Best phones on Optus in 2021

The best Optus phones, ranked:

1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
2. Apple iPhone 12
3. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
4. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
5. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G
6. Google Pixel 5
7. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G
8. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
9. Apple iPhone 12 Mini
10. Oppo Find X3 Pro 5G

1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G

6.8-inch display | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB storage options | 12MP + 108MP + 10MP rear camera

• Flexible and capable cameras
• Delightful 120Hz display

• S-Pen isn't standard
• Australia gets the weaker Exynos model (again)

RRP From $1,849

Why we chose it

The current best phone you can get on the Optus network is Samsung's Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. You're getting a 5G handset as the name implies, as well as great cameras, good battery life and a slick design.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G review.

2. Apple iPhone 12

6.1-inch display | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB storage options | 12MP + 12MP rear camera

• Camera gives better low-light shots
• Apple A14 Bionic runs ludicrously fast

• Dual cameras on a flagship is a little odd
• No charger or headphones included

RRP From $1,349

Why we chose it

In Australia, it's very much a two-horse race between Apple and Samsung in premium phones, and we rate Apple's mid-tier iPhone 12 as the best option for Optus network users. That's because you get the same powerful A14 Bionic processor as the pricier Pro phones, most of the best camera features and battery life. However, you pay less for the phone, which means lower repayments each month on your plan.

Read our full Apple iPhone 12 review.

3. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G

6.5-inch display | 128GB storage options | 12MP + 12MP + 8MP rear camera

• Great app performance
• Good low light camera

• Battery life could be better
• 5G model carries a stiff price premium

RRP From $999

Why we chose it

The Galaxy S20 FE rates highly as an Optus network choice because – somewhat like the iPhone 12 – it's a more affordable phone that still brings plenty of appealing premium features that you'd want. These include camera zoom up to 30x, great battery life and fast 5G performance.

Read our full Galaxy S20 FE review.

4. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max

6.7-inch display | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB storage options | 12MP + 12MP + 12MP rear camera

• Best cameras in any iPhone to date
• A14 processor is very powerful

• iOS doesn't make the most of a large screen
• Aussies don't get the best 5G options Apple can make

RRP From $1,849

Why we chose it

You can't throw the suffix Max onto a phone without giving it everything you've got, and that's just what Apple does with the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max. Like the rest of the iPhone 12 range, it'll work just fine on the Optus 5G network while also giving you the best-in-breed camera performance of any Apple handset.

Read our full Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max review.

5. Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G

6.7-inch display | 128GB, 256GB storage options | 64MP + 12MP + 12MP rear camera

• Matches the S20 Ultra step for step
• Water resistance

• Space Zoom is still a gimmick
• Not quite as nice a display as the S20 Ultra

RRP From $1,499

Why we chose it

There's something special about Samsung's S-Pen, whether you use it to annotate documents or to sketch out creative ideas. Samsung's Galaxy Note 20 5G is its more affordable option, but in terms of performance, we reckon it doesn't compromise in any way that you're likely to miss.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Note 20 review.

6. Google Pixel 5

RRP From $999

Amazon

Why we chose it

Google's Pixel lines have long sold on their simplicity, with guaranteed Android updates and uncluttered interfaces. The Pixel 5 also features a super-smart AI driven camera that can deliver crisp images even to the most novice of photographers. It's also priced on an Optus plan quite a bit cheaper than some flagship phones, making it even more attractive.

Check out the latest on the Google Pixel 5.

7. Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G

6.9-inch display | 256GB, 512GB storage options | 12MP + 108MP + 12MP rear camera

• Camera is fast and accurate
• S-Pen is a great productivity tool

• 50x Space Zoom delivers awful pictures
• Chunky camera bump

RRP From $1,999

Why we chose it

The Note 20 is a more affordable option, but if you want Samsung's best Note phone to date on an Optus plan, then the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G is the handset you should seek out. Of course, you get an integrated S-Pen stylus to play with, along with a superb 6.9 inch, 120Hz capable dynamic AMOLED display, insanely long zoom lens camera and hefty battery capacity.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G review.

8. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2

7.6-inch display | 256GB storage options | 12MP + 12MP + 12MP rear camera

• Front display is much larger now
• Cameras give pleasing results

• No water resistance
• Plastic display with crease

RRP From $2,999

Why we chose it

Foldables remain a luxury option, but if you feel like treating yourself when picking up your next Optus phone, there's little to compare to the exemplary Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2. One minute it's a standard-but-excellent Galaxy phone rather like the Galaxy S21, and then the next it folds out to reveal a full tablet experience whenever you need it.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review.

9. Apple iPhone 12 mini

5.4-inch display | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB storage options | 12MP + 12MP rear camera

• A14 Processor puts it in a class of its own
• 5G capable

• Slower Qi charging
• No mmWave support

RRP From $1,199

Why we chose it

Bigger isn't always better, especially if you've got smaller hands or just don't like hefty "phablet" style handsets. That's where the Apple iPhone 12 mini shines, packing in the essential power of its iPhone 12 siblings into a smaller and more affordable frame. It does have a smaller battery to keep in mind as a result, but this is otherwise a total pocket rocket.

Read our full Apple iPhone 12 Mini review.

10. Oppo Find X3 Pro 5G

6.7-inch display | 256GB storage options | 50MP + 50MP + 13MP rear camera

• Great display screen
• Powerful performance

• Uneven battery performance
• Shiny casing loves fingerprints

RRP From $1,699

Why we chose it

You might think that there's nowhere else for smartphone cameras to go. That's not the way Oppo thought, adding a microscope camera to the Find X3 Pro 5G. That's not a macro camera – this is a phone that can zoom right into the very fibres of your jumper or the threads of your guitar string with ease, alongside heavy duty application performance and 5G compatibility on the Optus 5G network.

Read our full Oppo Find X3 Pro review.

Methodology

150+
Mobile phones reviewed

10,000+
Hours spent testing

10
Best Optus phones ranked

• We've spent thousands of hours testing and reviewing mobile phones.
• Our editorial team has a combined 60+ years of experience writing about tech and reviewing the latest devices.
• The phones on this list are chosen by our editorial team and are not based on commercial relationships.

• Why you can trust our picks

  Right now, the best phone you can get on the Optus network as a combination of power, camera quality, battery life and value for money is the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G.

  We comprehensively review all the major handsets released in Australia here at Finder to help you compare what they have to offer.

  Optus provides an Australia-wide network of both 4G and 5G coverage to millions of Australian consumers in cities and regional areas.

  We value our editorial independence, basing our comparison results, content and reviews on objective analysis without bias. However, Finder may receive compensation when you click some links on our site. Learn more about how we make money from our partners and why you can trust our guides.