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Reading Time: 7 minutesThe iPhone 12 will have its second anniversary in the fall of 2022. While that might seem old in the tech world, Apple’s previous generation smartphone is still young and spry. Its display, performance, and battery life are still some of the best in the industry.
Being a device of age has another perk: the discounts! Retailers and carriers are in a mad scramble to clear out older iPhone inventory as we are one sizzling season away from the release of the iPhone 14.
The deals on the iPhone 12 and its variants are plentiful, but it’s all about finding the best one. To get you in touch with your most optimal buying option, here is a compilation of the top iPhone 12 savings, discounts, and sales from across the web.
Current iPhone 12 Deals from Major Retailers and Carriers
The prices listed include all promotions and discounts. While some prices vary, other factors like customer service, store-specific gift cards, protection plans, freebies, and more may be crucial in your decision-making.
T-Mobile
- Get up to $800 off via 24 monthly bill credits with a trade-in and a new line.
- Get up to $400 off via 24 monthly bill credits with a trade-in.
- Buy one, get one $700 off via 24 monthly bill credits when you activate two or more new lines (or add a line for existing customers).
- 20% off an iPhone 12 Pro.
Lowest iPhone 12 Prices at T-Mobile
Mini: Free | Base: Free | Pro: Free
Apple.com
- Get $100 to $650 off when you trade in an iPhone 8 or newer.
Lowest iPhone 12 Prices at Apple
Mini: Free | Base: $49
Sprint
- Get up to $600 off via 24 monthly bill credits when you trade in a qualifying device.
Lowest iPhone 12 Prices at Sprint
Mini: $29.99 | Base: $129.99 | Pro: $199.99
Verizon
- Save $300 on the iPhone 12 mini when you trade in your old or damaged phone with any Unlimited plan.
- Get the iPhone 12 for free with any Unlimited plan. New line required. You also get a $200 Verizon gift card when you switch.
Lowest iPhone 12 Prices at Verizon
Mini: $299.99 | Base: Free
Sam’s Club
- Get up to $595 off with a ported new line: $250 bill credit + $30 activation fee waived + AT&T national offers up to $315
- Get up to $415 off with a new line and number: $100 bill credit + AT&T national offers up to $315
- Get up to $365 off when upgrading an existing line: $50 bill credit + AT&T national offers up to $315
Lowest iPhone 12 Prices at Sam’s Club
Mini: $34.99 | Base (128GB): $439.99
Tracfone
- Save $230 on the iPhone 12 mini.
- A service plan is required for activation.
Lowest iPhone 12 Prices at Tracfone
Mini: $499.99
AT&T
- Get an iPhone 12 for as low as $15/month. No trade-in required.
- Get an iPhone 12 mini for 50% off. No trade-in required.
Lowest iPhone 12 Prices at AT&T
Mini: $315 | Base: $540
Metro by T-Mobile
- In-Store Offer: Save up to $200 via instant rebate when you keep your number and visit a store. Plus tax. Qualifying rate plan required.
Lowest iPhone 12 Prices at Metro by T-Mobile
Mini: $429.99 | Base: $529.99
Best Buy
- Save $100 on the iPhone 12 mini from Sprint.
Lowest iPhone 12 Prices at Best Buy
Base: $529.99
Visible
- Switch to Visible and get a $150 gift card of your choice.
Lowest iPhone 12 Prices at Visible
Mini: $449 | Base: $549
Walmart
- Discounts on the iPhone 12 Pro Max available for AT&T and Verizon.
Lowest iPhone 12 Prices at Walmart
Pro Max: $699
Amazon
- Locked to Cricket Wireless.
- Get up to $75 added to your Amazon.com gift-card balance over 24 months ($3.13 for every month you’re subscribed).
Lowest iPhone 12 Prices at Amazon
Mini: $593.44 | Base: $699.33 | Pro: $781.66 | Pro Max: $918.46
Total Wireless
- Save $100 on all iPhone 12 models. Service plan is required for activation.
Lowest iPhone 12 Prices at Total Wireless
Mini: $499.99 | Base: $729.99 | Pro: $899.99 | Pro Max: $999.99
Costco
- Unlocked and available for use on any carrier.
- Bundled with AppleCare+.
- Trade up to a new iPhone and get up to $420 on a Costco Shop Card.
