iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max telco price plans comparison (updated)
We've updated the piece to include all four iPhone 12 models in the comparison!
By Liu Hongzuo -
This article was originally published on 21 October 2020.
7 November 2020 update: The comparison tables are updated with the telcos' respective iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max upfront costs and overall prices. We've split the content across two pages for better legibility.
Looking at the best plans for iPhone 12 phones in Singapore
With the iPhone 12 smartphones hitting retail in two waves (iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro on 23 Oct, iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max on 13 Nov), we have some time to decide between choosing the right model and choosing an ideal contract plan to go with them.
Model | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 12 | iPhone 12 Pro | iPhone 12 Pro Max |
64GB | S$1,149 | S$1,299 | - | - |
128GB | S$1,219 | S$1,369 | S$1,649 | S$1,799 |
256GB | S$1,389 | S$1,539 | S$1,819 | S$1,969 |
512GB | – | – | S$2,149 | S$2,299 |
If you want to know what you're getting out of this year's iPhones, don't forget to check our launch night coverage too:
Choosing the best plan for your needs
A glance at the overall price across two years roughly tells us which telco offers a better deal at each tier. However, telco price plans have become more competitive over the years with the availability of trial 5G networks and seasonal promotions.
Each telco packs a host of tantalising tie-breakers (free accessories, free subscriptions, discounts, waivering of admin fees, free data at certain timings of the week, etc.), and it's really tough to say which telco does it best. If you want to see if the promotion suits your needs, don't forget to check each telco's specific promotions after comparing prices below.
- Singtel's iPhone 12 price plans promotions (all iPhone 12 models)
- M1's iPhone 12 price plan promotions (12 and 12 Pro only)
- StarHub's iPhone 12 price plan promotions (12 and 12 Pro only)
Promotion | |
Singtel |
|
M1 |
|
StarHub |
|
We'll be exploring the financial outlay of picking up an iPhone 12 with a contract plan, so make sure to keep the other promotions above in mind if the overall cost isn't your highest purchasing priority.
What about 5G connectivity?
Each telco has a different approach in offering 5G connectivity, which is also reflected in their individual price plans:
- Singtel: 5G access at S$10/month built into price plans below, which also results in 10GB more local data than their usual plan's allotment.
- M1: 3 months' free 5G Booster Pack at S$40 Base Plan with S$10 Add-on. 6 months' free 5G Booster Pack at S$40 Base Plan with S$38 Add-on or higher. 5G Booster Packs start at S$15/month and comes with additional local data depending on which booster you get. The discounted 5G Booster Packs for other M1 plans do not apply to M1's iPhone 12 plans because the promotions aren't stackable.
- StarHub: Free with all Mobile+ plans.
Since the iPhone 12 mobiles are all 5G capable, We'll take each plan as they are.
However, if you wish to opt-out of Singtel's 5G to save S$10 a month, subtract it from the tables below. Or, if you wish to continue with M1's 5G access beyond the free months, add the respective 5G Booster Pack to the monthly total. For a quick reference:
- Singtel: Subtract S$240 from the total if you want to opt-out of 5G completely, but remember that you also to lose out the S$50 discount for not taking 5G NOW.
- M1: Add S$315 / 525 / 840 to the total for S$40 Base + S$10 Add-on plans, or add S$270 / 450 / 720 to the total for S$40 Base Plans +S$38 Add-on plans or higher. The correct amount depends on which 5G Booster Pack you choose after the free trial expires.
With that out of the way, let's get on to comparing.
