vivo iQOO 12

First impressions & design

The iQOO 12 keeps the visual language minimal and modern. It’s relatively slim for a flagship-class device and uses premium materials with a matte back on most colorways to reduce fingerprints. The camera module is pronounced but tidy, not the LED-ring spectacle some other gaming-oriented phones use, which gives the phone a more mainstream, refined look while still hinting at its performance focus.

Display: a highlight

One of the iQOO 12’s strongest suits is its display. The phone features a large 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with a high-resolution 2800 × 1260-pixel layout and a very fast refresh rate (up to 144 Hz). The display also reaches extremely high peak brightness levels (useful outdoors) and supports LTPO variable refresh behavior for power efficiency. In practice that combination delivers silky-smooth scrolling, very punchy HDR viewing and responsive touch during gaming sessions.

Performance: flagship muscle

Under the hood the iQOO 12 is powered by a top-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 platform and pairs that with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage options. That hardware mix gives the phone class-leading CPU and GPU performance for gaming, app loading and intensive multitasking, everything feels snappy. iQOO also outfits the handset with a large vapor chamber and advanced cooling to sustain high frame rates during long sessions, which is important if you play competitively or use demanding apps.

Cameras: solid, not headline-grabbing

The iQOO 12 ships with a competent triple-camera setup. The primary sensor is a high-quality 50 MP unit backed up by additional wide/ultrawide or telephoto-capable modules (depending on regional configuration). Photos in daylight are detailed with accurate color reproduction, and the aggressive image processing helps keep shots share-ready straight out of the camera app. Low-light performance is improved by software processing and larger pixels on the main sensor, though rivals with larger sensor stacks sometimes pull ahead in dim scenes. Video capture is capable and supports high-resolution recording modes.

Battery & charging: endurance and speed

Battery life is another selling point. The iQOO 12 contains a large 5000 mAh battery that comfortably lasts a full day under heavy use and often stretches into two days under moderate use. Even better: fast charging is generous — iQOO supports very high wattage wired charging (120W fast charging on official specs), so topping up takes minutes rather than hours, which is a practical advantage.

Software & extras

iQOO ships the phone with OriginOS (based on Android) which brings a feature-rich UI and a number of performance and customization options. The brand usually includes gamer-focused software features like performance modes, CPU/GPU tuning, and touch optimizations (super touch control) to squeeze maximum responsiveness during gameplay. The device also generally supports advanced connectivity (5G, Wi-Fi 6/6E depending on region) and modern Bluetooth codecs.

Real-world use: gaming, media and daily tasks

If you’re a gamer, the iQOO 12 excels: high sustained frame rates, precise touch response, and robust thermal control translate to fewer stutters and better long-session comfort. For content consumption, the bright and high-refresh screen makes movies and streaming look vivid, and the stereo or tuned speakers (varies by market) provide pleasing output for casual listening. For day-to-day tasks, messaging, email, social media, photography and productivity, the iQOO 12 is overpowered in a good way: apps launch quickly and background apps remain responsive.

What I like (quick highlights)

• Flagship performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 + LPDDR5X + UFS 4.0).
• Extremely bright, high-refresh AMOLED display (144 Hz, LTPO).
• Large 5000 mAh battery plus very fast wired charging (120W).
• Thoughtful cooling system and gamer-focused software features.

Drawbacks & caveats

• Camera system is very capable, but in some specialized low-light or ultra-zoom scenarios, it can be outclassed by phones with larger sensors or more advanced optics.
• No microSD expansion (typical for flagship performance phones), so higher storage SKUs are recommended if you keep lots of local media.
• Availability and pricing can vary widely by market — check local retailers or iQOO’s regional store for official prices and warranty. (Always compare local variants.)

Pros & Cons (clean list)

Pros

• Blistering flagship performance for gaming and heavy multitasking.
• Best-in-class display tech: high refresh rate, very high peak brightness and LTPO efficiency.
• Excellent battery life with extremely fast wired charging.
• Competitive memory and storage configurations (LPDDR5X + UFS 4.0).

Cons

• Camera is strong but not the absolute leader in every photography scenario.
• No expandable storage; pick a larger internal storage SKU if you need it.
• Regional availability and price differences, may not be widely sold in every market.

Conclusion: who should buy it?

Buy the iQOO 12 if you want flagship raw performance, a top-tier display, long battery life and ultra-fast charging without spending on the very priciest “camera-first” flagships. It’s a great fit for mobile gamers, power users who juggle many apps, and anyone who prioritizes screen and speed. If your primary need is best-of-the-best smartphone photography, compare it alongside camera-centric flagships to see which trade-offs you prefer.

Specs