Apple's new iPhone 12 is a big step up from last year's model, featuring a sharper display, the fastest processor in any phone, 5G connectivity, and more.
We'll take a look at every plan further on, but to get you started, here are a few of the most popular 24-month iPhone 12 deals paired with a 64GB model.
Popular iPhone 12 plans (64GB)
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#1
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Optus 
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#2
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Optus
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#3
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Optus
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#4
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Optus
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This page focuses on the standard iPhone 12, but you can find more about the other 2020 iPhones here:
iPhone 12 Quick Links
- iPhone 12 Plans and Deals in Australia
- iPhone 12 Price in Australia
- iPhone 12 Design
- iPhone 12 Camera
- iPhone 12 Colours
- iPhone 12 5G
- Consumer Appetite for iPhone 12
iPhone 12 Plans
Telstra has the iPhone 12 available on a 24-month plan, while Optus and Vodafone both also offer 36-month repayments for those who'd prefer a lower monthly bill.
Pay off your iPhone 12 over 24 months:
iPhone 12 64GB Plans
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#1
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Optus
$55 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$96.61/mth
Min. cost $1,053.64
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#2
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Optus
$65 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$106.61/mth
Min. cost $1,063.64
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#3
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Optus
$79 Optus Promo Plan
$110.61/mth
Min. cost $1,067.64
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#4
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Optus
$85 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$126.61/mth
Min. cost $1,083.64
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Pay off your iPhone 12 over 36 months:
iPhone 12 64GB Plans
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#1
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Optus
$55 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$82.74/mth
Min. cost $1,053.64
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#2
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Optus
$65 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$92.74/mth
Min. cost $1,063.64
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#3
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Optus
$79 Optus Promo Plan
$96.74/mth
Min. cost $1,067.64
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#4
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Optus
$85 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$112.74/mth
Min. cost $1,083.64
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Pay off your iPhone 12 over 24 months:
iPhone 12 128GB Plans
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#1
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Optus
$55 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$99.94/mth
Min. cost $1,133.56
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#2
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Optus
$65 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$109.94/mth
Min. cost $1,143.56
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#3
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Optus
$79 Optus Promo Plan
$113.94/mth
Min. cost $1,147.56
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#4
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Optus
$85 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$129.94/mth
Min. cost $1,163.56
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Pay off your iPhone 12 over 36 months:
iPhone 12 128GB Plans
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#1
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Optus
$55 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$84.96/mth
Min. cost $1,133.56
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#2
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Optus
$65 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$94.96/mth
Min. cost $1,143.56
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#3
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Optus
$79 Optus Promo Plan
$98.96/mth
Min. cost $1,147.56
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#4
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Optus
$85 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$114.96/mth
Min. cost $1,163.56
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iPhone 12 Price Australia
iPhone 13 mini cost outright
iPhone 13 cost outright
iPhone 13 Pro cost outright
iPhone 13 Pro Max cost outright
The icon is used to designate a phone as an imported device, rather than local Australian stock. While imported devices are often cheaper, in some cases they may not come with an Australian power adapter, and warranty and repairs can be more difficult. Read about the pros and cons of imports here.
Prices and retailers are accurate as of November 13, 2020.
If you’re looking for a no-contract SIM to go with your new iPhone, we compare and analyse the best SIM-Only deals from over 33 telcos each month. See our April 2025 picks here.
iPhone 12 Design
The entire iPhone 12 family has gotten a redesign, moving away from pillowy curves to squared-off edges. In addition, Apple has introduced an iPhone 12 mini, an all new petite iPhone.
Overview
- A choice of a 5.4-inch or 6.1-inch display
- A move from pillowy edges to a squared off design
- A sharper, more vibrant screen
- More durable glass
The iPhone 12 has the same size 6.1-inch display as we saw in last years iPhone 11, but the phone itself is 11% thinner, 15% smaller, and 16% lighter.
It's joined by the iPhone 12 mini, which is arguably the most interesting product in Apple's 2020 line-up thanks to its tiny 5.4-inch display. While it looks identical to the iPhone 12, its even smaller than an iPhone SE. This makes it a lot easier to use with one hand.
The below image compares the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 to the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Both the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 have high resolution OLED displays, just like their Pro siblings. In short, this means that the screens are more vibrant and have higher contrast. Photos and videos have a bit of extra pop, and the screen is able to display deeper levels of black as it lights up individual pixels as needed.
