iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max telco price plans comparison

iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max telco price plans comparison
The iPhone 12.the
PHOTO: Apple

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.

iPhone 12 no-contract prices in Singapore

Model iPhone 12 mini iPhone 12 iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max
64GB $1,149 $1,299 - -
128GB $1,219 $1,369 $1,649 $1,799
256GB $1,389 $1,539 $1,819 $1,969
512GB $2,149 $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:

Editorial note: We'll publish the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max comparison after all telcos have officially announced their contract plan prices.

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.

Telco promotions at a glance

Promotion
Singtel
  • 5G NOW raises the monthly fee by $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're upgrading to XO 78 or XO 108 plan from a lower-tier plan or getting a new line of that tier.
M1
  • Free registration and SIM card (online sign-ups only).
  • $200 off for new sign-ups and those switching to M1 (and an additional $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 $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 $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 $5/month and comes with additional local data depending on which booster you get.
  • 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 $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 $105 / 168 / 252 to the total for S$40 Base + $10 Add-on plans, or add S$90 / 144 / 216 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.

With that out of the way, let's get on to comparing.

Value plans compared ($40-and-under/month)

Data Plan M1
Name Base Plan with Device
Monthly Subscription $40
Local Outgoing Mins 100
Local SMS 100
Local Data Bundle 12GB
iPhone 12
upfront cost

64GB: $820
128GB: $880
256GB: $1,040

iPhone 12 Pro
upfront cost

128GB:$1,130
256GB: $1,290
512GB: $1,590

  Total Cost Over Two Years
iPhone 12
with plan
64GB: $1,780
128GB: $1,840
256GB: $2,000
iPhone 12 Pro
with plan
64GB: $2,090
128GB: $2,250
256GB: $2,550

Basic plans compared ($50 - $65/month)

 
Data Plan M1 Singtel Singtel StarHub
Name Base Plan with Device + $10 Add-on Combo 2 with 5G XO 48 with 5G $65 Mobile+
Monthly Subscription $50 $52.90 $58 $65
Local Outgoing Mins 200 200 100 200
Local SMS 200 1,000 100 200
Local Data Bundle 17GB 12GB 20GB

30GB

iPhone 12
upfront cost
64GB: $710
128GB: $780
256GB: $930
64GB: $788
128GB: $848
256GB: $1,008

64GB: $698
128GB: $758
256GB: $918

64GB: $579
128GB: $649
256GB: $799
iPhone 12 Pro
upfront cost
128GB: $1,030
256GB: $1,290
512GB: $1,490
128GB:$1,108
256GB: $1,258
512GB: $1,558
128GB:$1,018
256GB: $1,168
512GB: $1,648
128GB: $899
256GB: $1,059
512GB: $1,359
    Total Cost Over Two Years    
iPhone 12
with plan
64GB: $1,910
128GB: $1,980
256GB: $2,130
64GB: $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: $2,139
128GB: $2,209
256GB: $2,359
iPhone 12 Pro
with plan
128GB: $2,230
256GB: $2,490
512GB: $2,690
128GB: $2,377.60
256GB: $2,527.60
512GB: $2,827.60
128GB: $2,410
256GB: $2,560
512GB: $3,040
128GB: $2,459
256GB: $2,619
512GB: $2,919

Mid-tier plans compared ($78 - $95/month)

Data Plan M1 Singtel Singtel StarHub
Name Base Plan with Device + $38 Add-On Combo 3 with 5G XO 78 with 5G $95 Mobile+
Monthly Subscription $78 $82.90 $88 $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
upfront cost
64GB: $460
128GB: $520
256GB: $670
64GB: $548
128GB: $608
256GB: $768

64GB: $328
128GB: $398
256GB: $548

64GB: $329
128GB: $399
256GB: $549
iPhone 12 Pro
upfront cost
128GB: $770
256GB: $930
512GB: $1,230
128GB: $868
256GB: $1,018
512GB: $1,318
128GB: $648
256GB: $798
512GB: $1,108
128GB: $649
256GB: $809
512GB: $1,109
    Total Cost Over Two Years    
iPhone 12
with plan
64GB: $2,332
128GB: $2,392
256GB: $2,542
64GB: $2,537.60
128GB: $2,597.60
256GB: $2,757.60
64GB: $2,440
128GB: $2,510
256GB: $2,660
64GB: $2,609
128GB: $2,679
256GB: $2,829
iPhone 12 Pro
with plan
128GB: $2,642
256GB: $2,802
512GB: $3,102
128GB: $2,857.60
256GB: $3,007.60
512GB: $3,307.60
128GB: $2,760
256GB: $2,910
512GB: $3,220
128GB: $2,929
256GB: $3,089
512GB: $3,389

High-tier plans compared ($109 - $155/month)

Data Plan M1 Singtel Singtel StarHub
Name Base Plan with Device + $70 Add-on Combo 6 with 5G XO 108 with 5G $155 Mobile+
Monthly Subscription $110 109.90 $118 $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
upfront cost
64GB: $210
128GB: $270
256GB: $430
64GB: $338
128GB: $398
256GB: $558

64GB: $68
128GB: $128
256GB: $278

64GB: $0
128GB: $0
256GB: $19
iPhone 12 Pro
upfront cost
128GB: $530
256GB: $680
512GB: $990
128GB: $658
256GB: $808
512GB: $1,108
128GB: $378
256GB: $538
512GB: $838
128GB: $119
256GB: $269
512GB: $569
    Total Cost Over Two Years    
iPhone 12
with plan
64GB: $2,850
128GB: $2,910
256GB: $3,070
64GB: $2,975.60
128GB: $3,035.60
256GB: $3,195.60
64GB: $2,900
128GB: $2,960
256GB: $3,110
64GB: $3,720
128GB: $3,720
256GB: $3,739
iPhone 12 Pro
with plan
128GB: $3,170
256GB: $3,320
512GB: $3,630
128GB: $3,295.60
256GB: $3,445.60
512GB: $3,745.60
128GB: $3,210
256GB: $3,370
512GB: $3,670
128GB: $3,839
256GB: $3,989
512GB: $4,289

Premium plans compared (Beyond $230/month)

Data Plan M1 Singtel
Name Base Plan with Device + $195 Add-on Combo 12 with 5G
Monthly Subscription $235 $249.90
Local Outgoing Mins Unlimited 10,000
Local SMS 1,000 10,000
Local Data Bundle 112GB 22GB
iPhone 12
upfront cost
64GB: $0
128GB: $0
256GB: $110
64GB: $0
128GB: $0
256GB: $0
iPhone 12 Pro
upfront cost
128GB: $230
256GB: $360
512GB: $680
128GB: $0
256GB: $0
512GB: $268
  Total Cost Over Two Years  
iPhone 12
with plan
64GB: $5,640
128GB: $5,640
256GB: $5,750
64GB: $5,997.60
128GB: $5,997.60
256GB: $5,997.60
iPhone 12 Pro
with plan
128GB: $5,870
256GB: $6,000
512GB: $6,320
128GB: $5,997.60
256GB: $5,997.60
512GB: $6,265.60

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro plans: quick analysis and first impressions

Editorial note: the impressions are for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro price plans. More will be added when all telcos have released all price 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 $500 difference (very roughly). This is before factoring in promotions.

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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 $200 - $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').

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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.

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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 $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.

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:

This article was first published in Hardware Zone.

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