Buying an iPhone 12 in Switzerland: Is the refurbished device still worth it?
On the way home, Zurich HB. The second class was packed again, so I quickly bought an upgrade to first class in the SBB Mobile app. A bit of TikTok on the train, then uploaded the dentist bill in the CSS app. In the evening, paid at the Migros checkout with TWINT, no wallet, no card. All on one battery charge, on the 5G network, with the latest iOS.
There are devices people call "outdated." And then there are devices that just work.
Which operating system runs on the iPhone 12?
The iPhone 12 supports iOS 26, Apple’s latest operating system with the completely redesigned Liquid Glass design. This means specifically: the same security updates as the iPhone 17, the same app compatibility, the same iOS experience. No outdated interface, no error message “your device is no longer supported.”
Which apps currently run on the iPhone 12?
No theoretical argument beats a practical one. Let’s look at what runs on the iPhone 12.
TWINT
With iOS 26, every TWINT version in the Swiss App Store runs smoothly: the UBS TWINT app, the PostFinance version, Raiffeisen, ZKB, Migros Bank, or the neutral prepaid variant. At the gas station, parking lot, online shop, sending money among friends. Everything works, nothing is missing.
SBB Mobile
GA, Half-fare card, direct connection, or the upgrade to First class bought spontaneously on the go. The SBB Mobile app runs on the iPhone 12 without restrictions. SwissPass, Fairtiq, and the ZVV app also run smoothly.
E-Banking: all major Swiss banks
This is the most important question for many. iOS 26 meets the minimum requirements of every major Swiss banking app. UBS, ZKB, Raiffeisen, PostFinance, Migros Bank, Neon, Yuh, Bank Cler, Valiant, and all cantonal banks: every single app is available in the App Store and runs on the iPhone 12. Transfers, standing orders, e-bills, check account balance, everything works.
Health insurance apps: all
The twelve largest Swiss health insurers, namely Helsana, CSS, Swica, Sanitas, Groupe Mutuel, Visana, Concordia, KPT, Sympany, ÖKK, Assura, and Atupri, together cover 98 percent of all insured persons in Switzerland. They all have an app in the App Store. They all run on iOS 26. Photograph and submit medical bills, check deductible status, display insurance card: all on the iPhone 12, for every insured person in Switzerland.
Buy iPhone 12 refurbished or new: What is the difference?
|
iPhone 12 refurbished at Revendo |
iPhone 17 new |
|
|
Price |
from 241 CHF |
from 799 CHF |
|
iOS version |
iOS 26 (current) |
iOS 26 (current) |
|
5G |
Yes |
Yes |
|
TWINT, SBB, E-Banking |
All apps available |
All apps available |
|
Camera |
12 MP Dual, Night mode, 4K |
48 MP Dual, Night mode, 4K |
|
Battery |
tested, min. 85% capacity |
100% (new) |
|
Warranty |
1 year with Revendo |
1 year with Apple |
|
Sustainability |
no new device produced |
New production required |
|
CO₂ |
up to 80% less than a new device |
full production emissions |
For everyday Swiss use, meaning apps, connectivity, and payments, the iPhone 12 handles everything. The iPhone 17 does too, of course, at more than triple the price.
What can the iPhone 12 do in everyday life?
5G and connectivity
The iPhone 12 was the very first iPhone with 5G. In the well-developed Swiss mobile networks of Swisscom, Salt, and Sunrise, this means fast connections even on the go.
Camera for everyday use
Dual camera with wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle, night mode on both lenses, 4K video with Dolby Vision. More than enough for most everyday situations: snapshots, stories, photographing documents, video calls. For those who want to see for themselves: Teltarif has thoroughly tested the iPhone 12, including real camera examples from everyday life.
WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat
All run on iOS 26 without restrictions. The A14 Bionic chip processes videos, reels, and feeds smoothly. Even longer sessions pose no problems.
Email and productivity
Replying to emails, managing calendars, opening PDFs, editing documents: the A14 chip and 4 GB RAM are fully sufficient for normal office and school daily use.
Face ID
Unlocking by facial recognition, confirming Apple Pay, opening banking apps: Face ID works reliably and quickly on the iPhone 12. For older users who don’t want to type a PIN, this is a real convenience gain. Also relevant for parents who occasionally want to check their child’s device: Face ID is person-bound and cannot be easily bypassed.
MagSafe
The iPhone 12 was the first iPhone with MagSafe. If you already have a MagSafe charging cable, a MagSafe case, or a MagSafe wallet, you can continue to use them directly. For newcomers: The accessory ecosystem around MagSafe is now large and affordably available.
Battery
That is the question most frequently asked about refurbished devices, and rightly so. At Revendo, every battery is tested. Anything below 85 percent capacity is replaced before sale. Apple itself recommends a battery replacement only from 80 percent. This means: Every iPhone 12 at Revendo either has 85 percent battery capacity or more, or comes with a freshly installed battery. So the battery question is answered before it even arises. More about this, what the battery message is about, you can find in our blog.
Is the iPhone 12 the right first iPhone for my child?
You are considering buying your child their first iPhone. Budget is limited, but you don’t want a compromise device that becomes outdated after a year or no longer supports all apps.
The iPhone 12 hits exactly this point.
On the parents' side: iOS 26 brings complete Screen Time and Family Sharing. You can set app limits, define downtime, filter content by age rating, and see exactly how much time your child spends on which apps from your own iPhone. All without an additional app, all directly in the iPhone settings.
On the kids' side: TikTok runs. Snapchat runs. Instagram runs. The camera is sufficient for everything children and teenagers photograph and film. The device is not the oldest in the class but a fully functional iPhone with the latest iOS.
Parents get control. Kids get an iPhone that works. The iPhone 12 fulfills both at the same time.
What can the iPhone 12 not do?
A good purchase needs no sugarcoating. The iPhone 12 is not the right choice if you need optical zoom for sports photography, want to use Apple Intelligence features (which are only available from iPhone 15 Pro), or require maximum performance for very demanding applications like complex video editing.
For everything else, the Swiss everyday life with all its apps, connections, and requirements, it is a fully functional device.
Buying Used is the smart choice
A refurbished iPhone 12 at Revendo means: tested hardware, freshly refurbished, with 1 year warranty and 14 days return policy. You get a device that works like new, at a fraction of the original price.
And you not only save money but also resources. No new device production, fewer raw materials, less CO₂. Learn more, what is behind our refurbishment, you can find it here. Used is the new New. 🍏♻️