Fact Checked

OPPO is Australia’s best smartphone brand three years in a row

When you think of smartphones, you’ll probably think of the latest iPhone and Samsung Galaxy. And that’s OK. But if you’re willing to look a little further, you may find even better value from one of the ‘challenger’ brands. Many of us simply want the best phone money can buy, but that doesn’t always mean the most expensive phone is the best! So, how do you know which new smartphone you should splash the cash on? That’s where Canstar Blue can help.

Our customer satisfaction ratings are designed to help you decide which smartphone to buy based on the experiences of people just like you. We’ve surveyed almost 1,500 Australian smartphone users to get their feedback on the device they own. Their reviews are reflected by the star ratings you see above, with brands rated across eight important categories, including camera quality, speed, user friendliness, battery life and value for money – all the things you think about when deciding which phone to buy.

Best Smartphones in Australia

Here are the best smartphones in Australia as rated by consumers in our latest satisfaction survey:

1. OPPO
2. Samsung
3. Apple
4. Huawei
5. Nokia

OPPO has topped the ratings for the third time in as many years – that’s an awesome endorsement of the Chinese brand that is clearly keeping Aussies happy. Not only did the company receive a five-star overall satisfaction rating, OPPO also took home an unprecedented five-star result in every category: usability, durability, battery life, value for money, appearance & style, camera quality, and speed. It’s an amazing result for the brand, and a review that’s worth keeping in mind when it’s time to upgrade your device.

Samsung and Apple each achieved four stars for overall customer satisfaction, with Huawei and Nokia both scoring three stars overall. Apple, Sony and Huawei all scored top marks in some areas (including usability, appearance, speed, and durability), while Nokia scored four for both battery life and value for money.

Smartphone Plans & Prices

So, if you want to get your hands on a brand new smartphone, what are your options? You could buy the handset outright and pick up a great SIM-only deal. Or you could sign up to a phone contract with one of Australia’s big telcos – Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone – or even a smaller provider (such as Southern Phone, TeleChoice or Woolworths Mobile).

Which telcos sell smartphones?

If you’re looking to pick up a new smartphone on a plan, you’ll have a few choices for which provider you can go with. The big three telcos all have plans with most of the popular smartphones, while the smaller providers tend to offer one or a few of the more popular phones. To help you compare smartphone plans, the following table lists which of the more popular smartphones are available from Australian telcos and the contract lengths:

OPPO: The Chinese brand making waves in Australia

For the third year in a row, OPPO has dominated Canstar Blue’s ratings – an impressive achievement for a company that’s frequently out-sold and out-marketed by Apple and Samsung. The manufacturer is already well-established with buyers in its home market of China, but is continuing to make inroads internationally with discerning Western customers who want an alternative to the iPhone.

A variety of OPPO phones are available in Australia, with outright prices ranging from $239 (for the OPPO AX5s) up to just under $1,300 (for the premium OPPO Reno 5G). You can also grab the popular OPPO R17 Pro series which has prices currently starting at about $700 outright. No matter what your preferred price point, it’s likely that OPPO has a device to suit your needs, including mid-range options between $300 and $600 upfront.

OPPO’s smartphones run on its own ColorOS version of Android, and the brand is known for its stylish design: if you’re looking to move away from Apple, OPPO’s  releases mirror the iPhone aesthetic and ease-of-use, but offer a lower price tag. The company’s phones are also known for including great cameras and overall impressive performance, although specific results will depend on which model you decide to buy. You can also test out Optus and Telstra’s new 5G networks with the OPPO Reno 5G, albeit it in limited areas.

Overall, it’s not surprising that OPPO has come out on top once again — it’s a great alternative to Samsung or Apple, and its devices offer excellent customer satisfaction across a range of price points. But if you’re unsure if OPPO is right for you, read on for a guide to the five smartphone brands in this year’s review.

OPPO plans and prices

In addition to being available to buy outright, OPPO’s latest phones are also on sale with plans from Vodafone, Optus, Telstra, TeleChoice and Woolworths Mobile. Several OPPO mid-range devices are available on contract from Vodafone and TeleChoice, while the pricier Find X2 Pro 5G is offered by Telstra and Optus.

OPPO Reno Z prices:

• Optus: From $49 per month ($10 handset payment with $39 Small Choice plan, over 36 months)
• TeleChoice: From $44 per month (with 4.5GB plan, over 24 months)

OPPO Find X2 Pro 5G prices:

• Optus: From $83.40 per month ($44.40 handset payment with $39 Small Choice Plan, over 36 months)
• Telstra: From $121.62 per month ($66.62 handset payment with $55 Small Plan, over 24 months)

Apple iPhone plans and prices

Apple continues to nail five-star ratings for user friendliness, explaining why so many Australians are remaining loyal to the iPhone brand. If you’re looking to buy an iPhone on a plan, Telstra, Optus and Vodafone all sell the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max models, with starting prices for the 64GB 11 listed below.

