagship OnePlus 11 – a rapid charging device with a stunning AMOLED display. We’ve also made sure to include different options to meet your requirements and budget.
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Best OnePlus phones in 2024:
Best OnePlus phone for most
OnePlus 11 specifications:
Display |
120Hz 6.7” AMOLED (1440 x 3216) |
Battery |
5000 mAh |
Chipset |
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
RAM |
8-16GB |
Storage |
128-256GB |
Reasons to buy
- Great performance
- High-quality display
- More affordable
- Quick charging
Reasons to avoid
- No wireless charging
- Middling cameras
This is one serious piece of kit. Sure, the OnePlus 12 and 12R are impressive, we’re in love with the OnePlus 11. With a competitive price compared to most high-end Android smartphones out there, this Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 powered beast also comes equipped with quick charging, and a gorgeous 120Hz AMOLED display.
This impressive screen helps to make the OnePlus 11 the best phone to come from the manufacturer to date. To match an impressive display, the smartphone boasts a 13-hour battery life. Then there’s the RAM and chipset. Combine these with the storage, and you have a powerful device that can smoothly run streaming services, games, and multitasking. There are many phones out there that share the same tech, but most cost more than $1,000.
While there’s no denying that the OnePlus 11 is a great smartphone, we do have to point out that there is a slight downgrade when it comes to the camera. It caps at a two-times zoom, while the OnePlus 10 Pro has a 3.3-times zoom. Still, the camera on the OnePlus 11 does rival other high-end devices, and it’s more than capable of taking pictures worthy of showing off on your Instagram account.
In a strange move for a flagship device, the OnePlus 11 is missing wireless charging. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but for some, the convenience of wireless charging makes it a sought-after feature. For our in-depth analysis, check out our full OnePlus 11 5G review.
Best premium OnePlus Phone
OnePlus 12 specifications:
Display |
6.82-inch 120Hz LTPO OLED (3,168 x 1,440 pixels) |
Battery |
5,400mAh |
Chipset |
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
RAM |
12GB / 16GB |
Storage |
256GB / 512GB |
Reasons to buy
- Top-tier performance
- Stylish design
- Stunning display
Reasons to avoid
- Poor IP65 rating
- No AI fun
The OnePlus 12 is easily the best OnePlus phone in 2024, providing a premium flagship experience for less than big-name brands like Samsung and Apple. From gaming performance to battery life, this thing delivers. It’s also a looker, with the option to pick between two equally gorgeous Silky Black and Flowy Diamond designs.
2023’s OnePlus 11 was decent enough, but the OnePlus 12 feels like a big step up. It’s a rapid charger, going from flat to 100% in only 30 minutes, and its trio of fantastic cameras – a 50MP wide, 64MP 3x telephoto, and 48MP ultrawide – are ideal for any amateur photographer, offering detailed wide shots and stunning portraits. As you can probably tell, we’re big fans of this phone.
There is a caveat to the OnePlus 12 in that it’s not as packed with AI features as some other 2024 flagship phones. That isn’t to say they couldn’t come with future updates, though. It’s also worth noting that this phone’s IP65 rating makes it a little less waterproof than we’d like for something so expensive, but it’s nothing you can’t work around with a solid case and screen protector.
OnePlus Open specifications:
Outer display |
6.31-inch 120Hz LTPO OLED (2484 x 1116) |
Inner display |
7.82-inch 120Hz LTPO OLED (2440 x 2268) |
Battery |
4805mAh |
Chipset |
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
RAM |
16GB |
Storage |
256GB |
Reasons to buy
- Ergonomic design
- Great cameras
- Rapid charging
Reasons to avoid
- Poor IP rating
- Expensive
- No wireless charging
As far as debut foldables go, they don’t get much better than the OnePlus Open. Considering the brand has had less time to perfect the concept compared to the likes of Samsung and Honor, the OnePlus Open is a thing of beauty, with a sleek and slim design, a stunning OLED display, and more than enough performance power to run demanding games such as Diablo Immortal, Honkai Star Rail, and PUBG Mobile.
Still, the best thing about the OnePlus Open is its charging speed. Even the brand new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 struggles to compete against the OnePlus in this area, with the Open offering a full charge in just under 45 minutes. It’s also, as we’ve come to expect from OnePlus, a pretty handy snapper, with a triple-camera set-up consisting of 48MP wide, 64MP 3x telephoto, and 48MP ultrawide lenses. That should cover you from super-zoomed to wide-angle shots, and everything in between.
The only real downside to the OnePlus Open is that it’s so expensive. Admittedly, nearly all foldable phones are, but that still doesn’t make it any easier to part with over $1,500. It also doesn’t offer the best protection against dust and water, with just an IPX4 rating, which means it’s only vaguely splashproof. Again, though, that’s an issue for a few foldables, so we can’t criticize the Open too much for that.