Better yet, the pair feature what Apple calls "Ceramic Shield" glass on the front, which should make them more durable. Apple says the iPhone 12 is four times more resistant than past iPhones, which should be a boon for all the klutzes in the room.
The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 look a little different too. Instead of using the same pillowy design Apple has utilised since the iPhone 6, the company has returned to squared-off edges a la the iPhone 5 and current iPad Pro and iPad Air.
iPhone 12 Camera
In terms of actual camera setup, the iPhone 12 has a 12MP primary camera, 12MP ultra-wide camera, and 12MP selfie camera. In addition to improved lowlight performance on the primary camera, all three cameras are now capable of night mode - Apple's photography option for better night time photography.
In our testing, we found the iPhone 12 camera certainly improves over the iPhone 11, making it easier to get bright, clear photos in lowlight environments. It isn't necessarily a massive step up when compared to last year, but it's nonetheless an excellent choice for a smartphone camera.
If you're super keen on phone photography, the iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 12 Pro Max may be a better pick thanks to their third rear-facing camera - a zoom lens. The iPhone 12 Pro Max also has a better primary camera when compared to every iPhone 12.
iPhone 12 Camera Gallery
Check out these camera samples taken on the iPhone 12. Click or tap on any photo to see a larger version.
iPhone 12 Colours
Both the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 are available in a choice of five colours: black, white, green, red, and blue.
iPhone 12 Battery Life
The iPhone 12 battery will last you about a full day, which is a little shorter than what we saw on last year's iPhone 11.
Apple's official battery metrics for the iPhone 12 are as follows are as follows:
- Streamed Video Playback: Up to 11 hours
- Video playback: Up to 17 hours
- Audio playback: Up to 65 hours
While these are similar to what Apple provides for the iPhone 11, in real world testing, we found we only got between four-and-a-half and five hours of screen time per charge on the iPhone 12. This works out to be roughly a full day of moderate-to-heavy use per top-up, but we found there were some days we needed to plug for a cheeky boost.
iPhone 12 5G
The entire 2020 iPhone range has 5G connectivity, making them the first 5G iPhones. While 5G is far from essential right now, the addition of the next generation network technology will make the iPhone 12 family just a little bit more future proof.
Overview
- All iPhone 12 models will have 5G connectivity.
- Australia's 5G infrastructure is not mature enough for this to be a key feature, but it means that the iPhone 12 will be future-proofed for when it is.
Every 2020 iPhone has 5G connectivity, which will allow them to hit download speeds of over 1Gbps. That's ten times faster than an NBN 100 plan.
To help preserve battery, the iPhone 12 will only use 5G when needed. When high speeds aren't required, it will drop back down to 4G. Given we've seen 5G negatively impact the battery of other phones, this sounds like a smart move on Apple's behalf.
Of course, 5G networks are still very a work in progress in Australia. 5G isn't necessarily a reason to upgrade your phone right now, but it's certainly nice to have.
WhistleOut's coverage checker tool has been upgraded with 5G coverage maps, making it easy to see whether you can get 5G. All you need to do is pop in your address when searching for a new phone plan. After you've done so and hit Search, you can jump straight to the coverage map by tapping See Coverage Map and then tapping Click To Activate Interactive Map.
This map will show you what kind of coverage you have in your area. 5G coverage is highlighted using the darkest shade of purple, but unticking 4G and 3G can help make it clearer. The drop down menu lets you choose between telcos.
At this stage, we don't have interactive maps for Vodafone due to the telco's limited 5G coverage.
Coverage maps are only approximate, only show outdoor coverage, and may be impacted by local conditions such as buildings.
iPhone 12 Processor
The entire iPhone 12 family will all be powered by an A14 processor, Apple's fastest smartphone chip yet. No matter what iPhone 12 you get, they all share the same brain and will certainly deliver when it comes to speed.
Apple says the A14 processor is 50% faster than any other smartphone chip, and also touts 50% faster graphics performance. In our testing, we didn't have any issues when it came to iPhone 12 performance.
iPhone 12 Review
How does the iPhone 12 stack up against other models? Check out our review.
