The OnePlus 12's display features a cutting-edge 6.82-inch 2K panel developed with BOE, which is touted as one of the brightest smartphone displays available. OnePlus claims the screen has a peak brightness of 4500 nits, a record-setting figure for phones. This peak brightness is said to occur under very specific test conditions with minimal Average Picture Level (APL), such as when only about 1% of the screen is very bright white, pushing the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) pixels to their maximum luminance. However, in practical real-world use, such as displaying full HDR content outdoors in bright sunlight, the full-screen brightness that can be achieved is around 1630 nits, which is exceptionally bright for everyday use and ensures excellent visibility in direct sunlight.
The high peak brightness, combined with the panel's advanced technology, including a new-generation LTPO pixel driver circuit and an "X1" light-emitting material, helps reduce power consumption while maintaining high luminance performance. This contributes to both efficient battery use and vivid screen brightness outdoors. The display also supports a high color gamut of 100% sRGB and about 98.5% DCI-P3, which means colors remain vibrant and accurate even under strong sunlight conditions.
Though the 4500-nit peak is a lab measurement under limited conditions, the real-world outdoor brightness of over 1600 nits is among the best in the industry. Users typically find the OnePlus 12's screen very bright and easily readable under direct sunlight, excelling especially when viewing HDR content where highlights can be more vibrant and legible. Compared with other flagship phones, like Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra which officially has peak brightness closer to 2500 nits, the OnePlus 12 still holds a competitive advantage on paper, although practical brightness tests can show some variation depending on measurement methodology.
Some users have reported occasional issues like the screen dimming to very low brightness levels unexpectedly when used in very bright outdoor conditions. Community reports indicate that this might be linked to the adaptive brightness system or specific display settings, but overall, the screen's visibility under direct sunlight is very good, with vivid colors and crisp clarity. The display also features eye protection technologies that reduce blue light and flicker, which helps maintain visibility comfort in bright environments without causing strain.
OnePlus incorporates factory calibration for each panel to ensure color accuracy and consistency. This helps maintain the vibrant and sharp characteristics of the display across all viewing conditions, including challenging high-brightness outdoor environments. The brightness and display quality, combined with a variable refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz, provide a smooth and visually pleasing experience regardless of lighting. In direct sunlight, the screen maintains good contrast and color richness, avoiding excessive glare thanks to its high peak brightness and anti-reflective properties inherent in the panel design.
In summary, the OnePlus 12 display performs extremely well in direct sunlight, with a peak brightness approximately peaking at 1630 nits in typical high-brightness usage and up to 4500 nits in specialized testing conditions. The screen offers excellent outdoor visibility, vibrant colors, and sharp detail, making it one of the best displays for use in bright environments currently available in smartphones. Users can expect effortless readability and color accuracy outdoors, although some slight brightness regulation quirks may appear due to adaptive brightness features.