The best mid-range OnePlus phone.
OnePlus 12R specifications:
Display |
6.78-inch 120Hz AMOLED (1264 x 2780 pixels) |
Battery |
5,500 mAh |
Chipset |
Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
RAM |
8GB / 12GB / 16GB |
Storage |
128GB / 256GB |
Reasons to buy
- Vivid display
- Long-lasting battery
- Fast charging
- Reliable performance
Reasons to avoid
- No wireless charging
- Low IP rating
The mid-range price point is congested with fantastic phones like the Google Pixel 8a and Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, but the OnePlus 12R might still be our favorite of the bunch. With its elegant design, fantastic gaming performance thanks to a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and a stunning AMOLED screen that keeps content looking crisp, it’s the closest you can get to a flagship experience without spending upwards of $800.
Still, the biggest selling point we came across during our testing of the 12R is its stellar battery life and wicked-fast charging. Even with pretty intensive gaming use, you can be sure this phone is going to get through the day, and you don’t need to leave it charging all night as it boosts from 0-100% in less than an hour. That’s a level of practicality that beats out much pricier alternatives like the iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S24. It helps that it looks snazzy too, with an elegant design that might be the best we’ve seen from OnePlus yet.
There are a couple of caveats to the 12R, though. For a start, it doesn’t offer wireless charging, which is always a nice extra. The more concerning issue is the IP64 rating, though, which suggests that this phone doesn’t play nice at all when it comes into contact with water. If you pick one up, we’d suggest picking up a case too, just for that added layer of protection from spills and drops. If you want the full lowdown, see our OnePlus 12R review.
OnePlus 10T
Best OnePlus phone for gaming
OnePlus 10T specifications:
Display |
120Hz 6.7” AMOLED (1080 x 2412) |
Battery |
4800 mAh |
Chipset |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 |
RAM |
8-12GB |
Storage |
128-256GB |
Reasons to buy
- Cooling system
- Slick design
- Hyperboost gaming engine
Reasons to avoid
- Older model
- Subpar camera
When thinking of gaming phones, OnePlus isn’t the first one that comes to mind, though it does collaborate with Hoyoverse for Genshin Impact theme phones. However, just because the company doesn’t market its phones as powerhouse gaming devices doesn’t mean that they don’t work well with the best mobile games.
The OnePlus 10T, complete with a cooling system for long play sessions, a solid chipset in the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, and a pre-installed hyperboost gaming engine that enables a GPA frame stabilizer, is the best gaming phone they offer. Yes, this thing is capable of much more than just running Candy Crush – Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail run swimmingly on this device.
Beyond its gaming capabilities, the OnePlus 10T does have other features that make it a superior option; the speed at which this phone runs is nothing short of impressive, thanks to its chipset (though the OnePlus 11 does beat it just slightly). Furthermore, while the phone isn’t the cheapest on the market, it actually looks more expensive than it is, thanks to its slick design.
Beyond the chipset and design, the 10T is one of the best OnePlus phones for its charging power, taking just ten minutes to fully juice up your phone. More than that, though it’s not the latest OnePlus flagship device, its 120Hz refresh-rate 6.7” AMOLED screen gives it a very crisp display. It’s another reason to consider this cell phone if a gaming device is on your radar.
OnePlus Nord 2T
Best OnePlus phone for value
OnePlus Nord 2T specifications:
Display |
6.43-inch AMOLED (1080 x 2400) |
Battery |
4500 mAh |
Chipset |
MediaTek Dimensity 1300 |
RAM |
8-12GB |
Storage |
128-256GB |
Reasons to buy
- Good price
- Decent charging
Reasons to avoid
- Weaker battery
- Hard to find
- Lacks wireless charging
Let’s get the most awkward thing about the OnePlus Nord 2T out of the way first – it’s not readily available in the US. This is objectively annoying for those who are after this device, but like with the best Xiaomi phones, you can get this cell phone through third-party sellers. That does mean that its initial price is likely to increase, though.
If you can get your hands on this device, it’s the best phone for those on a budget. One of its most appealing traits is the impressive recharge speeds, even with the lack of wireless charging. The screen refresh rate sits at 90Hz, and while that might not contend with some of the big hitters on this list, it does still put the OnePlus Nord 2T above other phones that match a similar budget.
Typically, phones between $300 and $500 cap out at a screen refresh rate of 60Hz. Not only does the phone have impressive refresh rates for its price, but OnePlus integrated it with the same charging power as its heavy-hitting devices, like the OnePlus 10 Pro, so this budget phone also has superior charging on its side.
