The iPhone 12 already ranks among the most popular refurbished models, and every unit earns its grade the hard way; checked, tested and only then approved to sell. Buy a refurbished iPhone 12 SIM-free with 85%+ battery, 12-month warranty, 45-day returns and free UK delivery.
At a glance
If you want a proper iPhone without spending much, the refurbished iPhone 12 is the most obvious choice. It's our #2 best-selling iPhone for a reason; it comes with a vivid OLED screen, 5G connection, MagSafe and Face ID for under £200, all tested and backed by a 12-month warranty.
It suits first-time iPhone buyers, younger users, and anyone who just wants a reliable everyday phone for calls, photos and social media. It's not the newest phone, but it does get the job done.
If you’re comparing iPhone 12 deals, the main difference is testing and aftercare. A professionally refurbished iPhone from The Big Phone Store gives you clear grading, battery checks, warranty cover and support after purchase.
Best for: Anyone who wants a proper modern iPhone at one of the lowest prices in the refurbished range
Performance: A14 Bionic chip, fast enough for everything most people do day to day
Camera: Dual 12MP Wide and Ultra Wide cameras with Night mode
Battery: Up to 17 hours of video playback, enough for a full day of normal use
Software: iOS 26 supported, still receiving updates
Consider other models if: you want better battery life and camera stabilisation
Apple launched the iPhone 12 in October 2020, a month later than usual, due to delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. It was the first iPhone launch to take place across two separate events, with the iPhone 12 Mini and standard 12 revealed first, followed by the Pro models a week later.
Apple marketed the 12 heavily around 5G and a new flat-edged design, the first time iPhones had moved away from rounded edges since the iPhone 5. The 5G launch was a big deal at the time. Apple ran a high-profile ad campaign with Verizon in the US, and the iPhone 12 quickly became one of the best-selling iPhones of its generation. Counterpoint Research named it the best-selling smartphone globally in 2021. Five years on, it's still our #2 best-selling iPhone, which is proof that it ages well.
In 2026, it's the practical pick for anyone who wants a genuinely modern iPhone at the lowest possible entry point.
Based on what customers actually bought over the last 6 months.
Apple iPhone 12 — out of 169 models sold
Best-selling Apple phone #4 of 38 Apple phones we sellPositions are based on our own store order data, not the wider market.
How The iPhone 12 Compares
The iPhone 12 improves on the iPhone 11 most clearly in display quality, design and connectivity.
Feature | Technical Upgrade | What You Notice Day to Day |
|---|---|---|
Display | OLED replaces LCD | Sharper colours, deeper blacks and better contrast in all lighting conditions makes the screen feel more premium. |
Design | Flat-edged aluminium frame replaces rounded edges | It feels easier to grip, meaning that it’s easier to use one-handed and less likely to slip from your hand. |
5G | First iPhone to support 5G | Faster mobile data speeds where 5G is available. |
Processor | A14 Bionic replaces A13 Bionic | Faster performance and better app support over time makes using the phone feel stress-free. |
MagSafe | Magnetic charging and accessory system added | Snap-on cases, wallets and chargers that align automatically are a useful addition. |
Camera | Improved Night mode and new Deep Fusion processing | Better low-light photos and more detail in everyday shots capture your memories more clearly. |
Size | Slightly smaller and lighter than iPhone 11 | More comfortable for one-handed use, and more comfortable in your pocket. |
Screen Note: The iPhone 12 does not have ProMotion. The display runs at 60Hz, so scrolling and animations are not as smooth as on the iPhone 13 Pro or newer Pro models.
The Big Phone Store Team Summary: The iPhone 12 is a much better option than the iPhone 11. The price barely changes, and you get OLED, 5G, MagSafe and a clean design for less than almost any other iPhone on the refurbished market. This is a phone that will last you a bit longer than the 11, so it’s worth the small extra cost.
The iPhone 12 is one of our customers’ top refurbished choices in 2026, mainly for its good value. A modern phone that costs under £200 is very impressive in my opinion, considering the newest devices can cost over £1000. My friend has been using his iPhone 12 since it launched, and it still holds up just fine today.
That being said, this is a phone that makes sense to the right buyer, but not to everyone. It’s not the newest phone, and we’re not sure when it’ll stop being supported by Apple. For anyone who just wants a phone that gets the job done without all the expensive extras, it’s a perfect choice.
Who Should Buy The iPhone 12?
The iPhone 12 is built for people who want a proper modern iPhone without the high price tag. First-time iPhone buyers, parents buying for a teenager, or anyone switching from an older device who wants 5G and a better screen without spending over £200 will really suit this phone. If you mainly use your phone for calls, social media, photos and streaming, the iPhone 12 does all of that well.
Who Should Avoid The iPhone 12?
