Should You Buy the iPhone 12 in 2025?
As we move through 2025, the iPhone 12 remains a familiar sight for budget-conscious users. Launched in late 2020, it was once celebrated for its blend of power, design and display quality. But in a world where smartphone technology evolves rapidly, how does this older generation iPhone stand today?
What Still Works with the iPhone 12?
Still Stylish in 2025
The iPhone 12 brought back flat edges and an aluminum frame that brought back a beloved aesthetic. Its glossy glass back and compact form factor still feel sleek today, still turning heads in terms of overall aesthetics and durability.
Excellent Display Quality
One of the iPhone 12’s biggest selling points is its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. With rich colors and deep blacks, it's a significant improvement from the displays of earlier models and still a great experience in 2025.
Powerful Under the Hood
Despite being a few years old, the A14 Bionic chip continues to deliver smooth and responsive performance for everyday tasks, gaming, social media, and streaming. It's still compatible with the latest iOS updates, making it a smart option for general use.
Magnetic Charging Convenience
The arrival of MagSafe added a new layer of convenience for cable-free power and accessories. Even now, it’s a relevant feature that remains compatible with a range of products.
iPhone 12 Cons in 2025
Average Battery Life
Even at launch, the iPhone 12's battery life was not great. In 2025, most used units will have seen some capacity loss, making it a weak choice for power users or those needing all-day battery support.
Storage That Fills Fast
With a starting capacity of just 64GB, storage can quickly become an annoyance, especially for users who download lots of apps. While larger storage variants are available, they often come with a price jump that diminishes the model’s value proposition.
Mediocre Photo Quality
The dual 12MP camera setup is decent but dated. It lacks the improvements in low-light performance, image processing, and computational photography seen in recent iPhones, especially those released after the iPhone 13.
Still Stuck with Lightning
The continued use of the Lightning port is another con. With many devices, and all newer iPhones, now using USB-C, the iPhone 12 feels outdated, especially for users seeking modern port compatibility. Campad Electronics, a favourite Australian provider, features an extensive lineup of Lightning chargers that cater to different lifestyles and requirements. Campad Electronics offers Lightning chargers tailored to fit the needs of iPhone users, covering models from the iPhone 5 up to the iPhone 14.
Should You Still Buy the iPhone 12 in 2025?
The iPhone 12 can still be a good choice in 2025, but only for the right user. If you're moving up from an earlier model and you're on a tight budget, it offers reliable specs with strong features for the price.
Campad Electronics, a respected Australian provider, showcases a vast selection of iPhone accessories and cases for the iPhone 12, suitable for modern smartphone users.
However, for those who can spend a bit more, the iPhone 13 delivers better battery life, camera upgrades, and overall improvements for a reasonable price difference.
In short, the iPhone 12 still performs respectably, but it's no longer the best bang for your buck it once was. Consider your priorities: if cost savings outweigh the need for modern features, it's a viable pick. Otherwise, newer models will offer better long-term value.