The iPhone 12 , released in October 2020 , marked a turning point in the iPhone lineup with a flat design inspired by the iPhone 5 , 5G , an OLED screen, and improvements in photo and video.
Here's a full rundown of the iPhone 12's specs:
1. iPhone 12 Specifications
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Release year | October 2020 |
| 📱 Screen | Super Retina XDR OLED – 6.1 inches (2532 x 1170 pixels, HDR10, Dolby Vision) |
| 🔄 Display frequency | 60 Hz |
| 🔋 Battery | 2,815 mAh (up to 17 hours of video playback) |
| ⚡ Top-up | MagSafe (15W), Qi (7.5W), wired 20W (50% in 30 min) |
| 🚀 Processor | A14 Bionic (5nm, 6 cores, 4 core GPU) |
| 🎥 Rear camera | Dual 12 MP sensor (Wide f/1.6, Ultra Wide f/2.4) |
| 📸 Front camera | 12 MP (f/2.2) with Night mode and Deep Fusion |
| 🎬 Video | 4K up to 60 fps, Dolby Vision HDR, Slo-Mo 240 fps |
| 📶 Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC |
| 💾 Storage | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB |
| 🛠 Materials | Ceramic Shield glass + aluminum |
| 📏 Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm |
| ⚖ Weight | 162g (lighter than iPhone 13 and 14) |
| 💦 Resistance | IP68 (water resistant up to 6m for 30 min) |
| 🔌 Charging port | Lightning |
2. Screen: High Quality OLED Technology
The iPhone 12 is the first "classic" iPhone (excluding Pro models) to benefit from a Super Retina XDR OLED screen, offering:
✅ Excellent image quality with infinite contrast.
✅ HDR10 and Dolby Vision for a better video experience.
✅ Max brightness: 625 nits (standard), 1200 nits (HDR).
📌 But…
❌ No 120 Hz , unlike the Pro models and the iPhone 13 Pro and 14 Pro.
💡 Verdict: A superb screen , but limited to 60 Hz for fluidity.
3. Performance: The A14 Bionic Chip Is Always Fast
The iPhone 12 is equipped with the A14 Bionic chip , engraved in 5 nm , which was at its launch the most powerful on the market .
🚀 Advantages of the A14 Bionic:
✅ Very fast for all tasks (gaming, multitasking, video editing).
✅ Optimized for iOS 18 and probably up to iOS 20 (2026-2027).
✅ Good energy management to preserve autonomy.
📌 But…
❌ Less powerful than the A15 (iPhone 13) and A16 (iPhone 14).
💡 Verdict: The iPhone 12 remains very capable in 2025 , but an iPhone 13 or 14 will be a better choice for longevity.
4. Camera: A Versatile Dual Sensor
The iPhone 12 features a dual 12MP camera , similar to the iPhone 11 but with better software processing .
📸 Main features:
✅ Wide-angle (12 MP, f/1.6) → Brighter than iPhone 11, improves low-light photos.
✅ Ultra wide-angle (12 MP, f/2.4, 120°) → Ideal for landscapes and group photos.
✅ Night Mode and Deep Fusion for better low-light performance.
✅ 4K HDR Dolby Vision video , with more dynamic colors.
📌 But…
❌ No optical zoom (unlike Pro models).
❌ Night Mode less effective than on iPhone 13 and 14 .
💡 Verdict: Very good camera , but less powerful than recent models , especially in Night mode.
5. Autonomy: Sufficient, But Lacking
🔋 Battery capacity: 2815 mAh
📌 Average autonomy:
- Normal use → Up to 15 hours .
- Video streaming → About 10-11 hours .
- Games and intensive use → 5-6 hours .
📌 Comparison with other models:
| Model | Battery | Autonomy (typical use) |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 12 | 2815 mAh | 1 day ✅ |
| iPhone 13 | 3240 mAh | 1.5 days ✅✅ |
| iPhone 14 | 3,279 mAh | 1.5 days ✅✅ |
| iPhone 15 | 3,349 mAh | 1.5 - 2 days ✅✅✅ |
📌 Known issue:
❌ Battery that wears out faster than on the following models (lower capacity).
💡 Verdict: Decent battery life, but inferior to newer models . A battery replacement may be a good option.
6. Connectivity and Technology
📡 Connectivity:
✅ 5G (first compatible iPhone).
✅ Wi-Fi 6 for a faster connection.
✅ Bluetooth 5.0 and NFC for Apple Pay and accessories.
🔌 Top-up:
✅ 20W fast charge (50% in 30 min) .
✅ MagSafe (15W) and Qi (7.5W) wireless charging .
📌 But…
❌ No USB-C → Always Lightning.
❌ No Wi-Fi 6E or Bluetooth 5.3 (present on recent models).
💡 Verdict: Still very modern , but Lightning is starting to look outdated .
7. Conclusion: Is the iPhone 12 Still Interesting in 2025?
🔹 Screen → ✅ Excellent OLED, but limited to 60 Hz .
🔹 Performance → ✅ A14 Bionic still fast, but inferior to newer models .
🔹 Photo → ✅ Good, but not at the level of the iPhone 13/14/15 .
🔹 Battery life → ❌ Lower than iPhone 13, 14 and 15 .
🔹 Charging port → ❌ Always Lightning (no USB-C) .
🥇 Final Verdict: The iPhone 12 is still a good choice in 2025, but…
✅ If you find it in good condition and at a price below €350, it is a decent option.
❌ If you want better battery life and an improved camera, the iPhone 13 or 14 is a better choice.




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