OnePlus wants you to switch from your Google Pixel to a OnePlus 12R

OnePlus seems to have taken a bold step by targeting Google Pixel users to switch to the new OnePlus 12R. In a recent Facebook ad, the company doubles down on its “More Bang. Less Bucks” strategy to entice Pixel fans to switch sides.

The OnePlus 12R launched last month and was quickly roped in controversy due to poor communication from the company. No doubt, the OnePlus 12R packs in some of the best hardware you can get on a smartphone that won’t burn a hole in your wallet, but is it really worth the switch from a Pixel? The company certainly thinks so.

This ad was spotted by the folks over at 9to5Google. In the ad, OnePlus highlights the starting price at $399.99 with the ‘asterisk’ accompanying it. Most brands have begun using this rather shady approach when highlighting the price. Nevertheless, in this situation, OnePlus claims you can get it for $399.99 if you trade in any smartphone in any condition. Given the mighty specs of the 12R, I’d say it’s a nice deal.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Google also has some sweet deals on its Pixel smartphones. In fact, you can currently bag the Pixel 8 for $499.99 without trading in any device. And if you do decide to trade in an older device, let’s say a Pixel 6 in good condition, you’ll be able to shave off over $100 from its price too. If you dive into the technicalities, you can even land yourself a deal where you can get the phone for “free”.

So yes, while the launch prices of Pixel phones might make the OnePlus 12R seem like an absolute steal, if you wait for the right moment, you can get a Pixel flagship for around the same price too. Therefore, at the end of the day, it all boils down to personal preference.

I’m currently daily driving both a OnePlus 11 and a Pixel 7a. I must admit, while OnePlus nails haptics and performance, the Pixel punches back with stellar camera performance and a clean Android experience. The choice is yours. I’m biased here towards the Google Pixel 8, but what would you pick? Let me know in the comments below.

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