Should you buy the new iPhone 12 range directly from Apple?

iPhone 12 pre-orders and prices
(Image credit: Apple)

Apple's big event has happened, we know all of the features the iPhone 12 is set to offer, we know exactly how much each device costs and now iPhone 12 deals are available to pre-order.

While you'll have to wait a bit longer for the more niche iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are all ready to go with a wide range of offers now out there.

But with so much choice now available - of course everyone would want to sell the new iPhone! - the big question is where should you buy the handset? Should you go directly through the Apple Store or look elsewhere.

Should you pre-order the iPhone 12 from Apple?

Now that pre-orders are live, we can see that Apple isn't really offering anything different to the rest of the crowd - the Apple Store wasn't even the first site to go live with deals!

And because Apple isn't including any free gifts with its handsets, it feels hard to recommend it over other retailers. 

Many other retailers in both the US and UK have included incentives, discounts and other special offers to attract your attention and make your new iPhone 12 deal that little bit more valuable.

In the UK for example, Sky Mobile is offering discounts on AirPods, Carphone Warehouse is throwing in big vouchers and Affordable Mobiles is offering £30 off with the use of the code TR30, exclusively for TechRadar readers.

In the US, Verizon is offering massive gift cards and AT&T and Best Buy are doing free devices.

Where else will you be able to get the iPhone 12?

This very much depends on where you live but all the big name retailers are getting involved with the iPhone 12. While unlocked prices are all likely to be the same, contracts can differ in prices. For the US and UK that is likely to mean:

US pre-order retailers:

UK pre-order retailers:

Does the iPhone 12 range come with any free gifts?

Unfortunately Apple has decided not to include any free gifts for pre-order. Last year you could get a year of Apple TV but it looks like Apple is skipping that concept this year.

Apple has also decided not to include headphones or a charger in the box when you buy a new iPhone. Apple's thinking is that you should have a collection of old chargers and headphones lying around to use instead.

Is there any benefit to pre-ordering?

While normally you would get a free gift while pre-ordering (as we covered above), Apple is keeping it simple. In essence, pre-ordering will just mean you're getting your phone when it becomes available on the first day.

Alex Hughes

Alex is a journalist who has written extensively about all things broadband, SIMs and phone contracts, as well as scouring the internet to land you the best prices on the very latest in gadgets and tech. Whether that be with the latest iPhones and Android handsets, breaking down how broadband works or revealing the cheapest SIM plans, he's in the know, and will help you land a bargain.