Apple iPhone 12 Pro Graphite 256GB

The iPhone 12 Pro still delivers excellent photos and a premium feel for a surprisingly low price. Its camera system is a standout, but battery life is the dealbreaker for some. If you can live with a 60Hz screen and carry a charger, it's a fantastic buy under $300.

The A14 Bionic with 6GB of RAM is still plenty responsive for everyday apps, social media, and casual gaming. It's not a performance leader anymore, landing in the middle of the pack in our testing, but unless you're editing 4K video on your phone all day, you won't feel held back. iOS 15.4 runs smoothly, and the 256GB of storage gives you breathing room.

A brand new Galaxy S25 Ultra or iPhone 16 Pro Max will run circles around this phone, but they also cost four to five times as much. Against other budget options like the Google Pixel 10a or Motorola G Stylus, the iPhone 12 Pro wins on cameras and build quality without question. The OnePlus 15 offers a more modern 120Hz screen and better battery life, but it can't match the iPhone's camera versatility or compact feel. Even the Motorola razr ultra 2025 brings a folding screen to the table, but its cameras fall short of this older iPhone. For the money, this is a rare case where an older flagship beats most new budget phones.

Price varies wildly from $223 to $650 across vendors, and that makes all the difference. At the low end, this is an absolute steal, you're getting a premium iPhone with a great camera and 5G for under $300. Newegg has the 256GB Grade A+ refurbished model at the bottom of that range, and that's the one to go for. If you're paying over $500, you're better off looking at a newer iPhone SE or a solid Android alternative.

The iPhone 12 Pro is still a very solid phone in 2024, especially if you grab a refurbished unit. It has a 6.1-inch OLED screen, an A14 Bionic chip that feels snappy, and a triple-camera system that holds up surprisingly well against newer mid-range phones. But you do feel its age in a few spots, mainly the battery life and the 60Hz display.

If battery life is a dealbreaker, look elsewhere, this thing needs a top-up before the day is done. Power users who demand 120Hz smoothness or do heavy gaming will feel the age too. And if you want the latest iOS features for years to come, a newer model is a safer bet.

Get this if you want a compact iPhone with a fantastic camera and don't want to spend a fortune. It's perfect for photographers, social media users, and anyone who values one-handed use. Just know that you'll be charging it more often than you'd like, and the screen won't feel as buttery as a new phone's.