Although we’ve now tested both the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R (and found them to be actually quite good), we still had a few questions that our time with the phones themselves couldn’t answer. For example, why OnePlus doesn’t seem interested in offering the same software support as some of its biggest competitors, and also how its latest devices fared when they were about to go on sale.
Luckily, Kinder Liu, COO and President of OnePlus, was able to shed some light on the OnePlus 12 series in an exclusive interview with Tom’s Guide, including explaining why you get four to five years of updates instead of seven.
Liu noted that he was “thrilled with the response from our users and media to the OnePlus 12 series,” boasting that pre-orders for the OnePlus 12 are 200% higher than the OnePlus 11 a year ago, and that it Four times as many people signed up for availability alerts for the OnePlus 12R than for the OnePlus 11R.
This quadrupling of the OnePlus 12R is probably due in no small part to the fact that it will be sold worldwide and not just in India, as was the case with previous OnePlus R models. But the surge in pre-orders for the better-known OnePlus 12 suggests something has caught the public’s attention – perhaps the super-bright display, fast charging or impressive battery life that we praised in our OnePlus 12 review.
Or maybe it’s all down to the IR blaster – an unusual feature that we were happy to see on the OnePlus 12, as it’s useful in controlling various household items like TVs and heaters. “The IR Blaster is a great example of how we focus on what our users tell us,” said Liu. “Our users in India love having an IR blaster on their phone, so we’re excited to bring it to a wider audience too.”
Of Android updates and old sandwiches
Our conversation with Liu quickly turned to a common topic of smartphone conversation – software updates. With the OnePlus 12, the phone maker is sticking to four years of Android updates and an additional year of security patches; The OnewPlus 12R, which costs less, gets three years of Android updates and four years of security support.
It’s more generous than what some Android phone manufacturers offer, especially when it comes to cheaper devices like the 12R. But at the same time, both Samsung and Google have recently expanded software support, with obth promising up to seven years of software support for new flagships, including the Galaxy S24 series and Pixel 8 phones.
However, this doesn’t seem to be something OnePlus wants to achieve in the future. “Simply offering longer software update policies completely misses the point,” Liu said. “It’s not just the software update policy that matters to the user, but also the smooth user experience of your phone.” In other words, extended software support isn’t much use if your phone’s hardware can’t keep up.
Liu uses a good metaphor to explain this further. “Imagine your phone is a sandwich,” he said. “Some manufacturers are now saying that the filling in your sandwich – the software in your phone – will still be good to eat seven years from now. What they don’t tell you, however, is that the bread in the sandwich – the user experience – might be moldy after four years. Suddenly a seven-year software update policy no longer matters because the rest of your experience with the phone is terrible.”
Liu also pointed to the company’s testing at TÜV SÜD, which stress tests its phones, including the OnePlus 12 and 12R, in various ways to quickly simulate years of use. Based on these results, OnePlus says it can guarantee its signature “fast and smooth” performance after four years of use.
This also includes the condition of the phone’s battery. Liu says something else is important when looking at software update policies. “When our competitors say their software policy is valid for seven years, remember that their phone battery may not be valid,” he added.
Liu also cited findings published by Counterpoint Research that found Android users tend to upgrade their smartphones within four years of purchase. OnePlus’ current offering fits this reported behavior perfectly, while Samsung and Google appear to be unnecessarily offering Android updates for another three years, at least for the majority of their customers. However, this trend may change as users learn that they can expect longer software support from their Android devices.
The OnePlus 12 can be pre-ordered until February 6th, when it will go on sale. The OnePlus 12R remains available for pre-order until its slightly later launch date of February 13th.
