Our Rating
The overall rating is based on review by our experts
Design
9 / 10
Display
9 / 10
Camera
8 / 10
Performance
9 / 10
Connectivity
9 / 10
Connectivity
9 / 10
Battery
6 / 10
Features
8 / 10
Usability
9 / 10
iPhone 12 Review: Still Worth It in 2025? A Smart Choice or Just Nostalgia?
Launched in late 2020, the iPhone 12 was a major milestone — Apple’s first 5G phone, a return to flat-edge design, and the debut of the Ceramic Shield. But fast-forward to 2025, is the iPhone 12 still a smart choice for users in today’s AI-focused, camera-hungry, gaming-heavy smartphone world?
Let’s break it all down: from design and performance to camera and battery life — to see whether the iPhone 12 still has that charm or it’s just living in the shadow of its successors.
1. Design & Build: A modern classic
The iPhone 12 brought back the flat-edge industrial design Apple fans loved since the iPhone 5 era — and in 2025, it still feels modern.
Glass front and back with an aluminum frame
Ceramic Shield glass: More drop-resistant than previous models
IP68 water and dust resistance
Available in multiple colors: Blue, Green, White, Black, Product(RED), and Purple
Weight: 164g – one of the lightest premium phones even today
In-hand feel: Compact and grippy — easy to use one-handed
Drawback: No high refresh rate display, still locked at 60Hz
2. Display: Super Retina that still shines
Apple’s 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen is sharp, bright, and color-accurate — even in 2025, this panel holds up.
Display Specs:
1170×2532 pixels (460 PPI)
True Tone + Wide Color (P3)
Peak brightness: 1200 nits (HDR content)
HDR10 and Dolby Vision certified
What you get:
Stunning HDR content on Netflix and YouTube
Color tuning is natural — never oversaturated
Thin bezels + flat screen = Immersive viewing
3. Performance: A14 Bionic – still a beast
The iPhone 12 features Apple’s A14 Bionic chip — the first 5nm smartphone processor. Even after 4+ years, it delivers reliable day-to-day speed and long-term OS support.
Performance Specs:
Hexa-core CPU (2×3.1 GHz + 4×1.8 GHz)
4-core GPU
4GB RAM (Yes, but iOS optimizations make it feel more)
Everyday Use:
No lag in multitasking or app switching
Gaming like COD Mobile or PUBG is smooth
Light video editing and AI apps like LumaFusion run without issues
Thermals: Slight warming under load, but no overheating
4. Camera: Smart, simple, and cinematic
The iPhone 12 camera system is a dual-lens setup but remains a favorite for those who want consistency and ease of use.
Rear Cameras:
12MP Main (f/1.6) – OIS
12MP Ultra-wide (f/2.4, 120°)
Front Camera:
12MP TrueDepth – f/2.2 + 4K60 video
Camera Experience:
Daylight Photos:
Balanced tones, smart HDR 3 works beautifully
No oversaturation, true-to-life skin tones
Low Light:
Night Mode on both lenses — works well
Not as bright as newer models, but less noise
Video:
4K at 60fps, Dolby Vision HDR — best-in-class for the price
Excellent stabilization, even while walking
No telephoto? True. But digital zoom up to 5x is usable.
5. Gaming & GPU: Capable, not class-leading
With the A14 GPU, the iPhone 12 can handle any mobile game — though the 60Hz display and 4GB RAM limit long-term gaming power.
🎮 Gaming Test:
COD Mobile: High Graphics + Max FPS → smooth experience
Genshin Impact: Medium settings → mostly stable, occasional frame drops
Asphalt 9: Fast, fluid, and responsive
PUBG/BGMI: HDR graphics + Ultra FPS → no thermal throttle
Battery Drain in 30 mins:
COD: ~10%
Genshin: ~15%
6. Battery Life: Good for a full day
With a 2815mAh battery, the iPhone 12 doesn’t look huge on paper, but Apple’s optimizations make it last a day with moderate use.
Real World Battery Life:
6–6.5 hrs Screen-on Time (SOT)
~18–22% per hour during video streaming or gaming
Light use: 1.5 days possible
Charging:
20W Fast Charging: 0–50% in ~30 minutes
MagSafe Wireless: 15W
Qi Wireless: 7.5W
7. Software: The iOS Experience
Running iOS 18 (as of 2025) — the iPhone 12 gets most of the latest Apple AI features and refinements.
Clean, fluid, and ad-free
Security & privacy focused
Apple ecosystem = Handoff, AirDrop, FaceTime Continuity, etc.
AI Features (iOS 18):
Siri with ChatGPT-like smart replies
Transcription in Notes
Visual Look Up
Smart widgets + Suggested Automation
8. Audio, Connectivity, and Biometrics
Stereo speakers – loud, clear, immersive
Face ID – fast and reliable even in 2025
5G Support (Sub-6GHz)
Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC
No headphone jack, no high-res audio DAC
9. Who should buy iPhone 12 in 2025?
This phone is perfect if you:
Want a premium, compact phone under 60K
Prefer iOS and Apple ecosystem
Want top-tier video recording
Prioritize long software updates and smooth UI
But NOT ideal if:
You want 120Hz screen or high-end gaming
You need ultra-long battery backup
You want fast charging or custom Android experience
Final Verdict: A Timeless iPhone
The iPhone 12 may be from 2020, but in 2025, it’s still a reliable, premium experience for many users.
It may not match newer flagships in raw specs or AI features, but where it matters — camera, software, display, and overall polish — it still delivers. If you find a good deal, it’s more than just nostalgia — it’s a smart, future-ready choice for budget-conscious iPhone lovers.
