iPhone 12 is the standard version in the new iPhone lineup announced in October 2020. This could be the iPhone for everybody because it is equipped with the same-size 6.1-inch display as the iPhone 12 Pro while there is little difference in hardware. Its retails price starts from $799 (or $829 for unlocked version).
The iPhone 12 sports the Apple A14 Bionic chip, aluminum edges, a more durable ceramic shield glass, a more colorful OLED display, Magsafe charging system, an ultrawide and a wide-angle lens on the back, and the best 5G support of all smartphones. As compared to the iPhone 12 Pro, the iPhone 12 is missing a few features like a telephoto lens and LIDAR sensor, however, this is not a problem for most average consumers.
The iPhone 12 comes in 4 model numbers, which are A2172, A2402, A2403, and A2404. They are intended for different countries but you can your your phone abroad just fine because each of them has a very broad range of cellular bands. Apart from the model numbers, there are a ton of part numbers to specify the country of origin, carrier, storage (64GB, 128GB, 256GB), and color option (White, Black, Blue, Green, Purple, Red). You can figure out all the differences in the table below.
iPhone 12 A2172
Description | The iPhone 12 A2172 is the model sold in the United States. It has a cutout on the right side for the 5G mmWave antenna. This is the only model supporting 5G bands n260 and n261. The model has a nano-SIM card slot and an eSIM. | |
Countries & Carriers |
United States |
|
Cellular Bands |
|
|
Part Numbers |
United States – Unlocked Version from Apple Store
United States – AT&T
United States – Verizon
|
United States – T-Mobile
United States – Sprint
|
iPhone 12 A2402
Description | The iPhone 12 A2402 is the model available in Canada and Japan. The Japanese model has a shutter sound when taking photos due to self-regulations by all cellphone vendors in the country. The model in Canada doesn’t have this issue. The model supports dual SIM with nano-SIM and eSIM. | |
Countries & Carriers |
|
|
Cellular Bands |
|
|
Part Numbers |
Japan – Unlocked SIM-free
|
Canada – Unlocked SIM-free
|
iPhone 12 A2403
Description | The iPhone 12 A2403 is the global version as it is sold in the majority of countries in Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa, and South America. This edition supports Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM). The Korean version has a mandatory camera shutter sound. | |
Countries & Carriers |
|
|
Cellular Bands |
|
|
Part Numbers |
Singapore
|
United Kingdom
|
iPhone 12 A2404
Description | The iPhone 12 A2404 is the version available in China mainland, Hong Kong, and Macao. As usual, you can’t use FaceTime Audio and Wi-Fi Calling with iPhone purchased in China but the version in Hong Kong doesn’t have this issue. All of them support dual physical nano-SIM cards. | |
Countries & Carriers |
|
|
Cellular Bands |
|
|
Part Numbers |
Hong Kong – Unlocked SIM-free
|
China
|
If you have any question regarding the iPhone 12 model numbers and part numbers, you can leave a comment below.
Disclosure: We might earn commission from qualifying purchases. The commission help keep the rest of my content free, so thank you!
Veronica says
Hi,
Thanks for providing the model comparisons. Can you advise which of the iPhone 12 models support physical dual-SIM?
Thank you.
Tuan Do says
I’ve updated the post with dual-SIM information, hope it helps.
Samantha says
a2172 can you tell me everything you know about this model number? it’s Iphone 12 but doesn’t seem right. or sized right. also if you have esim do you need an actual sim? Thank you also could you send in email please
Mark Africa says
Hi. I bought iPhone 12 256gb Blue MGH43ZA/A model 2404 and I cant access 5g and I cant find the smart data mode on my phone. For this certain model and part numbers does it have LTE model and 5G model? Its reallt confusing. Please help me. Thanks
Matt Altmetz says
Do you have US carrier-specific model numbers available?
Tuan Do says
Yes, I’ve added the carrier models to the post.
Derek says
I’ve checked A2403 in several countries iPhone 12 tech specs, CDMA EV‑DO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz) was listed in their “Cellular and Wireless”.
Could you please investigate?
UK, France, Denmark
Tuan Do says
Yes, that’s correct. The A2403 might or might have CDMA EV‑DO Rev. A (800, 1900 MHz), depending on the country. For instance, if you check the A2403 in Singapore, it doesn’t have CDMA.
Mo says
Hello , can I use the USA model (a2172) with LTE internationaly , mainly Egypt
Luis says
Hello, I see the Sim-free iPhone 12 (64GB White MGH73LL/A ) costs $30 more compared to the T-mobile version (64GB White MGFM3LL/A). Will the T-mobile version work in South America with a different carrier that supports the same cellular bands (850-1900 MHz)? Do they have any difference?
Thanks in advance.
Usiel Velasco Aragon says
Hola, compre el iphone 12 en EEUU liberado, es el modelo A2172,. se puede usar en mexico? especificamente con la compañia Telcel?
espero su respuesta y Gracias!!
Angel says
With the A2403 version do we get FaceTime as well even if I live in UAE?
MICHAEL HOITASH says
HI
WILL IPHONE 12 A2172 WORK IN ISRAEL?
Jackey says
Is IPhone 12 A2172 working with Israeli carriers ?
Praison says
Dear,
If I purchase 128GB Black MGGU3ZA/A this model number. Did I face any issues in future? Did I can use in india?
Finny says
I have recently bought the japan version A2402 , is there any possibility to switch off the shutter sound ?
Mariëlle van Turnhout says
Can i use a 2402 or 2404 in Belgium
Without having problems
Tom says
Does the Model A2404 works without problems in Germany? With a German Sim Card?
Thanks.
rAHUL says
Can i get update from iphone in india , when i brought iphone 12 from kuwait ? Can you please confirm ?
Priya says
Hey I have the part number MGJL3AA/A so which country is it from?
Sajad says
I have an iPhone 2 with model A2404, but unfortunately my phone network is only LTE and does not have 5g, what is the reason for this?
Saeid says
Hi, Sometimes iPhones doesn’t support Hotspot sharing. is this a model based issue or another issue? could you share your thoughts on that? thanks
chris dixon says
Good Day,
I am looking to buy an iphone 12 in the uk for use with an argentina chip.
Can anyone give me any tips as to what to look for in the way of model numbers etc.
Any useful information would be appreciated
Thanls
Fernando Carillo says
I think the model numbers for the Singapore and Hong Kong phones might have been switched up. ZP is meant for Hong Kong, while ZA is for Singapore.
Raylly says
Good Morning, missing the purple color in the iPhone 12.
James says
Hello,
Great website! Very helpful. Thank you for creating this.
My question is, what is the difference between an A 2172 sold by Apple (MGHF3LL/A) and an A 2172 sold by Verizon (MGFD3LL/A)?
I’ve guessed that Locking, automatic or otherwise, is likely one difference.
What are the other differences?
Do they put Verizon branded software on it? Are there hardware or software differences? Etc., etc.
Ye Naung says
Hey,
I bought A2404 iPhone 12 & used in Myanmar.
After 1 and half year, the earpiece is not work. Using the speaker on every phone call.
I found in google that October 2022 to April 2021 production have the factory errors. Therefore, the factory is trying to replace with FOC.
When i check with the service center in Myanmar, they are not doing free service for those region.
But, outside can repair with amount 100 USD.
How can i solve this problem?