Yes, iPhone 12 5G works on Safaricom’s network in Kenya. That network runs on band n78 (3500 MHz), and the international iPhone 12 model sold across Africa and Europe, the one almost all Ex-UK and refurbished stock in Kenya is built on, supports that exact band. No, the iPhone 12 does not come with a wall charger in the box, Apple removed it from every iPhone starting with this model in 2020, worldwide, not just in Kenya. And yes, it officially comes in six colours, though which ones you can actually buy today depends entirely on what’s in stock, since most units sold here are Ex-UK or refurbished rather than new.
This guide answers all three questions properly, plus the network problems that come up most often once you’re already using the phone.
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iPhone 12 5G compatibility with Safaricom’s network in Kenya
Yes. That 5G network runs on NR band n78 at 3500 MHz, added to its network in August 2024. The international iPhone 12 (model A2403), which is the variant Ex-UK and refurbished stock in Kenya is almost always built on, supports 5G on band n78 among its listed sub-6GHz bands. The two numbers match, which is what actually determines whether a phone can connect to a given 5G network, not the phone’s age or whether “5G” is printed on the box.
That said, having a compatible phone and actually getting a 5G signal are two different things. As of the most recent figures publicly available, Safaricom’s 5G footprint covers roughly 14% of Kenya’s population across more than 1,100 sites in over 100 towns, spread across all 47 counties but concentrated in and around the larger urban centres. If you’re in central Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, or another major town, 5G is likely reachable. In many rural or smaller-town areas, your iPhone 12 will connect over 4G instead, which it also fully supports, rather than finding a 5G signal that isn’t physically there yet.
To check whether your iPhone 12 is actually using 5G, open Control Centre and look at the signal indicator, or check Settings, then Cellular, then Cellular Data Options, then Voice & Data, where 5G Auto or 5G On should be selected rather than LTE.
A note on which iPhone 12 variant you’re buying
Apple sold a few regional variants of the iPhone 12 with slightly different band lists: the international model (A2403), a US model (A2172) that adds mmWave 5G on top of the same sub-6 bands, and separate Canada/Japan (A2402) and China (A2404) variants. What matters for a Safaricom connection specifically is sub-6 band n78 support, which the international variant has.
mmWave, the US-only 5G flavour, isn’t deployed by any Kenyan carrier, so its absence on non-US units makes no practical difference here. Since Ex-UK stock is sourced from the UK market, it’s the international variant in virtually all cases, but if you’re ever unsure about a specific unit, iPhone Deals can confirm the model number before you buy.
Common iPhone 12 network problems and how to fix them
Network issues on an iPhone 12 are rarely about the hardware itself, especially on a unit that’s already shown it connects fine, most come down to a handful of fixable settings. In order of how often each one is actually the cause:
Toggle Airplane Mode. Turn Airplane Mode on for 10 seconds, then off. This forces the phone to re-register with the network and resolves a surprising number of “no service” reports on its own.
Check for a carrier settings update. Go to Settings, then General, then About. If an update is available, a prompt appears automatically, no separate app or download needed. Carrier settings updates fix bugs specific to network behaviour and are pushed periodically by Apple on the carrier’s behalf.
Reset network settings. Go to Settings, then General, then Transfer or Reset iPhone, then Reset, then Reset Network Settings. This clears saved Wi-Fi passwords, cellular settings, and VPN configurations, then rebuilds them from scratch. It’s the single most effective fix for persistent “network not available” or dropped-signal issues, and it’s what most of the iPhone 12 network troubleshooting searches people run are actually looking for.
Reseat or replace the SIM. Physically remove the SIM tray, check the card sits flat and isn’t visibly damaged, and reinsert it. A SIM that’s slightly misaligned causes intermittent service that looks like a network problem but isn’t.
Manually select the network. Go to Settings, then Cellular, then Network Selection, and turn off Automatic. This lets you manually pick Safaricom (or another carrier) rather than relying on automatic selection, which occasionally latches onto a weaker signal.
Confirm the phone isn’t carrier-locked to a network other than the one you’re using. This is different from the device being broken. A carrier-locked iPhone only works with SIM cards from the carrier it was originally sold under, and no software reset fixes that, it requires an official unlock from the original carrier. Most Ex-UK stock sold in Kenya is unlocked before resale, but it’s worth confirming with the seller specifically if you’re buying from somewhere other than an established shop.
If none of these resolve it, the issue is more likely the SIM itself, Safaricom-side coverage in your specific location, or a hardware fault with the phone’s antenna or modem, in which case it’s worth having the device checked rather than continuing to adjust settings.
Does the iPhone 12 come with a charger in the box
No, and this surprises a lot of first-time iPhone 12 buyers in Kenya who are used to older phones that included one. Apple removed the wall power adapter from the iPhone box starting with the iPhone 12 in 2020, worldwide, citing environmental reasons tied to the number of chargers already in circulation. What Apple’s original retail box included instead was just the phone and a USB-C to Lightning cable, no adapter, no EarPods.
