iPhone 12 deals

Use MoneySuperMarket’s dedicated tool to compare iPhone 12 deals. Whether you want unlimited data, have a poor credit rating, or don’t want to pay an upfront fee, we’ve got deals to suit you. Take a look to see the best deals now.

Features and specs

While it has since been superseded by the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14, 2020’s iPhone 12 comes with Apple’s snappy A14 Bionic chipset and works with the latest iOS 16 software.

This means it packs Apple’s new look lock screen, which allows for customisable widgets, as well as the latest updates to Focus, designed to stop your phone distracting you at key moments.

The iPhone 12 is the first Apple device to feature 5G too, meaning it can connect to the best networks.

It comes with 64GB, 128GB and 256GB storage options. The latter two will be ample for most, although 64GB devices can often swallow up large apps and lots of video. That’s something to consider if you love gaming or downloading movies for long journeys.

Availability and price

The iPhone 12 launched in late 2020 and is still widely available. Those who want to buy it outright and pair it with a SIM-only deal can get a 64GB model for £649, rising to £699 for 128GB and £809 for 256GB (prices correct at the time of writing).

There are also a wide range of great contract deals available here at MoneySuperMarket, with the iPhone 12 available via all major networks. This is the best bet for those who don’t have the cash readily available to buy the phone right away.

How good is the iPhone 12’s design and display?

The iPhone 12 is the first device to feature Apple’s current look, with metal edges, a glass back and toughened screen. As such, it looks the part and is largely the same, aesthetically speaking, as newer iPhones.

It clocks in 4mm shorter and 4mm narrower than the iPhone 11, and is 1mm thinner. This all means the iPhone 12 feels secure in the hand and looks great too.

You can get the iPhone 12 in purple, blue, green, white, black and red.

How good is the iPhone 12’s camera?

The iPhone 12’s camera was at the cutting edge on its release, though it has since been outdone by models in Apple’s own stable, as well as handsets like the Google Pixel 7 and Samsung Galaxy S22.

There's a dual lens setup, with a 12MP wide camera and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. Smart HDR 3 tech boosts colours and contrast, while Apple made changes to Night Mode, which it reckons offer a 27% improvement in low-light performance against the iPhone 11. That means less noise and graininess at the edge of images. However, if you want great night time imagery, it may be worth picking up a more recently launched handset.

Portrait mode, 4K video recording, and digital zoom up to 5x are all present in the iPhone 12, just as they are in the iPhone 11.

How good is the iPhone 12’s battery life?

Apple says that the iPhone 12 has the same battery life as the iPhone 11, with up to 17 hours of video playback.

As the screen is more power intensive, in reality it lasts a little less for everyday use compared with its predecessor, around 36 hours on a single charge, although you’ll need to be cautious with usage to get that much out of it. Against newer iPhones it feels broadly the same in this category.

What are the key differences between the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 11?

What we like

• Updated design is a major boost
• 5G makes it compatible with fastest networks
• Decent camera improvements, especially in low light
• Support for latest iOS 16 update

What we don’t like

• No 512GB model
• Price remains high for an older device

How does the iPhone 12 compare to other flagship handsets in the UK market?

The iPhone 12 was Apple’s 2020 flagship phone. Since then, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 have taken up that mantle, although both those devices look the same and offer marginal improvements.

However, the newer iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, with their Dynamic Island and triple lens cameras, are a cut above. The top end Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and OnePlus 10 Pro also take things to the next level. However, all of these devices come in at a premium, something to consider when on a budget.

MoneySuperMarket’s expert rating: Four out of five

Despite being an older model, the iPhone 12 remains a solid bet for Apple lovers. Not only does it still feature one of the best smartphone designs around, it also comes with a decent camera and battery life that holds its own against newer phones.

iPhone 12 contract options

Looking for an iPhone 12 contract? We have loads of options here at MoneySuperMarket. If you have poor credit, our bad credit phones guide can help. Looking to spread the cost without splashing out? Then check out our no upfront cost phone deals.

Is the iPhone 12 worth buying in 2023?

Later iPhone models do of course have quite a few improvements, but the iPhone 12’s tech from 2020 is hardly out of date.

Apple made a point of future-proofing this handset – with features like 5G, and a sturdy frame and screen that won’t break easily. Combined with its high specs, that means the iPhone 12 will still be a good phone for quite some time.

Is now a good time to buy the iPhone 12?

If you find a good value deal on the iPhone 12 that suits you, it’s always a good time to snap it up.

New iPhones are usually released in the autumn, around September or October. If that time is coming up and you can wait, it may be worth doing so, to see how your options shape up after their release.

Will the iPhone 12 drop in price?

iPhones usually drop in price when new models are released. You may also find special offers, such as on Black Friday – or any time a network or retailer drops a special, limited time deal.

Should I upgrade or wait for the 2023 model?

If you want the very latest technology and even greater future proofing, then you’re better off with the most recent model of iPhone you can get.

If you’re fine with 2020 tech, however – which already has excellent cameras and a stunning display, and software upgrades still supported by Apple – then you’ll be perfectly happy with the iPhone 12.

iPhone 12 specs