iPhone 12 Review: The Ultimate Guide for 2021 and Beyond
The iPhone 12 was Apple’s flagship smartphone in 2020, marking “a new era for iPhone” with features such as 5G and the faster A14 Bionic chip. This guide provides an in-depth review of the iPhone 12, covering its design, display, performance, camera, battery life, software, real-world usage and value. It also helps answer an important buyer question: is the iPhone 12 still worth buying today?
- Design and Build: Flat-edge aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front cover, IP68 water resistance and a slim modern design.
- Display: 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with HDR, Dolby Vision and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio.
- Processor and Connectivity: Apple’s 5nm A14 Bionic chip with strong performance and 5G support.
- Battery and Charging: Up to 17 hours of video playback, MagSafe wireless charging, Qi wireless charging and 20W fast-charging support.
- Camera System: Dual 12MP rear cameras with Night Mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3 and Dolby Vision HDR video recording.
- Software: Launched with iOS 14 and continues to benefit from Apple’s long software-support cycle.
- Value: Originally launched at $799 and now offers many flagship features at a lower refurbished or used-market price.
Read on for the full review, and see the FAQ section below for quick answers to common questions. For more Apple device guides and iPhone news, visit FrediTech’s Apple Devices and iPhone sections. You can also compare it with newer models such as the iPhone 13 Mini Review.
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Design and Build Quality
The iPhone 12 brought back the flat-edge design language reminiscent of the iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 era. It uses an aerospace-grade aluminum frame and a Ceramic Shield front cover. Apple described Ceramic Shield as offering 4x better drop performance compared with the previous generation. Apple Newsroom.
The phone is thin, light and easy to hold. The iPhone 12 measures 7.4mm thick and weighs about 164g, while the iPhone 12 mini is even smaller and lighter. The design still feels modern because Apple continued using similar flat-edge styling in later iPhone generations.
Key Design Points
- Flat-edged aluminum frame: A clean, modern design with squared sides instead of the rounded edges found on older iPhones.
- Colourful finishes: Available in blue, green, black, white and (PRODUCT)RED at launch.
- Ceramic Shield front: Toughened front glass designed to improve drop resistance.
- IP68 water and dust resistance: Rated for submersion in up to 6 metres of water for up to 30 minutes under controlled conditions.
In practice, the iPhone 12 feels sturdy and premium. Its flat sides offer a secure grip, and the Ceramic Shield adds confidence for everyday use. The design holds up well and still looks modern. For more on phone durability, read our in-depth analysis on smartphone durability.
Display and Visuals
The iPhone 12 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, a major upgrade over the LCD panel used on the iPhone 11. Apple’s OLED screen delivers deep blacks, strong contrast, sharp details and vibrant colours. It supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision content with a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio.
- Display technology: 6.1-inch OLED display with 2532 × 1170 resolution at 460 ppi.
- HDR support: HDR10, Dolby Vision and True Tone support provide a rich viewing experience.
- Brightness and colour: Strong brightness, wide colour support and excellent colour accuracy make the display suitable for videos, photos and gaming.
- Protection: Ceramic Shield front cover improves drop resistance compared with previous iPhone glass.
- Bezels: Slim bezels create a more immersive edge-to-edge feel, with the notch housing the TrueDepth camera and Face ID sensors.
In everyday use, the display is bright, colourful and detailed. Apps, videos and games look crisp. OLED contrast makes photos and HDR video more impressive, and the screen quality remains good even when compared with many newer mid-range phones.
Performance and Connectivity
The iPhone 12 is powered by Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, built on a 5nm process. It includes a 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine. Apple said the A14 delivered up to 50% faster CPU and GPU performance than leading competing smartphone chips at launch.
- A14 Bionic chip: 6-core CPU and 4-core GPU with strong power efficiency.
- Machine learning: 16-core Neural Engine helps power camera features such as Smart HDR 3, Deep Fusion and image processing.
- Real-world speed: Apps open quickly, multitasking is fluid and gaming performance remains strong.
Even years after launch, the A14 Bionic remains capable for everyday work such as browsing, social media, messaging, video streaming, photography, editing and mobile gaming.
5G and Other Connectivity
One of the iPhone 12’s headline features was 5G support across the lineup. It supports sub-6GHz 5G globally, while US models also support mmWave 5G for very fast speeds in supported areas. Apple also introduced Smart Data Mode, which helps conserve battery by switching between 5G and LTE when needed.
- 5G support: Sub-6GHz 5G globally, with mmWave support on US models.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.
