Best-Rated Phone on a Plan Providers in Australia

Fact Checked

How we rate phone on a plan providers

Our phone-on-a-plan provider ratings are based on customer satisfaction across multiple purchase factors. It’s like asking thousands of Aussies what they think of their bundled phone and plan service and provider.

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View all mobile plans listed on Canstar Blue

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1. Southern Phone

Ratings result

Taking out top spot for the third year running is Southern Phone with a perfect five-star result in all categories, including customer service, network coverage, value for money and overall satisfaction.

Editor’s notes

Southern Phone keeps its phone-on-a-plan offerings simple, with devices from Samsung and TCL featuring most prominently. Some devices may be available for purchase outright, but most are offered on a contract over 24 months and bundled with a choice of postpaid phone plan.

The following table shows selected published Southern Phone plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

2. Vodafone

Ratings result

Vodafone was in second place with four stars across most categories: overall satisfaction, customer service, value for money, billing, plan flexibility and sign-up and activation. It scored three stars for network coverage.

Editor’s notes

Vodafone offers a wide range of phones to bundle with a plan, including the most recent iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S series devices and some devices from other manufacturers such as TCL, Motorola and OPPO. Phones can be paid off over 12, 24 or 36 months and bundled with one of Vodafone’s postpaid phone plans.

3. Telstra

Ratings result

Taking out third place was Telstra with three stars for overall satisfaction and all categories but one — network coverage — for which it scored four stars.

Editor’s notes

Telstra offers a wide range of devices on plans, including the latest from Samsung, Apple and Google and devices from other brands such as Motorola, Nokia and OPPO. Phones are available  on a 12, 24 or 36-month payment period and bundled with a Telstra Upfront phone plan.

4. Optus

Ratings result

Optus rounded out the phone on a plan customer satisfaction ratings, with three stars in most categories including overall satisfaction, customer service and network coverage. Optus scored four stars for value for money.

Editor’s notes

Optus offers a wide range of phones to bundle with a postpaid plan, mostly from Apple, Google and Samsung, although devices from other brands, including OPPO and Motorola, may be available. Devices can be bundled with a postpaid phone plan and paid off over 12, 24 or 36 months.

Other phone on a plan providers

There aren’t many other providers offering the option to buy a new phone on a plan. TeleChoice is one of the few other telcos still in this market, while Woolworths Mobile had previously offered a range of Samsung and OPPO phones on a plan but no longer operates in this space.

Some telcos, however, may offer devices — either new or refurbished — to purchase either with a plan or outright. Amaysim, Belong and Boost Mobile are a few of the telcos offering new and/or refurbished phones.

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How to compare phone on a plan providers and plans

While there aren’t many telcos offering these plan types, there’s still a lot to consider before choosing a plan provider.

Phone type

When you’re choosing a phone on a plan, the phone will likely be the deciding factor when looking for a plan. Telstra, Optus and Vodafone offer a wide range of phones, including popular devices from Apple and Samsung, while Southern Phone and other telcos typically offer a smaller range of devices. However, not every phone will be available on a plan, so if you have a certain phone in mind, especially a budget phone, you may need to buy outright from a retailer. If you know which phone you want and it’s available from several telcos, you may want to look into other factors to make your decision.

Plan length

Most telcos offering the option to buy a phone on a plan will also offer a payment period for that device, or a contract over a set period of time. Often it is the phone itself that is on the 12, 24 or 36-month payment period, while you’re free to switch between phone plans from the same telco prior to the end of that payment period. The catch is usually, though, that you’re not able to cancel your phone plan without paying off the remainder of the device costs. Consider how long you want to be locked into a device payment plan before signing up, keeping in mind that the longer the payment period, the cheaper the monthly cost will be.

Cost

The price of your plan will largely depend on which phone you choose, the storage size of the device, the payment period and the plan you choose to bundle your phone with. All of these factors can make the phone on a plan offering a rather expensive option, so it’s a good idea to set a budget and consider waiting for sales periods or choose an older model phone if you want to save some cash.

Data, coverage and other inclusions

While the phone might be the main deciding factor, you’ll also want to consider what else the telco has to offer. The data inclusions on the plan, the mobile network coverage and any extras available on the plan could help you choose between telcos. Before signing up to any plan, check the mobile network coverage map on the telco’s website to ensure you’ll have coverage where you live and in the places you frequent.

What do Aussies think of their phone on a plan service?

• The top five most important factors for Aussies choosing their phone on a plan provider are: network availability, network speed, cost of plan, data allowance and the ability to manage their account online
• 53% planned to stay on a phone on a plan bundle for the foreseeable future
• 7% usually upgraded their phone every year
• 43% have always been with the same phone provider
• The average monthly cost of a phone on a plan was $90 per month
• 39% of respondents were able to comfortably afford their monthly costs
• 23% were on 20GB to 49.99GB of data, followed by 17% on 50GB to 99.99GB
• 39% said they didn’t need 5G nor care about upgrading
• 33% wanted to upgrade to 5G but were waiting for their contract to expire or when they needed a new phone
• 25% planned to upgrade their phone as soon as 5G became available

About our telco experts

Emma Bradstock: Senior Telco Specialist

Emma Bradstock has been an authority on consumer phone, internet, technology and streaming markets in Australia for the last 4 years, with a dedication to providing Aussies with all the information they need to make better purchasing decisions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media from Macquarie University and has a decade of professional writing experience in print and digital media.

Samantha Howse: Consumer Research Specialist

Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and 2 years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.