PhonesCheaper
iPhone 12 Buying Guide
iPhone 12 Buying Guide
Complete UK buying guide for refurbished iPhone 12. Find the best deals from £149-299 and save up to 81% off retail.
The iPhone 12 was Apple's first 5G iPhone and introduced the stunning OLED display to the standard iPhone line. Released October 2020, it brought a new flat-edge design that continues through to iPhone 16. At current refurbished prices, it's an excellent budget-friendly option that still delivers a modern smartphone experience.
💰 Massive Savings
Original retail: £799
Refurbished range: £149-299
Save up to £650 (81% off)
Incredible value for a 5G iPhone with OLED display.
Chip
A14 Bionic (first 5nm chip)
Display
6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED
2532 x 1170 pixels
Camera
12MP main + 12MP Ultra Wide
Night Mode
Storage
64GB, 128GB, 256GB
Battery
Up to 17 hours video
Connectivity
5G (Apple's first), Lightning
Water Resistance
IP68 (6m for 30 mins)
Design
Flat edges (new design)
Live UK prices, updated from our comparison data
| Condition | 64GB | 128GB | 256GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pristine/Like New | £190 | £220 | - |
| Excellent | £165-247 | £180-209 | - |
| Good | £149-179 | £160-247 | - |
| Fair | £149-259 | £149-280 | £180-299 |
The lowest iPhone 12 price we tracked on each of the last 90 days. Hover the line to see any day's price.
Lowest tracked
£116
Highest tracked
£155
Cheapest now
£149
Over this period
+1%
Based on prices recorded by PhonesCheaper. Coverage varies by retailer and has expanded over time, so this shows the cheapest price we observed, not necessarily the cheapest available anywhere.
Absolutely, with caveats. The iPhone 12 still receives iOS updates, has 5G connectivity, and the A14 Bionic handles everyday tasks smoothly. The OLED display is gorgeous. However, battery life is shorter than newer models, and iOS support will end sooner than more recent iPhones. It's perfect for users who want a capable smartphone at rock-bottom prices and aren't heavy power users.
The iPhone 12 Mini offers the same internals in a compact 5.4" form factor. Great for one-handed use, but battery life suffers significantly. Refurbished Mini models are often cheaper but harder to find in good condition. Choose based on your screen size and battery life priorities.
The 64GB base storage may feel tight in 2026 with larger app sizes and photo libraries. We recommend 128GB minimum for most users. The price difference in refurbished market is typically only £20-40 between storage tiers.
Buying online means you cannot inspect the handset first, so run these checks as soon as it is delivered, while you are still inside the returns window.
Battery Health
Critical at this age - insist on 80%+ minimum, 85%+ preferred
5G Bands
Ensure UK 5G bands are supported (should be standard)
Screen
OLED can develop burn-in - check carefully
Face ID
Test multiple times in different lighting
Warranty
Very important for older devices - 12+ months preferred