- Other radios: Ultra Wideband, NFC, GPS and other standard iPhone connectivity features.
Battery Life and Charging
The iPhone 12’s battery life remains solid for moderate daily use. Apple rates it for up to 17 hours of video playback, up to 11 hours of streamed video playback and up to 65 hours of audio playback. Apple Support.
- Wired charging: Supports fast charging up to 50% in around 30 minutes with a 20W adapter or higher.
- MagSafe: Introduced MagSafe magnetic wireless charging up to 15W.
- Qi wireless charging: Supports standard Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W.
- Power adapter: Apple no longer includes the wall charger in the box, so buyers need a compatible USB-C power adapter for fast charging.
- Battery age: A used or refurbished iPhone 12 may have reduced battery health after years of use. If battery health is low, replacement through Apple or an authorized service provider can improve daily endurance.
Overall, battery life is good for an older phone. Typical users can get through a normal day, while heavy gaming, long video streaming sessions or constant 5G use may require a top-up before the day ends.
Camera System
The iPhone 12 uses a dual 12MP rear camera system: a 12MP Wide camera with an ƒ/1.6 aperture and a 12MP Ultra Wide camera with an ƒ/2.4 aperture and 120-degree field of view. Apple said the wider ƒ/1.6 aperture lets in 27% more light than the previous generation, improving low-light photography. Apple Newsroom.
- Photo features: Night Mode, Deep Fusion and Smart HDR 3 improve detail, exposure and dynamic range.
- Ultra Wide camera: Captures a wider field of view for landscapes, architecture, group photos and creative shots.
- Video features: The iPhone 12 was among the first smartphones to record Dolby Vision HDR video, with 4K video support up to 60fps.
- Selfie camera: The 12MP TrueDepth front camera supports Night Mode, 4K video and Face ID.
In real-world use, the iPhone 12 camera remains one of its strongest features. Daylight photos are sharp, colourful and well exposed. Portrait Mode works well, and Night Mode produces much clearer images than older iPhones. Video recording is especially strong, with Dolby Vision HDR delivering polished results when viewed on compatible displays.
Software and Ecosystem
The iPhone 12 launched with iOS 14 and continues to benefit from Apple’s long software-support cycle. Apple’s compatibility pages have included the iPhone 12 in recent iOS update support lists, making it a better long-term choice than many older Android phones. Apple Support.
As part of Apple’s ecosystem, the iPhone 12 works smoothly with AirPods, Apple Watch, Mac and iPad. Features such as iMessage, FaceTime, AirDrop, Handoff and Universal Clipboard help the phone fit well into an Apple-based workflow. Face ID, encryption and Apple’s privacy tools also remain major strengths.
Pricing and Value
When released, the iPhone 12 started at $799 in the United States. MacRumors. Today, it is no longer sold new directly by Apple, but many retailers, carriers and refurbished marketplaces offer it at lower prices.
This makes the iPhone 12 attractive for buyers who want a premium iPhone experience without paying flagship prices. You still get an OLED display, 5G, MagSafe, strong cameras, good build quality and the A14 Bionic chip.
Value Considerations
- The iPhone 12 still receives modern iOS features and security updates, making it age better than many older smartphones.
- Its main limitations compared with newer iPhones include no 120Hz ProMotion display, no Cinematic Mode, no sensor-shift stabilization on the standard model and shorter battery life than newer generations.
- If you are upgrading from an iPhone 11 or older, the iPhone 12 is a major improvement because of OLED, 5G, MagSafe, stronger cameras and a faster chip.
- If you already own an iPhone 13 or newer, the iPhone 12 may feel like a downgrade in battery life and camera features.
Conclusion: Is the iPhone 12 Worth Buying?
Yes, for many buyers, the iPhone 12 is still worth considering if the price is right. It remains fast, has an excellent OLED display, supports 5G, records impressive video and fits well into Apple’s ecosystem. Its durable build and water resistance also make it reliable for everyday use.
The iPhone 12 is especially compelling for budget-conscious buyers who want a strong iPhone without paying for the newest model. However, buyers who need the best battery life, 120Hz ProMotion, Cinematic Mode, improved stabilization or the newest camera features may be better served by a newer iPhone.
For most everyday users, the iPhone 12 still offers a strong balance of performance, durability, camera quality and value.
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About the Author
Wiredu Fred is a technology writer and SEO strategist at FrediTech. He writes about smartphones, consumer electronics, mobile accessories and practical buying guides to help readers make informed tech decisions.
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