COVID-19 has made us more addicted to our phones than ever, which augurs well for the upcoming iPhone 12 from Apple. Oh, wait a minute, make that iPhones12 (in the plural).
Not unlike K-pop girl group Blackpink, the iPhone 12 family has 4 members that are indistinguishable to the untrained eye.
We’re going to run through the differences in a bit, but first, here are the all-important details of the iPhone 12 prices and release dates in Singapore.
iPhone 12, Mini, Pro & Pro Max Singapore prices
Here’s a summary of the iPhone 12 prices in Singapore in all its 5-column table glory. Please swipe left if you can’t see the full table.
64GB | 128GB | 256GB | 512GB | |
iPhone 12 Mini | $1,149 | $1,219 | $1,389 | - |
iPhone 12 | $1,299 | $1,389 | $1,539 | - |
iPhone 12 Pro | - | $1,649 | $1,819 | $2,149 |
iPhone 12 Pro Max | - | $1,799 | $1,969 | $2,299 |
Prices taken from the Apple website. An iPhone 12 will costs anything from $1,149 for an iPhone 12 Mini 64GB, to $2,299 for an iPhone 12 Pro Max 512GB. Recession? What recession?
Looking for the Singtel, Starhub or M1 iPhone 12 prices? Scroll down here.
iPhone 12, Mini, Pro & Pro Max Singapore release dates
As for the iPhone 12 release dates, the two big days to save on your GCal are: 23 Oct 2020 and 13 Nov 2020.
The iPhone 12 and iPhone Pro will hit our shores on Friday 23 Oct 2020. Both are now available for preorder.
You’ll have to wait another 3 weeks for the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone Pro Max, which have a release date of Friday 13 Nov 2020. Preorders for these open on Friday 6 Nov, 9pm.
iPhone 12 vs Mini vs Pro vs Pro Max: What’s the difference?
Although the iPhone 12 comes in 4 varieties, we’re gonna go out on a limb and say they’re actually not all that different.
For the most part, all 4 models have the same key features, including:
- 5G enabled
- A14 Bionic Chip processor
- Super Retina XDR display
- Ceramic Shield for drop protection
With both Pro and non-Pro varieties sharing the same processing chip and OLED displays, we would imagine that the general consumer would be thrilled with any of the phones.
Your choice probably boils down to 3 key differences: rear camera, screen size, and price.
Rear camera | Screen size | Starting price | |
iPhone 12 Mini | 2 lenses | 5.4” | $1,149 |
iPhone 12 | 2 lenses | 6.1” | $1,299 |
iPhone 12 Pro | 3 lenses | 6.1” | $1,649 |
iPhone 12 Pro Max | 3 lenses + advanced features | 6.7” | $1,799 |
iPhone 12 vs iPhone 12 Mini: Which is better?
Apart from size, there’s actually no difference between the iPhone 12 and the 12 Mini, according to the Apple website.
Here’s a screengrab to explain:
Screengrab from Apple website
At 5.4” (compared to 6.1”), the iPhone 12 Mini is a bit smaller and easier to hold. And also cheaper. So if you’re looking to save a little bit and don’t mind a slightly smaller iPhone 12, you might want to wait a few weeks for the Mini.
Note that the iPhone 12 Mini is still a good deal bigger (and more expensive) than the budget 4.7” iPhone SE.
iPhone 12 vs Pro vs Pro Max: Which is better?
What about the iPhone 12 Pro then — is it worth paying extra for?
Unlike the previous iPhone 11 launch, where Apple reserves its top-of-the-line OLED display for the Pro range, ALL iPhone 12 models have pretty much the same innards and display.
This time round, the key difference between iPhone 12 vs iPhone 12 Pro is in the cameras. The iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max have 3 rear lenses instead of the iPhone 12's paltry 2. Per Apple's website, this extra lens “takes low-light photography to the next level”.
As for the iPhone 12 Pro vs Pro Max, here is Apple’s explanation of the differences:
Screengrab from Apple website
Apart from a larger screen, the iPhone 12 Pro Max also has a larger sensor for the Wide lens, a new 65mm Telephoto lens, and better photo stabilising technology.
So if you’re, say, a budding filmmaker looking to shoot your first feature on an iPhone, you might want to spring for an iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Singtel, Starhub and M1 iPhone 12 prices
An alternative to buying from the Apple Store is to preorder your iPhone 12 from one of the 3 major telcos: Singtel, Starhub and M1.
All 3 have rolled out their spanking new 5G mobile phone plans to go with the iPhone 12, and are dangling all kinds of offers and “subsidies” for switching over to 5G.
