iPhone 12: what it's worth and whether to upgrade
Apple Trade In pays up to $120 in the United States, HK$1,200 in Hong Kong and £100 in the United Kingdom for an iPhone 12 (Apple, 24 Sept 2026). In Hong Kong, local shops pay HK$800 to HK$1,100 for one in good condition, depending on storage. The iPhone 12 gets iOS 27 but cannot run Apple Intelligence.
What an iPhone 12 sells for, by country
The best quote for an iPhone 12 ranges from 13.2% of a new iPhone 18 Pro's price in India to 2.4% in Sweden.
| Country | Apple Trade In | Best local quote | vs new 18 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | ₹15,000 | ₹21,700 CeX | 13.2% |
| Japan | ¥24,000 | ¥27,000 イオシス 買取 | 12.3% |
| Singapore | - | $220 Mister Mobile | 11.6% |
| United Kingdom | £100 | £138 CeX | 11.5% |
| Hong Kong | HK$1,200 | HK$800 Tradein852 先達 | 11.4% |
| Portugal | - | €168 CeX | 11.2% |
| Australia | $190 | $225 CeX | 10.7% |
| Malaysia | RM 575 | - | 10.5% |
| Canada | $180 | - | 10.3% |
| South Korea | ₩200,000 | ₩150,000 민팃 Mintit | 10.1% |
| United States | $120 | $93 GadgetGone | 10.0% |
| Spain | - | €147 CeX | 10.0% |
| Italy | - | €144 CeX | 9.7% |
| Mexico | - | MX$2,677 CeX | 8.9% |
| Taiwan | NT$4,000 | NT$2,710 傑昇通信 | 8.9% |
| France | €120 | €129 Easy Cash | 8.7% |
| Ireland | - | €127 CeX | 8.5% |
| Netherlands | - | €126 CeX | 8.5% |
| Germany | €120 | - | 8.3% |
| Poland | - | 498 PLN CeX | 7.9% |
| China mainland | CN¥750 | - | 7.5% |
| United Arab Emirates | AED 380 | - | 7.5% |
| New Zealand | - | $184 Device Repair Guy | 7.2% |
| Austria | - | € 82 eBörse | 5.7% |
| Switzerland | - | CHF 67 verkaufen.ch | 5.6% |
| Thailand | - | THB 2,600 BKK APPLE | 5.3% |
| Sweden | - | 400 kr HappyPhone | 2.4% |
Should you upgrade from the iPhone 12?
Your 12 is 6 years old. The 18 Pro is a real step up.
- It is 6 years old. Apps and iOS features increasingly assume newer hardware.
What the iPhone 18 Pro adds over the iPhone 12
- A20 Pro chip, 6 generations newer than your A14.
- 36 hours of video playback, against 17 on yours (both with a new battery).
- Apple Intelligence and the new Siri, which need an iPhone 15 Pro or later.
- A 120Hz screen instead of 60Hz, so scrolling is noticeably smoother.
- USB-C instead of Lightning, one cable for your phone, laptop and iPad.
- A telephoto lens, which your phone does not have.
- A 48MP main camera instead of 12MP.
In the United States, an iPhone 18 Pro 256GB costs $1,199. After selling an iPhone 12 it costs $1,079 to $1,106. Your own result depends on battery health, condition and where you sell, so run the tool for your phone.
iPhone 12 vs current iPhones
| 12 | 18 Pro | 17 | 17e | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chip | A14 | A20 Pro | A19 | A19 |
| Video playback | 17 hrs | 36 hrs | 30 hrs | 26 hrs |
| iOS updates | iOS 27 | iOS 27 | iOS 27 | iOS 27 |
| Apple Intelligence | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Display | 60Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Port | Lightning | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
Questions
Does the iPhone 12 get iOS 27?
Yes. iOS 27 runs on iPhone 11 and later, so the iPhone 12 is still supported.
Can the iPhone 12 run Apple Intelligence?
No. Apple Intelligence and the new Siri need an iPhone 15 Pro or later.
How much is an iPhone 12 worth?
Apple Trade In pays up to $120 in the United States, HK$1,200 in Hong Kong and £100 in the United Kingdom for an iPhone 12. In Hong Kong, local shops pay HK$800 to HK$1,100 for one in good condition, depending on storage.
More
iPhone 12 mini · iPhone SE (2nd gen) · iPhone 12 mini · iPhone 12 Pro · iPhone 12 Pro Max · iPhone 12 Pro
Trade-in prices by country: Australia · Austria · France · Hong Kong · India · Ireland · Italy · Japan · Mexico · Netherlands · South Korea · Spain · Sweden · Switzerland · Taiwan · United Kingdom · United States
Sources: Apple Trade In and the local shops named above, checked 24 Sept 2026. How we collect and calculate.