iPhone 12
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
The iPhone 12 is currently viewed with mixed sentiment as it reaches a more mature stage in its lifecycle. While it is praised for introducing MagSafe and remaining a viable, compact budget option on the used market, long-term users frequently report significant battery degradation and performance stutters.
Pros
- Introduction of MagSafe for accessories and charging
- Compact and lightweight form factor compared to newer Pro models
- Affordable entry point into the iOS ecosystem (often cited around 200€ used)
- Still capable of serving as a high-quality external camera monitor via apps
Cons
- Noticeable battery life decline after several years of use
- Performance issues including UI stuttering, app crashes, and freezing during fast typing
- Overzealous image sharpening that can create artifacts or make text unreadable
- Occasional Bluetooth pairing difficulties with newer accessories like recent AirPods
Caveats
- Variable Frame Rate (VFR) recording can lead to audio drift in video projects
- Durability concerns with some users reporting total screen failure from minor drops
- Approaching the end of its primary software update support window
Best for
- Budget-conscious buyers looking for a basic iPhone with MagSafe
- Users who prefer a smaller device without switching to the 'mini' line
- Use as a secondary device or dedicated camera monitor
Avoid if
- You require all-day battery life without mid-day charging
- You perform heavy multitasking or high-speed typing
- You prefer natural, less processed photographic styles
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 6-month half-life. The evidence is older (median age ~396 days) and reflects a product late in its lifecycle; confidence is medium for this fast-changing hardware category.
Sentiment
38 positive (35%) · 25 mixed (23%) · 47 negative (43%)
Trust + time weighted score: -5% · raw score -8%
What redditors said (10 of 110)
I know main culprit for audio drift is the VFR recording of my (and any) smartphone
You'll have probably two more years of OS support (if you care, I wouldn't recommend upgrading to 26 unless they force it) and probably 3-4 more years of security updates. One thing I will give Apple is that they are pretty good supporting their phones.
Parent context: I have an old iPhone 12, so they’re not nearly as spectacular as some of the super camera ones I see posted, but thank you! Reply: 😮u took this with an old iPhone! Marvellous shots man!
Go for a 12: oldest iPhone with 5G and last one sold with 64GB
I've landed on either getting the IPhone 12 or the Samsung Galaxy S22.
I have an iPhone 12 I use for work and it feels the same as my iPhone Air.
On the other hand S22 has already finished receiving all of its major Android updates, so maybe the iPhone 12 is the best option from a software stability standpoint.
I still use an iPhone 12 for work and it runs smoothly, but I hesitate to give it to someone who might use it for an additional few years.
Right now, I have an iPhone 12 that’s in really bad condition, and I’m looking for a new phone to replace it.
But the iPhone 12 is pretty ancient at this point, so even if it got the job done you would have separate issues that would make you want to have paid more.
Compare
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17iPhone 12 vs iPhone 17 ProiPhone 12 vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
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