The iPhone 12 Pro- Apple's Finest
When the iPhone 12 Pro (and 12 Pro Max) hit the scene, it promised cutting-edge features and performance that was way ahead of its time—and it delivered! Fast forward a few years, and despite newer models hitting the market, the improvements have been relatively minor compared to the innovation the 12 Pro brought with it.
In 2025, the iPhone 12 Pro Max can still hold its own against the latest iPhone 15. Sure, its processor might not be the newest, but it’s more than capable of handling your daily needs. Plus, you still get all the perks of the Pro line, from that trusty telephoto zoom lens to the rugged, premium build quality. It’s a powerhouse that hasn’t lost its punch!
✅ Pros
- 5G connectivity
- Updates until 2026
- Unbeatable price
❌ Cons
- Older camera technology
- Poor gaming performance
iPhone 12: First Look
Unique Features
While the iPhone 12 made waves by introducing 5G connectivity, the iPhone 12 Pro takes things up a notch. It sets itself apart from its more affordable sibling with the addition of a LiDAR sensor, dramatically improving night photography, and a brighter display that makes everything crystal clear, even in direct sunlight.
We also saw the 12 Pro introduce MagSafe, a magnetic system that ensures fast and precise wireless charging, making it even more versatile and feature-packed.
Design and Build
The iPhone 12 Pro returns to the classic iPhone design of flat, boxy sides, and the camera and speaker sit in the now-familiar notch at the top of the display.
The 12 Pro is built with a stainless steel chassis rather than the iPhone 12’s aluminium frame, which adds some weight to the device but overall gives it a more premium feel.
Finally, the iPhone 12 Pro is IP68-rated against dust and water, the same rating as every other modern iPhone. (Do be aware that if you’re buying refurbished, lower-grade phones may have reduced water resistance).
The iPhone 12 Pro introduces Ceramic Shield, a new screen technology that Apple claims offers 4x better drop protection than previous models, making it one of the most durable iPhones to date.
How Affordable is the iPhone 12 Pro?
The iPhone 12 Pro is ridiculously cheap for a Pro phone. With refurbished models starting from just over £250 (at time of writing 02/25), you’re looking at a discounted price tag of less than a third of the original price!
It’s hard to find a more affordable phone with this impressive tech level under the hood. Given how similar the everyday performance of the iPhone 12 Pro feels to more modern iPhones, the value for money on this device is truly incredible.
Finally, the 12 Pro comes in a range of storage options – but the cheapest storage for an iPhone is usually to use an iCloud subscription.
Unlike many Android phones, iPhones don’t come with expandable storage – which means there is no option to add storage with a microSD card.
Processing Power: The A14 Bionic Chip
The iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max, powered by the A14 Bionic chip, offer fast, reliable performance for daily tasks, thanks to its impressive speed and AI capabilities.
While it handles most apps and multitasking with ease, newer mobile games optimized for more powerful processors may see limited performance.
Launched with iOS 14, the iPhone 12 is upgradeable to the latest iOS versions and will receive software updates until 2026, ensuring it stays smooth and secure for years.
3.0 GHz | 4GB RAM
Battery and Charging
The iPhone 12 Pro offers streamed video playback of up to 11 hours when new, with the 12 Pro Max only offering 1 hour more at a surprisingly low 12 hours. More recent Pro Max iPhones have boosted the battery capacity more than that.
Charging your iPhone 12 Pro can be done with any made-for-iPhone lighting charger, and fast charge is unlocked by using a fast-charging plug from Apple. Wireless charging (compatible with any modern wireless charger thanks to the Qi standard) is built in to these phones, same as any modern iPhone.
Phone batteries can degrade as you use them, depending on a huge number of factors such as your charging habits and how you take care of your device. You can protect your phone battery by enabling the smart battery optimizations and optimized charging on your iPhone.
When you’re buying a refurbished phone, battery health can vary depending on the grade of the phone. At The Big Phone Store, our refurbished iPhones have a MINIMUM of 80% battery health – and if you’re not satisfied with that, we even offer battery replacements on all our refurbished iPhone models!
iPhone 12 Pro Camera Capabilities
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iPhone 12 Pro Camera Specs |
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Main (Wide) Lens: 12MP, ƒ/1.6 (great low light performance) |
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Ultrawide Lens (120° FOV): 12MP, ƒ/2.4 |
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Telephoto Lens: 12MP, ƒ/2.0 aperture. |
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Selfie (TrueDepth): 12MP, ƒ/2.2 |
The iPhone 12 Pro’s camera is a serious upgrade over the standard iPhone 12. With the addition of a Telephoto lens (2x zoom, like the iPhone 11 Pro), it offers more versatility—though for extra zoom power, you’ll need to spring for a newer Pro model.
The real standout? The LiDAR sensor, delivering super accurate autofocus and stunning portrait-mode photos, even in low light.
Combine that with the improved Night Mode for epic low-light shots, and you’ve got a camera system that’s hard to beat in its class.
Display: Super Retina XDR
On paper, the iPhone 12 Pro’s display seems the same as the iPhone 12 and iPhone 11 Pro. The Super Retina XDR display (also found on every iPhone released since) boasts a pixel density of about 460ppi (pixels per inch) – which for a phone held at a normal distance from your face, is a higher resolution than the human eye (hence ‘retina’).
Here’s how far you need to zoom in before you can see the individual pixels on the screen:
Sustainability
Apple uses carbon offsetting to make their own operations 100% carbon-neutral, and have the ambitious goal of offsetting the total carbon footprint of all of their products by 2030.
The fact that you can’t buy a new iPhone 12 Pro or 12 Pro Max direct from the manufacturer means that these are no-guilt purchases in 2025. Only refurbished models remain, which means that if anything, by buying an iPhone 12 Pro and taking care of it, you’re saving a device from ending up in a landfill site.
– Steven Athwal
Sustainability Expert
Summary: Should you buy the iPhone 12 in 2025?
You should buy the iPhone 12 Pro if...
You should buy the iPhone 12 Pro if you need a Pro iPhone that does the basics well. The gap between the 12 Pro and the 15 Pro is noticable, but smaller than the distance between the 12 Pro and the iPhone XR. This is truly a phone that was ahead of its time.
You should avoid this phone if...
If you want a phone that can handle any game with ease, or take breathtaking photos, the iPhone 12 Pro might leave you a little disappointed compared to other iPhones available today.
