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!

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.

 

Promotion
Singtel
  • 5G NOW raises the monthly fee by S$10 for 5G access, but also includes extra 10GB a per month. These calculations are reflected in the telco comparison tables below.
  • Free weekend local data for XO plans.
  • All Combo and XO Plans with 5G receives 12 months free Apple iCloud (50GB) and 9 free months of Apple Arcade.
  • Other offers include 12 free months of Apple TV+, 3 free months of Apple Music (no contract), 3 free months of selected CAST packs (no contract), and 12 months of Amazon Prime membership.
  • The iPhone prices indicated under XO plans are inclusive of $50 discount from 5G NOW and $100 discount if you'reupgradingto XO 78 or XO 108 plan from a lower-tier plan or getting a new line of that tier.
  • Combo 12 comes with a yearly S$500 voucher for handsets.
M1
  • Free registration and SIM card (online sign-ups only).
  • $200 off for new sign-ups and those switching to M1 (and an additional S$100 if using Citi credit card for payment or S$120 with Citi M1 card).
  • 3 months Free weekend data for new sign-ups (or 6 months if switching to M1).
  • Free 1 year Apple TV+ and 3 months of Apple Arcade.
  • Year-long free subscription to VIU.
  • Unlimited data streaming of Spotify.
  • Limited-time Free 5G service + 100GB extra data (see following section).
StarHub
  • StarHub 5G is free to all Mobile+ users.
  • Free Caller ID.
  • Free SIM card registration.
  • 3 months free iCloud (50GB).
  • Free one-year subscription to StarHub TV+ and Apple TV+.
  • Switching from different line - S$200 discount on upfront cost.

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 capacityStarHub 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:

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