Editor's note: Since it was first released on October 23, 2020, the iPhone 12 has been surpassed by newer iPhone models. We've checked the below to ensure accuracy and relevance, though pricing and availability will differ from when we first reviewed this device.
Choose an older iPhone model if you still want the Apple experience, without the next-gen price tag. The iPhone 12 is the oldest model that is still supported by Apple and receives the latest iOS updates. Despite its initial release in 2020, it is still a great option for a budget-friendly iPhone.
Since Apple stopped manufacturing the iPhone 12 series, you’ll have to find a refurbished device from a reseller. Make sure you buy your refurbished iPhone from a reputable reseller, like Best Buy or Amazon, with warranties to avoid any surprise defects from your fixed-up iPhone. Try to avoid peer-to-peer platforms, such as OfferUp, so you don’t run the risk of potential issues with the phone’s hardware.
Don’t want to deal with the hassle of a second-hand phone? Browse the best iPhones of the year for a new device.
Apple iPhone 12 review: The verdict
The iPhone 12 elevates the baseline iPhone experience to the point where it no longer feels like a compromise when compared to the "Pro" models. A much-improved display and refined design help bridge the gap between Apple's cheaper and more expensive handsets to the point where the iPhone 12 is the best new iPhone for most.
What we love
- Excellent camera
- Lovely drop-resistant display
- No longer feels like the compromise phone
What could be improved
- Battery could be better
- Starts with just 64GB storage
- Won't have ProRAW
The essentials
- Performance: Top-tier.
- Battery: Just one full day per charge; heavier users may need a quick top-up during the day.
- Screen: Lovely. It's about time the non-Pro iPhones moved to an OLED display.
- Camera: Excellent. One of the best around, although you'll miss out on a few photography features when compared to the iPhone 12 Pro.
85/100
Here is how all four 2020 iPhone models compare:
Compare iPhone 12 specs
| iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 12 | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 12 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.4-inch OLED | 6.1-inch OLED | 6.1-inch OLED | 6.7-inch OLED |
| Resolution | Super Retina | Super Retina | Super Retina | Super Retina |
| Rear Cameras | 2x 12MP | 2x 12MP | 3x 12MP + LiDAR | 3x 12MP + LiDAR |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP |
| Processor | A14 | A14 | A14 | A14 |
| Storage | 64GB – 256GB | 64GB – 256GB | 128GB – 512GB | 128GB – 256GB |
| Water-Resistance | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 |
| 5G | Sub 6 | Sub 6 | Sub 6 | Sub 6 |
Image: Alex Choros | WhistleOut
iPhone 12 design and display
If you're looking at the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro front-on, it's all but impossible to determine which is which. Both phones feature an identical 6.1-inch OLED display in a classic iPhone 5S-style form factor, with a squared-off design.
This is a big deal because in previous years, the display was one of the biggest compromises made by so-called premium-economy iPhones like the iPhone 11 and iPhone XR. They were driven by LCD displays, which still require a backlight. This means blacks look grey, and colors pop a little less.
On the other hand, an OLED display like the one you'll find in the iPhone 12 works by lighting up individual pixels as they're needed. This means blacks genuinely look black, and you get a higher contrast ratio. Everything looks a little more vibrant. The iPhone 12 display is also higher resolution than any of its direct predecessors, making it just that little bit sharper.
The iPhone 11 display wasn’t bad, but the iPhone 12 screen is so much nicer in every sense of the word.
In addition to sharing the same display, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are all built from the same parts. You get the same processor, the same battery, the same kind of 5G connectivity, and the majority of the same cameras. While iPhone 12 Pro has an extra lens and a LiDAR sensor on the back, the phones are fundamentally identical.
Image: Alex Choros | WhistleOut
There are, of course, a few subtle differences in terms of design. The iPhone 12 has a glossy glass back while the iPhone 12 Pro has a more fingerprint-resistant matte glass. The iPhone 12 has an aluminum frame that makes it a little bit lighter, while the iPhone 12 Pro is built from smudgy stainless steel. The iPhone 12 Pro is easily the more premium of the two in terms of design.
