Apple iPhone 12 Black 64GB Review
The refurbished iPhone 12 offers a premium Apple experience at a budget price. We dig into whether its aging battery and 64GB storage are dealbreakers.
The 30-Second Version
A refurbished iPhone 12 is a steal at $280. You get a great camera (91st percentile) and snappy performance in a classic design. Worth buying if you're cool with older hardware and limited storage.
Overview
The iPhone 12 is a classic that's still kicking. It's a 6.1-inch phone with Apple's A14 Bionic chip, a dual 12MP camera system, and full 5G support. For around $280 refurbished, it's a solid entry point into the Apple ecosystem.
It scores well across the board in our database, landing in the 80th percentile or higher for connectivity, camera, and performance. This isn't a flashy new model, but it's a proven workhorse that gets the fundamentals right.
Performance
The A14 Bionic chip holds up surprisingly well. Performance lands in the 88th percentile, so apps open fast and everything feels smooth. The camera is a real highlight, scoring in the 91st percentile, and it still takes great photos and 4K video. The main trade-off is the 2815mAh battery. It scores an 83, which is decent, but heavy users will likely need a midday top-up.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Camera quality punches way above its price point. 99th
- Performance is still snappy for everyday tasks. 92th
- 5G and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity is future-proof. 90th
- Refurbished models often arrive in like-new condition. 87th
Cons
- Battery life is just okay, not great.
- 64GB of storage fills up fast.
- Only 2x optical zoom out on the camera.
- It's a few generations old now.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Screen Size | 6.1 |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 |
Performance
| Processor | Apple A14 Bionic |
| Processor Model | Apple A14 Bionic |
| CPU Cores | 6 |
| RAM | 4 MB |
| Storage | 64 GB |
Camera
| Main Camera | 12 |
| Camera Count | 2 |
| Front Camera | 12 |
| Video | 4K |
Battery & Charging
| Battery | 2815 Wh |
| Connector | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
Connectivity
| 5G | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| SIM | Nano SIM and eSIM |
| eSIM | Yes |
Design & Build
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.4 lbs |
| Face Recognition | Yes |
| OS | iOS |
Value & Pricing
At $280, the value proposition is clear. You're getting flagship-level build quality, a fantastic camera, and Apple's software support for years to come, all at less than half the price of a new iPhone. The catch is you're buying refurbished and accepting older hardware. For the price, it's a fantastic deal if you're okay with that.
vs Competition
Stacked against newer mid-range phones, it's a trade-off. The Google Pixel 10 will have a better camera and newer software, but you'll pay more. The Samsung Galaxy S25 FE might beat it on battery and screen refresh rate. The iPhone 12's ace is its Apple ecosystem integration and that premium feel. If you're already in Apple's world and want to save cash, this is a smarter buy than a brand-new budget Android phone.
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | Samsung Galaxy Samsung - Galaxy S26 256GB (Unlocked) - Black | Motorola Moto G Motorola - moto g stylus 2025 256GB (Unlocked) - | Google Pixel Google - Pixel 10 128GB (Unlocked) - Frost | OnePlus OnePlus OnePlus - 15R 256GB (Unlocked) - Charcoal Black | 8849 Tank 8849 Tank 3 5G Rugged Smartphone, 23800mAh 6.79" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.1 | 6.3 | 6.7 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 6.8 |
| Display Type | - | OLED | OLED | OLED | - | - |
| Refresh Rate | - | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 | 120 |
| Processor | Apple A14 Bionic | Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 | 3.78 GHz | 8 Gen 5 | Octa-Core |
| RAM (GB) | 4 | 12 | 8 | 12 | - | 16 |
| Storage (GB) | 64 | 256 | 256 | 128 | 256 | 512 |
| Rear Camera Mp | 12 | 50 | 50 | 48 | 50 | 200 |
| Front Camera Mp | 12 | 12 | 32 | 11 | 32 | - |
| Battery Capacity Mah | 2815 | 4300 | 5000 | 4970 | 7400 | - |
| Charging Wattage | - | 25 | 68 | - | - | - |
| Wireless Charging | - | true | true | false | - | false |
| Five (g) | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Water Resistance | - | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP69 | IP68 |
| Operating System | iOS | Android 16 | Android 15 | Android 16 | Android 16 | Android |
| Product | Build | Camera | Battery | Display | Feature | Performance | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 12 | 81.9 | 89.8 | 72.7 | 77.5 | 79.6 | 87.1 | 99.4 | 91.9 |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Compare | 99.3 | 97.3 | 96.8 | 98.4 | 97.7 | 99.5 | 99.7 | 93.7 |
| Motorola Moto G stylus 2025 Compare | 99.9 | 96.8 | 99.9 | 99.7 | 100 | 86.4 | 99.9 | 99.8 |
| Google Pixel 10 Compare | 99.3 | 98.4 | 91.5 | 97.3 | 88.9 | 74.8 | 97.3 | 97.9 |
| OnePlus OnePlus 15R Compare | 92.5 | 95.7 | 98.7 | 89.8 | 94.7 | 95.9 | 99.5 | 92.9 |
| 8849 Tank 8849 Tank 3 5G Rugged Compare | 92.5 | 86.5 | 70.2 | 92.5 | 96.9 | 84.4 | 87.5 | 92.5 |
Common Questions
Q: Is 64GB of storage enough?
It's tight. If you take lots of photos/videos or play big games, you'll be managing storage constantly. For light use, it's fine.
Q: How is the battery life on a refurbished model?
Our data shows battery performance is decent (83rd percentile), but not amazing. A good refurbisher will replace the battery, which helps.
Q: Does it still get software updates?
Yes, Apple supports its phones for years. The iPhone 12 will get iOS updates for a while yet, so you're covered on security and features.
Who Should Skip This
If you need all-day battery life or tons of storage for your media library, look elsewhere. The battery is just okay and 64GB fills up fast. Also, skip this if you're a mobile gamer who wants the highest frame rates; newer chips in phones like the OnePlus 15 will serve you better.
Verdict
Buy this if you want a premium iPhone experience without the premium price tag. It's perfect for students, as a reliable backup phone, or for anyone who doesn't need the absolute latest specs. Just be ready to manage that 64GB storage and maybe carry a charger.