Value plans compared (S$40-and-under/month)
Data Plan | M1 |
Name | Base Plan with Device |
Monthly Subscription | S$40 |
Local Outgoing Mins | 100 |
Local SMS | 100 |
Local Data Bundle | 12GB |
iPhone 12 mini
upfront cost | 64GB: S$680
128GB: S$740
256GB: S$890 |
iPhone 12
upfront cost | 64GB: S$820 128GB: S$880 256GB: S$1,040 |
iPhone 12 Pro
upfront cost | 128GB:S$1,130 256GB: S$1,290 512GB: S$1,590 |
iPhone 12 Pro Max
upfront cost | 128GB: S$1,270
256GB: S$1,420
512GB: S$1,720 |
Total Cost Over Two Years | |
iPhone 12 mini
with plan | 64GB: S$1,640
128GB: S$1,700
256GB: S$1,850 |
iPhone 12
with plan | 64GB: S$1,780
128GB:S$1,840
256GB:S$2,000 |
iPhone 12 Pro
with plan | 128GB:S$2,090
256GB:S$2,250
512GB:S$2,550 |
iPhone 12 Pro Max
with plan | 128GB:S$2,230
256GB:S$2,380
512GB:S$2,680 |
Only M1 resides at the value tier where you pay S$40 every month for two years for a handset and mobile plan. Even so, you can stretch your dollar further within this tier by benchmarking it against the base cost of the phone. For instance, if you take the iPhone 12 Pro Max (512GB) with this plan, you'd pay S$381 above the handset RRP over two years, and that amount naturally goes into maintaining your mobile line. If you take the iPhone 12 mini (64GB) instead, you would pay S$491 above the handset RRP at the end of two years for the same plan. The point to consider would be affording the upfront cost in lieu of paying less money over two years - something value-tier seekers would have to think about.
Basic plans compared (S$50-S$65/month)
Data Plan | M1 | Singtel | Singtel | StarHub |
Name | Base Plan with Device + $10 Add-on | Combo 2 with 5G | XO 48 with 5G | S$65 Mobile+ |
Monthly Subscription | S$50 | S$52.90 | S$58 | S$65 |
Local Outgoing Mins | 200 | 200 | 100 | 200 |
Local SMS | 200 | 1,000 | 100 | 200 |
Local Data Bundle | 17GB | 12GB | 20GB | 30GB |
iPhone 12 mini
upfront cost | 64GB: S$570
128GB:S$640
256GB:S$790 | 64GB: S$648
128GB:S$718
256GB:S$868 | 64GB: S$558
128GB:S$628
256GB:S$778 | 64GB: S$449
128GB:S$509
256GB:S$669 |
iPhone 12
upfront cost | 64GB: S$710
128GB:S$780
256GB:S$930 | 64GB: S$788
128GB:S$848
256GB:S$1,008 | 64GB: S$698 128GB:S$758 256GB:S$918 | 64GB: S$579
128GB:S$649
256GB:S$799 |
iPhone 12 Pro
upfront cost | 128GB: S$1,030
256GB: S$1,290
512GB: S$1,490 | 128GB:S$1,108
256GB: S$1,258
512GB: S$1,558 | 128GB:S$1,018
256GB: S$1,168
512GB: S$1,468 | 128GB: S$899
256GB: S$1,059
512GB: S$1,359 |
iPhone 12 Pro Max
upfront cost | 128GB: S$1,160
256GB: S$1,320
512GB: S$1,620 | 128GB: S$1,238
256GB: S$1,398
512GB: S$1,698 | 128GB: S$1,148
256GB: S$1,308
512GB: S$1,608 | 128GB: S$1,039
256GB: S$1,189
512GB: S$1,489 |
Total Cost Over Two Years | ||||
iPhone 12 mini
with plan | 64GB: S$1,770
128GB:S$1,840
256GB:S$1,990 | 64GB: S$1,917.60
128GB:S$1,987.60
256GB:S$2,137.60 | 64GB: S$1,950
128GB:S$2,020
256GB:S$2,170 | 64GB: S$2,009
128GB:S$2,069
256GB:S$2,229 |
iPhone 12
with plan | 64GB: S$1,910
128GB:S$1,980
256GB:S$2,130 | 64GB: S$2,057.60
128GB:S$2,117.60
256GB:S$2,277.60 | 64GB: S$2,090
128GB:S$2,150
256GB:S$2,310 | 64GB: S$2,139
128GB:S$2,209
256GB:S$2,359 |
iPhone 12 Pro
with plan | 128GB: S$2,230
256GB: S$2,490
512GB: S$2,690 | 128GB: S$2,377.60
256GB: S$2,527.60
512GB: S$2,827.60 | 128GB: S$2,410
256GB: S$2,560
512GB: S$2,860 | 128GB: S$2,459
256GB: S$2,619
512GB: S$2,919 |
iPhone 12 Pro Max
with plan | 128GB: S$2,360
256GB: S$2,520
512GB: S$2,820 | 128GB: S$2,507.60
256GB: S$2,667.60
512GB: S$2,967.60 | 128GB: S$2,540
256GB: S$2,700
512GB: S$3,000 | 128GB: S$2,599
256GB: S$2,749
512GB: S$3,049 |
More details on higher-tiered plans and our conclusion can be seen on the next page.