For a brand-new, sealed iPhone 12 bought today, that’s still exactly what you’d get: phone plus cable, no wall adapter. For Ex-UK and refurbished units, which make up most of the iPhone 12 stock sold in Kenya, box contents vary unit to unit. Some arrive in their original retail packaging with the cable still included, some are resold without the original box at all, and what’s actually in the box for any specific unit isn’t something that can be stated as a blanket fact, it depends on that individual phone’s history before it reached the shop.
iPhone Deals’ own warranty policy lists “1 month warranty on chargers and accessories,” which confirms the iPhone 12 charger situation is handled per unit rather than as a guaranteed, unlisted inclusion. If having a charger (cable, wall adapter, or both) included matters to your purchase, the straightforward move is to ask directly before paying, via WhatsApp or in person, rather than assuming either way.
Practically, any existing USB-C power adapter (the kind that ships with recent Android phones, iPads, or MacBooks) charges an iPhone 12 just fine, since the phone itself takes a USB-C to Lightning cable regardless of which adapter is plugged into the other end.
iPhone 12 colours available in Kenya
Apple originally released the iPhone 12 in five colours (Black, White, Red, Green, Blue) and added Purple in April 2021 as a sixth option partway through the phone’s production run. All six remain the complete official colour lineup for this model: Black, White, Red, Green, Blue, and Purple.
What’s actually available to buy in Kenya right now is a separate question from what Apple originally offered. iPhone Deals lists all six as the model’s available colours, but notes that which ones are currently in stock requires direct enquiry, which is the honest reality of selling Ex-UK and refurbished phones: stock is whatever units have come in, not a made-to-order colour catalogue. A shop can’t guarantee a specific colour is sitting on the shelf the way a new-phone retailer selling sealed stock can.
If you have a specific colour in mind, confirming availability before you commit to an order saves a wasted trip or a WhatsApp back-and-forth after the fact. If colour isn’t a priority, going with whatever’s currently in stock is often the faster and sometimes cheaper route, since less commonly requested colours can sit in inventory longer.
For current pricing across storage options, see our iPhone 12 price guide for Kenya, and if you’re deciding between 64GB and 128GB, that’s covered separately in our storage comparison guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does the iPhone 12 support 5G in Kenya? Yes. The international iPhone 12 model supports 5G band n78, which is the exact band that network runs on. Actual 5G availability still depends on being in a covered area, since this footprint, while present in all 47 counties, is concentrated around major towns.
Why does my iPhone 12 keep showing “No Service” or losing network? Start with toggling Airplane Mode on and off, then check for a carrier settings update under Settings, General, About. If that doesn’t help, clear the saved network configuration under Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Reset. Most ongoing network issues resolve with one of these two steps.
How do I reset network settings on an iPhone 12? Go to Settings, then General, then Transfer or Reset iPhone, then Reset, then Reset Network Settings. This clears and rebuilds Wi-Fi, cellular, and VPN settings, and is the most effective fix for persistent connection problems.
Does the iPhone 12 come with a charger? Apple’s original retail box has included only a USB-C to Lightning cable since 2020, no wall adapter, on every iPhone 12 sold anywhere. For Ex-UK and refurbished units resold in Kenya, box contents vary by unit, so it’s worth confirming directly with the seller what’s included before you buy.
What colours does the iPhone 12 come in? Six official colours: Black, White, Red, Green, Blue, and Purple, with Purple added roughly six months after the phone’s original launch. Actual availability in Kenya depends on current stock, since most units sold here are Ex-UK or refurbished rather than new.
Is this phone network-locked to a specific carrier? Not generally for Ex-UK stock resold in Kenya, which is typically unlocked before resale, but a carrier-locked phone only accepts SIM cards from its original carrier regardless of what network settings you adjust. If you’re unsure about a specific unit, ask the seller to confirm its lock status before buying.
How can I tell if my iPhone 12 is actually connected to 5G right now? Check Control Centre for the signal type indicator, or go to Settings, then Cellular, then Cellular Data Options, then Voice & Data, and confirm 5G Auto or 5G On is selected rather than LTE.
Can I use any USB-C charger to charge an iPhone 12? Yes. The phone takes a USB-C to Lightning cable, so any USB-C wall adapter, the kind that typically ships with Android phones, iPads, or MacBooks, works to charge it, since the adapter itself doesn’t need to be Apple-branded.
Sources
- FrequencyCheck, Safaricom Kenya network bands
- TechAfricaNews, Safaricom expands 5G network to all 47 counties
- GSMArena, Apple iPhone 12 full specification
- iPhone Deals, iPhone 12 Price in Kenya, live product page, colours and 5G listing confirmed 10 October 2026
- iPhone Deals, Warranty Policy, confirmed 10 October 2026
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