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Short answer: As of August 18, 2026, Costco’s official materials do not verify a standalone iPhone 12 offer for $35 per month. The figure is close to Apple’s historical iPhone 12 installment prices, and a payment near $35 could also come from financing or a carrier promotion. Neither makes it a current Costco offer without a specific listing and terms.
Where the $35 figure may have come from
Apple’s October 2020 iPhone 12 launch announcement listed the 64GB model at $799, or $33.29 per month for 24 months. It also gave a starting price of $35.33 per month for the iPhone Upgrade Program, which included AppleCare+ and annual-upgrade eligibility. Apple repeated the $799 and $35.33 figures in its April 2021 announcement. These are dated Apple prices and program terms, not evidence of a Costco promotion: Apple’s October 2020 announcement and Apple’s April 2021 announcement.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Apple iPhone 12, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $225.34 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Apple iPhone 12, 128GB, Blue - Unlocked (Renewed) | $227.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Apple iPhone 12, 64GB, Blue - Unlocked (Renewed) | $205.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Apple iPhone 12, 64GB, White - Unlocked (Renewed) | $195.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $262.00 | Buy on Amazon |
A phone priced around $800 can also work out to roughly $35 a month when divided across a financing term. The actual payment depends on the sale price, storage, term, APR, down payment, tax, protection plan, and any trade-in credit. A monthly figure alone does not establish what the phone costs overall.
What Costco’s current materials do show
Costco’s AT&T showcase describes qualifying-device installment plans, bill credits and Costco Shop Cards subject to specific device, plan, activation, or port-in conditions. It says qualifying smartphone purchases can use 36-month, 0% APR installments; $0 down is limited to well-qualified customers, and taxes and additional carrier fees apply. The page does not establish a current iPhone 12 payment of $35 per month.
#1 Best Overall
- Fully unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US-Cellular, Cricket, Metro, etc.).
- Inspected and guaranteed to have minimal cosmetic damage, which is not noticeable when the device is held at arm's length.
- Successfully passed a full diagnostic test which ensures like-new functionality and removal of any prior-user personal information.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a charging cable that may be generic.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Costco.com also lists Affirm as a payment option. Costco’s Affirm page lists terms of 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months and an APR range of 10%–36%, subject to approval and eligibility. Its highlighted offer generally requires an eligible order of $400 or more, with eligibility confirmed at checkout. Financing terms vary, so any payment estimate must be checked against the actual item and checkout offer. See Costco’s payment-method information.
These are different arrangements: a carrier finances a device alongside wireless service and may apply credits over time; Affirm finances an eligible purchase under its approved terms. A Costco location or sales channel does not, by itself, identify who is lending, who is selling the phone, or what a monthly quote includes.
Rank #2
- Fully unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US-Cellular, Cricket, Metro, etc.).
- Inspected and guaranteed to have minimal cosmetic damage, which is not noticeable when the device is held at arm's length.
- Successfully passed a full diagnostic test which ensures like-new functionality and removal of any prior-user personal information.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a charging cable that may be generic.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
What a $35 monthly quote might leave out
Before comparing offers, separate the device payment from the rest of the bill. A quote can be a device installment only, a payment after conditional credits, or a financing estimate—not the cost of having a working phone line.
| Cost or credit | What to check |
|---|---|
| Phone principal | Confirm the cash price and whether the quote is for the exact model and storage. |
| Wireless service | Usually separate from the device payment; add the required plan for the full monthly cost. |
| Sales tax | Check whether it is due upfront or handled another way; carrier terms may calculate tax on the device price. |
| Activation or upgrade fee | Ask whether it applies or is explicitly waived. |
| Protection plan | Count AppleCare+ or other coverage only if the offer says it is included. |
| Trade-in credits | Check eligibility, device condition, timing, and how credits are applied. |
| Bill credits and Shop Cards | Confirm conditions and timing. Credits may depend on keeping an eligible line or plan; a Shop Card is not necessarily an instant reduction to the purchase price. |
| Costco membership | Do not assume it is included in the quoted amount; check whether membership is required for the specific offer. |
| Carrier taxes and fees | Allow for additional charges beyond the device installment. |
For a meaningful comparison, add upfront payments and fees to all monthly payments across the full term, then account for conditional credits only if you expect to meet their requirements. Do not treat an advertised device payment as the complete cost of ownership.
