Samsung Phone Plans & Prices

Vodafone currently offers over half a dozen Samsung devices on both postpaid and prepaid plans. Postpaid options include the Samsung Galaxy S9, the Galaxy S9+, the Galaxy Note 8, the Galaxy A8 and the Galaxy S8.

If you do buy your phone through Vodafone, you’ll be able to choose from a 12, 24, or 36-month repayment period that’s separate from your mobile plan. This means that the below postpaid plans are all month to month, so you can switch plans without cancelling your phone payments.

Vodafone also sell a range of prepaid plans, which can be paired with the Samsung Galaxy J5 Pro and Galaxy J2 Pro. Both of these phones are available to buy upfront: $189 for the J2 Pro, and $299 for the J5 Pro.

It’s not just the major telcos offering deals on Samsung devices. Southern Phone’s mobile plans run on the Telstra and Optus 4G networks, and customers can select from a decent range of Samsung phones to either buy outright, or pay off over 24 months.

Available phones include the Samsung Galaxy S9; Galaxy S9+; Galaxy S8+; Galaxy J2 Pro; Galaxy J5 Pro; Galaxy A5; and the Galaxy J1 Mini. With prices beginning at $99 outright (for the J1 Mini), up to $1349 (for the S9+), there’s options to suit every budget.

Once you selected your phone, you can combine it with a SIM-only Southern Phone postpaid plan. Plans are available on a month-to-month basis and also on a 12-month contract; as the year-long plans offer better overall value, we’ve listed them below.

Woolworths Mobile gives customers a choice between buying their Samsung phone outright, or paying it off in instalments: however, Woolworths Mobile offers a longer repayment period of 36 months.

Phones available to buy unlocked at full price include the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, the Galaxy S8+, the Galaxy S7, and the Galaxy J5 Prime. Each of these devices (as well as the Galaxy S9+, Galaxy S9, and the Galaxy S8) can also be paid off on a Flexi Mobile Plan. All of the above Samsung handsets can be paired with the following Woolworths postpaid plans.

Currently, Telstra customers can pick from four Samsung devices on postpaid plans – the Galaxy S9+, the Galaxy S9, the Galaxy Note 8, and the Galaxy S7. If you’re buying on a standard two-year plan, you will be locked in to your choice of data and mobile service for the full repayment period.

Telstra also offers the above phones but on its Go Swap lease plans. You’ll make a monthly payment over 24 months, but have the option of upgrading to a new phone at the one-year mark. To upgrade, you’ll need to pay $99 and hand back your Samsung phone in good working order.

If you’re not interested in postpaid, you can also buy the cheaper Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro for $199 upfront on a Telstra prepaid plan.

Like Telstra, Optus gives customers the option of paying off selected Samsung phones on a standard two-year plan, or leasing. If you’re picking up the Galaxy S9 or S9+, you can lease your phone over 24 months, with the option to upgrade at 12 months. Again, you’ll need to pay $99 and return your S9 in good condition in order to upgrade.

Aside from the S9 and S9+, Optus customers can buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, the Galaxy A8, the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8+ on two-year postpaid plans. You can pair your device with one of the below Optus plans.

If you’re looking at prepaid plan, you can pick up the Galaxy J2 Pro from Optus for $179 upfront, and the Galaxy J5 Pro for $299.

If you’re concerned about excess data charges, both Vodafone and Telstra now offer ‘unlimited’ data plans for postpaid customers. Most of these plans include an allowance of high-speed 4G data each month, plus unlimited slower data (capped to 1.5Mbps).

Vodafone customers can pick from the $60 Unlimited Red plan (with 40GB of fast data), or the $80 Unlimited Red plan (with 80GB at full speed). If you’re with Telstra, the telco’s ‘peace of mind’ data plans include the $99 Large option (with 30GB of high-speed data), the $129 Xtra Large plan (featuring 60GB of fast data), and the unlimited high-speed Ultimate plan for $199 monthly.

With several buying options available for Samsung phones, it’s not always easy to figure out the best deal. However, as general rule of thumb:

• Buying outright: This is a good option if you have the full device cost handy, and don’t want to be locked to a phone plan or telco. You’ll own your phone immediately, and be free to move to any SIM-only plan you like, without needing to sign contracts.
• Paying in instalments: This is still the most common way your average Australian buys a new phone, and means you’re spreading the total cost of your Samsung phone over 12, 24, or 36 months of payments. If you’re okay with sticking to a single plan or provider, and prefer a payment plan to shelling out hundreds (or thousands) or dollars at once, this is worth considering.
• Leasing your phone: Optus and Telstra both offer lease options for Galaxy smartphones. These plans mean you won’t own your phone outright at the end of the lease payment (unless you pay extra); you’re basically ‘renting’ your phone, and will have to return it to your telco after the lease period is up.

You do have the option of upgrading to a newer phone after 12 months, but you’ll need to hand back your Samsung device and pay a $99 upgrade fee. These plans may work for people who love to change phones annually, and aren’t prone to losing or damaging devices; you may also receive a cheaper or better-value mobile plan, when compared to buying a phone on a two-year contract.

Depending on your choice of telco and plan, you can score some great extras and inclusions to go with your new Samsung phone.

• Vodafone: Many Vodafone plans come with up to 20,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points, plus monthly international calling extras – up to 3,300 minutes to call selected countries. Discounts are also available for students and current customers signing up for an additional plan, and bonus and double data offers are frequently available.
• Optus: If you love mobile streaming, Optus includes data-free music, sports, and National Geographic on selected plans, plus the option to add data-free Netflix and Stan for $5 per month. Higher-end plans also include up to 6GB of international roaming data per month, and unlimited standard international talk and text.
• Telstra: Currently, Telstra is throwing in a free 12-month Foxtel Now subscription with all postpaid Large, Xtra Large and Ultimate Unlimited plans. You’ll also get unlimited international talk and text with the above plans. All postpaid Telstra customers will also have access to Telstra Air Wifi hotspots, data-free Apple Music (and a free six-month subscription), and data-free live sport from the NRL, AFL, AFLW, and Australian netball.
• Woolworths Mobile: All of Woolworth’s postpaid plans include an allowance of international SMS – from 200 up to unlimited. You can also claim your first month free when you port your existing number from a non-Telstra network, and plans include up to 10GB of bonus data.