3pm
Same-day dispatch
Order by 3pm, Monday to Friday, and it leaves Manchester the same day. Free UK delivery over £50.
Why buy from The Tech Gadgets
85%+ Battery Health
Minimum 85% battery health guaranteed on every grade.
12-Month Warranty
Our own warranty for twelve months. You deal with us directly.
Phonecheck Tested
Professionally tested with Phonecheck diagnostics in Manchester.
What's in the box
- Your Apple iPhone 12 – Unlocked – Refurbished (UK)
- Charging cable Free
- SIM ejector pin Free
- Protective packaging
Overview
Apple iPhone 12 – Unlocked – Refurbished (UK)
This refurbished iPhone 12 is the Apple iPhone 12 with 5G and a 6.1-inch OLED screen, unlocked for every UK network. Choose 64GB, 128GB or 256GB and a grade from Like New to Very Good, from £220. It comes with a 12-month warranty from The Tech Gadgets and same-day dispatch on weekday orders by 3pm.
Specs checked 30 Sep 2026 against Apple's UK technical specifications. Updated 30 Sep 2026
A14 Bionic
Chip6.1-inch
Display6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2532 x 117085%
Battery healthat least 85% battery health on every grade (Like New, Excellent and Very Good) at dispatchUnlocked
Network and SIM5G; nano-SIM and eSIMSpecifications
Key facts
- Condition
- Refurbished (pre-owned). Grades: Like New, Excellent, Very Good
- Storage
- 64GB, 128GB or 256GB
- Colours
- Black, Blue, Green, Purple, (PRODUCT)RED, White
- Network and SIM
- Unlocked, 5G; nano-SIM and eSIM
- Display
- 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2532 x 1170
- Chip
- A14 Bionic
- Software
- Runs iOS 27 (released 14 Sep 2026)
- Battery health
- 85% or higher on every grade
- What's in the box
- Phone, free charging cable, free SIM ejector pin, protective packaging
- Warranty
- 12 months, from The Tech Gadgets
- Dispatch
- Same day Mon–Fri if ordered by 3pm, from Manchester
- Returns
- 30 days on unused items
Features
Every detail, verified.
01Network and SIM
An unlocked iPhone 12 works with EE, O2, Vodafone, Three, giffgaff and other UK networks. Apple lists sub-6 GHz 5G, which UK networks use, plus Wi-Fi 6. Dual SIM pairs a nano-SIM with an eSIM.
02Display
Apple rates the 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED at 2532 x 1170 pixels (460 ppi), with 625 nits typical and 1,200 nits HDR brightness. Ceramic Shield covers the front. It refreshes at 60Hz.
03Performance and storage
Apple's A14 Bionic has a 6-core CPU. Messaging, banking, maps and most games run smoothly. There's no card slot: 64GB suits light, cloud-backed use, while a used iPhone 12 128GB is the safer choice if you keep photos on the phone.
04Cameras
Apple specifies a dual 12MP system: an f/1.6 Wide camera with optical image stabilisation and a 120° Ultra Wide, with Night mode, Deep Fusion and Smart HDR 3. Video records in 4K at up to 60 fps. The 12MP front camera handles Face ID and selfies.
05Battery and charging
Apple rated the iPhone 12 at up to 17 hours of video playback when new. A used battery has aged, so every grade has at least 85% battery health at dispatch. It charges by Lightning, MagSafe up to 15W or Qi up to 7.5W.
06Software updates
Apple lists the iPhone 12 as compatible with iOS 27, released on 14 September 2026, and issued the iOS 27.0.1 security update on 28 September 2026. Security updates depend on Apple's policy; check the latest status before you buy. It doesn't support Apple Intelligence.
Condition
Pre-owned. Tested. Honestly graded.
This iPhone 12 is pre-owned, not new or sealed. It has been tested, cleaned, factory reset and signed out of the previous owner's Apple Account, so Activation Lock is off. The grade describes cosmetic wear on the aluminium edges and glass: Like New, Excellent or Very Good. Like New means no visible marks on the screen or body; Excellent means light signs of use, hard to spot at arm's length; Very Good means visible marks on the body, with the screen in good shape. Every grade is fully working, tested and cleaned, with at least 85% battery health. See how we test and grade. Refurbished by The Tech Gadgets, not by Apple.
Like New
No visible marks
Excellent
Light signs of use, hard to spot at arm's length
Very Good
Visible marks on the body; screen in good shape
Fully tested
Cleaned
Factory reset
Previous accounts removed
Battery health checked
Compare
How it compares
vs iPhone 11 (from £199.99): the 12 adds 5G, OLED and MagSafe in a lighter 162g body. vs iPhone 13 (from £249.99): Apple lists the newer A15 Bionic chip. A second hand iPhone 12 from a private seller rarely comes with a warranty; ours has 12 months. Compare the range in our iPhone 12 series guide.
Our view
Is a refurbished iPhone 12 worth buying in 2026?
Yes, for most people who want a 5G iPhone on the current iOS without paying iPhone 13 prices. It has the A14 chip, an OLED screen and MagSafe. The trade-offs are Lightning rather than USB-C, battery life that is average by 2026 standards, and no Apple Intelligence.
Who it's for
It suits anyone moving up from an iPhone 11 or older who wants 5G and a sharper screen, or a parent buying a cheap iPhone 12 for a teenager. For something smaller, see the iPhone 12 mini; for a telephoto lens, the iPhone 12 Pro.
Delivery, warranty and returns
Handled start to finish by our team in Manchester.
12 months
Warranty with us
Our own warranty, handled directly by us. Your Consumer Rights Act protection still applies.
30 days
Easy returns
Send back any unused item within 30 days. We refund you within 14 days of it reaching us.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
Talk to a person in ManchesterQuestions about grades, stock or delivery? We reply fast on WhatsApp.
Chat on WhatsApp
Is the iPhone 12 still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, if you want 5G and the current iOS at a lower price. It runs iOS 27 and has an OLED screen, though it has no Apple Intelligence and uses Lightning.
Is it unlocked?
Yes. It works with any UK network, including EE, O2, Vodafone, Three and giffgaff. Use a nano-SIM, an eSIM or both.
Does the iPhone 12 get iOS 27?
Yes. Apple lists the iPhone 12 as compatible with iOS 27, released on 14 September 2026. Future major versions aren't guaranteed.
Does it have 5G?
Yes. Apple lists 5G for the iPhone 12. You'll get it where your network, plan and signal support it; otherwise it uses 4G.
What battery health will I get?
At least 85% on every grade, checked before dispatch. You can see the figure in Settings › Battery › Battery Health.
What's in the box?
Your Apple iPhone 12 – Unlocked – Refurbished (UK), a charging cable and a SIM ejector pin, all in protective packaging. The cable and SIM pin are included free.
Is this an Apple refurbished phone?
No. It's refurbished by The Tech Gadgets, not by Apple, and the 12-month warranty comes from us. You contact us directly if anything goes wrong.
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