2020 iPhone 12 Specifications
| iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 12 | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 12 Pro Max | |
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| Display | 5.4-inch OLED | 6.1-inch OLED | 6.1-inch OLED | 6.7-inch OLED |
| Resolution | Super Retina | Super Retina | Super Retina | Super Retina |
| Rear Cameras | 2x 12MP | 2x 12MP | 3x 12MP + LiDAR | 3x 12MP + LiDAR |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP | 12MP |
| Processor | A14 | A14 | A14 | A14 |
| Storage | 64GB - 256GB | 64GB - 256GB | 128GB - 512GB | 128GB - 256GB |
| Water-Resistance | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 |
| 5G | Sub 6 | Sub 6 | Sub 6 | Sub 6 |
| Price | From $1,199 | From $1,349 | From $1,699 | From $1,849 |
Choosing an iPhone Plan
With the WhistleOut search tool, you can compare iPhone 12 plan pricing and inclusions across every provider. But there's a lot more to iPhone plans than just cost and data. Here's a break-down of the major benefits you can expect each provider to offer.
Telstra iPhone plans are often the priciest on the Australian market, but they do come with a host of perks. These include:
- Access to Telstra's super-fast 4GX network
- Data-free access to Apple Music
- Free access to AFL, AFLW, NRL, Netball and Football live apps
- Free access to Telstra Air Wi-Fi hotspots across Australia
- Free access to Fon public Wi-Fi hotspots overseas
- Access to the Telstra Plus perks and rewards program
Thanks to a recent plan refresh Telstra's iPhone plans are also now some of the most flexible around. All plans are no-contract on the basis that you can leave at any time, you'll just need to pay out the remaining value of your phone. You also have the option to step up or down in plan inclusions up to one time per month, which is great if you have variable usage.
Telstra also offers the option to pay off your iPhone over 12 or 24 months. And all plans come with zero excess data charges. If you go over your cap, your data will simply be slowed to speeds of 1.5Mbps, which is still fast enough to stream video in SD. But speeds may be slower during peak times.
Optus iPhone plans come with big data inclusions and entertainment extras. Most Optus iPhone plans come with:
- Free access to Optus Sport
- Discounted movie tickets for Hoyts cinemas through the Optus Perks program
You'll miss out on Optus Sport if you go for Optus' cheapest plan.
All Optus plans are contract-free, devices can be paid off across 12, 24, or 36 months, and you can customise inclusions like roaming and international calls on a month-to-month basis. In addition, all Optus postpaid plans are now free from excess data charges. If you go over your allowance, you'll be slowed to 1.5Mbps rather than being billed $10 per gigabyte.
Higher-end Optus iPhone plans also come with unlimited international calls to selected destinations included with the plan, as well as a monthly allocation of roaming data for use overseas.
Optus has built a strong reputation in Australia for unbeatable iPhone deals. If you shop at the right time, you can snap yourself up a bargain.
iPhone 12 64GB Plans
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#1
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Optus
$55 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$96.61/mth
Min. cost $1,053.64
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#2
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Optus
$65 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$106.61/mth
Min. cost $1,063.64
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#3
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Optus
$79 Optus Promo Plan
$110.61/mth
Min. cost $1,067.64
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#4
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Optus
$85 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$126.61/mth
Min. cost $1,083.64
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Vodafone iPhone plans may not come with the kinds of freebies and perks you can get from Optus or Telstra, but they do offer a lot of flexibility. Like Telstra plans, Vodafone plans are contract-free on the basis that you can leave at any time without penalty. You'll just need to pay out the remaining value of your handset.
You can also step up or down in plan inclusions up to once per month, and ease the burden of the iPhone 12 price tag with the option to pay it off over 12, 24 or 36 months. You'll pay the same overall for your iPhone no matter which option you pick.
Vodafone postpaid plans are all free from excess data charges. When you go over your plan allowance, you'll be capped to 2Mbps, 10Mbps, or 25Mbps, depending on how much you're spending per month. The higher your bill, the higher your capped data speeds.
You'll also get access to Vodafone's famous $5 roaming, which is still easily the best way to travel with your Australian phone number.
Compare Vodafone iPhone plansMoney no object for iPhone 12 fans
The iPhone 12 range is finally here and, yes, while they do look real pretty they also cost a pretty penny. With COVID-19 causing financial uncertainty for many Australians we wanted to find out Australia’s appetite for buying an iPhone 12 and whether 2020 might not have been the best year for Apple to launch an expensive new phone range.
So, is Australia’s appetite for new iPhones as strong as ever or will financial concerns hold people back from getting them? We surveyed 600 people to find out.
Who wants to buy an iPhone 12?
- Over half (55%) of Australians are interested in buying a new iPhone 12, and
- Over two-thirds (69%) of those people expect to buy it in the next few months before the end of the year
Australia’s hunger for iPhones appears to be as strong as ever. 53% of Australians already use iPhones and a similar number are interested in getting the new model, with most of them planning to buy one straight away. Of those people who aren’t interested in getting an iPhone 12 only 14% say they are put off by the price of new flagship phones. Rather, most of this group (64%) are simply happy with the phone they currently have.
