Compare 5G Phone Plans

Why compare 5G plans with Canstar Blue?

What is a 5G plan and do I need it?

5G is the latest mobile technology that offers high speeds for phones, tablets and more. The big three telcos which own and operate the Australian mobile networks, have been rolling out 5G across the country, especially in major metropolitan areas, and are continually expanding these networks. This expansion will include upgrades to existing infrastructure as well as the launch of new 5G equipment.

In theory, estimated potential speeds could reach 20 gigabits per second, and 5G is expected to offer approximately 10 times the bandwidth of existing 4G networks.

Some telcos may offer 5G access as an inclusion on most postpaid plans, while others offer 5G-specific phone plans. Keep in mind that to use your 5G access you will need a 5G-capable smartphone or device.

What is the best 5G phone plan in Australia?

Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Aussie Broadband, Southern Phone, Belong, Woolworths Mobile, ALDI Mobile, Boost Mobile, Mate and Spintel are some of the providers that actually offer 5G phone plans in Australia, with varying prices, data inclusions and plan extras.

Spintel, Southern Phone and Aussie Broadband provide coverage on the Optus 5G network as MVNOs, while Belong, ALDI Mobile, Boost Mobile, Mate and Woolworths Mobile operate on Telstra’s 5G network.

Telstra 5G mobile plans

• Telstra offers three 5G SIM-only plans which can be paired with 5G phones
• Plans include high-speed data, plus unlimited data capped at 1.5Mbps
• Telstra’s 5G network coverage is the most extensive of the ‘big three’

Telstra was the first Aussie telco to switch on 5G in selected metro areas, and now boasts live sites in more than 400 cities and towns nationwide. If you have a 5G-capable device, you can access Telstra 5G on any of the telco’s three postpaid SIM plans.

Telstra’s 5G mobile network can reach speeds of 1Gbps or more, although real-world performance will depend on your location, your device, and network congestion. Overall, 5G is easily faster than Telstra’s existing 4G coverage.

To access Telstra 5G, you’ll need a compatible phone. You can bring your own unlocked 5G-ready handset to Telstra’s SIM-only plans, or bundle in a 5G phone on a Telstra device payment plan. Telstra offers a range of 5G phones on plans from smartphone brands such as Apple, Samsung, OPPO and Google.

If you’re picking up a 5G phone from Telstra, you can pay off your device over 12, 24 or 36 months of equal monthly repayments. As the handset payments are separate from Telstra phone plans, you’re free to switch between plans each month.

Optus 5G mobile plans

• All postpaid Optus Choice plans include free 5G access, and can be paired with any 5G-capable phone
• Optus 5G network rolling out across the country including the major cities
• Optus offers a Price Match Guarantee for 5G phones

Optus is rolling out 5G mobile coverage across Australia, including the capital cities, with sites now live in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra. If you’re in an area covered by Optus 5G, you can use the network at no extra charge on compatible Optus plans with 5G-ready devices. Optus offers 5G access on all of its four postpaid phone plans.

You can pair any of these Optus SIM plans with a 5G smartphone, such as Apple, Samsung, OPPO and Google phones, on an Optus phone plan over 12, 24, or 36 months of payments — or you can bring your own unlocked 5G handset. All plans give you access to 5G coverage with a compatible phone, although you may need to check with Optus that 5G mobile is activated on your device and plan.

If you plan on buying your 5G handset from Optus, the telco has launched a 5G Price Match guarantee that promises to match any standard outright price on stocked 5G phones from authorised Australian sellers. Find out more about the cheapest Optus plans available in Australia.

Vodafone 5G mobile plans

• Vodafone’s 5G network is beginning to roll out in capital cities, but coverage is not as extensive as Telstra or Optus
• Vodafone includes 5G access on a range of phone plans
• All postpaid plans include monthly full-speed data, plus unlimited data restricted to speeds of 2Mbps

Vodafone is currently rolling out its own 5G network across the country, but coverage is still limited outside of the major cities. However, network access is currently included free on all Vodafone SIM-only postpaid plans, and the telco stocks a range of 5G-capable smartphones which can be picked up on a device plan over 12, 24, or 36 months.

Like Telstra, Vodafone’s phone plans include a monthly full-speed data allowance, as well as unlimited data capped at 2Mbps speeds. This is, of course, in addition to full-speed data on Vodafone’s 4G and 5G networks. All plans can be paired with a new 5G phone from Vodafone, or you can bring your own unlocked 5G-ready device. Vodafone offers a range of 5G phones from a range of brands, including Apple, Samsung, OPPO and Google.

MVNO 5G mobile plans

• MVNO stands for ‘Mobile Virtual Network Operator’ which means that the service provider does not own the mobile network technology that it uses
• Coverage may not be as good as if you got a plan directly through one of the big three: Telstra, Optus or Vodafone
• Extras such as entertainment packages are not generally included in these plans

MVNOs are also starting to introduce 5G plans using the Telstra, Optus or Vodafone networks. These include telcos such as SpinTel, Aussie Broadband, Amaysim, Woolworths Mobile and Belong. In some instances, the 5G plans are more pricey than if you were to stick with 4G and MVNOs may not have full access to the 5G mobile networks.

Of course, access to these plans depends on the mobile coverage in your area so make sure to check whether the telco you’re considering has coverage in the area that you live in and anywhere else you frequently visit.

What is the cheapest 5G plan?

Even though 5G is still a rather new technology in the scheme of things, it doesn’t have to break the bank to sign up to a 5G plan. As this technology becomes more widely available, 5G access on phone plans is starting to become more common.

While 5G plans in Australia are mostly available from the big three telcos, a couple of smaller providers offer cheaper 5G plans. You can find the cheapest 5G phone plans starting around the $40 per month mark and up. As the big three telcos are typically more expensive than smaller providers, and the smaller telcos do tend to price 5G plans higher than 4G, you might need a bigger budget to sign up to a 5G plan.

5G phones

In order to access 5G, you’ll need a 5G-compatible phone. The good news is that because 5G technology is rolling out across the world, more and more phone brands are releasing 5G phones including Apple, Samsung, Google, OPPO, Nokia and Motorola. 5G is no longer a premium feature, so no matter what your price range is, it’s likely you’ll find a 5G phone that suits your budget.

Eventually, 5G connectivity will become a standard part of a phone’s specifications, much like 4G is. But until then, you’ll need to make sure you’re picking up a 5G-compatible phone when you compare smartphones if you are looking to jump on the 5G bandwagon.

About our phone experts

Tara Donnelly: Utilities Editor

As Canstar Blue’s Utilities Editor, Tara Donnelly covers the internet, mobile and energy sectors – topics she’s spent a decade focused on, alongside consumer technology, within the comparison industry. Her telco expertise has seen her appear in national media including 9 News, 7 News, Sunrise, the ABC and The Sydney Morning Herald. You can follow Tara on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Josh Filosi: Data Insights Analyst

Josh Filosi is Canstar’s Data Insights Analyst, and helps develop and deliver the methodology for Canstar Blue’s Value Rankings and Awards for the telco industry. He holds a double-major in Economics and Behavioral Science, and enjoys interpreting complex data. Connect with Josh on LinkedIn.