The iPhone 12 was the phone that brought a flat-edged design, a sharp OLED screen and proper 5G to Apple’s line-up. Years on, it still runs the latest iOS, still takes photos that hold up, and still feels quick in daily use. The only thing that has really changed is the price. Buy one second-hand and you get most of what a current phone delivers, without the current-phone receipt.
The numbers that change the conversation
Top used iphone 12s on eBay right now
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Why second-hand is not “second best”
An iPhone 12 is not a fragile antique. It shipped with the same Ceramic Shield front glass Apple still uses, an aluminium frame, and an IP68 water-resistance rating. The A14 Bionic chip inside was a flagship processor, and it still handles messaging, banking, maps, video calls and a full screen of apps without stutter. Crucially, Apple has kept the iPhone 12 on the supported-iOS list well beyond most Android rivals of its era, so a used one still receives security updates and the current feature set.
What you are really buying second-hand is depreciation that has already happened. The first owner absorbed the steepest drop in value. You step in once the price has flattened, take a device that is mechanically and electronically the same, and pay a fraction of the original sticker. The screen is the same OLED. The cameras are the same dual 12-megapixel system. The only accurate variable is wear, and wear is something you can inspect and price for.
A used iPhone 12 is the same flagship silicon and the same OLED screen as the day it launched. The only thing that has aged is the price tag.
The savings are real
This is where the case becomes simple. A used or refurbished iPhone 12 typically lands 20-60% below the cost of a comparable new phone, and the gap is widest on the higher-capacity models, because storage is where Apple charges the steepest premium when buying new. A 128GB or 256GB iPhone 12 bought second-hand can save you hundreds of dollars over a brand-new mid-range phone, while still giving you Face ID, 5G, MagSafe and a genuinely premium screen. For a teenager’s first phone, a spare, a work handset, or simply a sensible upgrade, that saving goes straight back in your pocket.
New vs used, side by side
| Brand new | Used / refurbished | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Highest; storage upgrades cost a lot | 20-60% less for the same model |
| Battery health | 100% | Check the figure; budget for a possible swap |
| iOS support | Current | Same; iPhone 12 still on the supported list |
| Cosmetic condition | Flawless | From “as new” to visible wear; you choose |
| Environmental cost | A fresh ~80% manufacturing footprint | Already paid; you reuse it |
| Warranty | Full Apple warranty | Seller / refurbisher warranty + Consumer Law |
The five-minute checklist before you pay
- Battery health. Ask the seller to open Settings, Battery, Battery Health & Charging, and send a photo of the Maximum Capacity figure. Anything in the high 80s or above is healthy; the low 80s or under means budget for a replacement.
- iCloud and Activation Lock. Confirm Find My is switched off and the phone is signed out of the previous owner’s Apple ID. A phone still locked to someone else’s account is a paperweight.
- IMEI status. Check the IMEI (dial *#06#) against Apple’s coverage page and an Australian blocklist service to confirm it is not reported lost, stolen or barred by a carrier.
- Face ID and the front sensor. The iPhone 12 has no fingerprint reader, so a non-working Face ID array is a real problem. Make sure it sets up and unlocks reliably.
- Cameras and the screen. Open the camera, switch between the wide and ultra-wide lenses, and look for haze or dust. Check the OLED for green tints, burn-in or dead pixels on a plain white background.
- Carrier lock. Confirm whether the phone is unlocked or tied to a network, especially if you plan to use a different Australian SIM.
You have more protection than you think
Buying from an Australian business, whether a refurbisher, a phone shop or a registered seller, means the Australian Consumer Law applies. Those consumer guarantees cannot be signed away. The phone must be of acceptable quality, match its description, and do what a phone of that type is reasonably expected to do. If a used iPhone 12 sold as “fully working” turns out to have a dead Face ID sensor or a swollen battery, you have a clear right to a repair, replacement or refund, no matter what a hand-written receipt says. Reputable refurbishers usually add their own warranty on top, often covering the battery and main functions for a set period.
Ready to find yours?
Browse current refurbished and second-hand iPhone 12 deals from trusted Australian sellers below.
Red flags to walk away from
- “Can’t log out of iCloud right now.” No exceptions. If Activation Lock is on, the phone is useless to you.
- No battery health figure offered. A seller dodging this question is usually hiding a tired battery.
- A price that is far below every other listing. On a model this well known, an unbelievable bargain is almost always stolen, blocklisted, or a fake.
- Refusal to share the IMEI before payment. Reputable sellers have nothing to hide here.
- Vague “minor screen issue” wording with no photos. A faint line or a green-tint panel on an OLED is expensive to fix; insist on clear, well-lit pictures.
- Heavy frame bends or a lifting screen. These hint at a serious past drop or a swelling battery pushing the display out.
Frequently asked questions
Will a used iPhone 12 still get iOS updates? Yes. The iPhone 12 remains on Apple’s supported list and still receives the current iOS and its security patches, which is a major reason it stays a sensible second-hand buy.
How long should the battery last on a second-hand one? It depends on past charging. A phone showing high-80s maximum capacity or better should comfortably last a normal day. If the figure is lower, factor in a battery replacement, which is an inexpensive way to make the phone feel new again.
Is the iPhone 12 still good for photos? Very much so. Its dual 12-megapixel wide and ultra-wide system shoots Night mode, Dolby Vision HDR video and sharp daytime stills that hold up well against far newer mid-range phones.
Should I get the 12, the 12 mini or the 12 Pro? The standard 12 is the value sweet spot. The mini suits anyone who wants a genuinely small phone, while the Pro adds a telephoto lens and more storage at a higher second-hand price. All share the same A14 chip and core experience.
The bottom line
The iPhone 12 sits in the rare position of being old enough to be cheap and new enough to still be excellent. It runs current software, takes photos you will be happy with, and feels fast in everyday use. Buy one second-hand with a healthy battery, a clean IMEI and a sign-out from the previous owner, and you walk away with a flagship-grade phone for a fraction of the new price, plus the quiet satisfaction of keeping one more good device out of the e-waste pile.
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