Prices vary depending on which plan and phone combo you go for, but here’s a sampling of some popular phone plans, and how much it costs to top up for an iPhone 12 64GB.
Subscription fee | iPhone top up | Total cost (2 years) | |
Singtel XO 48 (20GB) | $58/month | $698 | $2,090 |
Starhub Mobile+ (30GB) | $65/month | $579 | $2,139 |
M1 $40 Base Plan (12GB) | $40/month | $810 | $1,770 |
To find out the total costs, we multiplied the monthly subscription x 24 (assuming a 2-year contract) and added the top up amount for an iPhone.
Given that the iPhone 12 64GB costs $1,299 off the shelf, you could wind up paying quite a fair bit more if you go with a telco bundle.
Which credit card should you charge your iPhone 12 to?
Planning to buy your iPhone 12? Don’t forget to check out with one of these credit cards for cashback, miles or rewards points... or you’d be saying goodbye to free money.
Plus, if you apply for one of these through MoneySmart, you may also be eligible for bonus freebies like a Fitbit Versa 3, Bose Speakers or cash rewards.
Credit card | Card rewards | MoneySmart rewards |
Citi Cash Back+ | 1.6% cashback | $300 Cash via PayNow |
Citi PremierMiles | $1 = 1.2 miles | $300 Cash via PayNow |
Citi Rewards Card | 10X points (capped at $1,000) | $300 Cash via PayNow |
Standard Chartered Unlimited | 1.5% cashback | Apple AirPods 2nd Gen |
American Express True Cashback | 1.5% cashback | S$150 Agoda vouchers OR S$150 CapitaVouchers |
American Express KrisFlyer Ascend | $1 = 1.2 miles | S$150 Agoda vouchers OR S$150 CapitaVouchers |
Citibank promotion: Get $300 Cash via PayNow
New-to-Citi customers can sign up for one of these credit cards via MoneySmart and make one eligible transaction to redeem $300 cash via PayNow. Promotion expires 12 Nov 2020.
On top of that, you earn cashback or points on your iPhone 12 purchase.
- Cash Back on Eligible Spend
- 1.6%
- Min. Spend per month
- S$0
- Cash Back Cap per month
- Unlimited
Apply and spend S$500 within 30 days to choose your reward: S$380 Cash Reward or 6,140 SmartPoints (worth up to S$499 of Gifts).
PLUS, stand a chance to win a dream S$15,000 getaway holiday in our exclusive lucky draw! T&Cs apply
- on Online Grocery, Food Delivery, Ride-Hailing
- S$1= 10X Points
- for in-store shopping purchases at Department Store, Clothing Stores
- S$1= 10X Points
- for all other purchases
- S$1= 1X Point
Apply and spend S$500 within 30 days to choose your reward: S$380 Cash Reward or 6,140 SmartPoints (worth up to S$499 of Gifts).
PLUS, stand a chance to win a dream S$15,000 getaway holiday in our exclusive lucky draw! T&Cs apply
- Local Spend
- S$1 = 1.2 miles
- All Foreign Currency Spend including Retail and Online
- S$1 = Up to 2.2 miles
- Selected Online Hotel Bookings
- S$1 = Up to 10 miles
Apply and spend S$500 within 30 days to choose your reward: S$380 Cash Reward or 6,140 SmartPoints (worth up to S$499 of Gifts).
PLUS, stand a chance to win a dream S$15,000 getaway holiday in our exclusive lucky draw! T&Cs apply
Standard Chartered promotion: Apple AirPods 2nd Gen
New-to-bank customers can sign up for the Standard Chartered Unlimited credit card via MoneySmart and spend at least $80 to get free Apple AirPods 2nd Gen with Wired Charging Case. Promotion expires 12 Nov 2020.
You will also earn 1.5% cashback, with no minimum spend or cap, on your purchases.
Amex promotion: $150 Agoda or CapitaLand vouchers
New-to-bank applicants who apply for these American Express credit cards via MoneySmart get the abovementioned voucher as a reward if you spend at least $1,000 in the firs month. The promo ends on 2 Nov 2020.
You will also earn either cashback or miles on your iPhone 12 and any other eligible purchases.
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- on up to $5,000 spend in the first 6 months for new Card Members.
- 3.0% Cashback
- all subsequent eligible purchases
- 1.5% Cashback
- Cash Back Cap
- Unlimited
- on eligible Singapore Airlines, Scoot flight bookings, KrisShop & Pelago purchases, with no cap
- S$1 = 2 KrisFlyer miles
- on eligible Grab Singapore transactions
- S$1 = Up to 2 KrisFlyer miles
- on all other eligible purchases
- S$1 = 1.2 KrisFlyer miles
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