The iQOO 12 is finally official, and it’s making waves in the flagship smartphone segment. Designed for performance enthusiasts, mobile gamers, and power users, this phone blends cutting-edge hardware with a clean and modern design language. With the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and a super-smooth 144Hz AMOLED display, the iQOO 12 brings serious competition to premium smartphones, but without the ultra-premium pricing.
This in-depth review covers everything about the iQOO 12, including design, display, chipset, camera specs, battery life, launch pricing, and more.
Table of Contents
Confirmed Launch and Pricing
The iQOO 12 was officially launched on December 12, 2023, with availability in several markets via online and offline channels.
Launch Prices:
- 12GB RAM + 256GB Storage: ₹52,999
- 16GB RAM + 512GB Storage: ₹57,999
- Introductory offers may reduce these prices by ₹3,000 to ₹4,000 depending on bank and exchange deals.
This pricing places the iQOO 12 among the most value-packed flagship smartphones currently available.
AMOLED Display: A Visual Feast
One of the key highlights of the iQOO 12 is its display. It features a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED screen that’s tailored for gamers, streamers, and multitaskers.
- Resolution: 2800 × 1260 (1.5K)
- Refresh Rate: Adaptive 1Hz to 144Hz
- Brightness: 3000 nits peak (typical ~1400 nits outdoors)
- HDR Support: HDR10+ certified
- Touch Sampling Rate: Up to 1200Hz
- PWM Dimming: 2160Hz for flicker-free low-light viewing
This display ensures punchy colors, deep blacks, and buttery-smooth interaction, especially during fast-paced gaming and scrolling.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: The Performance Core
Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 drives the iQOO 12. Built on the 4nm process, it’s Qualcomm’s most efficient and powerful SoC yet.
- CPU: Octa-core (1×3.3GHz Cortex-X4, 5×3.2GHz, 2×2.3GHz)
- GPU: Adreno 750 with ray tracing support
- RAM Type: LPDDR5X
- Storage: UFS 4.0 for blazing-fast read/write speeds
- Antutu Score: Over 2 million in benchmark tests
Whether it’s multitasking or intensive mobile gaming, the iQOO 12 handles it effortlessly with little to no thermal throttling thanks to a large vapor chamber cooling system.
Camera System: Flagship Optics with Zoom Power
The iQOO 12 doesn’t just rely on performance—it comes with a triple-lens rear camera system that supports both wide and zoom photography.
- Main Sensor: 50MP with OIS (Samsung GN5)
- Ultra-Wide: 50MP with a 120° field of view
- Telephoto: 64MP periscope lens, 3x optical zoom, 100x digital zoom
- Front Camera: 16MP
Imaging Capabilities:
- 4K video at 60fps
- Super Night Mode with AI processing
- Portrait mode with optical blur
- Telephoto macro support
- High dynamic range photography
The camera system is excellent for both everyday shots and professional-style photography with solid low-light performance and a fast shutter.
Battery and Charging: Built for All-Day Power
Powering all that hardware is a 5000mAh battery that supports ultra-fast charging.
- Battery Size: 5000mAh (dual-cell)
- Charging Speed: 120W wired
- Charging Time: 0 to 100% in ~25 minutes
- Wireless Charging: Not available
- Battery Life: Over 7 hours screen-on time in typical usage
This phone is ideal for long gaming sessions or extended travel, with the ability to top up in minutes.
Design and Build Quality
- Frame: Aluminum alloy
- Back: Curved Gorilla Glass or vegan leather (depends on edition)
- Weight: ~203 grams
- Water Resistance: IP64 rated (dust and splash resistance)
- Special Editions: BMW M Motorsport Edition with exclusive branding
The iQOO 12 feels premium in hand and includes small design touches like red accents and metallic camera trims to stand out in a sea of generic flagships.
Software Experience
- OS: Funtouch OS 14 (based on Android 14)
- Updates: 3 Android OS upgrades + 4 years security updates
- Gaming Features: Monster Mode, 4D vibration, touch optimization
- Other Features: Multi-turbo engine, privacy dashboard, iManager
The software is clean and optimized for performance, although some bloatware exists that can be uninstalled.
Connectivity & Extras
- 5G SA/NSA Support
- Wi-Fi 7 & Bluetooth 5.4
- Stereo Speakers with Hi-Res Audio
- In-display Optical Fingerprint Sensor
- No 3.5mm Jack
- No microSD Slot
The iQOO 12 has everything you’d expect from a modern flagship—blazing connectivity, secure unlocking, and high-fidelity audio output.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Flagship-grade Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance
- Vibrant 144Hz AMOLED display with 3000 nits peak brightness
- Ultra-fast 120W charging
- Excellent triple camera setup including periscope lens
- Future-proof storage and RAM technology
- Stylish and durable design
Cons:
- No wireless charging
- Lacks full waterproofing (IP68)
- Pre-installed apps (can be removed)
- No headphone jack or expandable storage
Who Should Buy the iQOO 12?
This device is perfect for:
- Gamers needing elite specs and display
- Power users who want Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 at a competitive price
- Camera lovers wanting versatile photography including zoom
- Flagship hunters on a tighter budget
The iQOO 12 balances cost, performance, and features better than most phones in its price segment.
FAQs About This phone
What is the refresh rate of This Phone and does it support adaptive scaling?
Yes, the iQOO 12 supports adaptive refresh rate up to 144Hz, scaling between 1Hz–144Hz based on usage for better battery efficiency and smoother UI performance.
Is the iQOO 12 suitable for gaming with high-end titles like Genshin Impact or PUBG?
Absolutely. With the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, LPDDR5X RAM, and UFS 4.0 storage, the iQOO 12 delivers consistent frame rates and smooth gaming even in demanding games, with sustained thermal performance.
Does the iQOO 12 have wireless charging support?
No, the iQOO 12 skips wireless charging to focus on wired 120W FlashCharge, which can power the device fully in under 30 minutes.
How is the iQOO 12’s camera quality compared to other flagships?
The iQOO 12’s triple camera setup, especially the 64MP periscope zoom lens, performs exceptionally well, rivaling more expensive flagships in versatility, night shots, and 4K video.
Will the iQOO 12 receive future Android updates?
Yes, it comes with Android 14 out of the box and is guaranteed to get 3 major Android updates and 4 years of security patches, keeping it up-to-date for a long period.
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