12 pay-monthly tariffs — filter and sort by what matters to you.
iPhone 12 at a glance
6.5/10GetLow rating
Our take, in a number
Provisional · Specification-based
OLED, 5G and a relatively light body make the 12 more appealing than the 11. Its age, Lightning connector and the battery condition of a used unit are the main reasons to spend carefully.
Why this rating?
GetLow editorial assessment, . We weigh the published features, practical compromises, intended buyer and value proposition described in this guide. This is a qualitative judgement, not a calculated benchmark or customer average.
9–10: exceptional on paper; 8–8.5: a strong shortlist choice; 7–7.5: good for the right buyer; 5–6.5: substantial compromises; 1–4.5: difficult to recommend.
We have not hands-on tested this phone. Real-world speed, photo quality and battery endurance are not proven by this score. Basic and accessibility phones are judged for their intended use, not as flagship substitutes. For refurbished phones, the score describes the model, not the condition or battery of an individual unit. A score is not a rating of every contract: compare the current total cost separately.
Start with the size, camera and storage you need. The lowest monthly price alone does not tell you whether this is the right phone.
What to weigh up
Check the exact storage, colour and condition on the retailer page. Refurbished grades, battery policies and warranties vary.
Worth the upgrade?
Compare it with the phone you already own. Pay for a useful improvement, not just a newer model name.
About this guide: GetLow explains published specifications and compares UK contract listings. It is not a hands-on laboratory test. Battery and charging figures depend on the manufacturer's test conditions; everyday results vary.
Is the iPhone 12 worth buying?
A still-capable 2020 iPhone with 5G and a great OLED, now a bargain refurbished pick.
Best bits
Excellent 6.1-inch OLED display
Fast A14 Bionic chip with long iOS support
5G and IP68 water resistance
Premium flat-edge design
Watch-outs
60Hz screen, no high refresh rate
2815mAh battery is modest
No night-mode-class ultrawide tricks of newer models
Slower charging than rivals
2026 buyer guide
Apple iPhone 12 in 2026
The iPhone 12 brought 5G, a flat-edge design and a superb OLED to Apple's range, and remains a smart, affordable refurbished buy.
Live price position
Judge the iPhone 12 by today's whole-contract price
GetLow currently checks 12 iPhone 12 contract offers across 2 retailers and 3 networks. The market starts at £19.00 a month, £9.00 upfront and £520.00 in total after currently stated promotional savings.
Those headline floors can come from different deals. Keep monthly price, upfront cost, data, storage, term and condition tied to one listing before deciding which offer is genuinely cheapest.
Monthly pricesFrom £19.00
Upfront pricesFrom £9.00
Total contract costFrom £520.00
Current conditionEvery current offer is listed as refurbished, so compare the stated condition, warranty and total cost.
Live model price comparison
How does the Apple iPhone 12 price compare with nearby phones?
This table uses the reviewed phone plus up to four nearby alternatives by current lowest total contract cost. Monthly price, data, total cost and condition remain attached to the same cheapest-total listing for each phone.
Read each difference against the bold iPhone 12 baseline. A cheaper row shows the whole-contract saving; a dearer row shows the additional amount currently needed to step up.
Model
Monthly price
Data
Lowest total cost
Difference vs iPhone 12
Cheapest listing
iPhone 12
£19.00/month
100GB
£520.00
Baseline
Refurbished
iPhone 15
£14.99/month
200GB
£528.36
£8.36 more
Refurbished
iPhone 14 Pro
£19.33/month
1GB
£538.92
£18.92 more
Refurbished
iPhone 16e
£22.00/month
100MB
£564.00
£44.00 more
New
iPhone 17e
£27.99/month
200GB
£716.36
£196.36 more
New
Build your own phone comparison
Select any three phones and compare them side by side
The Apple iPhone 12 is selected first. Change any selector to compare it with two other current phones from Apple, or with the wider market when fewer than three Apple models are available.
Every price card keeps monthly cost, upfront payment, total cost, data, contract length and condition attached to the same live listing. The specification table then shows the hardware differences that may justify paying more.
A design that still looks current
The iPhone 12 introduced the flat-edged design Apple still uses, and it holds up beautifully. The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED is sharp, bright and colour-accurate, and IP68 protection covers splashes and immersion.
