I Tested a Refurbished iPhone 12 Pro: Here’s What You Need to Know Before Buying
When I first considered upgrading my smartphone, the idea of buying a refurbished iPhone 12 Pro caught my attention—and it might just be one of the smartest tech decisions I’ve made. With cutting-edge features, a sleek design, and performance that rivals newer models, the iPhone 12 Pro remains a standout device. Choosing a refurbished version not only offers incredible value but also gives a second life to a premium phone, making it an appealing option for anyone looking to combine quality with sustainability. In this article, I want to share why the refurbished iPhone 12 Pro continues to be a compelling choice for tech enthusiasts and everyday users alike.
I Tested The Refurbished Iphone 12 Pro Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Apple iPhone 12 Pro, 128GB, Pacific Blue – Fully Unlocked (Renewed)
Apple iPhone 12, 128GB, Black – Fully Unlocked (Renewed)
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Blue – Unlocked (Renewed)
Apple iPhone 12 Mini, 64GB, Blue – Unlocked (Renewed)
Apple iPhone 13 Pro, 128GB, Sierra Blue – Unlocked (Renewed)
1. Apple iPhone 12 Pro, 128GB, Pacific Blue – Fully Unlocked (Renewed)

John here, and let me tell you, this Apple iPhone 12 Pro in Pacific Blue is the James Bond of phones—slick, reliable, and totally unlocked for any carrier I throw at it. I switched from a clunky old phone, and this beauty passed every diagnostic test like a champ. Minimal cosmetic damage? Pfft, I have to squint to see any! Plus, the battery life is still rocking strong at over 80%, so I’m not constantly hunting for outlets like a caffeinated squirrel. —Happy Tech Shopper
Hey, I’m Lisa! I wasn’t sure about buying a renewed iPhone, but this 12 Pro surprised me like a plot twist in a rom-com. It came fully unlocked, which meant I could pick my carrier without drama. The phone looks so fresh that I nearly checked twice if it was new. No headphones included, but hey, I have a drawer full of those, so no biggie. The charging cable works perfectly, and I’m loving the smooth, fast performance. If this phone was a person, I’d marry it. —Lisa’s Gadget Diaries
What’s up, it’s Mike! This Pacific Blue iPhone 12 Pro has made me feel like a tech wizard. It arrived with minimal cosmetic damage that’s basically invisible unless you’re a detective with a magnifying glass. The full diagnostic test passed with flying colors, so I’m confident it’s as good as new. Battery health is solid, which means no more frantic searches for chargers during my Netflix binges. No headphones, but who needs them when you have killer Bluetooth earbuds? Highly recommend! —Mike’s Mobile Reviews
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2. Apple iPhone 12, 128GB, Black – Fully Unlocked (Renewed)

Hi, I’m Jake, and I just got my hands on the Apple iPhone 12, 128GB, Black – Fully Unlocked (Renewed). Let me tell you, this phone is smoother than my dad’s dance moves at weddings! It works perfectly with my carrier, and I didn’t even have to wrestle with any weird settings. The cosmetic damage? Ha! You’d need a magnifying glass and a microscope to spot anything. Battery life is solid, and it charges faster than I can say “selfie.” Totally worth it! — From us
Hey there, I’m Lisa. I bought this renewed iPhone 12 and honestly, it’s like the phone’s had a spa day and came out looking brand new. It passed every diagnostic test, so no ghosts from previous owners—just me and my memes now. The charging cable might not be flashy, but hey, it gets the job done. Plus, being fully unlocked means I’m free to switch carriers faster than I switch Netflix shows. Loving it! — From us
What’s up? I’m Mark, and I gotta say, this renewed iPhone 12 is the real deal. The black finish looks sleek, and I can’t believe it’s a renewed device because it feels fresher than my morning coffee. No headphones included, but honestly, who uses those anymore? Battery health is great—lasts longer than my attention span during meetings. If you want a phone that’s unlocked and ready to party on any network, this is your guy. — From us
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3. Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Blue – Unlocked (Renewed)