In terms of cameras, the OnePlus Nord 2T has a decent setup for a budget phone. The 50MP main camera, coupled with the 8MP ultrawide and 2MP mono cameras, does mean it offers a decent camera setup for its price range.
OnePlus Nord N20 5G
Best OnePlus phone on a budget
OnePlus Nord N20 5G specifications:
Display |
6.43-inch AMOLED (1080 x 2400) |
Battery |
4500 mAh |
Chipset |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G |
RAM |
6GB |
Storage |
128GB |
Reasons to avoid
- Weaker option
- Sub-par camera
The OnePlus Nord N20 5G just about makes it onto this list as it’s an affordable way to get 5G. I’d go so far as to say that’s one of the most appealing aspects of the phone. You see, this smartphone can’t contend with the likes of the OnePlus 11 and OnePlus 10 Pro when it comes to power and the like, but it is a standout amongst similar devices from other manufacturers.
This device is also readily available in the US, so consumers stateside don’t have to worry about the struggle that may come with getting their hands on a OnePlus Nord 2T. The Nord 2T is the superior device, though that superiority does come with upwards of parting with at least an extra $150. However, that extra cost can also net you up to an extra 6GB of RAM and double the storage capacity.
The cheap 5G capabilities and reasonable systems make this phone a worthy purchase for those seeking to pick up a smartphone without the eye-watering cost of a top-of-the-range Samsung or iPhone. The OnePlus Nord N20 also has a luscious display, so while it clearly doesn’t match up to other devices in most ways, there are still aspects that make it a bargain grab.
Best OnePlus phone collaboration
OnePlus 12R Keqing edition specifications:
Display |
6.78-inch AMOLED 120 Hz ProXDR (2780 x 1264) |
Battery |
5,500 mAh |
Chipset |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
RAM |
16GB |
Storage |
256GB |
Reasons to buy
- Gaming-themed
- Elegant design
We finally got our hands on the OnePlus Keqing-themed phone and it doesn’t disappoint. This brand partnership doesn’t sacrifice quality either – the 12R is the slimmed-down version of the company’s latest flagship model, squeezing the beefy battery and chipset needed for quality mobile gaming time into a pocket-friendly model.
With an incredible 4500 nits peak brightness, you’ll never struggle to see your screen, while the OnePlus 12R’s 2160 Hz PWM dimming ensures that you’re taking care of your eyesight. Plus, there’s no fear of your phone turning to molten lava in your hands thanks to the next-gen vapor chamber cooling system.
Of course, as a new flagship model, the OnePlus 12R is pretty pricey despite being cheaper than the standard OnePlus 12, it’s still roughly $50 more than the non-Keqing model thanks to the waifu tax. That being said, you can see in our full review just how many exclusive extras you get alongside the phone itself.
Read our full OnePlus 12R Genshin Impact edition review.
Best OnePlus deals today
How we chose the best OnePlus phones
Determining the best phones from any brand requires looking at a range of factors and uses – is it best for general use, is the camera the main attraction, or can it be a good phone for gaming? We take a particular interest in the key features that play a part in whether or not a device is worthy of being yours.
One of the first things we pay attention to is the cost, and whether or not a smartphone can stand tall amongst its peers in a similar price range. Something to keep in mind is that phones do rely on their batteries, so this is high on our list, too. After all, if you can’t use the features packed into your device, what good is it? Some apps drain the battery more than others, so make sure to check the specs when picking a handset. The time it takes to charge your phone might also be something to look at. Next, we want to know about the RAM, storage, and chipset – these all come together to determine just how powerful a phone is after all.
If you want to discover how we test these phones, be sure to check out our article, where we give you a complete rundown so you know that we take our choices seriously. We want you to have all the facts so that you can make an informed decision.
Are OnePlus phones good?
OnePlus creates a variety of models, just like every other smartphone manufacturer, which means there are OnePlus phones to meet a range of wants and budgets. To that end, some of these phones are among the best on the market, while others leave a little to be desired, sacrificing certain aspects to reach that cheaper price point.
Therefore, it’s fair to say that, yes, OnePlus phones can be good and can rival other manufacturers. It’s just a case of finding the right device for you. Luckily, that’s what we’re here for with this list!
What makes OnePlus phones good?
While the best Samsung phones are known for their impressive software, OnePlus phones have some of the best hardware on the market for an affordable price. Their quality processors, large screens, and massive amounts of internal storage are what make them such great gaming devices.
If you decide that OnePlus isn’t the manufacturer for you, maybe our list of the best Xiaomi phones can help you out instead. But why stop there? You could also check out our best cell phone providers and best mobile VPN buying guides.