At 164g it is comfortable to hold, and iOS keeps it feeling modern with years of updates still ahead.
Flagship-grade power, modest battery
The A14 Bionic remains quick for everything from apps to gaming, and it still receives iOS updates, making a refurbished iPhone 12 a genuinely long-term buy. 5G is included.
The dual 12MP wide and ultrawide cameras take excellent photos in most conditions. The main compromise is the 2815mAh battery, which needs daily charging, with 20W wired and 15W MagSafe charging.
Who should buy it on contract?
The iPhone 12 is for anyone who wants a proper iPhone with 5G and a great screen at a low refurbished price. Buying Like New on a UK contract is a smart way to get iOS for less; compare total cost on GetLow.
New and refurbished buying checks
Protect the saving before you order
Every current offer is listed as refurbished, so compare the stated condition, warranty and total cost. A low price is only good value when the condition, storage, warranty, returns terms and battery policy suit what you expect to receive.
Use total contract cost after any stated code as the first comparison, then check data and storage on the same basis. Availability can change as retailers update stock.
Confirm whether the selected listing is new or refurbished.
Check the exact storage and colour before leaving GetLow.
Read the warranty, returns and refurbished battery terms.
Compare the total contract cost rather than monthly price alone.
Who it suits
Is the Apple iPhone 12 right for you?
Buy the iPhone 12 if
Buy it if you want an affordable 5G iPhone with a great OLED and long software support.
Choose another phone if
Skip it if you want a high-refresh screen or all-day battery.
Colours and images
iPhone 12 is available in Black, White, (PRODUCT)RED, Green, Blue, Purple. Pick the colour you can live with for the full contract, not just the launch-week favourite.
Black
Black gives the iPhone 12 a different feel without changing the deal comparison underneath.
White
White gives the iPhone 12 a different feel without changing the deal comparison underneath.
(PRODUCT)RED
(PRODUCT)RED gives the iPhone 12 a different feel without changing the deal comparison underneath.
Green
Green gives the iPhone 12 a different feel without changing the deal comparison underneath.
Blue
Blue gives the iPhone 12 a different feel without changing the deal comparison underneath.
Purple
Purple gives the iPhone 12 a different feel without changing the deal comparison underneath.
Which storage should you buy?
Apple iPhone 12 storage options include 64GB. The live cards show capacities currently found in GetLow deals. Start with the smallest suitable option for lighter use, then step up if you keep lots of photos, video, games or offline apps.
64GBAvailable from £19.00/mo
Full iPhone 12 specs
These are the buyer-facing specs that matter most when comparing contract deals.
Display
6.1 inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 1170 x 2532
Refresh rate
Up to 60Hz
Chip
Apple A14 Bionic
Rear camera
12MP wide + 12MP ultrawide
Front camera
12MP
Operating system
iOS
Storage
64GB
Colours
Black, White, (PRODUCT)RED, Green, Blue, Purple
Battery
2,815mAh battery
Charging
20W wired / 15W MagSafe
Size
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm
Weight
164g
Durability
IP68
Specifications are manufacturer or catalogue claims, not GetLow laboratory measurements. Missing information is not a zero or proof that a feature is absent. Retailer stock and delivery can change before checkout.
Yes. Its A14 Bionic chip means it keeps getting iOS updates for years, so a refurbished iPhone 12 stays secure and viable well beyond a 24-month contract.
Does the iPhone 12 have 5G?
Yes, it was Apple's first 5G iPhone and works across UK 5G networks for faster data where coverage exists.
How is the battery life?
The 2815mAh battery is modest — most people will need to charge daily. It supports 20W wired and 15W MagSafe charging.
Is the iPhone 12 screen good?
Yes, it uses a sharp, bright 6.1-inch OLED. It runs at 60Hz rather than a high refresh rate, but the panel quality is excellent.
Is it worth buying refurbished?
Very much so. A Like New iPhone 12 gives you 5G, a great screen and long iOS support for a fraction of a new phone's price.
The verdict
The iPhone 12 still looks and feels current, with 5G, a superb OLED and years of iOS support. The battery is its main compromise, but bought refurbished it is excellent value. Compare it on GetLow by total contract cost.
