iPhone 12 starts at €809: Price hike sparks backlash
The iPhone 12 mini starts at €809, reaching €1,609 for the Pro Max. Apple raises prices and removes chargers, betting on 5G.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
iPhone 12 from €809: Pricier and without a charger
Apple unveiled its new iPhone 12 family with 5G connectivity and prices starting at €809 for the 64 GB mini model, while the standard iPhone 12 begins at €909. The increase is significant: the iPhone 11, which it theoretically replaces, was cheaper. The company justifies the jump with OLED screens across the range, the A14 Bionic processor, 18W fast charging, and the MagSafe wireless system. The box does not include a charger or headphones. That detail, more than 5G, has ignited the debate.
How much does each iPhone 12 model cost?
The price range is wide. The iPhone 12 mini, with a 5.4-inch screen, starts at €809 (64 GB), rises to €859 (128 GB), and reaches €979 (256 GB). The standard iPhone 12 starts at €909 and goes up to €1,079 for the 256 GB version. The Pro models scale quickly: the iPhone 12 Pro ranges from €1,159 to €1,509, and the Pro Max from €1,259 to €1,609. Over €1,600 for the top-tier model. For many, that's a month's salary, as one recurring comment summarizes: "Starting at €809, it costs fans of this crappy brand a month's pay."
Comparison with the previous generation hurts most. The iPhone 12 is the natural successor to the iPhone 11, which itself inherited the spot left by the Xr. Yet, the price increases by about €100. And there is no charger or headphones in the box. "They piss on you and say it's raining," another message concludes. Critics argue Apple's strategy involves selling fewer accessories while making the device itself more expensive.
5G as a selling point and its limits
5G connectivity is the major technical novelty of the lineup. Apple presents it as the generational leap justifying an upgrade. However, from a responsible consumption perspective, 5G does not solve everyday problems: "No, but 5G is better for downloads and video calls," one participant mocks. The implicit question is why an average user needs that estimulante ilegal if the bottleneck lies elsewhere.
Processor performance also enters the equation. Early AnTuTu data circulating places the A14 Bionic below the Snapdragon 865+ in some tests, according to a thread message. Apple, which for years prided itself on avoiding spec wars, now competes on that terrain. And it loses in some benchmarks, based on shared data.
Is it worth changing iPhones every year?
The dominant answer in the analysis is no. The user opening the thread wants to replace their current device and asks when the new model launches. The answer is clear: the presentation was delayed due to the pandemic, so the iPhone 12 arrives later than usual. But the underlying question is different: why change if your phone works?
Some argue that an iPhone 6S bought in 2015 still runs perfectly, having undergone two battery replacements (€29 each) and constant updates. Resale value also favors Apple: iPhones hold their price on the second-hand market much better than Androids. This is the strongest argument for brand defenders. The problem is that real durability does not prevent perceived obsolescence. "If the iPhone is so reliable and lasts so long, why open a thread asking to change it?" one comment summarizes.
The real cost of an iPhone: hardware, software, and ecosystem
The hardware debate is recurrent. Apple supporters claim the processor is the best on the market and that the operating system's security rivals none outside "walled garden" phones. Critics respond that other components do not match the price: less RAM than competitors, cameras that are not the best in their generation, and screens where Samsung reserves better panels for its own devices.
Software is another battleground. iOS is perceived as a "restricted and closed" system, while Android offers more versatility and price variety. Some note that an honest comparison is not a €200 Android against an €800 iPhone, but high-end against high-end. There, the gap narrows. "High-end Androids work just as well or better, with much more versatility," argues one of the most balanced voices in the analysis.
Responsible consumption as the debate framework
The topic opens in a space dedicated to responsible consumption, highlighting the central contradiction. A phone costing over €1,000 renewed annually fits poorly within that framework. "Talking about Apple in this forum is like talking about Ferrari or Lamborghini. Responsible consumption is ignored entirely," one comment summarizes. The irony is that the thread itself stems from someone wanting to swap their current iPhone for the new model.
The discussion drifts toward status. Some defend that the iPhone is no longer just for the wealthy: "Anyone can have an iPhone." Others maintain the brand still functions as a social status signal. A third, more pragmatic current argues that if the phone is the most-used daily device, it makes sense to pay for one you enjoy. The issue is that this logic, taken to the extreme, justifies any price.
With these factors, the prediction is that the iPhone 12 will sell well. Apple has a captive ecosystem, resale value unmatched by any other brand, and a user base that upgrades out of inertia rather than need. The price hike and lack of charger won't change that. What might change is the perception that 5G justifies the expense. Because for most, current connectivity is already fast enough.
