The iPhone 12 will be four years old this year. So is it still wise to buy an iPhone 12 in 2024?
Buying iPhone 12 in 2024: is that still wise?
To be short: yes! In 2024, it can still be smart to buy an iPhone 12 if you are looking for a (very) affordable iPhone. The iPhone 12 can still compete with the latest iPhone in all home and garden tasks. And it is also very cheap these days, with a price starting from €527.
But the iPhone 12 is certainly not suitable for everyone, there are a number of things you should take into account. You can read exactly what that is in this article.
Stock, second-hand or refurbished
Apple itself no longer sells the iPhone 12, so you have to rely on existing stock or second-hand devices. A refurbished iPhone 12 (a second-hand device that has been checked and comes with a warranty) is even a good buy, because it will only cost you € 278!
With an iPhone 12, always pay attention to the maximum capacity of the battery (‘Settings>Battery>Battery condition>Maximum capacity’). It must be good and at least above 90%. Preferably even a little better.
iPhone 12 in 2024: keep this in mind too
We admit, the iPhone 12 is no longer Apple’s fastest smartphone. And the battery life has gotten a lot better from the iPhone 13. But with an iPhone 12 and a battery in good condition, you can often last a day. But don’t shoot photos with it all day, because then it will need to be charged sooner.
In addition, all standard apps and programs can be used fine on the older iPhone, but demanding, new apps such as games can be less smooth.
What you should especially take into account when buying an iPhone 12 in 2024 is the software support. Apple usually provides an iPhone with support for the latest version of iOS (the operating system) for about six years. That would mean that 2026 is the last year that the iPhone 12 will receive the latest version of iOS.
However, that is not entirely certain, because Apple sometimes gives an iPhone support for the latest iOS for a little longer. Furthermore, very old models still receive important security updates. And even then, you will have a great iPhone for a few years.
Also keep the following things in mind about the iPhone 12:
- Camera: Takes good photos in daylight. In the dark you experience more noise and blur than newer iPhones.
- Design: the iPhone 12 looks a lot like recent iPhones. There is also little difference in terms of weight. However, the notch (the bar at the top of the screen) is somewhat larger. There is no Dynamic Island.
- Screen: excellent OLED screen with True Tone, but the screen is less clear than current iPhones.
- Storage: the iPhone 12 starts at 64 GB of storage. That can be a bit on the small side if you want to keep a lot of photos, apps and video files on your phone.
Do you still have an iPhone 12 and would you like to upgrade to the latest iPhone and buy one in 2024? Then you need the iPhone 15. Do you want the cream of the crop in the iPhone field? Then the iPhone 15 Pro Max is the device you want now.