iPhone 12 Pro in 2025 Review: Best Budget iPhone

Hey everyone. Today, we’re reviewing into a device that’s a few years old now, but still sparks a lot of conversation: the iPhone 12 Pro. Specifically, we’re asking the big question: is the iPhone 12 Pro still a good phone to use in 2025?

The iPhone 12 Pro debuted in 2020 as Apple’s flagship, introducing 5G connectivity, a LiDAR scanner for enhanced photography, and MagSafe—a magnetic ecosystem for accessories. It marked a return to the beloved flat-edge design, reminiscent of the iPhone 4, paired with a stainless steel frame that screamed premium. But how does this iPhone hold up today? Let’s unpack it together.

Personally, I remember being so excited about this phone. I snagged the Pacific Blue color, and it just felt so premium in hand. The stainless steel frame, the Ceramic Shield… it just screamed quality. I used it as my daily driver for a good couple of years, and it honestly served me incredibly well.

Design and display

Alright, let’s talk design and display on the iPhone 12 Pro. This is where things get a little personal for me, because design is something I’m really passionate about. I remember when the 12 Pro came out, and Apple reintroduced those flat, boxy sides. It was like a breath of fresh air! It reminded me of the iPhone 4 and 5, which, in my humble opinion, were some of the most iconic iPhones ever. There’s just something so satisfying about the clean lines and the way it feels in your hand. It’s definitely more angular than the rounded designs we’d seen in recent years, and that gives it a very distinct, almost industrial, look.

Now, some people might find the stainless steel frame a bit heavy, and I’ll admit, it is a tad weightier than the aluminum on the standard iPhone 12. But for me, that extra heft just adds to the premium feel. It feels substantial, like you’re holding a well-crafted piece of technology. It’s also incredibly durable. I’m not going to lie, I’ve dropped this phone a few times, and thanks to the Ceramic Shield, it’s survived. Apple claims it offers four times better drop protection than previous iPhones, and in my experience, that’s held up pretty well. Of course, you should still be careful, because accidents happen, but that Ceramic Shield definitely gives you some peace of mind.

Moving on to the display, the Super Retina XDR OLED is still a stunner. It’s a 6.1-inch panel, which I find to be the perfect size for one-handed use. Not too big, not too small – just right. The colors are incredibly vibrant and accurate, and the contrast is amazing. Everything just pops on this screen. I remember watching nature documentaries on this phone, and the level of detail was just incredible. The deep blacks make the images look so realistic.

Now, let’s get a little technical. This is an OLED panel, which means each pixel emits its own light. This is what gives you those incredible blacks and amazing contrast. It also supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, which means you can watch movies and TV shows in stunning high dynamic range. The peak brightness is also very impressive, at 1200 nits. I’ve used this phone in direct sunlight, and I’ve never had any trouble seeing the screen.

Of course, the iPhone 12 Pro doesn’t have the ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate that we see in newer iPhones. This is something I definitely noticed when I switched back to it. Scrolling and animations aren’t quite as smooth as on a 120Hz display. But honestly, after a few hours of use, I completely forgot about it. It’s one of those things that’s nice to have, but not essential. The same goes for the always-on display. It’s a cool feature, but it doesn’t significantly impact my daily use.

I remember one time I was hiking, and I wanted to take a picture of the sunset. The lighting was really tricky, but the display on the 12 Pro was so accurate that I could actually see exactly what the photo was going to look like, even before I took it. It made composing the shot so much easier. That’s just one example of how the quality of the display can really enhance your experience.

Performance

Performance-wise, the A14 Bionic chip is still holding up surprisingly well. Day-to-day tasks, browsing, social media, even gaming… it handles everything with ease. I did notice a tiny bit of lag compared to my current iPhone 15 Pro, but it’s nothing that bothers me in regular use. And the best part? The iPhone 12 Pro is still getting software updates! It’ll likely continue to receive updates for a few more years, which is fantastic for longevity. However, there is a catch. While it runs iOS 18.3 smoothly, it does lack support for Apple Intelligence, a new suite of AI-powered features in iOS 18. This means you’re missing out on some of the newer, AI-driven features in iOS 18. But honestly, you can easily find alternatives. Apps like Gemini or ChatGPT can provide similar AI assistant capabilities. So, while it’s not ideal, it’s not a complete deal-breaker.

Camera

Now, let’s talk about the camera, which is arguably the iPhone 12 Pro’s strongest point. The triple-lens system is still incredibly capable. The main sensor captures stunning detail, and the images are crisp and vibrant. The 2x optical zoom is still useful, and in good lighting, I honestly struggle to tell the difference between photos taken on this and my 15 Pro. Where you’ll see a difference is in low-light photography. The night mode on the 12 Pro is good, but it’s not quite as impressive as the newer iPhones, especially the 13 Pro and later.

Downside

Of course, the iPhone 12 Pro isn’t perfect. The biggest downside, in my opinion, is the battery life. My unit’s battery health is at 88%, which is decent for a phone this age. But even with that, I found myself needing to top it up by mid-afternoon on days with heavy usage. If you’re considering buying a used 12 Pro, definitely check the battery health. If it’s below 80%, you might want to factor in the cost of a battery replacement. Also, while the performance is generally good, you might encounter occasional slowdowns with more demanding apps or games.

So, where does that leave us with the iPhone 12 Pro in 2025? It’s definitely a mixed bag, isn’t it? It’s like that reliable friend who’s always there for you, but they’re not exactly the flashiest or most exciting person in the room. The 12 Pro has its strengths – that gorgeous design, a still-impressive camera system, and solid performance for everyday tasks. But it also shows its age in some areas. It’s still rocking the Lightning connector, which, let’s be honest, feels a bit dated now that USB-C is becoming the standard. I remember fumbling around for the correct cable the other day, and it just made me wish they’d made the switch already.

And while the A14 Bionic chip is no slouch, it’s not quite as blazing fast as the newer chips. You might notice a little lag here and there, especially with more demanding apps or games. The 60Hz display, while beautiful, lacks the smoothness of the 120Hz ProMotion displays we see on newer iPhones. Once you’ve experienced that buttery smooth scrolling, it’s hard to go back. Also, the telephoto lens is just 2x, which is fine for casual snapshots, but it’s not going to get you super close to your subject. And let’s not forget the missing features like Cinematic mode and some of the newer Apple intelligence features. These are things that you might not miss if you’re coming from an older phone, but if you’re used to the latest and greatest, you might feel a little limited.

I remember trying to film my dog playing in the park, and I really wished I had that extra zoom and the Cinematic mode to make the video look a bit more professional. It’s little things like that that remind you that the 12 Pro is a few years old now.

Verdict

So, is it still worth it in 2025? If you can find it at a good price and you prioritize camera quality and design over the latest bells and whistles, then it’s definitely worth considering. But if you’re a power user who needs the best performance, the latest features, and the longest battery life, you might be better off looking at newer models. What do you guys think? Let me know in the comments below!