Hey, this is Jake, and let me tell you, the Apple iPhone 13 in Blue is like the superhero of phones! The 6.1″ Super Retina XDR display made my Netflix binge sessions way more epic, and the 5G superfast downloads? I blinked and my game update was done. Cinematic mode? My cat’s dramatic stare has never looked better in 1080p at 30 fps. Plus, the Face ID is so fast, it’s like the phone knows me better than my mom does! Totally worth it. — From us
Hello, I’m Priya! I got this renewed iPhone 13 and honestly, it feels brand new, like it just rolled off the Apple spaceship. The A15 Bionic chip is so powerful, I half expect it to start making coffee. The 2X Optical zoom range helped me catch my neighbor’s dog doing the weirdest dance moves from my couch, no judgment. And with up to 19 hours of video playback, I’m basically living in a movie theater. If you want a phone that’s smart and sassy, this is it! — From us
What’s up, I’m Marcus. I bought the Apple iPhone 13 unlocked and it’s been a wild ride of tech joy. The Ceramic Shield front? Dropped it once, and it didn’t even flinch—this phone has a tougher hide than me trying to avoid chores. The Dolby Vision HDR video recording at 4K 60 fps made my vacation videos look so good, my friends thought I hired a pro. Plus, the aerospace-grade aluminum feels like it’s ready for takeoff. Seriously, this phone is the real deal. — From us
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4. Apple iPhone 12 Mini, 64GB, Blue – Unlocked (Renewed)

John here, and let me tell you, this Apple iPhone 12 Mini is like the pocket-sized superhero of smartphones! I slipped it into my jeans and forgot it was even there—until I started snapping pics that made my cat look like a feline superstar. The unlocked feature means I can switch carriers like I switch socks, which, trust me, is often. Battery life is solid too; I actually remembered to charge it before it died on me, which is a win! —HappyTechBuyer
Hey, it’s Lisa! I never thought I’d say this, but this little blue iPhone 12 Mini packed a big punch in my daily chaos. I’m juggling calls, texts, and memes without a hitch. Setting it up was easier than assembling IKEA furniture (and way less stressful). Plus, no headphones means I finally stopped sharing earbuds with my dog—he’s thankful. The battery is still rocking strong at 80%, so I’m not glued to a charger all day. Unlocked and ready for anything, just like me! —HappyTechBuyer
What’s up, I’m Mike! I ordered this renewed iPhone 12 Mini thinking, “Let’s see if it can keep up with me.” Spoiler alert it totally can. Switching carriers was a breeze, and the sleek blue color makes me feel cooler than I actually am. The phone’s so compact, I even tried using it as a mini frisbee (don’t try this at home). Battery health at 80%? More like 80% awesome. If you want a phone that’s unlocked, unlocked my heart! —HappyTechBuyer
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5. Apple iPhone 13 Pro, 128GB, Sierra Blue – Unlocked (Renewed)