More details on the various promotions and lower-tiered price plans can be seen on the previous page.
Mid-tier plans compared (S$78-S$95/month)
Data Plan | M1 | Singtel | Singtel | StarHub |
Name | Base Plan with Device + $38 Add-On | Combo 3 with 5G | XO 78 with 5G | S$95 Mobile+ |
Monthly Subscription | S$78 | S$82.90 | S$88 | S$95 |
Local Outgoing Mins | 300 | 10,000 | 300 | 600 |
Local SMS | 300 | 10,000 | 300 | 600 |
Local Data Bundle | 42GB | 14GB | 50GB | 60GB |
iPhone 12 mini
upfront cost | 64GB: S$310
128GB:S$370
256GB:S$530 | 64GB: S$408
128GB:S$478
256GB:S$628 | 64GB: S$198
128GB:S$258
256GB:S$408 | 64GB: S$199
128GB:S$259
256GB:S$419 |
iPhone 12
upfront cost | 64GB: S$460
128GB:S$520
256GB:S$670 | 64GB: S$548
128GB:S$608
256GB:S$768 | 64GB: S$328 128GB:S$398 256GB:S$548 | 64GB: S$329
128GB:S$399
256GB:S$549 |
iPhone 12 Pro
upfront cost | 128GB: S$770
256GB: S$930
512GB: S$1,230 | 128GB: S$868
256GB: S$1,018
512GB: S$1,318 | 128GB: S$648
256GB: S$798
512GB: S$1,108 | 128GB: S$649
256GB: S$809
512GB: S$1,109 |
iPhone 12 Pro Max
upfront cost | 128GB: S$900
256GB: S$1,060
512GB: S$1,360 | 128GB: S$1,008
256GB: S$1,158
512GB: S$1,458 | 128GB: S$788
256GB: S$938
512GB: S$1,238 | 128GB: S$789
256GB: S$939
512GB: S$1,239 |
Total Cost Over Two Years | ||||
iPhone 12 mini
with plan | 64GB: S$2,182
128GB:S$2,242
256GB:S$2,402 | 64GB: S$2,397.60
128GB:S$2,467.60
256GB:S$2,617.60 | 64GB: S$2,310
128GB:S$2,370
256GB:S$2,520 | 64GB: S$2,479
128GB:S$2,539
256GB:S$2,699 |
iPhone 12
with plan | 64GB: S$2,332
128GB:S$2,392
256GB:S$2,542 | 64GB: S$2,537.60
128GB:S$2,597.60
256GB:S$2,757.60 | 64GB: S$2,440
128GB:S$2,510
256GB:S$2,660 | 64GB: S$2,609
128GB:S$2,679
256GB:S$2,829 |
iPhone 12 Pro
with plan | 128GB: S$2,642
256GB: S$2,802
512GB: S$3,102 | 128GB: S$2,857.60
256GB: S$3,007.60
512GB: S$3,307.60 | 128GB: S$2,760
256GB: S$2,910
512GB: S$3,220 | 128GB: S$2,929
256GB: S$3,089
512GB: S$3,389 |
iPhone 12 Pro Max
with plan | 128GB: S$2,772
256GB: S$2,932
512GB: S$3,232 | 128GB: S$2,997.60
256GB: S$3,147.60
512GB: S$3,447.60 | 128GB: S$2,900
256GB: S$3,050
512GB: S$3,350 | 128GB: S$3,069
256GB: S$3,219
512GB: S$3,519 |
High-tier plans compared (S$109-S$155/month)
Data Plan | M1 | Singtel | Singtel | StarHub |
Name | Base Plan with Device + $70 Add-on | Combo 6 with 5G | XO 108 with 5G | S$155 Mobile+ |
Monthly Subscription | S$110 | 109.90 | S$118 | S$155 |
Local Outgoing Mins | 500 | 10,000 | 500 | 1,000 |
Local SMS | 500 | 10,000 | 500 | 1,000 |
Local Data Bundle | 77GB | 17GB | 80GB | 120GB |
iPhone 12 mini
upfront cost | 64GB: S$60
128GB:S$130
256GB:S$280 | 64GB: S$198
128GB:S$268
256GB:S$418 | 64GB: S$0
128GB:S$0
256GB:S$148 | 64GB: S$0
128GB:S$0
256GB:S$0 |
iPhone 12
upfront cost | 64GB: S$210
128GB:S$270
256GB:S$430 | 64GB: S$338
128GB:S$398
