iPhone 12 deals are likely going to be the best option in Apple's latest line-up for a lot of people. It sits perfectly in the middle of the group, combining more affordable costs with the specs of the two Pro models.
While it isn't the cheapest of the four new iPhones (iPhone 12 Mini deals get that title ), the iPhone 12 does feel like the best value of the bunch in terms of value, attractively blending specs and price.
But what kind of specs are you getting? Well, along with the rest of the iPhone 12 range, the handset is 5G enabled, features Apple's new and market-leading A14 Bionic chip and has a dual-lens camera with an improved low-light ability - a lot of the features seen in iPhone 12 Pro deals as well.
It even made some significant visual changes, taking on a squared off design similar to the iPhone 5 - how retro! And to keep things innovative, Apple has also introduced a magnetic charging system.
In essence, iPhone 12 deals are incremental updates on iPhone 11 deals with a few new clever features like a magnetic wireless charge tool and of course, the game changer for Apple, that 5G connectivity.
Below we've listed all of the best and cheapest iPhone 12 deals currently available in the UK. Ranging from the cheap options to the big data bargains, there's a lot on offer right now.
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Compare the best iPhone 12 deals
iPhone 12 deals: the top five tariffs in the UK
iPhone 12 : at Affordable Mobiles| EE | 100GB | Unlimited minutes and texts | £49 £19 upfront with code TR30 | £44/pm
We weren't exactly expecting to see an EE iPhone 12 come down in cost so soon but that's exactly what this contract does. It costs just £44 a month and when you use the code TR30, £19 upfront. For that price, you're getting 100GB of data - plenty for most people's usage.
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iPhone 12: at Mobile Phones Direct | O2 | FREE upfront | 160GB data | unlimited minutes and texts | £47pm
There's nothing to pay upfront and on a monthly basis you're paying just £47. That alone makes this a pretty impressive offer but it gets stronger with the inclusion of the massive data plan. Each month you're gifted 160GB of data - that's more than plenty for most people's usage.
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iPhone 12: at Mobile Phones Direct | Three | £99.99 upfront | Unlimited data, calls and texts | £37pm
This iPhone 12 deal is not only one of the cheapest we've ever seen but it also manages to offer unlimited data, calls and texts! All of that comes together to make this the very obvious top choice. It will cost you £37 a month and £99.99 upfront. That's a bargain for an Apple device that is this new.
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iPhone 12: at Mobiles.co.uk | Vodafone | £199 upfront | 54GB data | unlimited calls and texts | £34pm
Vodafone isn't exactly the best value network to get your iPhone 12 on but this is the best deal out there. It offers 54GB of data for just £34 a month and £199 upfront. While that isn't a market-leading price, it is by no means a bad offer and sits clearly above all of the other Vodafone offers.
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iPhone 12: at Mobile Phones Direct | O2 | £279.99 upfront | 60GB data | unlimited calls and texts | £30pm
This is a deal that is certainly not going to appeal to everyone. That's because while it will only cost you £30 a month, you do have to spend a whopping £279.99 upfront to get it. Yes, that is a lot but it also offers one of the cheapest iPhone 12 deals you can currently get and throws in 60GB of data on O2 for good measure.
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Trading in your old phone for money off the iPhone 12:
Looking to sneak the costs down on the iPhone 12? Luckily this is easy to do if you've still got your previous phone and it's in good nick, as you can sell it on platforms like Sellmymobile.
It compares different recycling sites, listing their TrustPilot scores, how long it will take for you to get paid, how you send your phone and of course, how much you'll get.
In terms of what you can earn, taking the iPhone 8 as an example, you can get up to £183 for a working device or £98 for a completely broken device. Or if you have an iPhone 8, you could earn up to £116.
Want to know more? Check out our how to sell my phone guide
Head to Sellmymobile.com to see how much you can get for your old phone
iPhone 12 brief review
iPhone 12 in brief review
Apple's brand new device is here.
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The new iPhone 12 is at its core an incremental update on the iPhone 12. Other than the fact Apple has now joined the world of 5G and a clever new Magsafe feature for wireless charging, there aren't a whole load of unique new features.
However, Apple has significantly improved the camera, especially when it comes to low light shots and video. It has also introduced its A14 Bionic chip, the fastest processor in any of its phones.
Elsewhere, the design of the phone has been re-done. It has made the bezel smaller and squared off the sides (making it look rather iPhone 5-ish).
Read our full iPhone 12 review
SIM-free iPhone 12 deals
Contracts aren't for everyone and if you have an existing SIM plan or are looking to scout out the best SIM only deals, getting a SIM-free iPhone 12 deal could be the best way to go.
