Can an old budget phone still survive in 2026 Bangladesh? I used HTC Desire 12 and OnePlus 13 daily for over a month, calls, rides, hot afternoons, weak signals, and long screen time. The result is clear. HTC Desire 12 works only for the most basic needs. OnePlus 13 feels fast, reliable, and stress-free. Desire 12 struggles with speed, camera, and battery age. OnePlus 13 delivers strong performance, stable network, and a camera you can trust.

In Bangladesh, Desire 12 is now mostly used or grey-market, while OnePlus 13 sits firmly in the premium space. Below, I break down price reality, gaming, network, camera, display, and who each phone is actually for, based only on what I personally experienced.

To verify current pricing, I visited Bashundhara City, Jamuna Future Park, and several local mobile shops, and cross-checked online listings. The HTC Desire 12 is no longer officially available in Bangladesh, most units on the market are used or leftover stock, where overall condition matters more than listed price. Many devices I inspected showed noticeable battery degradation.

In contrast, the OnePlus 13 is widely available in Dhaka through established unofficial sellers, with fairly consistent pricing across major markets. Although the upfront cost is much higher, OnePlus 13 offers long-term usability and stronger resale value, advantages the Desire 12 no longer provides. The HTC Desire 12 carries higher risk due to battery wear and IMEI uncertainty. OnePlus 13 is safer if you verify IMEI and box properly.

When running PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and casual titles, the HTC Desire 12’s entry-level processor quickly shows its limits. PUBG runs only at the lowest settings and begins to lag after short sessions, with heat building up quickly. In contrast, the OnePlus 13 delivers a completely different gaming experience. Games run smoothly at higher settings with stable frame rates, even during long sessions in warm indoor conditions.

While the phone does get warm, performance remains consistent. Based on my experience, the Desire 12 is no longer suitable for gaming in 2026, and even in the same low used-price range in Bangladesh, newer budget smartphones offer better gaming performance. HTC Desire 12 drained fast during gaming. OnePlus 13 maintained predictable battery life even with heavy use.

• Day-to-day speed: OnePlus 13 feels instant and fluid from morning to night. HTC Desire 12 feels slow, with delays even opening basic apps like WhatsApp or Chrome.

• Usability under pressure: In heat, low signal, or multitasking, OnePlus 13 stays stable. Desire 12 starts stuttering and tests your patience.

• Camera confidence: With OnePlus 13, I just tap and shoot, results are reliable. Desire 12 often needs multiple tries, especially indoors or at night.

• Long-term value: OnePlus 13 feels ready for the next few years. Desire 12 already feels outdated and limited today.

Bottom line: If you care about speed, reliability, and long-term usability, OnePlus 13 completely outclasses, HTC Desire 12 in real life.

I used Grameenphone, Banglalink, Robi, and Teletalk SIMs in both phones. HTC Desire 12 handles calls fine but struggles with 4G stability in busy areas. Data drops indoors were common. OnePlus 13 held stronger signals, faster recovery, and clearer call quality. Desire 12 has no 5G network support. OnePlus 13 is 5G-ready, making it more future-proof. On Wi-Fi, OnePlus 13 stayed stable across rooms, while Desire 12 lost speed quickly.

HTC Desire 12’s camera feels dated. Daylight photos look soft, and low-light shots are noisy. Video is shaky. OnePlus 13 is far more reliable. Daylight photos are sharp, night shots are usable, and video stabilization works consistently. From my use, OnePlus 13 is a phone you can trust to capture moments without frustration. Desire 12 is not.

HTC Desire 12’s LCD display feels dim outdoors. Reading texts under sunlight was difficult for me. Colors look flat. OnePlus 13’s AMOLED display is bright, clear, and comfortable indoors and outdoors. Scrolling and video watching feel smoother and easier on the eyes. In daily Bangladeshi conditions, OnePlus 13 clearly wins.

Need only calls and basic apps on a tight budget? Desire 12 may work. Want speed, camera reliability, gaming, and future safety? OnePlus 13 is the smarter buy.

HTC Desire 12 is strictly for basic users today. OnePlus 13 offers strong performance, dependable cameras, and stable networks, making it the better choice for most users in Bangladesh.

Is OnePlus 13 noticeably faster than HTC Desire 12?
Yes. OnePlus 13 feels smooth everywhere, while HTC Desire 12 shows lag even during simple daily tasks.

Which phone handles heat better in Bangladesh weather?
OnePlus 13 manages heat well. Desire 12 heats quickly and slows down during longer use.

Can HTC Desire 12 handle gaming in 2026?
Only very light games. Popular titles like PUBG feel laggy and unstable on Desire 12.

Which phone camera is more reliable for daily photos?
OnePlus 13 delivers consistent results. Desire 12 struggles, especially in low light.

Is HTC Desire 12 safe to buy used now?
Risky. Battery wear and IMEI issues are common. Inspection is critical before buying.