• Vodafone: From $73.30 per month ($33.30 device payment with $40 Lite Plan, over 36 months)
• Optus: From $72.30 per month ($33.30 device payment with $39 Small Choice Plan, over 36 months)
• Telstra: From $104.95 per month ($49.95 device payment with $55 Small Plan, over 24 months)

It’s also worth noting that Vodafone and Optus each allow you to pay your device off over 12. 24 or 36 months, with 36 months being the cheapest payment each month. Telstra however only offers phones on 12-month and 24-month payment plans.

Samsung Galaxy plans and prices

Samsung has again achieved a consistent overall four-star result in this year’s ratings, ranking in second place. There’s a wide range of Samsung phones available both outright and on plans, but its top-rated Galaxy series remains a best-seller.

The brand’s 2020 release, the Galaxy S20 (along with the S20+ and S20 Ultra) is available from Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Southern Phone and Woolworths Mobile, with starting prices for the 5G 128GB model listed below.

• Vodafone: From $68 per month ($28 device payment with $40 Lite Plan, over 36 months)
• Woolworths Mobile: From $68 per month ($43 device payment with $25 Extra-Small Plan, over 36 months)
• Optus: From $80.62 per month ($41.62 device payment with $39 Small Choice Plan, over 36 months)
• Southern Phone: From $113 per month ($93 device payment with $20 Green plan, over 24 months)
• Telstra: From $117.46 per month ($62.45 device payment with $55 Small Plan, over 24 months)

Huawei plans and prices

Like OPPO, Huawei is a Chinese company with a ‘giant-killer’ reputation. Huawei’s devices are known for offering great cameras and serious value for money, and you can pick up the brand’s flagship P30 Pro on plans from Telstra, TeleChoice and Vodafone, for the below prices.

• Vodafone: From $66.63 per month ($26.63 device payment with $40 Lite Plan, over 36 months)
• TeleChoice: From $90 per month (4.5GB plan, over 24 months)
• Telstra: From $95 per month ($40 device payment with $55 Small plan, over 24 months)

You can pair a new Huawei device with any number of plans from Vodafone, Telstra, and Optus, with more plan options below, although phone payment costs aren’t included. Plans are listed in price order.

Nokia plans and prices

There’s more to Nokia than the classic 3310 — the enduring European company continues to release quality smartphones, albeit slightly under the radar. Its Nokia 7.2 model is a more-affordable, long-lasting alternative to higher-priced options from Samsung or OPPO, with a $549 RRP price tag (or from $20.79 per month on a Telstra plan, plus the cost of your mobile service).

Nokia offers a great selection of phones across various price tiers, including the Nokia 5.3, along with the beloved 3310 still available for $29 outright with Southern Phone. You can also pick up the 2720 Flip 4G from Vodafone, with device payments starting at just $4 per month on a 36-month payment term.

Is buying the most-wanted smartphone a smart option?

You may be surprised to learn that 40% of survey respondents always buy the same brand of smartphone, with 68% of those admitting it’s simply because they’d prefer not to learn a new operating system or device design. While it makes sense for buyers to stick with what they know, getting stuck in a phone rut could mean you’re missing out on a better option. Although Samsung or Apple loyalists may be reluctant to look elsewhere, there are plenty of comparable (and more affordable) alternatives available.

According to Canstar Blue’s survey, around a quarter of us half of us (26%) prefer to upgrade only when our current phone plan expires, with a tiny 5% of participants upgrading each year. Unless there’s a problem with your existing phone, there’s really no practical reason for upgrading every 12 months – and with the average plan user now spending around $97 per month on their device, chasing the hottest handset can cost you serious dollars.

Even if you have your heart set on a specific phone, only 18% of this year’s respondents compared their handset’s cost across multiple providers. If you’re serious about finding the best deal, it is essential you compare phones, plans and perks before you sign up to a plan.

If you do buy over a standard 24-month plan (or even 12 or 36-months), you don’t need to automatically upgrade to a new phone as soon as your contract expires. If you’re still happy with your handset, you can switch to a SIM-only plan and go month-to-month, rather than locking yourself in to another long-term contract. A contract-free, SIM-only plan is a perfect move for when you’re weighing up your options – and although only 6% of survey respondents say they regret buying their current phone, it pays to shop around before you commit.

About the author of this page

This page was written and is regularly updated by Canstar Blue’s Telco Editor, Tara Donnelly. Having spent over seven years writing for and editing telco comparison websites, she’s an expert in all things phone & internet, including phone plans and how to find the best deal for your family. She loves to highlight the next best phone deals, while also flagging the things you need to be aware of. Tara also acts as a spokesperson for Canstar Blue.

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