Two smartphones, two powerhouses, and one big question: Which one lasts longer? The OnePlus 12 and the Pixel 9 Pro are the latest titans in the Android world. Both offer great cameras, slick designs, and top-tier power. But when it comes to battery life, there’s only one king. Let’s find out who wears the crown.
The Basics
Before diving into toothbrush timers and YouTube loops, here’s a simple stat sheet:
- OnePlus 12: 5400mAh battery, 100W wired charging, 50W wireless charging
- Pixel 9 Pro: 5050mAh battery, 27W wired charging, 23W wireless charging
On paper, OnePlus 12 has the edge. Bigger battery. Faster charging. But a phone’s real-world use can change everything. Let’s break it down.
Everyday Use
Who doesn’t scroll Instagram, check emails, play a lil’ Candy Crush, and stream music—all before lunch? In daily use scenarios, both phones perform really well. But here’s where it gets interesting.
- OnePlus 12: Easily lasts a full day with 20–30% still left by bedtime.
- Pixel 9 Pro: Pushes through a full day too, but often drops below 10% by the end of the day.
The OnePlus 12 is just a little more efficient when juggling apps, streaming, and camera use. Google’s software is smart, but that battery drains quicker under pressure.
Screen Time Showdown
Your screen is the biggest battery hog. So, what happens when both phones are used with brightness all the way up and screen-refresh maxed out?
- OnePlus 12: ~9.5 hours of screen-on time
- Pixel 9 Pro: ~7.5 hours of screen-on time
That’s a solid 2-hour lead for OnePlus. Nice.
Gaming Power Drain
Ever spent hours battling enemies or building kingdoms? Games heat things up—literally and figuratively. So we put both phones through a 2-hour gaming test.
- OnePlus 12: Lost about 20% battery
- Pixel 9 Pro: Lost about 30% battery
The OnePlus 12 stayed cooler too. Thanks to its advanced cooling system, gaming didn’t stress the battery too much. Pixel 9 Pro? It got a bit toasty.
Video Streaming Marathon
Time to Netflix and not chill—just stream. Both phones played HD video on loop until they tapped out.
- OnePlus 12: Lasted around 20 hours
- Pixel 9 Pro: Gave up at 16.5 hours
Big win for OnePlus here. If you binge shows, this might matter a lot.
Charging Speed Matters
Let’s talk charging. Because no matter how long your phone lasts, you’ll still need to juice up.
- OnePlus 12: 0 to 100% in around 25 minutes (wired)
- Pixel 9 Pro: 0 to 100% takes over 75 minutes (wired)
Holy Fast-Charge, Batman! OnePlus 12 wins here, no contest. With its 100W charger, you could plug in during your morning coffee and be set for the day.
Software Optimization
Battery size isn’t everything. How well a phone uses its battery matters too.
Google’s Pixel 9 Pro runs Android the way Google intended. Smart system-level management, adaptive lighting, background app control—the works. It tries hard to stretch that 5050mAh cell.
But the OnePlus 12, with its OxygenOS overlays and tuning, is surprisingly efficient. It doesn’t just have a bigger battery. It uses it better.
Standby Test
Sometimes you’re barely using your phone, just checking it once in a while. Here’s how both phones do in idle mode overnight.
- OnePlus 12: Loses about 2% in 8 hours of standby
- Pixel 9 Pro: Loses about 4–5% in the same time
The results? Consistent. OnePlus again proves more relaxed in its power sipping.
Battery Health Over Time
We can’t time travel, but based on earlier models and user feedback, there are some trends.
- OnePlus: Battery tends to degrade slower over the first year
- Pixel: Battery health slightly drops by ~10% after a year
No phone battery lives forever, but OnePlus is known for long-lasting performance. Mix that with fast charging and you’re less likely to stress over plug-ins.
The Verdict
So, which one is better when it comes to battery life? Let’s recap with one last quick breakdown:
- OnePlus 12 – Bigger battery, longer screen-on time, better standby, significantly faster charging
- Pixel 9 Pro – Smarter software, good optimization, but smaller battery and much slower to charge
Winner: OnePlus 12
If you want a phone that just keeps going—and charges in minutes—OnePlus 12 is your guy. The Pixel 9 Pro isn’t a slouch, but in this battle of the batteries, it’s the runner-up.
Still, both phones are champs. It really depends on what you prioritize. Cameras? Go Pixel. Battery and speed? Go OnePlus. Either way, you won’t go wrong.
But if you’re sick of watching that low-battery warning, you know which one to pick.