iQOO recently launched its flagship iQOO 12 series in India, introducing the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. This smartphone is gearing up for a head-to-head battle with rivals like the upcoming OnePlus 12, which also boasts the same processor and is anticipated to hit the Indian market in January 2024.
The iQOO 12 series initially made its debut in China in early November, presenting two models: the iQOO 12 and iQOO 12 Pro. Notably, the Pro version will remain exclusive to the Chinese market, maintaining a tradition from previous generations.
Compared to its predecessor, the iQOO 12 features a fresh design. Its aluminum alloy frame is not only flat but also exudes a shiny finish. The camera module, now a rounded square, is larger than the rectangular island seen on the previous model. The Legend and Alpha color variants come with a glass rear panel, departing from the vegan leather finish found on the earlier version.
IQOO 12 is India’s First Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Smartphone
The device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, manufactured using a 4nm process, and is coupled with the Adreno 750 GPU to handle graphics-intensive tasks. The iQOO 12 excels in keeping cool with its largest-ever VC Cooling System, a 40% improvement since the iQOO 11. This ensures optimal performance during demanding tasks. For gaming enthusiasts, the phone employs frame interpolation technology, boosting the game frame rate to an impressive 144 FPS.

The iQOO 12 boasts a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with a resolution of 1260 x 2800 pixels and a variable refresh rate of 144Hz. The 1.5K display reaches a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, and the smartphone is certified with an IP64 rating, offering a certain level of protection against dust and water. The triple rear camera setup includes a 50MP primary camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 64MP secondary telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 50MP ultra-wide-angle lens.
IQOO 12 Will Get 3 Major Android Updates
Running on Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14, the iQOO 12 guarantees users three major OS upgrades. Connectivity options are robust, featuring dual SIM, 5G, WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, GNSS, NFC, and USB Type-C. Additional features include an optical in-screen fingerprint sensor, an x-axis linear vibration motor, and dual stereo speakers. Powering the device is a 5,000mAh battery, with support for rapid 120W wired charging.

IQOO 12 Price and Offers
The iQOO 12 is available in India with the following price tags:
- 16GB + 256GB: ₹52,999 (~$635)
- 16GB + 512GB: ₹59,999 (~$720)
Consumers can choose from two elegant color options, Alpha or Legend. The smartphone is set to hit the market on December 14, with attractive incentives such as a ₹3,000 bank discount with ICICI and HDFC Bank Cards and an additional exchange discount of up to ₹5,000 during the initial sales period. When you factor in all the prices, the iQOO 12 comes in at around ₹50,000. And you can further ease the financial strain with monthly EMI options. This allows you to break down the cost into manageable monthly payments, making the premium iQOO 12 more accessible to a broader range of users. The EMI plans are approx. ₹2448 for 24 Months, ₹3142 for 18 Months, ₹4536 for 12 Months, and ₹8726 for 6 Months.
IQOO 12 vs OnePlus 12 Specifications
OnePlus 12 | IQOO 12 | |
Display | 6.8 inch 2K LTPO OLED, 120 Hz, 2160 Hz PWM Dimming | 6.8 inch 1.5K LTPO AMOLED, 144Hz |
Camera | 50MP Sony LYT-808 sensor with OIS 64MP Omnivision OV64B periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom Sony IMX581 48MP ultrawide | 50 MP OmniVision OV50H OIS 64 MP OV64B OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, Samsung (S5K)JN1 sensor, 119˚ (ultrawide) 16 MP Selfie |
Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU & Adreno 540 GPU | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU & Adreno 540 GPU |
Storage | Upto 1 TB UFS 4.0 | Upto 1 TB UFS 4.0 |
RAM | Upto 24 GB LPDDR5X | Upto 16 GB LPDDR5X |
USB Port | USB 3.2 Gen 1 port | USB 2.0 port |
Battery | 5400 mAh, 100W charging and 50W wireless charging | 5000 mAh, 120W wired |
Haptics | X-axis linear motor and Bionic vibrations | X-axis linear motor |
Price | 12GB RAM/256GB – ¥4299 (₹50,590/$606/€560) | 16GB + 256GB: ₹52,999 (~$635) |