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Apple iPhone 12
Apple

Apple iPhone 12

8.0/10 UpPhone score

The Apple iPhone 12 brings the full iOS experience with 5G connectivity, a stunning Super Retina XDR OLED display, and dual cameras in a compact, refined design that still holds up today.

Verified for iOS
Chip
Apple A14 Bionic (5nm)
The verdict, & two little voices

Should you actually get the Apple iPhone 12?

The editor weighs in — flanked by the optimist on her shoulder and the cynic on the other.
UP
Our takeEditorial
The iPhone 12 remains a genuinely solid choice, especially at the refurbished prices it commands today. The A14 Bionic chip still handles everything iOS throws at it without complaint, and the Super Retina XDR OLED display is as good-looking as ever. The dual camera system won't compete with current flagships, but it produces reliable, well-processed images for everyday shooting.

The main caveats are the aging Lightning connector (no USB 3.x speeds), the 64GB base storage that requires iCloud reliance, and no headphone jack. For Apple ecosystem users who want solid performance without flagship pricing, the iPhone 12 delivers a cohesive, well-supported experience that continues to age gracefully thanks to Apple's software longevity.

UpPhone Team
The Optimist
“Oh, the iPhone 12 — the phone that made 5G cool before 5G was even cool! Apple took their already-iconic design language, added those gorgeous flat aerospace-grade aluminum edges, slapped in the world's first 5nm chip (take THAT, everyone else), and gave it a Super Retina XDR OLED screen that makes literally everything look like a Pixar film. MagSafe? REVOLUTIONARY. Just snap on your wallet, your charger, your entire life — magnetically! And IP68 to 6 meters? You could practically go SCUBA DIVING with this thing. Face ID unlocks faster than you can say "Apple fanboy" and the camera system? Chef's kiss. At refurbished prices now, the iPhone 12 is the greatest deal in the history of smartphones. Change my mind.”
— the angel on your shoulder
The Cynic
“Ah, the iPhone 12 — a phone so revolutionary that Apple charged you $800 for it and then had the audacity to leave the charger in the box... oh wait, they removed that too! Lightning cable in 2020? Bold choice, considering USB-C was already on their own laptops. 64GB of storage that you absolutely cannot expand, because heaven forbid you own your own data. The "5G" is technically there if you live in a city and stand near a tower and sacrifice a chicken to the wireless gods. Battery life is best described as "optimistic." But don't worry — Apple sold you a MagSafe charger separately for only $39. Progress!”
— the devil in your other ear
Our take

The Apple iPhone 12 brings the full iOS experience with 5G connectivity, a stunning Super Retina XDR OLED display, and dual cameras in a compact, refined design that still holds up today.

The Apple iPhone 12 marked a turning point for Apple — the first iPhone to support 5G, bringing next-generation wireless speeds to one of the most beloved smartphone lineups ever made. Powered by the Apple A14 Bionic chip built on a 5nm process, it delivered desktop-class performance in a slim 7.4mm frame that fits comfortably in your hand. At 146.7mm tall and 71.5mm wide, it strikes the sweet spot between pocketable and practical.

The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display runs at 460 ppi with HDR10 and Dolby Vision support, producing colors so rich and blacks so deep that once you go OLED, you never go back. Whether you're streaming content, gaming, or just scrolling through your feed, the display handles everything beautifully. And with 625 nits of typical brightness climbing to 1200 nits at peak, outdoor visibility is genuinely excellent.

The dual 12MP camera system — wide and ultra-wide — captures detailed, vivid images with Apple's signature computational photography processing. The 12MP TrueDepth front camera brings Face ID biometrics and portrait-quality selfies to every unlock. With IP68 water resistance rated to 6 meters for 30 minutes, MagSafe wireless charging at 15W, and Qi2 compatibility, the iPhone 12 remains a compelling choice for anyone entering the Apple ecosystem without paying flagship prices.

What we love
  • Apple A14 Bionic chip delivers fast, smooth performance for everyday tasks and beyond
  • Vibrant 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with Dolby Vision and HDR10
  • 5G connectivity keeps you on next-gen networks
  • IP68 water resistance rated to 6 meters for 30 minutes
  • MagSafe 15W wireless charging plus Qi2 support (with iOS 17.4 update)
  • Face ID biometric authentication is fast and reliable
  • Compact, well-balanced form factor at just 5.78 oz
What we don't
  • No headphone jack requires an adapter or wireless earbuds
  • Lightning port limits transfer speeds compared to USB-C
  • 64GB base storage fills up quickly with photos, apps, and media
  • No expandable storage option

Full specifications

Performance
ChipApple A14 Bionic (5nm)
RAM4 GB
Storage64 GB
OSiOS
Camera
VideoYes
Design
Form factorSlate
Connectivity
NFCYes
USBUSB 2.0 (480 Mbps)
SIMeSIM only
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the Apple iPhone 12

What kind of display does the Apple iPhone 12 have?

