Compare Phones on Plans Background

Compare Phones on Plans

Looking to buy a new phone on a plan? Compare mobile phone plans from Australia’s biggest providers at Canstar Blue.

Data Insights Analyst
Utilities Editor
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Instantly compare 200+ Canstar Blue expert rated products based on these selections

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  • Value Rank out of 10 - lowest first
  • Value Rank out of 10 - highest first
  • Data Allowance /billing period - lowest first
  • Data Allowance /billing period - highest first
  • Advertised Cost /billing period - lowest first
  • Advertised Cost /billing period - highest first
Vodafone | Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold 256GB Small Plan
Phone on a plan - 36 month contract
Award icon Outstanding Value - Phone on a Plan Glossary
min. total cost $4262.76 over 36 month period
Vodafone logo
star star star empty empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
Glossary
Phone Image
50GB Glossary
$118.41 Glossary
$49 plan + $69.41 phone Tooltip icon
Optus | Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold 256GB Small Choice Plus Plan
Phone on a plan - 36 month contract
min. total cost $4070.16 over 36 month period
Optus logo
star star star empty empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
Glossary
Phone Image
50GB Glossary
$113.06 Glossary
$52 plan + $61.06 phone Tooltip icon
Vodafone | Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold 256GB Medium Plan
Phone on a plan - 36 month contract
Award icon Outstanding Value - Phone on a Plan Glossary
min. total cost $4478.76 over 36 month period
Vodafone logo
star star star empty empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
Glossary
Phone Image
300GB Glossary
bonus data
included
Tooltip icon
$124.41 Glossary
$55 plan + $69.41 phone Tooltip icon
Optus | Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold 256GB Medium Choice Plus Plan
Phone on a plan - 36 month contract
min. total cost $4430.16 over 36 month period
Optus logo
star star star empty empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
Glossary
Phone Image
180GB Glossary
$123.06 Glossary
$62 plan + $61.06 phone Tooltip icon
Telstra | Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold 256GB Basic
Phone on a plan - 36 month contract
min. total cost $4130.64 over 36 month period
Telstra logo
star star star empty empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
Glossary
Phone Image
50GB Glossary
$114.74 Glossary
$65 plan + $52.74 phone Tooltip icon
Vodafone | Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold 256GB Large Plan
Phone on a plan - 36 month contract
Award icon Outstanding Value - Phone on a Plan Glossary
min. total cost $4658.76 over 36 month period
Vodafone logo
star star star empty empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
Glossary
Phone Image
500GB Glossary
bonus data
included
Tooltip icon
$129.41 Glossary
$60 plan + $69.41 phone Tooltip icon
Telstra | Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold 256GB Essential
Phone on a plan - 36 month contract
min. total cost $4490.64 over 36 month period
Telstra logo
star star star empty empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
Glossary
Phone Image
180GB Glossary
$124.74 Glossary
$75 plan + $52.74 phone Tooltip icon
Optus | Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold 256GB Plus Promo Plan
Phone on a plan - 36 month contract
min. total cost $4682.16 over 36 month period
Optus logo
star star star empty empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
Glossary
Phone Image
500GB Glossary
$130.06 Glossary
$69 plan + $61.06 phone Tooltip icon
Optus | Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold 256GB Large Choice Plus Plan
Phone on a plan - 36 month contract
min. total cost $5150.16 over 36 month period
Optus logo
star star star empty empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
Glossary
Phone Image
360GB Glossary
$143.06 Glossary
$82 plan + $61.06 phone Tooltip icon
Vodafone | Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold 256GB Small Plan
Phone on a plan - 24 month contract
Award icon Outstanding Value - Phone on a Plan Glossary
min. total cost $3674.64 over 24 month period
Vodafone logo
star star star empty empty
Brand Satisfaction Glossary
Glossary
Phone Image
50GB Glossary
$153.11 Glossary
$49 plan + $104.11 phone Tooltip icon

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Unsure of a term in the above table? View glossary

The initial results in the table above are sorted by Advertised Cost /billing period (Low-High) , then Value Rank out of 10 (High-Low) , then Provider Name (Alphabetical) . Additional filters may have been applied, which impact the results displayed in the table - filters can be applied or removed at any time.

What is a phone on a plan?

There’s two main ways to buy a mobile phone in Australia. If you’ve got cash to splash, you can buy your phone outright, usually at full price, from a retailer or telco – this means the phone is yours immediately with no more to pay. But if you’d prefer to pay off your phone over time rather than spending $1,000+ at once, you can buy one of the many phones on plans available from one of the major telcos.

Traditionally, getting a phone on a plan meant your device and phone plan would be bundled together, usually for a two-year payment term. Nowadays, telcos are little more flexible, with the phone on a plan process involving the following steps:

  1. Decide on the phone you want to buy.
  2. Decide which telco you’d like to buy it from – Australian providers offering phone on a plan options include Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Woolworths Mobile, TeleChoice, Southern Phone and Aussie Broadband. 
  3.  You may be given the option of choosing from multiple repayment periods, generally over 12 months, 24 months, or 36 months. You’ll pay the same in total for your phone no matter which term you choose, but your monthly payments will be smaller if you opt for a longer payment period.
  4. Pick the mobile plan you’d like to pair your phone with – this is your mobile service that includes calls, texts, and data. Depending on your telco, you may be able to switch between their plans monthly, so you can adjust your plan if your usage needs or budget changes.
  5. Make a monthly payment for the phone itself for the duration of the repayment term, as well as paying the monthly cost of your mobile plan.