Lowest iPhone 12 Prices at Costco
Mini: $749.99 | Base: $849.99
How to Choose the Right iPhone 12 for You
There are four versions of the iPhone 12 to choose from. Each model differs slightly, but here are their key specs:
iPhone 12 mini
- 5.4” Super Retina XDR Display
- A14 Bionic chip
- Dual 12MP Rear Camera System
- Up to 15 hours of battery life
iPhone 12
- 6.1” Super Retina XDR Display
- A14 Bionic chip
- Dual 12MP Rear Camera System
- Up to 17 hours of battery life
iPhone 12 Pro
- 6.1” Super Retina XDR Display
- A14 Bionic chip
- Triple 12MP Rear Camera System
- Up to 17 hours of battery life
iPhone 12 Pro Max
- 6.7” Super Retina XDR Display
- A14 Bionic chip
- Triple 12MP Rear Camera System
- Up to 20 hours of battery life
For this generation of the iOS flagship smartphone, Apple introduces another size option to the lineup, bringing the total models of the iPhone 12 to four. However, many of the specs overlap, and you are really looking at two different phones with two screen sizes each. Since they all house Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, performance is nearly identical across the board.
How you pick the right iPhone 12 for you will come down to preferences in size, camera, battery life, and storage. Only the Pro and Pro Max have a max capacity of 512GB. If you like to take lots of pics and vids as part of your daily life, then you might want to opt for the higher-tier models.
No matter which model you go with, you can expect it to be a worthwhile investment. Apple devices are known to be long-lasting, and it shows with their iOS updates. The latest iOS 16 is compatible with devices all the way back to the iPhone 8, which was the flagship for 2017.
How to Get the Best Deals on the iPhone 12
- Wait for sales: Since the iPhone 12 is relatively old in smartphone-world terms, it is commonly on sale. The holidays in particular are a great time to get the best deals on a new device. Just be patient and keep an eye on your calendar!
- Buy refurbished: Another way to get a good deal is by buying refurbished. However, doing so always entails some risk. As long as you do your research and purchase from reputable sources, then you can greatly mitigate the chances of a bad egg.
- Watch out for new releases: As we inch closer to a reveal of the next iPhone, we will also see the prices for the 12 and its variations drop. If you’re not into chasing the newest and shiniest things to arrive from Apple, then you can expect to save a good amount of money on an older device.
- Leverage credit card sign-up bonuses: One of the least direct ways to save on an iPhone is to utilize a credit-card deal. These promos pop up all the time, and it’s likely that you’ve seen them. They’ll often say “spend X amount of dollars in three months, and get Y back.” If you can hit the purchase requirements with a couple of iPhones for the family, then you’ve essentially created your own discount.
- Set a Deal Alert. There’s no doubt that constantly browsing for deals is hard work. And there is no certainty of when the next big sale will be. The best thing to do is set up a Deal Alert so the next time the iPhone 12 goes on sale, you’ll be ready to strike.
Frequently Asked Questions about the iPhone 12
Is the iPhone 12 Worth Buying?
Despite being nearly two years old, the iPhone 12 is still one of the best smartphones to own, and it will have no problem handling the task loads of today. The performance of the A14 Bionic chip is only about 10% behind that of the iPhone 13, so don’t go thinking that it’s slow. The battery life of the iPhone 12 is still very impressive as well. Because of its slight differences and the potential savings, the iPhone 12 may even be a better buy than the iPhone 13.
Will the iPhone 12 Be Discontinued?
Sadly, there will be a day that the iPhone 12 will be discontinued, but that shouldn’t be anytime soon. Based on the current offerings at Apple’s online store, the 12 should at least be around through the iPhone 14’s run. Even when it does get cut from the production line, you can probably find it at many retailers or carriers as remaining inventory floats around.
How Many SIM-Card Slots Does the iPhone 12 Have?
The iPhone 12 only features one slot for the SIM card. However, it does have dual-SIM capabilities via digital eSIM. In order to dual SIM with two different carriers, your iPhone must first be unlocked. For those who often travel internationally, here is a list of carriers around the world that support eSIMs.
Does the iPhone 12 Have 5G?
With 5G networks becoming more prevalent across the nation, it was only a matter of time until Apple released a phone to connect to it. The company did just that in October 2020 when they released the iPhone 12. Unlike other companies that made 5G and non-5G versions of the same phone, every model of the iPhone 12 supports it.
Related Deals and Accessories for the iPhone 12
- iPhone Fast Charging Lightning Cable 10FT (3-Pack) – $8.48 (reg. $22.99)
- Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) – $149.99 (reg. $169.99)
- COOLQO iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Case and 2x Screen Protector – $9.88 (reg. $25.99)
- Apple Watch Series 7 – $359.99 (reg. $429.99)
- CIYOYO Fast Wireless Charging Station Dock – $37.53 (reg. $46.98)
Quan Tsang
A long-time bargain pirate, Quan has been scouring the digital seas for discounts and spreading the savings throughout Slickdeals for years. His Aggregate Reviews help many consumers gain comprehensive insights on the latest cutting-edge gadgetry. Despite his unconditional love for tech, Quan’s favorite deal category is actually watches. Thanks to Slickdeals, he has amassed over three dozen timepieces for his collection.