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Rank #3
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
How to verify a Costco listing or local offer
- Search Costco.com for “iPhone 12,” the exact model and storage, and the quoted monthly amount. Open the product or offer page rather than relying on a search snippet.
- Identify the seller and financing provider. Establish whether the offer is sold by Costco, arranged through a carrier, or offered by another seller.
- Confirm the model—iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, or 12 Pro Max—and storage capacity. They are not interchangeable.
- Ask whether the phone is new, refurbished, or used, and whether it is unlocked or tied to a carrier.
- Get the cash price, installment term, APR, down payment, tax, and all one-time fees in writing. Compare the total paid over the term with the cash price.
- For a carrier offer, confirm the required plan, activation or port-in conditions, trade-in rules, when bill credits begin, and what happens to credits if you cancel or change service.
- Check the warranty and applicable return policy. Determine whether Costco, the carrier, or a third-party seller handles the purchase and returns.
- Check availability immediately before buying. Costco says online inventory and prices can change, and an item may be unavailable online or out of stock; warehouse-only stock may not appear on Costco.com. See Costco’s inventory policy, its inventory and pricing information, and guidance on online and warehouse availability.
- For local stock, set your preferred warehouse in the Costco app or contact the membership counter or warehouse. Have the item number or an exact product description ready; Costco explains how to check local inventory.
Is an iPhone 12 a sensible buy now?
The iPhone 12 was introduced in October 2020. Its age does not rule it out, but the right price depends on the exact model, condition, battery, warranty, and software support—not on a small monthly payment. The iPhone 12 uses a Lightning connector and supports 5G; actual service depends on the carrier and plan. Apple did not include a power adapter or EarPods in the original box.
- Check the condition and battery. For a refurbished or used phone, ask for battery-health information, a description of cosmetic wear, and the seller’s warranty terms.
- Check activation and carrier locks. A used phone must not remain linked to another owner’s Apple Account. A carrier-financed device may not be immediately unlocked, so confirm compatibility with your intended carrier before paying.
- Verify current software compatibility. Do not assume a particular future iOS version will support the phone. Check Apple’s current compatibility information at the time you buy.
- Compare total value. Compare the iPhone 12’s full cost with a newer discounted iPhone, a reputable refurbished model, or an unlocked phone bought outright. If the difference is small, the newer device may be better value.
Which buying route fits your priorities?
| Route | Potential upside | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier purchase through Costco | May include qualifying device financing, bill credits, a Shop Card, or an activation-fee promotion. | Usually involves a qualifying postpaid plan and conditions; credits can depend on keeping eligible service, and the phone payment is not the full wireless bill. |
| Affirm at Costco.com | May allow financing without opening a carrier line, if the item and buyer qualify. | APR and terms vary; a lower monthly amount can mean a longer term and higher total repayment. |
| Used or refurbished phone | May cost less upfront and can work with an existing lower-cost plan if compatible and unlocked. | Battery wear, activation or carrier locks, condition, and warranty coverage require careful checks. |
| Unlocked phone bought outright | Separates the handset purchase from carrier financing and can preserve flexibility to choose a compatible plan. | Requires paying the purchase price upfront, and an iPhone 12 listing and price must be verified with the seller. |
For comparison, check the current listings at Costco electronics, Apple iPhone, and Apple refurbished products. Availability and prices can change; none of these destinations confirms a $35 Costco iPhone 12 offer.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
Rank #4
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