Skip the iPhone 12 if you plan to keep your new phone for five or more years, because it'll likely stop receiving iOS updates before then. Heavy camera users will also find it limiting; there's no telephoto lens and no ProMotion. The iPhone 13 is a similar price and gives you better battery life and camera stabilisation. Step up to the 13 Pro if you want the full kit.
— Charlie Ingram, Content Writer at The Big Phone Store
Find a cheap iPhone 12 deal across our grades, colours and storage options.
Grades: Like New, Pristine, Very Good, Good
Colours: Black, White, (PRODUCT) RED, Blue, Green, Purple
Storage: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
Every grade (condition) of device we sell at The Big Phone Store is fully working. The grade describes cosmetic condition only, and all devices go through a 90+ point check before dispatch.
Like New is the cleanest cosmetic option and includes 100% guaranteed battery health. Choose it if you want the best condition available.
Pristine has very light signs of use and suits buyers who want a cleaner-looking phone for less.
Very Good may show light marks, but still gives you full iPhone 12 performance.
Good shows more visible wear and is best if you want the lowest price on a fully working modern iPhone.
Good and Very Good grades are fully functional and mainly differ by cosmetic wear. On the iPhone 12, wear is often easiest to see on the flat aluminium frame edges and around the Lightning port. If you use a case, most of these marks are covered, so Good or Very Good is a smart way to buy a cheap iPhone 12 without giving up performance.
Feature | Technical Details | Why it Matters |
|---|---|---|
Screen | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2532 x 1170 resolution, HDR, True Tone and 625 nits typical max brightness | Much better colours and contrast than older phones, making the screen ideal for watching videos and viewing photos. |
Camera | Dual 12MP Wide and Ultra Wide cameras with Night mode, Deep Fusion and Smart HDR 3 | A capable everyday camera that handles low light and detail well. You can take clean everyday shots of your friends and family. |
Battery Life | Apple lists up to 17 hours of video playback, up to 11 hours streamed video playback and up to 65 hours audio playback | Enough battery for a full day of normal use, or even two if you’re a casual phone user. |
iOS | Launched with iOS 14 and compatible with iOS 26. It does not support Apple Intelligence | Still fully supported in 2026, with all current iOS features except Apple Intelligence. You’re not missing out on anything by choosing this phone. |
Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4mm, 164g | One of the lightest modern iPhones. It’s easy to use one-handed and doesn’t weigh down your pocket during a long day. |
Every iPhone 12 from The Big Phone Store comes with at least 85% battery health, well above Apple’s 80% replacement threshold. This is the highest minimum battery health of any refurbished seller. Like New devices have 100% battery health guaranteed, and you can purchase a brand new battery for any phone at checkout.
Try the iPhone 12 mini if you want a smaller, lighter version of the same phone.
Try the iPhone 13 if you want better battery life, longer support and sensor-shift camera stabilisation.
Try the iPhone 12 Pro if you want a telephoto lens and a stainless steel build.
Try the iPhone SE 2020 if you like the old iPhone style with a home button.
Value
The main reason to buy the iPhone 12 is what you get for the money: an OLED screen, 5G, MagSafe, and Face ID, all under £200. No other iPhone in the refurbished range ticks all four at that price. At launch it was a proper step forward from the 11, and those new features still matter in 2026. It's not the newest, and it doesn’t need to be. It simply gets the job done at an affordable price.
If you're still undecided, we have dozens of other iPhone models available. See our range or get in contact!
The iPhone 12 was the first iPhone with MagSafe, so we test the magnetic alignment and charging function specifically on every unit. It was also the first non-Pro iPhone with OLED, so screen quality checks are a priority. We look closely for any signs of burn-in or uneven brightness across the full display.
We use a trusted diagnostics platform called Phonecheck to perform 90+ checks on every device.
85%+ battery health confirmed and charging tested
Display brightness, colour and full-screen touch response
Face ID — tested, not assumed
Front camera and video
Speakers, microphone and haptic feedback
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile signal
All buttons and sensors
IMEI and network history check via CheckMEND
Previous owner’s data fully erased
iCloud removed
Lost, stolen and blacklist status checked
Only devices that pass every required check are approved for sale. If a device doesn’t meet our standards, it won’t be sold. Each reconditioned iPhone 12 we sell is tested, cleaned and graded in-house before dispatch.
From years of working with used phones, we know that problems often start before the phone reaches you. There is a big difference between a second-hand iPhone 12 and a refurbished one, but in both cases it's important to be careful. The main issues are weak battery health, unclear grading, hidden faults, poor replacement parts, blocked phones and sellers listing stock they do not actually have.
Before you buy a refurbished or used iPhone 12, watch out for these common pitfalls.