Prices start at £799 for the 64GB model but go up to £840 for 128GB and £949 for the 256GB model. While that is more expensive than last year's iPhone 11, Apple is cramming 5G into that price.
iPhone 12 deals FAQ
Do you get any accessories with the iPhone 12?
Unfortunately, Apple's boxes are a lot lighter these days than they used to be. With the entire iPhone 12 range, Apple has stripped out the charging block and the headphones that normally come in the box.
This means all you are now getting is the phone, the charging cable and the instructions. Apple has stated that this was due to environmental concerns, trying to reduce its footprint.
However, this does now mean if this is your first phone or you don't have any charging blocks lying around, you'll have to invest in one. The same goes for headphones, if you need a new pair they'll have to be bought separately.
Should you get the iPhone 12 or wait for the 12 Mini?
This year, Apple is adding one extra device to its round-up. While normally we would see a trio of options, the iPhone 12 Mini has brought it up to four in 2020 and...well, it's an interesting addition.
In the most basic essence, the iPhone 12 Mini is just a smaller version of the iPhone 12. At 5.4-inches, it is a considerable amount smaller than the iPhone 12's 6.1-inch size.
In fact, the iPhone 12 Mini is one of the smallest smartphones you can buy from major carriers right now, making its 5G capability and the fact it hold's the fastest processor on the market (alongside the rest of the iPhone 12 range).
Other than size and price, the iPhone 12 Mini and 12 are identical. It's like the 12 has simply been hit with a shrink ray as it maintains the same processor, 5G capabilities, the camera, screen resolution, IP rating and pretty much every major factor.
So, the big question...do you wait for the iPhone 12 Mini to be released? Well, considering it's far smaller size, this really is just for those who like small phones, if you like big phones, this is not for you, if you like normal size phones, it could be a nice reduction in size and save you an additional £100 while you're at it.
When will iPhone 12 deals drop in price?
The next likely time for the iPhone 12 to see a drop in price is going to be the release of Apple's next iPhone. We saw a small decrease in costs over Black Friday but that was simply temporary.
Apple has a tendency to discount its older handsets when it releases a new one. The XR came down in price when the 11 came out and the 11 came down in price when the 12 came out.
With this in mind we would imagine the release of Apple's next collection of devices near the end of 2021 to know prices down here.
How does the iPhone 12 compare to the iPhone 12 Pro?
They both launched on the same day and for many, the iPhone 12 Pro could actually be the better investment. While all of the core specs are shared across both handsets like 5G, the A14 Bionic chip, Magsafe technology and the same screen, the iPhone 12 Pro wins in a few key areas.
It has an increased battery size, it adds an additional camera lens and it features an increased pixel density and the obvious one, it has a larger body and display.
However, that all obviously adds to the price, making the iPhone 12 Pro a fair bit more expensive than the iPhone 12.
Should I buy the iPhone 12 or the older iPhone 11?
Despite the fact that the iPhone 12 launched alongside three other devices, the iPhone 11 is actually the device most fiercely compared to the iPhone 12. While there is a number factors included in this comparison, the price is the big one.
After the iPhone 12 launched, the iPhone 11 came down considerably in price, losing £130 off the price tag. With this in mind, the iPhone 11 is currently at its best value...well, ever.
The iPhone 12 on the other hand added a fair bit to the price tag, costing you £799. And while the processor is more powerful and the device has 5G, improved camera specs and a number of other improvements, for those not worried about getting the latest device, the iPhone 11 is actually going to be the better choice.
Choose the iPhone 12 if up to date specs are crucial to you but otherwise the iPhone 11 is the top choice.
What are the stand out features of the iPhone 12?
While the iPhone 12 is mostly an incremental upgrade to the iPhone 11, there is a few factors that has brought Apple up to match or exceed its competitors:
5G:
This is Apple's first 5G handset, bringing it into a world that until now was heavily dominated by Android providers. However, 5G is a bit of a strange piece of tech. While it has the potential to change the world, it certainly isn't there yet.
For now, 5G feels more like a preparation, getting devices ready for when 5G is readily in more than just tiny pockets of cities.
A14 Bionic chip:
With the iPhone 11 and its A13 Bionic chip, Apple was already one of the absolute top choices for processors and was even the owner of the fastest processor when the iPhone 11 launched.
Now it has released the A14 Bionic chip. Also found in the new iPad, this is the fastest processor available in any phone on the market.
MagSafe:
If you've ever had a Macbook with a snap on charger, this will sound familiar. MagSafe is a feature where a wireless charger can snap to the back of your phone.
While the obvious use of this is to easily put your phone down to charge without having to think too much, Apple is already suggesting other uses. The most popular suggestion the brand has had so far is for snap on wallets.