Is price a factor?
This is an interesting one. Half (50%) of Australians say upwards of $1,000 is too much to pay for a new phone yet with the new iPhone 12 range starting at $1,199 for the iPhone 12 mini and ranging up to $2,369 for the largest iPhone 12 Pro Max, you might think that Apple should be a little worried about how well the new range will sell at these prices.
However, looking at the data closely reveals an apparent willingness amongst iPhone lovers to pay more than other people:
- 44% of iPhone users say $1,000 is too much to pay for a new phone
- This number drops to 35% for people interested in buying an iPhone 12
- And drops further to 30% for those people planning to get an iPhone 12 before the end of the year
So, it appears that most people in the market for an iPhone 12 will be willing to pay more for it than the average Australian, even with the financial uncertainty of COVID-19 as a backdrop. According to our survey 75% of people are being more conservative with their money due to coronavirus and 69% have been actively saving since the pandemic took hold, but that doesn’t seem to have dampened many people’s fires for getting an iPhone 12.
Outright or on a contract?
In the past the default method for getting a more expensive flagship phone was to buy it on a contract and pay the handset off over time, typically on a 24-month contract. However, buying preferences have changed with 66% of Australians now planning to buy their next phone outright, rather than on a plan. The stats are also similar for those expecting to buy an iPhone 12, with 61% planning to pay the full amount of their new handset outright rather than over time on a contract.
It appears that if you are someone who wants an iPhone 12 then you'll be most likely to buy it outright as soon as it comes out, regardless of financial concerns. Money doesn’t seem to be much of an object for iPhone 12 buyers.
In some ways this comes as a surprise to us at WhistleOut, yet in other ways it doesn't. iPhone users have always had to pay high prices for their handsets and higher even than they tell themselves that they'll pay: in 2017 we asked how much Australians would be willing to pay for a new iPhone 8 - $920 was the average amount yet the cheapest iPhone 8 cost $1,079 at launch in Australia and it was still snapped up in droves.
When we were first planning this survey we hypothesised that 2020 might be a bad year for Apple to launch an expensive new range of phones. People are tightening their belts, spending less and we have seen a marked drop in interest from people in buying new phones on contract plans. However, when it comes to the iPhone 12 the survey results suggest people are happy to pay through the nose because they've just gotta have it, and 2020 should be as good a sales year for Apple as any other.
Read more about iPhone
Didn't find what you were looking for? At WhistleOut we know just about everything there is to know about iPhones and we've pooled our knowledge in an extensive list of guides. Check them out.
Editor's pick: Best iPhone plan
We get it. Choosing an iPhone plan is a lot harder than it should be. There are so many options to consider, and they all come with their individual perks and drawbacks. Let us help you out with our quick pick, chosen by our expert team.
iPhones from every Aussie carrier
If you already have a favourite Australian network and you just want to compare plans from a single provider, we've got you covered.
Compare iPhone plans from the major telcos:
Best iPhone for battery
Everyone wants longer lasting smartphones; after all, there's nothing more disappointing than your device letting you down when you need it most. If you're still trying to decide which iPhone you want, this could be the deciding factor.
iPhone price guide
Thinking about buying your iPhone outright? It's not a bad idea. We've crunched the numbers, and you can save up to $1,000 this way, depending on which plan and which device you were looking at.
Of course, you'll need to have the ready cash to pay upfront. Choosing an older device can make that easier. Compare outright prices on these iPhone models now:
Setting up a new iPhone
Switching from an old iPhone to a new iPhone is a simple task thanks to Apple's iCloud software. In fact, most of the data you will want to transfer to your new handset is probably already backed up in the cloud. We've put a guide to getting the most out of iCloud.
Switching from iPhone to Android
Just because you've been using an Android phone doesn't mean you can't switch to an iPhone. You just need to know how to transfer contacts to your iPhone. We've got all the information you need in this handy guide.
Awesome iPhone cases
The new iPhones are expensive and you definitely want to protect your new investment against accidents. Fortunately, there are plenty of cases around to serve your needs, from the slim and minimal to the pretty and glitter-covered.
Do you need AppleCare+?
If you're about to drop $1,000+ on a new iPhone, you might be thinking about how to protect your shiny new device. AppleCare+ is Apple's extended warranty and support program. But is it worth the sign-up fee?
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