The iPhone 12 was unveiled by Apple on October 13, 2020. The iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 lineups have since replaced them. While the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini has been completely discontinued, Apple still offers the iPhone 12 at a discounted price.

The 5.4-inch iPhone 12 was a brand-new size, and the smallest iPhone Apple had released since the 2016 iPhone SE, while the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 was a replacement for the iPhone 11 from 2019. The only differences between the two phones are their screens and batteries. The iPhone 12 mini is the best option for those who prefer an iPhone that can be operated with one hand due to its compact size.

iPhone 13 Specs 

Except for the Face ID notch and narrow bezels around the edge, the Super Retina XDR OLED displays on the iPhone 12 and 12 mini have an edge-to-edge design.

The resolution of the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini is 2430 x 1080 at 476 pixels per inch, while the resolution of the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 is 2532 x 1170 at 460 pixels per inch. Wide Color for vibrant, true-to-life colors, Haptic Touch for feedback, and True Tone to match the display’s color temperature to the surrounding lighting for a more natural viewing experience are all features of the displays, which also support HDR and have a peak brightness of 1200 nits.

In 2020, Apple completely redesigned the iPhone 12 lineup, introducing flat edges that differed from the rounded edges of earlier models and were modeled after the iPad Pro. A Ceramic Shield cover, which takes the place of the previous models’ standard cover glass, protects the front of the iPhone. According to Apple, the Ceramic Shield has four times better drop performance and is infused with nano-ceramic crystals. For the iPhone 13, Apple largely carried over the iPhone 12 design and Ceramic Shield, giving the two models a very similar appearance.

The iPhone 12’s back is made of glass, similar to other recent models, and its two halves are sandwiched between an aerospace-grade aluminum enclosure that is available in six colors: blue, green, black, white, (PRODUCT)RED, and purple, with a seventh color added in April 2021. The IP68 water and dust resistance of the iPhone 12 models allows them to withstand immersion in 6 meters of water for up to 30 minutes.

5G Connectivity 

For faster downloads and uploads, higher-quality video streaming, enhanced gaming, and higher-definition 1080p FaceTime calls, 5G connectivity was first supported by the iPhone 12 models. The fastest 5G technology, mmWave, is only supported by iPhone 12 devices purchased in the United States, despite 5G coverage being available everywhere else.

Other countries’ sales of the iPhone 12 are restricted to Sub-6GHz 5G connectivity, which is slower but more prevalent. Even in densely populated areas, 5G speeds in the US can reach 4Gbps.

When 5G isn’t available, Gigabit LTE is supported, and a Smart Data Mode switches back to an LTE connection when 5G speeds aren’t required to preserve battery life when using 5G. The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini include a U1 Ultra-Wideband chip for spatial awareness and interactivity with other devices that support the U1 feature, such as the HomePod mini. They also support Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.

When did the iPhone 12 price drop? 

Apple iPhone 12 prices decreased in the past few months as Apple released its next flagship smartphone, the iPhone 14, which launched in September 2022. According to media reports, Apple intends to keep the iPhone 12 lineup on the market for another year. The smartphone is inexpensive to produce and is currently selling well.

As a result, with the release of the iPhone 14, Apple may reduce the prices of the iPhone 12 line to make it more affordable for customers. Apple started selling the iPhone 12 for $699. Later the smartphone’s price dropped by $100 and retailed for just $599 in the United States. Given the device’s specifications and features, it is a good deal.

When the iPhone 13 was introduced in September 2021, Apple reduced the price of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini by more than $100/£100, and the iPhone 12 was reduced by another $100/£100 in September 2022.

The iPhone 12 was originally priced at $829/£799, but as of September 2022, the price has been reduced by another $100/£30 to $599/£649 (64GB), $649/£699 (128GB), or $749/£809 (64GB) (256GB).

The iPhone 12 mini was initially priced at $729/£699, but it was reduced to $599/£579 (64GB), $649/£629 (128GB), or $749/£729 (256GB) before being discontinued in 2022.

You can also find a used iPhone 12 at a low price. 

When is the best time to buy an iPhone?

The best time to buy an iPhone isn’t always when a new model is released unless you’re desperate for the most up-to-date hardware. You can wait a month or two after the launch for supply to catch up with demand and for any issues with the new phones to be identified and fixed.

It’s fine to buy a new iPhone at any time within nine months of its release, but if you want to save money, it is recommended to wait a few more months.

Based on experience, Apple is unlikely to reduce the price of an iPhone in its first year of sales.

However, when Apple introduces a new model, it tends to lower the price of the previous year’s iPhone – so Apple discounted its old iPhone models in September when it introduced iPhone 14 lineup and potentially in the spring if it introduces a new handset at that time. 

Final Thoughts 

The worst time to buy a new iPhone this year was in July or August because with new iPhones on the way, the price of older handsets was likely to fall very soon. If you want the latest iPhones, the best deals usually come in the spring and summer. 

If you are willing to buy an older iPhone, you will most likely find good deals around Black Friday or purchase a used iPhone at a reasonable price.