256GB:S$558 | 64GB: S$68 128GB:S$128 256GB:S$278 | 64GB: S$0
128GB:S$0
256GB:S$19 |
iPhone 12 Pro
upfront cost | 128GB: S$530
256GB: S$680
512GB: S$990 | 128GB: S$658
256GB: S$808
512GB: S$1,108 | 128GB: S$378
256GB: S$538
512GB: S$838 | 128GB: S$119
256GB: S$269
512GB: S$569 |
iPhone 12 Pro Max
upfront cost | 128GB: S$650
256GB: S$810
512GB: S$1,110 | 128GB: S$788
256GB: S$948
512GB: S$1,248 | 128GB: S$518
256GB: S$668
512GB: S$968 | 128GB: S$249
256GB: S$409
512GB: S$709 |
Total Cost Over Two Years | ||||
iPhone 12 mini
with plan | 64GB: S$2,700
128GB:S$2,770
256GB:S$2,920 | 64GB: S$2,835.60
128GB:S$2,905.60
256GB:S$3,055.60 | 64GB: S$2,832
128GB:S$2,832
256GB:S$2,980 | 64GB: S$3,720
128GB:S$3,720
256GB:S$3,720 |
iPhone 12
with plan | 64GB: S$2,850
128GB:S$2,910
256GB:S$3,070 | 64GB: S$2,975.60
128GB:S$3,035.60
256GB:S$3,195.60 | 64GB: S$2,900
128GB:S$2,960
256GB:S$3,110 | 64GB: S$3,720
128GB:S$3,720
256GB:S$3,739 |
iPhone 12 Pro
with plan | 128GB: S$3,170
256GB: S$3,320
512GB: S$3,630 | 128GB: S$3,295.60
256GB: S$3,445.60
512GB: S$3,745.60 | 128GB: S$3,210
256GB: S$3,370
512GB: S$3,670 | 128GB: S$3,839
256GB: S$3,989
512GB: S$4,289 |
iPhone 12 Pro Max
with plan | 128GB: S$3,290
256GB: S$3,450
512GB: S$3,750 | 128GB: S$3,425.60
256GB: S$3,585.60
512GB: S$3,885.60 | 128GB: S$3,350
256GB: S$3,500
512GB: S$3,800 | 128GB: S$3,969
256GB: S$4,129
512GB: S$4,429 |
Premium plans compared (Beyond S$230/month)
Data Plan | M1 | Singtel |
Name | Base Plan with Device + $195 Add-on | Combo 12 with 5G |
Monthly Subscription | S$235 | S$249.90 |
Local Outgoing Mins | Unlimited | 10,000 |
Local SMS | 1,000 | 10,000 |
Local Data Bundle | 112GB | 22GB |
iPhone 12 mini
upfront cost | 64GB: S$0
128GB:S$0
256GB:S$0 | 64GB: S$0
128GB:S$0
256GB:S$0 |
iPhone 12
upfront cost | 64GB: S$0
128GB:S$0
256GB:S$110 | 64GB: S$0
128GB:S$0
256GB:S$0 |
iPhone 12 Pro
upfront cost | 128GB: S$230
256GB: S$360
512GB: S$680 | 128GB: S$0
256GB: S$0
512GB: S$268 |
iPhone 12 Pro Max
upfront cost | 128GB: S$160
256GB: S$260
512GB: S$560 | 128GB: S$8
256GB: S$108
512GB: S$408 |
Total Cost Over Two Years | ||
iPhone 12 mini
with plan | 64GB: S$5,640
128GB:S$5,640
256GB:S$5,640 | 64GB: S$5,997.60
128GB:S$5,997.60
256GB:S$5,997.60 |
iPhone 12
with plan | 64GB: S$5,640
128GB:S$5,640
256GB:S$5,750 | 64GB: S$5,997.60
128GB:S$5,997.60
256GB:S$5,997.60 |
iPhone 12 Pro
with plan | 128GB: S$5,870
256GB: S$6,000
512GB: S$6,320 | 128GB: S$5,997.60
256GB: S$5,997.60
512GB: S$6,265.60 |
iPhone 12 Pro Max
with plan | 128GB: S$5,800
256GB: S$5,900
512GB: S$6,200 | 128GB: S$6,005.60
256GB: S$6,105.60
512GB: S$6,405.60 |
iPhone 12 plans: quick analysis for all four handsets
Editorial note: the impressions below have been modified to reflect our thoughts across all iPhone 12 models and all telco plans.