The iPhone 12 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 1170 x 2532 pixels at 460 ppi — one of the sharpest panels on any smartphone in its class. OLED technology means true blacks, infinite contrast, and punchy, accurate colors that make every photo and video pop. The display supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision for an elevated streaming experience, and it hits 625 nits of typical brightness with a peak of 1200 nits in High Brightness Mode, so it remains readable even in direct sunlight.

Apple's ceramic shield glass protects the front, offering improved drop resistance compared to previous iPhone models. The flat-edge industrial design frames the display cleanly, and the notch houses the TrueDepth camera system for Face ID. Overall, this is a premium display experience that competes comfortably with phones at higher price points.

What kind of camera does the Apple iPhone 12 have?

The iPhone 12 packs a dual 12MP rear camera system consisting of a wide and an ultra-wide lens, both benefiting from Apple's computational photography engine and Deep Fusion processing. The main wide camera captures detailed, natural-looking shots with excellent dynamic range, while the ultra-wide expands your field of view for landscapes and group shots. Night mode brings in significant light in low-visibility conditions, and Smart HDR 3 intelligently balances exposures across the scene.

On the front, the 12MP TrueDepth camera delivers sharp, well-lit selfies and supports Portrait mode with six lighting effects. Video recording capability rounds out a camera system that, while no longer cutting-edge, still produces results that many competing phones at this price struggle to match.

What is the battery life of the Apple iPhone 12?

The iPhone 12 supports fast wired charging via PD2.0 — getting you to 50% in just 30 minutes — and wireless charging at up to 15W via MagSafe or Qi2 (the latter requires an iOS 17.4 update). The combination of efficient 5nm chip architecture and iOS battery optimization means the phone handles a full day of moderate use without issue for most users.

MagSafe opens up an ecosystem of magnetically attached accessories including wallets, cases, and charging pads, adding a dimension of versatility that goes beyond pure charging speed. Reverse wired charging is not supported on this model, but the wireless charging ecosystem is robust and mature.

What processor does the Apple iPhone 12 use?

The Apple A14 Bionic is built on TSMC's 5nm process and was the first 5nm chip ever used in a consumer smartphone. It features a 6-core CPU and 4-core GPU alongside Apple's Neural Engine, delivering performance that still benchmarks above many newer Android flagships. Paired with 4GB of RAM, the iPhone 12 handles multitasking, gaming, and photography processing without hesitation.

Because Apple tightly controls both hardware and software, the A14 Bionic extracts maximum efficiency from every watt, contributing to the phone's responsive feel in daily use. iOS optimization means this chip will continue receiving OS updates for years, extending the phone's useful life well beyond what hardware specs alone might suggest.

How much storage does the Apple iPhone 12 have?

The iPhone 12 in its 64GB configuration offers baseline storage for light users who stream most of their media and keep apps lean. At 64GB, you'll want to be mindful of your photo library and app collection, as the storage cannot be expanded. iCloud integration makes it easy to offload older photos and documents to the cloud, helping stretch 64GB further than it might sound.

What kind of speakers does the Apple iPhone 12 have?

The iPhone 12 features stereo speakers — one in the earpiece and one at the bottom — that produce a well-balanced sound stage for a phone this compact. Apple's speaker tuning delivers clear mids and highs, and the stereo separation is noticeable when watching video in landscape. While it won't replace a dedicated speaker, the audio quality is solid for calls, podcasts, and casual media consumption.

Does the Apple iPhone 12 support fingerprint or face unlock?

The iPhone 12 uses Face ID, Apple's facial recognition system powered by the TrueDepth camera system. It works in the dark, recognizes your face even at varying angles, and unlocks the phone in a fraction of a second. Face ID is also used for Apple Pay, App Store purchases, and password autofill — making it a deeply integrated security layer rather than just a lock screen feature.

Is the Apple iPhone 12 water-resistant?

The iPhone 12 carries an IP68 rating, meaning it's dust tight and water resistant at depths of up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. This is above and beyond the standard IP68 definition, offering meaningful protection against accidental drops in pools, puddles, and sinks. While Apple doesn't cover water damage under warranty, the real-world durability this rating provides is genuinely reassuring for everyday life.

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