Model numbers vary by market. Not to be confused with the iPhone 12 mini or the iPhone 12 Pro.
| Announced | October 13, 2020 |
| Released | October 23, 2020 |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| 5G | Yes (sub-6 GHz on all models; mmWave on US models) |
| Bands | Vary by model number; see Apple's regional specification pages |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm |
| Weight | 164 g |
| Build | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, glass back |
| Water and dust resistance | IP68 (up to 6 m for 30 minutes) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM and eSIM (dual Nano-SIM in China) |
| Colors | Black, White, (PRODUCT)RED, Green, Blue, Purple |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Size | 6.1 inches |
| Resolution | 1170 x 2532 pixels (about 460 ppi) |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
| Peak brightness | 625 nits typical; up to 1,200 nits peak HDR |
| Protection | Ceramic Shield |
| Features | HDR10, Dolby Vision, True Tone, wide color (P3), Haptic Touch |
| OS | iOS 14 (at launch) |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) |
| CPU | Hexa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) |
| RAM | 4 GB (reported; not published by Apple) |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB |
| Card Slot | No |
| Main | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4, 120° field of view |
| Telephoto | None |
| Front | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video recording | 4K up to 60 fps (Dolby Vision HDR); slo-mo 1080p at 120 or 240 fps |
| Speakers | Stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack | No |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 |
| NFC | Yes |
| Ultra Wideband | Yes (U1 chip) |
| USB | Lightning |
| Face ID | Yes |
| Sensors | Barometer, gyroscope, accelerometer, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor |
| Capacity | 2815 mAh (reported; not published by Apple) |
| Wired Charging | Fast charging, about 50% in 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter (adapter not included) |
| Wireless | MagSafe up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W |
| Launch price (US, USD) | $799 (64GB) |
| Availability | Discontinued by Apple; availability varies by region |
Prices are provided for reference and may change over time. Actual prices vary by region, retailer, storage configuration, taxes, and promotions. Check with local retailers for the latest price.
This is an editorial analysis of the specifications listed on this page. It is not based on SpecHub lab testing, so it makes no claims about benchmarks, battery life or camera results. Manufacturer lab figures are not reproduced here.
The iPhone 12 is the standard model of Apple's 2020 lineup, released on October 23, 2020 at $799 in the US. It was the first mainstream iPhone with 5G, an OLED display across the range and MagSafe wireless charging. It was aimed at buyers who wanted the main iPhone experience of that year. It is now an older phone.
The Apple A14 Bionic is a 5 nm chip with a six-core CPU and a four-core GPU. Independent sources report 4GB of RAM, which Apple does not publish. Storage is 64GB, 128GB or 256GB with no card slot. SpecHub has not benchmarked the phone.
The 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display has 1170 x 2532 pixels (about 460 ppi) and a 60Hz refresh rate. Apple rates it for 625 nits typical and up to 1,200 nits peak in HDR, with Ceramic Shield protection. The iPhone 12 Pro has the same size but a higher typical brightness of 800 nits.
The rear cameras are a 12MP main (f/1.6, optical stabilisation) and a 12MP ultrawide (f/2.4, 120 degrees). There is no telephoto lens, which the iPhone 12 Pro adds. The front camera is 12MP. Video goes up to 4K at 60 fps with Dolby Vision. SpecHub has not tested image quality.
Apple does not publish battery capacity. Independent sources report 2815 mAh. Apple states about 50% in 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter, which is not included. Wireless charging supports MagSafe at up to 15W and Qi at up to 7.5W. We have no endurance tests, and an older battery may hold less charge today.
The phone launched with iOS 14 and supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC and Ultra Wideband. It has Face ID, MagSafe and an IP68 rating up to 6 metres for 30 minutes. SIM options are a Nano-SIM plus an eSIM, or two Nano-SIMs in China.
Buyers who want an affordable older iPhone with 5G, an OLED screen and MagSafe accessory support will find it a reasonable fit.
People who want a telephoto lens, a 120Hz display or longer battery life should look at the iPhone 12 Pro or a newer model. Those who want a smaller body can consider the iPhone 12 mini.
The iPhone 12 is a capable older iPhone with 5G, OLED and MagSafe. Its 60Hz screen, modest reported battery and lack of a telephoto lens are the main limits.
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