Is the iPhone 12 Still Worth Buying in 2024?

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Apple released the iPhone 12 back in 2020. Back then, it came packed with new features, including an OLED display, the A14 Bionic chip and 5G support. But there comes a time in the lives of all smartphones when they become obsolete, consigned to the recycling bin in the sky.

What a chilling thought!

But now, with newer and more powerful iPhones hitting the second-hand market, we want to know; is the iPhone 12 worth buying in 2024? We’ll be delving into the details to help you make an informed decision.

Quick View: iPhone 12 Pros and Cons

Before we dive into whether the iPhone 12 is still a good buy in 2024, let’s take a look at its pros and cons:

Pros:

• Powerful A14 Bionic chip: The iPhone 12’s A14 Bionic chip is still highly capable. It is 40% faster than the A12 chip in the iPhone 11 and 30% faster in terms of graphics processing.

• XDR OLED display with True Tone and Night Shift: The iPhone 12 was the first iPhone to feature an OLED display and is very similar to the one used in the latest iPhone 15.

• Dual-camera system with Night Mode and Portrait Mode: The iPhone 12’s camera system still holds up well today, with the bonus of Apple’s renowned Night Mode.

• 5G support: The iPhone 12 was the first phone to be 5G compatible, so there are no worries about being left behind.

• IP68 water resistance: With an IP68 rating, the iPhone 12 matches the latest iPhone 15 for water resistance.

Cons:

• No telephoto lens: Unlike some of its successors, the iPhone 12 lacks a telephoto lens, limiting its zoom capabilities.

• No expandable storage: The iPhone 12’s storage capacity is fixed and cannot be expanded with external memory cards which is a shame as it isn’t very generous to begin with.

• No AI features: Whether you care about this is entirely personal, but new smartphones are all about AI at the moment. You don’t get this with the iPhone 12.

• Mediocre battery life: Whilst the battery lasts about 11 hours over continuous use, there are more efficient batteries out there in cheaper phones.

Now that we’ve weighed the pros and cons, let’s explore whether the iPhone 12 is still relevant in 2024.

Is the iPhone 12 Still Relevant in 2024?

When we say relevant, we want to know if it holds up in any way against newer devices, whether Apple or Android.

In terms of hardware and performance, the iPhone 12 is still a very capable smartphone in 2024. The A14 Bionic chip offers more than enough power for the average user and is only three generations old.

Against the latest A17 Pro chip, the A14 is only about 30% slower across both one and two cores. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, found in the Samsung S24 Ultra, is about 1.5x faster. These are both top-of-the-range processors and the A14 is only marginally slower.

Unless you use your phone for very memory-intensive things like gaming, then you likely won’t notice any performance drop-off from the iPhone 12. The fact that it has 5G compatability is also a huge plus meaning you can take advantage of the fastest internet connections available when out and about.

Even the camera system competes well with newer models. Whilst the iPhone 15 saw a huge jump in camera specifications, with a 48MP wide-angle main camera, the iPhone 14 has very similar double 12-megapixel rear cameras to the iPhone 12.

The camera begins to lag behind a bit when compared to phones like the Google Pixel 6, which has a 50 MP main camera. Or the Pixel 7a which has a super impressive 64 MP main camera, and a 13 MP ultrawide.

Still, the iPhone 12’s photos are still very reliable and some may even prefer them to those from the Pixel 7a. Phone cameras are so subjective.

If you’re not focused on the latest bells and whistles, such as AI features and telephoto lenses, then the iPhone 12 more than holds its own in today’s smartphone climate.

Should You Still Buy the iPhone 12 in 2024?

The decision of whether to buy the iPhone 12 in 2024 ultimately depends on your individual needs, budget, and preferences. Here are some factors to consider:

Price and Availability

The iPhone 12 is no longer available on Apple’s website, but you can still find it from third-party retailers or through refurbishers. Right now, you can buy a refurbished iPhone 12 for $379 at BestBuy, or new on Amazon in the UK for £404.

That is about the same price as a Google Pixel 7a or Samsung S22. The 7a is an excellent phone for the money and is, on balance, better than the iPhone 12. But if you want Apple, the 12 is a great option.

Ultimately, this makes the iPhone significantly more affordable than newer releases. The iPhone 14 for example still retails from between $800-$1,000. You are making massive savings for a phone that is still very good.

Software Support

Apple has a pretty good track record of providing software updates for its devices for several years. Generally, software support from Apple lasts around six to eight years.

The iPhone 12, being released in 2020, so that means it should be supported by the latest iOs updates until at least 2026. Even then, software is not the end of the world. If you’re running on the latest iOs version, it should keep you going for as long as the physical hardware lasts.

Your Usage and Needs

Consider how you plan to use your smartphone. Will you be using you phone for highly strenuous tasks like AI features and gaming? Then a newer smartphone with more appropriate optimisation would be a better choice.

But, for everyday tasks like browsing the web, social media, and general productivity, the iPhone 12 is more than sufficient.

Ecosystem Compatibility

If you already own other Apple devices, such as a MacBook or an iPad, buying the iPhone 12 provides a seamless addition to your tech ecosystem. 

The iPhone is still new enough to take advantage of ecosystem features with new Apple releases meaning there are no worries about compatability.

Alternatives to the iPhone 12

While the iPhone 12 is still a solid choice, it’s worth exploring other options before making a decision.

iPhones come at a premium, even when bought second-hand. That means refurbished options often come priced similarly to newer Android smartphones. If you’re open to a non-iPhone choice, then there is a range of excellent phones out there.

As highlighted above, the Pixel 7a costs about the same as the iPhone 12 and comes with a more advanced camera system and a faster processor. On that note, the Google Pixel 7 Pro is currently available, refurbished, from Best Buy for a ridiculously cheap $339.

The OnePlus 12R, a mid-to-top range phone released in 2024, can be bought for $499. This is an incredibly good deal as the OnePlus 12R maximises value for money. There are some near-flagship features including a top-quality daylight camera if you fancy something really different.

The upshot of all this is that there are a plethora of options for you at the iPhone 12’s price. That being said, the iPhone 12 offers the best value for about $400/£400, although the Pixel 7a gives it an incredibly close run.

Conclusion

I hope it is obvious now that the iPhone 12 is still worth buying in 2024.

Its powerful A14 chip is still competitive and the 5G support means it won’t be left behind in terms of connectivity any time soon. On top of that, the camera is great and the build quality is as good as ever from Apple.

There are downsides. The battery life being the main one, especially if you buy refurbished where you will see some drop off. And the fact that there are similarly priced new Android smartphones that have better cameras and more up-to-date features like AI.

Ultimately, this decision is based on your individual needs and budget. Want an Apple phone? Then the iPhone 12 is good value and a valid choice in 2024. However, if you can spare an extra couple $100/£100, then buying the iPhone 13 may be the optimal choice for future proofing.

Would you buy the iPhone 12 in 2024? Let me know below!

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