Apple unveiled its new iPhone 12 family with 5G connectivity and prices starting at €809 for the 64 GB mini model, while the standard iPhone 12 begins at €909. The increase is significant: the iPhone 11, which it theoretically replaces, was cheaper. The company justifies the jump with OLED screens across the range, the A14 Bionic processor, 18W fast charging, and the MagSafe wireless system. The box does not include a charger or headphones. That detail, more than 5G, has ignited the debate.
How much does each iPhone 12 model cost?
The price range is wide. The iPhone 12 mini, with a 5.4-inch screen, starts at €809 (64 GB), rises to €859 (128 GB), and reaches €979 (256 GB). The standard iPhone 12 starts at €909 and goes up to €1,079 for the 256 GB version. The Pro models scale quickly: the iPhone 12 Pro ranges from €1,159 to €1,509, and the Pro Max from €1,259 to €1,609. Over €1,600 for the top-tier model. For many, that's a month's salary, as one recurring comment summarizes: "Starting at €809, it costs fans of this crappy brand a month's pay."
Comparison with the previous generation hurts most. The iPhone 12 is the natural successor to the iPhone 11, which itself inherited the spot left by the Xr. Yet, the price increases by about €100. And there is no charger or headphones in the box. "They piss on you and say it's raining," another message concludes. Critics argue Apple's strategy involves selling fewer accessories while making the device itself more expensive.
5G as a selling point and its limits
5G connectivity is the major technical novelty of the lineup. Apple presents it as the generational leap justifying an upgrade. However, from a responsible consumption perspective, 5G does not solve everyday problems: "No, but 5G is better for downloads and video calls," one participant mocks. The implicit question is why an average user needs that estimulante ilegal if the bottleneck lies elsewhere.
Processor performance also enters the equation. Early AnTuTu data circulating places the A14 Bionic below the Snapdragon 865+ in some tests, according to a thread message. Apple, which for years prided itself on avoiding spec wars, now competes on that terrain. And it loses in some benchmarks, based on shared data.
Is it worth changing iPhones every year?
The dominant answer in the analysis is no. The user opening the thread wants to replace their current device and asks when the new model launches. The answer is clear: the presentation was delayed due to the pandemic, so the iPhone 12 arrives later than usual. But the underlying question is different: why change if your phone works?
Some argue that an iPhone 6S bought in 2015 still runs perfectly, having undergone two battery replacements (€29 each) and constant updates. Resale value also favors Apple: iPhones hold their price on the second-hand market much better than Androids. This is the strongest argument for brand defenders. The problem is that real durability does not prevent perceived obsolescence. "If the iPhone is so reliable and lasts so long, why open a thread asking to change it?" one comment summarizes.
The real cost of an iPhone: hardware, software, and ecosystem
The hardware debate is recurrent. Apple supporters claim the processor is the best on the market and that the operating system's security rivals none outside "walled garden" phones. Critics respond that other components do not match the price: less RAM than competitors, cameras that are not the best in their generation, and screens where Samsung reserves better panels for its own devices.
Software is another battleground. iOS is perceived as a "restricted and closed" system, while Android offers more versatility and price variety. Some note that an honest comparison is not a €200 Android against an €800 iPhone, but high-end against high-end. There, the gap narrows. "High-end Androids work just as well or better, with much more versatility," argues one of the most balanced voices in the analysis.
Responsible consumption as the debate framework
The topic opens in a space dedicated to responsible consumption, highlighting the central contradiction. A phone costing over €1,000 renewed annually fits poorly within that framework. "Talking about Apple in this forum is like talking about Ferrari or Lamborghini. Responsible consumption is ignored entirely," one comment summarizes. The irony is that the thread itself stems from someone wanting to swap their current iPhone for the new model.
The discussion drifts toward status. Some defend that the iPhone is no longer just for the wealthy: "Anyone can have an iPhone." Others maintain the brand still functions as a social status signal. A third, more pragmatic current argues that if the phone is the most-used daily device, it makes sense to pay for one you enjoy. The issue is that this logic, taken to the extreme, justifies any price.
With these factors, the prediction is that the iPhone 12 will sell well. Apple has a captive ecosystem, resale value unmatched by any other brand, and a user base that upgrades out of inertia rather than need. The price hike and lack of charger won't change that. What might change is the perception that 5G justifies the expense. Because for most, current connectivity is already fast enough.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (119 replies).
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