iPhone · Apple Silicon · 2020
iPhone 12
The iPhone went 5G and got its sharp, flat-edged frame back, with a ring of MagSafe magnets on the rear for snap-on accessories.
First 5G mainstream iPhone, OLED across the line, and the return of flat edges + MagSafe.
iPhone 13 (2021)
iPhone 12: key facts
When was the iPhone 12 released?
The iPhone 12 arrived on October 23, 2020. Apple discontinued it in September 2023.
How much did the iPhone 12 cost?
The iPhone 12 launched at $799 in 2020, about $967 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: Apple A14 Bionic at 3.10 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, 2532×1170 display.
Why does the iPhone 12 matter?
First 5G mainstream iPhone, OLED across the line, and the return of flat edges + MagSafe.
Full specifications
| CPU | Apple A14 Bionic · 3.10 GHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 6 |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB |
| Display | 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, 2532×1170 |
| GPU | Apple 4-core GPU |
| Ports | Lightning |
| Weight | 164 g |
| Dimensions | 146.7×71.5×7.4 mm |
| Operating system | iOS 14 |
| Released | October 23, 2020 |
| Discontinued | September 2023 |
| Launch price | $799 |
How the iPhone 12 compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 4.0× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 3.10 GHz, the clock is roughly 1.0× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
This held about 16,400 modern phone photos, a respectable library even today.
Launched at $799 in 2020, about $967 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
Apple removed the charger and earbuds from the box, citing the environment.
Related iPhone models
Open the iPhone 12 in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11