The iPhone 12 has what Apple calls Ceramic Shield glass on the front, which is said to make the iPhone 12 four times more durable than the iPhone 11. I wasn't quite game to drop my iPhone 12, but other drop tests have shown the device comfortably survives most drops with its screen intact. The glass on the back of the iPhone 12 isn't quite as durable, however. There's still a decent chance of it cracking on impact. Nonetheless, anything that makes your phone a bit more resilient is very welcome in my book.
Get cheap unlimited data for your iPhone
If you decide on the iPhone 12, you’re going to need enough data for your daily online habits. You can get unlimited data for half the price of what the Big Three offer by going with a much cheaper MVNO (mobile virtual network operator).
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Image: Alex Choros | WhistleOut
The iPhone 12 is 5G capable
The iPhone 12 is the first 5G iPhone (well, alongside its three siblings)—but it's important to be realistic about expectations. 5G is very cool tech and can pull download speeds between 300Mbps and 1Gbps on a phone when you've got 5G coverage.
American 5G networks are still growing, with T-Mobile leading with the most nationwide 5G coverage. But even if you already have 5G in your area, there's the question of why you need it. The best current use for fast internet on a phone—outside of maybe as a portable hotspot—is downloading shows or albums for offline viewing if you're in a hurry, like ahead of getting on a flight with no Wi-Fi. Knowing you can download a movie from Netflix in just a few minutes is nifty, but it's not exactly a game-changer.
At the same time, 5G networks will continue to improve over the coming months and years. We'll almost certainly see apps emerge that can make the most of faster network speeds and lower latencies. Streaming Netflix on your phone was unheard of during the 3G era, and now it’s standard for any modern phone.
5G connectivity could become an essential feature in the coming years, but that's simply not the case right now. You shouldn't buy the iPhone 12 just because it has 5G. There's no rush to upgrade from a 4G phone to a 5G model. Of course, if you were planning on buying a new phone this year and the device you're after happens to have 5G, go for it.
Image: Alex Choros | WhistleOut
iPhone 12 battery life and MagSafe charging
One unfortunate similarity between the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 Pro is battery life. Both are okay, but they represent a step back from the previous year’s devices. I've typically been getting about 4.5 hours of screen time per charge on a mix of 5G, 4G, and Wi-Fi. For me, that only represents a full day of usage, with very little buffer. For comparison, I was easily able to get at least a day and a half from both the iPhone 11 and the iPhone XR. A full day per charge is fine, but it would have been nice to have a wider safety net for those days where you go hard.
On a charging-related note, Apple has made a rather interesting decision to stop bundling power bricks and earbuds with new iPhones for environmental reasons. All you'll find in the box (other than the iPhone 12 itself) is a USB-C to Lightning cable. Personally, I don't think it's a big deal. Earbuds are awful, and most of us already have a power brick anyway.
The only tricky thing is Apple's choice of cable. You'll need a power brick with a USB-C port to use it (or a computer), but unless you're upgrading from an iPhone 11, your iPhone power brick will have a full-sized USB port instead. You can always use your old charger and cable, but you'll miss out on the faster charging speeds your iPhone 12 can achieve.
Alternatively, Apple now has a new wireless charging ecosystem: MagSafe. MagSafe is a puck-like wireless charger that magnetically snaps to the back of your iPhone 12. This ensures optimal alignment for a faster wireless charge, and it means you can still use your phone while it's juicing—which you simply can't do with a standard wireless charging pad or stand. You'll still be able to get a faster top-up with a traditional charger, but MagSafe can take an iPhone 12 from flat to 40% in about half an hour.
Of course, buying into MagSafe will cost you extra. You'll need to drop $39 for the charger itself, and another $19 if you need a USB-C power brick. If you're wanting the magnets to snap to your case, you'll also need a MagSafe-compatible case. The MagSafe charger will provide charge through any case, but it won't stick to it. Apple's MagSafe cases start at $49. And while there are aspects of MagSafe that are proprietary, it still works as a regular old wireless charger that's compatible with any phone that supports it. The charge will be slightly slower, however. Right now, MagSafe is a fun but somewhat expensive accessory, but I'm really curious to see where the ecosystem will go. While most of us don't need a MagSafe charger for home, there's definitely a lot of potential when it comes to accessories like car mounts where it could genuinely save time.
