The OnePlus 12R launched in January 2024, along with the higher-end OnePlus 12. The devices came with notable upgrades over the previous generation. For the OnePlus 12R, one of the marketed upgrades was that the 256GB variant of the phone would come with UFS 4.0 storage.
Unfortunately, it was recently revealed well after the device launch that OnePlus made a gaffe with their marketing material, and all the OnePlus 12R models come with UFS 3.1 storage. Some people have already purchased the phone and it was clear that OnePlus would have to make it up somehow. Now we know how.
If You Bought A 256GB OnePlus 12R, You Can Get A Refund For The Next Month
The OnePlus 12R launched in two variants: a 128GB/8GB version which was correctly advertised from the start as coming with UFS 3.1 storage, and a 256GB/16GB that was initially advertised to be UFS 4.0.
Unfortunately, after release, a OnePlus Community post made it clear that there isn't any OnePlus 12R variant that comes with UFS 4.0 storage, and both stick to UFS 3.1. This came after the phone had become available to consumers, so it was clear that the company was going to need to do something about that mistake on their part.
Well, a comment under that same post has now made OnePlus' position clear. For anyone with a 256GB OnePlus 12R, you can talk with OnePlus Customer Service and figure out the best solution, the greatest being a full refund, up until March 16th.
Do You Really Need UFS 4.0 Storage That Much?
Without a doubt, UFS 4.0 storage is better than UFS 3.1. In fact, on paper, it is twice as fast as UFS 3.1 while providing superior power efficiency, so it can benefit your user experience in more ways than one. However, is not getting UFS 4.0 storage enough reason to return your OnePlus 12R?
For some people, certainly. If the storage technology was a major point in favor of buying the phone, then it makes sense. OnePlus has Trinity Engine working on the phone, which hopefully boosts storage performance, but a real-world test between both storage versions can give you a more conclusive answer.
The above video compares the UFS 4.0 storage in the OnePlus 11 to UFS 3.1 in the OnePlus 12R, and to be honest, in terms of app performance alone, the difference isn't massive. But when it comes to copying or moving huge files, UFS 4.0 came out superior, with much higher read and write speeds. So, personally, it wouldn't be an absolute dealbreaker, but some degree of compensation would be nice!
The OnePlus 12R Is A Solid Phone When It Comes To Bang For Your Buck
The OnePlus 12R starts at $500, and for that, you get a lot. UFS 4.0 storage would have sweetened the deal, but you still get the choice between 128GB/8GB and 256GB/16GB and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, with a 5,500 mAh powering the device. For the price, it's amazing that you get 100W charging with that.
The screen is a 6.78-inch 120Hz LTPO AMOLED screen with a peak brightness of 4500 nits and FHD+ resolution. You get a 50MP primary camera, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro, with a 16MP selfie shooter. For the price, that's a crazy good deal, and the OnePlus 12R might actually just be a Flagship Killer.