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iPhones on plans

apple logoApple’s annual iPhone series hits the three major telcos yearly in September/October, with the current 14 range still available from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Telcos will usually stock most of the last 2-3 years of releases, although popular models may be harder to find a year or so after launch. Some of the iPhones available on phone plans of June 2023 include:

  • Apple iPhone 14 series
  • Apple iPhone 13 series
  • iPhone SE
  • Apple iPhone 12 series

Samsung phones on plans

Logo for SamsungSamsung’s major premium releases are generally offered on phone plans from telcos, with partnering providers including Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Woolworths Mobile and TeleChoice. You’ll be able to find the flagship Galaxy S Series on phone plans, as well as the foldable Flip Z and Fold Z, and the mid-range A Series for customers looking for something more affordable. Some of the Samsung phones you can find on plans in 2023 include:

  • Samsung Galaxy S23 series
  • Samsung Galaxy S22 series
  • Samsung Galaxy S21 series
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4
  • Samsung Galaxy A series (2022 and 2023 models)

Telstra phones on plans

The telstra logoTelstra offers a large range of phones on device payment plans, which can then be paired with a Telstra SIM-only plan. Customers can pay off their new phone in monthly installments on a payment term of 12, 24, or 36 months. You’ll pay the same in total no matter which term, but you can pay less each month by spreading your repayments out over a longer period.  

Telstra separates phone payments from its actual mobile plans, so you won’t be stuck on the same SIM plan for the duration of your device repayments – you’re free to switch between Telstra postpaid plans each month. There’s no also no early termination fees or penalties if you decide to cancel your Telstra service early – simply pay out the remaining balance of your smartphone.

Some of the brands stocked by Telstra include:

  • Apple
  • Samsung
  • Google
  • OPPO
  • Motorola
  • Nokia

Optus phones on plans

Optus stocks a large selection of phones from all the major manufacturers, with customers able to buy phones on plans or outright when combined with an Optus mobile plan. You can select from payment terms of 12, 24, or 36 months, or to pay the total price upfront; you’ll still pay the same in total no matter which option you choose.

Optus offers its mobile phone plans separately from phone payments, so you can switch between the telco’s postpaid plans as needed without impacting your phone repayments. As with Telstra, Optus customers can also cancel their phone plan at any time, and simply pay out the remaining balance of their new phone. 

Some of the brands stocked by Optus include:

  • Apple
  • Samsung 
  • Google
  • OPPO
  • Motorola
  • ZTE

Vodafone phones on plans

Like Telstra and Optus, Vodafone also offers its customers a wide choice of phones on plans, although you’ll need to pay your device off over 12, 24, or 36 months of repayments. Again, you’ll pay the same in total for your new phone regardless of which payment term you choose, but your monthly payments will be smaller if you opt for a longer plan period.

Once you’ve decided on your phone and term, you can pair your device with one of Vodafone’s SIM-only postpaid plans, which you can also switch between monthly. If you decide to leave Vodafone before your phone is paid off, you’ll need to pay out the remaining balance to close your account.

Some of the brands stocked by Vodafone include:

  • Apple
  • Samsung
  • Google
  • OPPO
  • Motorola
  • TCL

About our mobile experts


TaraTara Donnelly: Utilities Editor

As Canstar Blue’s Utilities Editor, Tara Donnelly covers the electricity, internet and mobile 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.

Meet the Editorial Team

 

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.

Meet the Research Team

Phone on a plan options are available from the big three telcos (Telstra, Optus and Vodafone) and several smaller providers, and give you the option of bundling a new phone and your mobile plan on the one bill. Buying a mobile phone on a plan means you’ll agree to paying off the cost of your over 12, 24, or 36 monthly repayments, rather than paying full price upfront.

Only a handful of telcos sell phones on plans, although some will allow you to buy new or refurbished smartphones outright. Telcos that offer phones on plans include:

  • Telstra
  • Optus
  • Vodafone
  • Southern Phone
  • Woolworths Mobile
  • TeleChoice
  • Aussie Broadband

If you’re looking at buying a phone on a plan, you’ll be able to find almost all the flagship devices and major releases from big brands Apple, Samsung, OPPO and Google. Depending on your telco, you may also be able to choose from other manufacturers including Nokia, Motorola, TCL, Realme, and ZTE.

The big benefits to buying a phone on a plan include: 

  • You won’t need to pay $1,000 or more upfront to get your hands on a new or expensive device; instead, you can spread your payments out over 12, 24, or 36 months. 
  • There’s no interest or setup fees charged on phone plans, so it won’t cost you more than buying outright.
  • Telcos often offer discounts and bonuses for buying on plans, so you could save hundreds off the retail cost of your phone.
  • It’s easy to upgrade to a new device when your phone is paid off.
  •  You may have the option of bundling other products, such as internet or entertainment, sometimes at a discount.

Some of the downsides of buying a phone on a plan include:

  • Being tied to one telco for the duration of your phone repayments or contract.
  • Smaller range of smartphones to choose from when compared to buying outright.
  • Smaller range of telcos and plans to pick from, as most providers are SIM-only/BYO phone.
  • You won’t fully own the phone until all your repayments are made. 
  • You’ll usually need to pass a credit check to qualify. 
  • You’ll still need to pay off your device if it is lost, stolen or damaged.

If you’re unhappy with your phone on a plan provider, you can break your phone payment term early, but you’ll need to pay out the full remaining balance of your device. Keep in mind that if you purchased your phone on sale, you will likely forfeit any remaining discount by cancelling your contract or service early.

The total amount you’ll pay for your phone on a plan is usually about the same as buying it at the full retail price, unless you’re picking up a discounted device on sale. However, you may pay more overall for both your phone and your SIM plan when compared to buying your phone outright, and pairing it with a cheaper mobile plan, as the providers that offer phones on plans (Telstra, Optus and Vodafone) tend to be pricier.

Important information

For those that love the detail

This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you.

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