Image: Alex Choros | WhistleOut
iPhone 12 camera: Two against three
If you're tossing up between the iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro, the biggest difference you have to consider is the camera. The pair share the same excellent primary and ultra-wide lenses, but the iPhone 12 Pro also benefits from a zoom lens and a few interesting little features.
The primary lens you'll find on both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro is the most significant upgrade this year, with improvements mostly benefiting lowlight imaging. Photos taken at night are sharper, brighter, and clearer compared to what you'd get on an iPhone 11.
Night mode—a setting that takes a lowlight image over a longer period of time to get a better result—is now available on the ultra-wide lens, primary lens, and selfie camera. The iPhone 11 only had night mode on the primary camera. That being said, the iPhone 12 primary camera is still a better option for lowlight photography, but it's still nice to have on the ultra-wide.
The iPhone 12 isn't a massive step up in terms of photographic prowess when compared to the iPhone 11, but it's nonetheless an excellent choice for a smartphone camera. It consistently takes great photos and shoots amazing video in almost any environment.
So what exactly do you miss out on? The most obvious omission is the 2x zoom lens. I love having the versatility of a zoom lens, but if Apple had to cut one lens to keep the iPhone 12 price down, zoom was the right decision. Of late, I've found myself using ultra-wide lenses more than zoom lenses—they make for a more versatile camera setup. You can also always rely on digital zoom in a pinch, whereas it's impossible to use software to zoom out. While it certainly doesn't compare to a proper optical lens, the iPhone 12 does an okay job at 2x digital magnification. The quality is, however, a step down from what Google has achieved with its computational digital zoom on the Pixel range.
The iPhone 12 Pro also benefits from a LiDAR sensor, which you won't find on the iPhone 12. LiDAR sensors are used to measure depth, and in the case of the iPhone 12 Pro, it's used for augmented reality apps and photography. Augmented reality apps are more of a gimmick right now, and the iPhone 12 can still run them—the LiDAR sensor just helps with accuracy.
On the other hand, LiDAR genuinely helps the iPhone 12 Pro improve autofocus in low light and help with low-light portrait photography. When trying to take portrait shots at night, the standard iPhone 12 Pro delivered brighter, more consistent results than the standard iPhone 12. It was also more consistently able to focus on the subject.
Here's an attempted lowlight portrait from the iPhone 12:
And here's the same shot from the iPhone 12 Pro:
Lastly, the iPhone 12 won't get access to Apple's new photo format: ProRAW. RAW photos capture more data from a camera sensor, which gives you more potential for granular edits and endless tinkering. Shutterbugs like myself will appreciate it, but shooting RAW on a smartphone is overkill for most.
Image: Alex Choros | WhistleOut
iPhone 12: Final thoughts
The iPhone 12 is one of the more reasonably priced flagship phones on offer. Better yet, it doesn't feel like a compromise pick in the same way the iPhone 11 did. It elevates the base level iPhone standard.
You're still getting just as much as an iPhone as someone who buys an iPhone 12 Pro. All you're missing out on is a little more camera. Smartphone photography enthusiasts may want to go for the Pro, but the iPhone 12's two-lens setup is still a treat.
It's a shame the iPhone 12 still starts with just 64GB of storage. Upgrading to a 128GB model will set you back a bit more, but I'd definitely recommend doing so.
The iPhone 12 represents a great upgrade for anyone on an iPhone XR, an iPhone X, or an iPhone 8. There's not much that's truly new about the iPhone 12, but it's a wonderful refinement of Apple's formula. Battery life could be a little bit better, but otherwise there's very little to complain about. If you're after a 2020 iPhone, the iPhone 12 will be the best pick for most.
iPhone 12 camera samples
Check out these images to see how the iPhone 12 performs in night shots, wide-lens shots, and 100% zoom shots.
Image: Alex Choros | WhistleOut
Image: Alex Choros | WhistleOut
Image: Alex Choros | WhistleOut
Image: Alex Choros | WhistleOut
Image: Alex Choros | WhistleOut
Image: Alex Choros | WhistleOut
Image: Alex Choros | WhistleOut
Image: Alex Choros | WhistleOut
Alex Choros
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