To aid our analysis, we've bolded and/or highlighted parts of the tables above to emphasise certain thoughts below.
There's really only one option lurking about at the value tier of contract plans (M1), but we can't deny its financial viability. Not only would you get to offset a significant amount of the iPhone's upfront cost, but the cost over two years also works out to about a S$500 difference (very roughly). The best value would be iPhone 12 Pro Max (512GB) where the difference is minimal, at just S$381. This is before factoring in promotions. M1 also doesn't offer free months of 5G Booster Packs at this level, so this comes across as a very attractive alternative to folks who refuse to use 5G on their iPhone 12 (yes, we know you're out there).
The basic tier is arguably the most competitive bracket among the three telcos. M1 seems like the best at balancing a generous-enough mobile data package against a healthy-looking two-year final cost, making them the most cost-effective option among all. If your priority is no-frills data capacity, StarHub might be a savvier alternative because it's nearly double of M1's data every month with an extra cost of S$200-S$300 spread out over two years. Also, StarHub piles on 5G access for free to Mobile+ users, while M1's free months of 5G Booster Pack will likely leave you wanting and paying more after the brief trial period (as they say, the first hit is always 'free').
The mid-tier plans are where Singtel makes its differentiators known. The Combo 3 with 5G plan's 10,000 outgoing minutes and SMSes eclipses the competition, and is undeniably a strong draw for folks who prioritise those call minutes and text messages. Oh, you're not a fan of chatting over the phone? Well, Singtel fires yet another round with its 50GB/month XO 78 with 5G. If you stay on its 5G NOW programme, that's 50GB of improving 5G network speeds every month for the next two years. StarHub seems like a good deal with free 5G and additional 10GB every month for a little more money, but we believe most folks wouldn't be scrambling for extra data with XO 78 with 5G. M1 could have been the star here, but they missed by a hair: slightly less data than Singtel's same-tiered XO plan, and it's mostly 4G unless you pony up to 5G Booster Pack for the rest of your two years. So, Singtel's choice to make 5G an opt-out service was an advantageous decision at this tier.
The high-tier plans are a little more divisive. StarHub's Mobile+ plans are for folks who don't mind paying more money for a lot more 5G data allocated to them, while M1's plans are more cost-effective. While it's true that opting out of Singtel 5G would make its XO plan at this tier slightly cheaper than M1's, don't forget that you also have to deduct 10GB a month from the allotment (which brings the XO plan down to 70GB/month, less than M1's 77GB/month).
The premium-tier plans, while they have their place, don't really abide by armchair economics. No one paying that amount of money would baulk at having to top-up S$268 for the iPhone model with the highest storage available. It's also unlikely they'd be fussing over picking a 64GB iPhone or a 128GB one. You either go big or you go home. Still, it's sensible to go big and win big, so M1 wins big here with its unlimited talk-time, fivefold mobile data allotment, and lower monthly fees. Singtel has a yearly S$500 phone voucher for use at this tier, but the many S$0 upfront cost options for this plan would mean you're better off using the voucher under more opportune circumstances.
Undecided? Maybe this will help
Of course, it's not always just about money when it comes to getting an iPhone. Here are more iPhone 12 articles by the HWZ team if you need more time to think it through:
- Apple iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro review: A tale of two iPhones
- Apple iPhone 12 buying guide: Choosing the right model for you
- 12 cases to consider for your new iPhone 12
- Apple iPhone 12 Singapore launch pricing and availability details
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.