UP
Our takeEditorialA used iPhone with real credentials for around $300 - the camera and build hold up, but the battery and 60 Hz display are genuine 2026 limitations.
Apple
Apple iPhone 12 Pro
6.5/10 UpPhone score
The iPhone that brought 5G and a triple-lens Pro camera to Apple's lineup - now available used for around $300.
Verified for iOS
Storage
Screen
6.1"
Chip
Apple A14 Bionic (5nm)
Camera
12 MP
The verdict, & two little voices
Should you actually get the Apple iPhone 12 Pro?
The editor weighs in — flanked by the optimist on her shoulder and the cynic on the other.
“The A14 Bionic and surgical steel frame still outclass most phones at this price point in feel and software longevity.”
“Apple shipped 60 Hz on a $999 Pro and called it premium - the battery aged and the price eventually caught up.”
Our take
The iPhone that brought 5G and a triple-lens Pro camera to Apple's lineup - now available used for around $300.
The Apple iPhone 12 Pro arrived in late 2020 as Apple's first serious 5G flagship, pairing a triple-lens camera system with the A14 Bionic chip on a 5 nm process. As of May 2026, it sells through Verizon for around $303 outright - deep in used/refurbished territory for what was once a $999 starting phone. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display at 2532 x 1170 delivers sharp, bright visuals at up to 1200 nits peak, and the stainless steel and glass construction still feels premium in hand at 189g. The camera system - 12 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide, 12 MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom - produces strong results in good light, though by 2026 standards the computational photography pipeline feels dated compared to the iPhone 15 and 16 generations. Battery at 2815 mAh is the clear weak point; the 12 Pro's endurance was never exceptional when new, and aged cells make this worse. The A14 Bionic still runs modern iOS without issue - Apple's software support is the best in the industry - but the 60 Hz display and aging battery are real costs at any price above $200.
What we love
- A14 Bionic chip still handles iOS with no perceptible slowdown
- 1200 nits peak brightness OLED display reads well outdoors
- Triple-lens camera with 2x optical zoom covers most shooting scenarios
- Stainless steel frame feels more durable than aluminum alternatives
- IP68 water resistance handles submersion up to 6 meters
- 5G and mmWave capable
What we don't
- 2815 mAh battery is small and likely degraded in used units
- 60 Hz display - no ProMotion on the 12 Pro
- Camera system is two generations behind current iPhone Pro
- Only available through Verizon at this price, limiting plan flexibility
- No USB-C - still Lightning
- Release year 2020 means iOS support will end sooner than newer models
Full specifications
Display
Size6.1"
Resolution2532 x 1170 px
PPI460
Performance
ChipApple A14 Bionic (5nm)
Storage128 GB
OSiOS
Camera
Rear camera12 MP
Rear camera 212 MP
Front camera12 MP
Videotrue
Battery
Wireless chargingMagSafe wireless charging up to 15W
Design
Dimensions146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm
Form factorSlate
Connectivity
NFCtrue
USBUSB 2.0 (480 Mbps)
SIMeSIM only
Apple iPhone 12 Pro on individual carriers
Frequently asked questions about the Apple iPhone 12 Pro
What kind of display does the Apple iPhone 12 Pro have?
The 12 Pro's 6.1-inch OLED panel delivers 2532 x 1170 at 460 PPI - among the sharpest panels on any phone. Peak brightness at 1200 nits handles bright outdoor conditions well. Color accuracy on Apple's Super Retina XDR panels is calibrated to sRGB and P3 color spaces, and content looks accurate rather than over-saturated. The display runs at 60 Hz - this was the dividing line between iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Max in 2020 (neither got ProMotion). By 2026, 60 Hz on a phone over $200 is a meaningful limitation compared to the 120 Hz options at similar price points. Ceramic Shield on the front is tougher than most competing glass.
What kind of camera does the Apple iPhone 12 Pro have?
Three lenses give the 12 Pro genuine versatility: the 12 MP wide for standard shots, a 12 MP ultrawide for environmental framing, and a 12 MP telephoto delivering 2x optical zoom (extended to 10x digital). Apple's image signal processing is strong but dated compared to the 48 MP sensors in the iPhone 15 and 16 generations. Low-light performance through Night Mode is competent. Video supports 4K at 60 fps and Dolby Vision HDR recording - still a solid video tool. The LiDAR Scanner enables faster autofocus in low light and supports AR applications. By 2026 the 12 MP sensor ceiling shows against more recent hardware, but for most everyday use the results remain satisfying.
What is the battery life of the Apple iPhone 12 Pro?
At 2815 mAh the 12 Pro had modest battery life when new - Apple rated it around 17 hours video playback at launch. On a used unit with cell degradation factored in, real-world endurance will be shorter. Heavy users should expect to charge mid-day. Wired charging supports up to 20W with a USB-C to Lightning adapter (not included). MagSafe wireless charges at 15W. Reverse wireless charging is not supported. The battery is the single biggest practical risk when buying a used 12 Pro - check health percentage before or immediately after purchase.
What processor does the Apple iPhone 12 Pro use?
Apple's A14 Bionic was the first major-production 5 nm chip in a smartphone. In 2026 it remains capable - iOS multitasking, streaming, photography, and most games run without complaint. The A14 is two chip generations behind the iPhone 14 Pro's A16, three behind the iPhone 16's A18. For everyday tasks this gap is invisible. For intensive compute workloads - complex photo editing, gaming at max settings, AI features in iOS 18 - the A14 starts to show its age. Apple Intelligence features introduced in iOS 18 require A17 Pro or newer, so 12 Pro owners miss that software layer.
How much storage does the Apple iPhone 12 Pro have?
The 12 Pro comes in 128 GB in available listings. For an iPhone with no expandable storage, 128 GB is the minimum comfortable configuration - enough for a few thousand photos, a moderate app library, and some offline media. Users with heavy camera rolls or large app collections will feel the ceiling. The 256 GB and 512 GB configurations from original launch are harder to find in used channels.
What kind of speakers does the Apple iPhone 12 Pro have?
The 12 Pro carries stereo speakers - earpiece and bottom-firing - which Apple tuned for wider separation than the 11-series. Loudness and clarity are good for the phone's size. Dolby Atmos content is rendered spatially. The audio experience holds up well in 2026; no noticeable degradation in speaker hardware in most used units.
Does the Apple iPhone 12 Pro support fingerprint or face unlock?
Face ID is the only biometric unlock method. The TrueDepth camera system on the front handles face recognition in a wide range of lighting conditions, including darkness. It does not work with a mask covering the nose and mouth (unlike Touch ID on older models and the iPhone SE). Face ID doubles as the payment authentication method for Apple Pay. No fingerprint sensor is present anywhere on the device.
Is the Apple iPhone 12 Pro water-resistant?
IP68 rated to 6 meters for 30 minutes. This is Apple's highest water resistance rating on any phone at the time. Real-world protection covers rain, pool splashes, and accidental submersion at typical depths. Used units may have compromised seals depending on prior damage - IP ratings apply to new devices and are not covered by Apple warranty on water damage in any case.
