iPhone 12 (256GB) – Still a Beast in 2025: My Long-Term Review

I bought my iPhone 12 (256GB) back in August 2022, and as of 2025, it’s still my daily driver—and surprisingly, still an absolute powerhouse in many ways. It’s not just "good for its age"—it’s genuinely still relevant and reliable for a wide range of modern tasks. Here’s a deep dive into how it holds up after nearly three years of real-world usage:

Iphone is still a good phone in 2025

Design & Build Quality

From the moment I unboxed it, the iPhone 12 felt premium. The flat edges, the aerospace-grade aluminum frame, and the ceramic shield front—all scream durability and elegance. Even after countless drops (yes, I’m that user), the phone has held up with just a few minor scuffs. It still looks modern and sleek in 2025, especially with how Apple kept the flat-edge design alive through newer models.

Performance

With the A14 Bionic chip, the iPhone 12 might not top benchmark charts anymore, but in actual use? It still flies. Apps open instantly, games run smoothly, and multitasking is seamless. Whether I’m editing reels, using AI photo tools, or just juggling between Chrome, Gmail, and Spotify, the phone has never slowed down. That’s saying a lot. Still more than powerful for 95% of users in 2025.

Camera: Still A Content Creator’s Friend

The dual-camera setup may not match newer triple-lens systems, but it still delivers.

• Video: Shoots stunning 4K @ 60fps. I’ve filmed vlog-style content and B-roll footage using this phone alone—and viewers couldn’t tell it wasn’t a DSLR.

• Photos (Daylight): Crisp, detailed, and color-accurate. The Smart HDR 3 still does a great job.

• Night Mode: Pretty good, but it requires a steady hand. If you hold still, it rewards you with surprisingly good low-light shots.

• Selfies: The front cam is still solid, especially with portrait mode enhancements in recent iOS updates.

Display

The 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED display is beautiful and sharp. It’s great for YouTube, Instagram, and casual content consumption. That said, for watching movies or bingeing long-form content, I personally find it a bit eye-straining after a while. A larger display would definitely be more comfortable for those marathon sessions.

Battery Life & Charging

This is where age starts to show. My battery health is at 85%, and I typically charge it 2-3 times a day with moderate to heavy usage.

• Wired Charging: Fast up to 50% with a 20W adapter, which I use daily.

• Wireless Charging: Way too slow for my lifestyle—I’ve stopped using it altogether.

• 5G: Yes, it's supported and works well. But beware: if you keep 5G as default, your battery will drain like a leaky faucet.

Manageable, but you'll need to stay near a charger if you're a power user.

Connectivity & CarPlay

Connectivity is generally solid. The 5G support is future-ready, and I get good speeds in most areas. However, using 5G constantly can really take a toll on battery life, so I typically switch to LTE unless I really need the speed.

Apple CarPlay is one of my most-used features. I rely on it daily for navigation, music, and calls. It works well most of the time, but occasionally it fails to connect. Unplugging and reconnecting the cable usually fixes it, so it's a minor inconvenience but worth noting.

Audio Quality

The speaker system is still loud and immersive. Whether I'm listening to music, watching videos, or taking calls, the clarity and depth of the audio are impressive. The built-in microphones are also fantastic—I’ve recorded voiceovers and conducted online meetings where people couldn't tell I was on a phone mic. It really holds up against some entry-level professional mics.

Storage & File Management

Even in 2025, the 256GB model is giving me more than enough breathing room. I don’t use iCloud or any external storage apps. All my photos, videos, and documents from the past three years are stored locally on the phone, and I still have over 120GB free. It’s ideal for anyone who doesn’t want to rely on the cloud or pay for extra storage subscriptions.

Face ID & Security

Face ID continues to work fast and reliably, even in low light or at odd angles. iOS updates have kept security tight, and I’ve never had to worry about malware or weird performance drops. Apple’s privacy ecosystem still feels secure and stable.

Software & Updates

Running the latest iOS 18.5, the iPhone 12 still feels modern. It supports the newest features, gets regular security patches, and doesn’t feel out of place next to newer iPhones. Apple’s long-term support is clearly one of the biggest reasons why this phone is still a solid contender in 2025.

Final Thoughts: Should You Still Use or Buy an iPhone 12 in 2025?

Absolutely. If you already own one—hold on to it. If you're considering buying a used or refurbished unit—it’s still a smart buy if the battery is in decent shape.

✅ Still fast and fluid

✅ Fantastic camera and video quality

✅ Great speakers and mic

✅ Reliable updates and security

✅ 5G support

✅ Durable and stylish

❌ Battery life can be a pain

❌ Screen may feel small for heavy media users

❌ Occasional CarPlay quirks

Rating: 8.5/10 – A 2020 flagship that still punches hard in 2025.

If Apple made an iPhone 12 SE, I’d buy it again. For now, I’ll just keep enjoying what has turned out to be one of the most reliable phones I’ve ever owned.