Apple’s first 5G iPhone, the iPhone 12, may no longer be available new from Apple, but it’s still a fantastic option, especially at its now reduced price.
With a moderately powerful processor, a great camera, and that sleek, modern design, the iPhone 12 ticks all the boxes. Plus, it’s the most affordable way to get 5G in an iPhone—anything older locks you into 4G.
By 2024, you can snag a refurbished iPhone 12 for less than half its original price. If you’re after a capable, future-proof iPhone without breaking the bank, the iPhone 12 is still a solid contender.
✅ Pros
Despite being a few years old, the iPhone 12 still has full 5G capability.
Assuming the same 6-year update cycle given to previous iPhones, the iPhone 12 will receive security updates until 2025
It’s easy to find a refurbished iPhone 12 with 50% off its price tag or more- Especially here at The Big Phone Store!
❌ Cons
If you’re keen on getting the most up-to-date camera technology, the iPhone 12 isn’t for you.
Mobile games continue to get more processor-intensive year by year. If playing games with great graphics is your thing, you’ll want something designed with gaming in mind. Even the iPhone 13 Pro delivers noticably stronger gaming performance.
Only Apple’s Pro iPhones carry a telephoto lens, which means that you’re stuck with a wide-angle camera on the iPhone 12
iPhone 12: First Look
Unique Features
Design and Build
The iPhone 12 offers an impressive combination of speed, efficiency, and connectivity. Powered by the A14 Bionic chip, it handles tasks and apps with ease, making multitasking smooth and responsive.
As one of Apple’s first 5G devices, the speed boost in internet connectivity is a significant improvement, enhancing daily browsing and streaming. In terms of battery life, it consistently delivers, offering reliable performance throughout the day without the constant need for recharging.
You’ll mostly find the same design features on this iPhone as those that have come before and after it – the now-familiar notch display housing the selfie camera, the rounded corners, and the lack of a dedicated ‘home’ button.
What I particularly love about the iPhone 12 is the return to the flat-edge design, which makes it feel more ‘iphoney’ than the iPhone 11 (for lack of a better word).
Maintaining the now-iconic notch, the iPhone 12 respects its roots while pushing forward in build quality and protection. It’s definitely a little more durable than the iPhone 11, although there’s only so much durability you can get out of a phone made of glass front-and-back.
How affordable is the iPhone 12?
In 2024, the iPhone 12 is a lot more wallet-friendly than when it first arrived on the scene, making it a great choice for people who want a phone that does a lot without costing a lot.
I consider this phone a smart buy for anyone looking for both quality and value. A respectable refurbisher such as The Big Phone Store will be able to provide a great iPhone 12 at a third of the price! (As of 8/24)
For the most affordable option, make sure you opt for the 128GB version for a good balance of storage space and affordability.
Unlike many Android phones, iPhones don’t come with expandable storage – which means there is no option to add storage with a microSD card.
For most users in 2024, we think 128GB is absolutely enough.
Once you take away the storage space you need to cover the bare minimum functions, you’re left with a comfortable 100GB. That’s enough for up to 30 hours of Full HD video, up to 22,000 photos, or 5 huge mobile games.
Processing Power: The A14 Bionic Chip
3.0 GHz | 4GB RAM
The iPhone 12’s A14 Bionic chip—the same powerhouse found in the 12 Pro models—delivers impressive speed and AI capabilities.
In practice? It’s more than enough to ensure smooth, reliable performance for everyday tasks. Unless you’re a hardcore gamer or 3D designer, this budget-friendly iPhone packs all the power you need.
Launched with iOS 14, it’s upgradable to the latest versions, with software support expected until 2026, keeping it secure and up-to-date.
Battery and Charging
When the iPhone 12 was first introduced in 2020, Apple advertised its battery life to last up to 17 hours for video playback, up to 11 hours for streamed video playback, and up to 65 hours for audio playback.
If you pick up an iPhone 12 from a place that knows its stuff, like The Big Phone Store, they’ll ensure the battery is in tip-top shape before you take it home. This means they check the battery to ensure it can still hold a good charge, giving it a thumbs up for keeping you connected.
The iPhone 12 is also capable of fast charging (with any official Apple charger), wireless charging (using the universal Qi standard), and Apple’s custom battery optimisations mean that your phone will last longer than other leading Android flagships (per miliamp-hour of battery capacity).
Camera
The iPhone 12 features a dual-camera system with wide and ultrawide lenses, missing the telephoto lens found on Apple’s Pro models. However, it makes impressive strides over the iPhone 11, especially in low-light photography. With Night mode now available on all cameras, including the ultrawide and selfie cameras, your evening shots and selfies come out clearer and brighter, marking a noticeable upgrade.
The differences between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 are subtler but still present. The iPhone 13 offers features like Cinematic mode for video and Photographic Styles to personalise your shots, but the iPhone 12 still holds its own, with Deep Fusion and Night mode delivering sharp, detailed images in various lighting conditions. For most users, the iPhone 12’s camera performance remains more than sufficient, even as newer models emerge.
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iPhone 12 Camera Specs |
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Main Lens: 12MP, ƒ/1.6 (great low light performance) |
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Wide Lens (120° FOV): 12MP, 13mm, ƒ/2.4 |
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Selfie (TrueDepth): 12MP, ƒ/2.2 |
Display: Super Retina XDR
The iPhone 12’s display is a massive step up ahead of the iPhone 11. Rather than keeping the lower-quality LCD camera, the iPhone 12 took the Super Retina XDR display from the iPhone 11 Pro – and the same display has stuck with every iPhone since.
Super Retina XDR displays have 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.
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 direct from the manufacturer means that the iPhone 12 is a no-guilt purchase in 2024. Only refurbished models remain, which means that if anything, by buying an iPhone 12 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 2024?
You should buy the iPhone 12 if...
You should buy the iPhone 12 in 2024 if you’re looking for a high-quality, reliable smartphone that balances advanced features with affordability. Whether you’re into photography, need a durable device for everyday use, or simply want a phone that can keep up with the latest apps and updates without breaking the bank, the iPhone 12 offers a compelling mix of performance, camera excellence, and future-proofing that’s hard to beat at its price point.
You should avoid this phone if...
If you want a phone that you know will last you for as long as possible, then the iPhone 12 might not be the best choice for you. Newer iPhones are even more durable than the 12, and will recieve software and security updates for many more years into the future.