Risk to Watch Out For | The Issue | What it Means for You |
|---|---|---|
Non-UK or imported models | Some phones may not be intended for the UK market. | You'll pay marginally less upfront, however the phone may sell for as little as 10-20% of its original value later on. Whilst you'll make a small saving to start with, you'll take a huge hit when it's time to dispose of the device, because imported devices are seen as a risk for buyers. |
Phones that are not actually in stock | Some sellers list phones before they physically have them ready to send. | Your phone is your lifeline, and we understand this well. Do you really want to purchase from a company who has a reputation of taking your money and then making you wait for weeks, or in some cases months for your device? |
Weak battery health | A phone can look clean but still have a worn battery. | Many of our competitors don't even mention battery life, and the battery you get is left up to chance. Who wants to spend good money on a device that only turns on for a few hours? Our minimum battery health is 85%, and you can upgrade to 100% at checkout for much cheaper than a high-street battery replacement would cost. |
Hidden faults | Camera, Face ID, sensors or charging port issues may not show in photos. | Many sellers cut costs by not testing your device properly, or in some cases not at all. We believe that every customer deserves a fully functional device from day one, which is why our return rate is one of the lowest in the industry. |
Poor-quality replacement parts | Cheap screens, batteries or camera parts can affect how the phone feels and performs. | Mobile phones are precisely built and sensitive devices. Some sellers use cheap phone parts that are more likely to break or become faulty. We use genuine Apple parts in 95% of the iPhones we repair. On the rare occasion that third-party parts are used, these will be of the highest quality possible, and only for screens and batteries. See our quality charter. |
Blocked, locked or finance-flagged phones | Risky sellers may list phones that later turn out to be blocked, iCloud locked, finance-flagged or not fully reset. | What might seem like a good deal initially could cost you further down the line when the phone is blacklisted from use. We check that your phone hasn't been reported stolen, isn't on the police register, doesn't belong to another company, isn't hacked, and doesn't have any viruses. |
Weak aftercare | Some sellers offer limited support once the phone has been delivered. | If something goes wrong and you need quick support, you may be stuck talking to an AI chatbot. In some cases, the customer support team may live in a different timezone and can't help you when you need it most. Our award-winning team is here to help you by phone, WhatsApp, email and more. |
The Big Phone Store has been refurbishing phones and saving customers money since 1999. Every stage, from initial testing to device aftercare, is handled in-house in Wolverhampton, giving us tighter quality control and clearer accountability. We sold more than 72,000 refurbished smartphones in 2025, which is proof that customers trust in our quality.
If you're looking for refurbished iPhone 12 stock, here's why you should choose us.
What Matters | How We Help | Why it Matters to You |
|---|---|---|
Experience | Refurbished electronics specialist since 1999 | No one has more expertise in this industry than us. We’ve been refurbishing phones since before the iPhone existed. |
Trust | A 4.80 Trustpilot rating with over 5000 reviews | We have 86,462 reviews across all platforms. You can become one of our many satisfied customers today. |
Security | Devices are data-wiped, network status and device history are checked for blacklisting, theft, loss or outstanding finance (using CheckMEND) | Our checks help protect you from blocked, stolen or finance-flagged phones. Unlike with unverified sellers, there’s no risk of being scammed or ripped off. |
Quality | 90+ point quality check | We refuse to sell devices that don't work the same as if they were new. Your device is ready to go straight out of the box. |
Support | UK-based customer support | Get help from real people who won the Best Customer Service (Consumer) award at the MNA 2026, beating major brands such as EE. |
Stock | Website stock means actual stock | Unlike other sites, all devices on our website are in stock and ready to ship from our warehouse today. No false listings or seller delays. |
Device Quality | Every part of the process is done in-house | We have full control over the refurbishment process. Unlike others who outsource their process, we confirm the quality of the devices ourselves. |
Every Apple iPhone 12 refurbished at The Big Phone Store includes a 12-month warranty as standard, which you can upgrade to 2 years, 5 years, or lifetime. You also get free UK delivery for any order over £30 and a 45-day returns process.
We value the opinions of all of our customers, and we're sure that you do too! If you're still unsure about buying the iPhone 12 you want, take a look at the reviews our customers have left for us.
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More than happy. Hassle free transaction
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Yes. Our refurbished iPhone 12 devices are SIM-free and unlocked for compatible UK networks.
No. A used phone is usually sold as-is by a private seller. A refurbished iPhone 12 is professionally tested, data-wiped, graded and sold with warranty cover.
Yes. It has a dual 12MP camera system with wide and ultra-wide lenses, Night mode, Deep Fusion and 4K Dolby Vision HDR video recording.
Yes. The iPhone 12 supports 5G, so you can use faster mobile data where your UK network and coverage allow it.
You get at least 85% battery health as standard. Like New phones include 100% guaranteed battery health.
That depends on the grade. Like New and Pristine look cleaner, while Very Good and Good may show more signs of previous use. All grades are fully functional.
Yes. Every refurbished iPhone 12 includes a 12-month warranty as standard, with upgrade options where available.
Buy the refurbished iPhone 12 if you want a modern-looking iPhone with 5G, OLED, MagSafe and strong everyday performance, without paying for newer iPhone 13, iPhone 14 or iPhone 15 models.
