The battle for the mid-premium smartphone crown just got more exciting as OnePlus 13T 5G officially steps into the Indian market. But with the iQOO 12 already dominating the gaming and performance segments, buyers are now wondering — which one is the better pick in terms of gaming, camera, battery, and India price? Let’s break it down in a simple, human way.
Design & Display — Sleek Looks Meet Smooth Performance
Both phones are stunning in their own right, but each appeals to a different crowd.
| Feature | OnePlus 13T 5G | iQOO 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Display Type | 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED | 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz adaptive | 144Hz adaptive |
| Resolution | 1.5K (2772 x 1240) | 1.5K (2800 x 1260) |
| Peak Brightness | 2600 nits | 3000 nits |
| Build | Gorilla Glass Victus + Aluminum frame | AG Glass back + Aluminum frame |
The iQOO 12 has a slightly higher refresh rate and brightness, making it ideal for gamers and multimedia lovers. Meanwhile, the OnePlus 13T 5G feels more refined and balanced in hand, with that familiar premium OnePlus finish.
Performance & Gaming — Snapdragon vs Dimensity Showdown
Gaming enthusiasts, this is where things heat up.
| Category | OnePlus 13T 5G | iQOO 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 9300 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| RAM | Up to 16GB LPDDR5X | Up to 16GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | Up to 512GB UFS 4.0 | Up to 512GB UFS 4.0 |
| Cooling System | Vapor Chamber Cooling | Intelligent Cooling System |
| Gaming Experience | Smooth, efficient for long sessions | More powerful, handles AAA titles better |
In the OnePlus 13T 5G Launched vs iQOO 12 debate, iQOO 12 clearly wins the gaming battle with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip — the most powerful processor in Android right now. However, the Dimensity 9300 on the OnePlus 13T 5G is no slouch, offering efficient power management and stable frame rates.
Camera — Flagship Photography, Two Different Styles
| Feature | OnePlus 13T 5G | iQOO 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Camera | 50MP Sony IMX890 with OIS | 50MP GN5 with OIS |
| Ultra-Wide | 48MP | 50MP |
| Telephoto | 32MP (2x optical zoom) | 64MP (3x optical zoom) |
| Front Camera | 32MP | 16MP |
| Video Recording | 4K 60fps | 8K 30fps |
For camera enthusiasts, the OnePlus 13T 5G provides better image tuning with richer color accuracy, especially for portrait and daylight shots. On the other hand, iQOO 12 captures sharper details and supports 8K recording, making it perfect for content creators and vloggers.
Battery & Charging — Power That Keeps You Going
| Feature | OnePlus 13T 5G | iQOO 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 5500mAh | 5000mAh |
| Charging Speed | 120W SUPERVOOC | 120W FlashCharge |
| Charging Time | 0-100% in 23 mins | 0-100% in 25 mins |
In the OnePlus 13T 5G Launched vs iQOO 12 comparison, both devices offer superfast charging, but the OnePlus 13T 5G takes a slight lead with its larger 5500mAh battery, giving you longer playtime and screen-on hours.
Software & Long-Term Updates
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OnePlus 13T 5G: Runs OxygenOS 15 (Android 15) with 5 years of updates.
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iQOO 12: Comes with Funtouch OS 14 (Android 14) and 4 years of support.
If you love a clean, near-stock Android feel, OnePlus is the better pick. However, iQOO’s software brings added gaming tools and customization for enthusiasts.
Price in India — Value for Money
| Variant | OnePlus 13T 5G (India Price) | iQOO 12 (India Price) |
|---|---|---|
| 12GB + 256GB | ₹54,999 | ₹52,999 |
| 16GB + 512GB | ₹59,999 | ₹57,999 |
While both phones are priced close, iQOO 12 offers slightly more performance for less. The OnePlus 13T 5G justifies its premium with better battery, camera tuning, and software experience.
Verdict — Which One Should You Buy?
Choosing between these two comes down to your priorities:
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For Gaming: Go for iQOO 12 — it’s built for speed, heat control, and ultra-smooth graphics.
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For Camera & Software Experience: Choose OnePlus 13T 5G — it offers balanced performance, refined camera results, and cleaner UI.
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For Battery Life: OnePlus takes the edge with a slightly larger capacity and equally fast charging.
In short, both are winners in their own lanes — OnePlus 13T 5G for all-rounders, iQOO 12 for hardcore gamers.
FAQs
Q1. Which is better for gaming — OnePlus 13T 5G or iQOO 12?
The iQOO 12 is better suited for gaming with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, advanced cooling system, and higher 144Hz refresh rate.
Q2. Does the OnePlus 13T 5G have a better camera than the iQOO 12?
The OnePlus 13T 5G delivers more natural color tones and better low-light performance, while iQOO 12 excels in telephoto zoom and sharpness.
Q3. Which phone offers better battery backup?
The OnePlus 13T 5G has a 5500mAh battery, which lasts slightly longer than the 5000mAh cell on the iQOO 12, even though both charge equally fast.
Q4. What is the India price of OnePlus 13T 5G and iQOO 12?
The OnePlus 13T 5G starts at ₹54,999 in India, while the iQOO 12 is priced slightly lower at ₹52,999.
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