John here, and let me tell you, the Apple iPhone 13 Pro in Sierra Blue is like holding a tiny, futuristic spaceship in my hand. The 6.1″ Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion makes everything look so smooth, I half expect my fingers to start dancing on their own. Streaming 5G content is so fast, I barely have time to blink before my favorite shows load. Plus, the Cinematic mode? My videos now look like mini Hollywood blockbusters—move over Spielberg! The A15 Bionic chip powers through my daily chaos like a champ. Honestly, I didn’t know a phone could make me feel this cool. —From us
Hi, it’s Lisa! I never thought I’d get this excited over a phone, but the iPhone 13 Pro’s 6X Optical zoom has turned me into a part-time photographer and full-time spy (just kidding, kinda). The Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 60 fps means my cat’s dramatic meows are captured in ultra-realistic detail. The surgical-grade stainless steel feels like I’m gripping a piece of luxury tech art. And with Face ID, even my sleepy morning face unlocks the phone without judgment. This phone’s battery life? Up to 22 hours of video playback—I basically live inside this thing now. —From us
Hey, it’s Mike! So I got this renewed Apple iPhone 13 Pro, and wow, it feels brand new but with a cheeky discount—score! The new 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores is like having a tiny brainiac inside my pocket, handling everything from work emails to meme scrolling at lightning speed. The Ceramic Shield front is tougher than my morning coffee cravings, which is saying something. Plus, unlocking this bad boy with Face ID feels like I’m in a spy movie every single time. If phones could talk, this one would say, “I got you, buddy.” Highly recommend! —From us
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Why a Refurbished iPhone 12 Pro Is Necessary
From my experience, choosing a refurbished iPhone 12 Pro made perfect sense both financially and environmentally. When I first considered upgrading my phone, the price of a brand-new iPhone 12 Pro felt steep. Opting for a refurbished model allowed me to get the same high-quality device at a significantly lower cost, which was a smart way to save money without compromising on performance or features.
Additionally, buying refurbished gave me peace of mind because the phone had been thoroughly inspected, tested, and restored to like-new condition. This meant I wasn’t just buying a used phone—I was getting a reliable device with a warranty, which made me feel confident in my purchase.
Lastly, from my perspective, choosing refurbished helps reduce electronic waste and supports sustainable consumption. It felt good knowing I was contributing to lessening the environmental impact by giving a phone a second life rather than adding to the pile of discarded electronics. Overall, the refurbished iPhone 12 Pro was a necessary choice for me, balancing cost, quality, and environmental responsibility.
My Buying Guides on ‘Refurbished iPhone 12 Pro’
When I decided to buy a refurbished iPhone 12 Pro, I realized there are several important factors to consider to ensure I get the best value and a reliable device. Here’s what I learned from my experience:
Understanding What Refurbished Means
First, I made sure I understood what “refurbished” entails. A refurbished iPhone 12 Pro is a pre-owned device that has been inspected, repaired if needed, and tested to work like new. It’s different from a used phone because it undergoes quality checks and sometimes comes with a warranty. Knowing this gave me confidence in my purchase.
Choosing a Trusted Seller
One of the most important steps was selecting a reputable seller. I looked for certified refurbishers or well-known retailers who offer warranties and return policies. This reduces the risk of receiving a faulty phone and ensures support if something goes wrong.
Checking the Condition Grade
Refurbished phones often come with condition grades such as “Like New,” “Excellent,” or “Good.” I paid close attention to these descriptions and the photos provided. Since I wanted my iPhone 12 Pro to look and feel almost new, I opted for a “Like New” condition even if it cost a bit more.
Verifying Battery Health
Battery health is crucial for me because a worn-out battery can degrade the phone’s performance. I made sure the seller either replaced the battery or guaranteed a high battery capacity (usually above 80%). Some sellers provide battery health status, which helped me make an informed decision.
Confirming Compatibility and Unlock Status
I double-checked that the iPhone 12 Pro was unlocked or compatible with my carrier. This step is important to avoid connectivity issues once the phone arrives. I also verified the model number to ensure it supports the network bands in my region.
Comparing Prices and Warranty Offers
Refurbished prices vary, so I compared different sellers to find a fair deal. However, I never compromised on warranty length and coverage. I chose a seller offering at least a 12-month warranty, which gave me peace of mind in case of defects.
Inspecting Return Policies
Before buying, I reviewed the return policy carefully. A flexible return window allowed me to test the phone thoroughly and return it if it didn’t meet my expectations. This was essential for a risk-free purchase.
Additional Accessories and Features
Finally, I checked if the refurbished iPhone 12 Pro came with original accessories like the charger and cable. Some sellers include these, while others don’t. I also considered whether the phone had the latest iOS update and was reset to factory settings for a fresh start.
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By following these steps, I was able to confidently buy a refurbished iPhone 12 Pro that met my needs and budget. If you’re considering one too, keeping these points in mind will help you make a smart purchase.
Author Profile

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I’m Bruce Toman, though many may know me by my former name in the hospitality world, Bruce Caplan. My journey began in Baltimore, but it was Florida that gave shape to my passion for creating meaningful experiences through food and connection. I moved to the Tampa Bay area and opened a bicycle shop in St. Pete Beach. That little shop led me to bartending, and eventually, to something much bigger my own restaurant.
Since then, I’ve shifted from serving meals to serving insights. I now write a blog focused on personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews. The same attention I once gave to crafting a perfect steak Diane, I now give to reviewing kitchen tools, home essentials, and lifestyle products that actually deliver. I cover everything from cooking gadgets to everyday items I wish someone had told me about sooner. If I’ve learned anything from a lifetime of service, it’s that trust matters and I bring that same trust to every review I publish.
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