If you’re after a phone on the Telstra network to use in Australia’s more remote territories, what you need is a Blue Tick certified device.
Telstra’s Blue Tick signifies that the telco has tested a given device thoroughly for service in remote, rural areas. This is performed as both a lab test under controlled conditions and in actual rural areas on the Telstra network to ensure that what happens in the lab also happens in the real world. The practical upshot of this is a selection of phones that should be able to provide you with phone service even on the very fringes of the phone network itself.
All below phones on a plan are Telstra Blue Tick certified
Be sure to use the filters to look for the best plan for your needs.
Best Blue Tick phone breakdown
At Finder we review all the biggest phones launched in Australia to compare their features and capabilities. We think the best Blue Tick phone you can buy on the market right now is the Samsung Galaxy 10+, based on our comprehensive reviewing process.
Samsung Galaxy S10, S10e & S10+
Samsung's 2019 flagships continue to represent the cream of the Android smartphone crop. The S10+ in particular delivers top-notch photos with its triple-lens camera, and its powerful Exynos 9820 processor ensures a snappy and responsive experience in apps, games and anything else you can throw at it.
Samsung Galaxy Note9
Apple iPhone 8
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Samsung Galaxy S9 & S9+
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Sony Xperia XZ Premium
Sony might not be the first name that comes to mind when comparing top-of-the-line smartphones, but with the Xperia XZ Premium it proved itself capable of standing alongside the likes of Samsung and Google. With its 4K screen, super slow-motion camera and snappy performance, the Xperia XZ Premium remains a capable smartphone well worth considering.
Apple iPhone 6s
If you’re an iPhone fan of old, just because you’re in a regional area doesn’t mean you have to miss out. Apple’s iPhone 6s has passed Blue Tick certification. The iPhone 6s is a slender and stylish phone running Apple’s iOS operating system, including compatibility with the contactless Apple Pay system.
Telstra Tough Max 2
It shouldn’t be a surprise that a Telstra-branded phone would pass Blue Tick certification, and the Tough Max 2 certainly does. As the name suggests, the core selling point of this phone is that it’s a rugged device built with IP67 resistance for dust and water ingress. That doesn’t mean that tough is all it does, as it also offers a decent camera and wireless charging to boot.
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Telstra Blue Tick phones
What is the Telstra Blue Tick certification process?
If you’re curious about how Telstra checks phones to see if they’re Blue Tick suitable, you can watch this video which runs through the scientific testing process:
If you’re an old school phone user you might think that a Blue Tick phone would have to be one with an ugly, stubby antennae or similar, but the reality is that a lot of current mobile phones, including an increasing number of high-end premium phones, are available with Blue Tick certification. That means you’ve got a choice of styles, prices and features to consider when choosing a Blue Tick certified phone.
It's worth noting that phones that don't have a Blue Tick certification may still work in remote locations, so devices like the iPhone 7 or the Google Pixel XL might still be worth considering. However, if you want peace of mind with your purchase, Telstra's certification is designed to ensure best-in-class connectivity.
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Image: Shutterstock
Hello, is the iPhone XR blue ticked yet?
Hi Cameron,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. 😃
Yes, Telstra has already tested iPhone XRs and they have blue-ticked certification. You can find these iPhone XRs by clicking on “Blue Ticked phone plans” tab found at the topmost part of this page. Click on the “Filter results” button and select the plan details tab. Under the “Phones,” select iPhone XR. If you can’t find it on the list, simply use the search bar.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
I have 2 Samsung A5 phones. Both are not able to maintain a Bluetooth connection in my 2018 Ford Ranger Wildtrak and 2017 Ford Everest. They randomly keep connecting and randomly the car will display Unable to maintain a stable connection. Any Ideas?
Hi John,
Thank you for reaching out to finder.
If your car bluetooth system is on a Ford sync 3, please follow the instructions below:
Start your Ford vehicle and make sure your phone is turned on.
Enable and turn on your phone’s Bluetooth settings.
On the bottom of your SYNC 3 display screen, press Settings.
Choose Bluetooth, then Add a Bluetooth Device.
Turn back to your phone’s Bluetooth settings. Your phone should scan for Bluetooth devices.
Your Ford’s SYNC 3 system should show up in the list of devices. Select it.
Both the vehicle display screen and your phone should display a PIN. Ensure they match and accept the pairing on both.
A screen may pop up on the SYNC 3 system asking if you want to “Set as Favorite Phone” and/or “Auto-Download” contacts. You can either accept or deny.
Press Finish to complete the pairing process.
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
Does the Samsung J5 Pro mobile phone have Telstra’s blue tick for remote service?
Hi Colly!
Thanks for your questions and for contacting finder.
The Samsung J5 Pro is not included in the mobile phones with Blue Tick.
To read more information, you can look here.
Hope this helps!
Best regards,
Nikki
I purchased a second hand Samsung S7 Edge, purely for the Blue Tick certification, for use in a low signal area. It is actually worse than my old phone, which is a Huawei P8 Lite (that, as far as I know, doesn’t have the Blue Tick). The S7 Edge has great software and is a beautiful phone, but I really can’t recommend it for remote areas.
Hi Robbie, thanks for your insight on the Samsung S7 Edge.
We have forwarded this to our content team for consideration.
Best,
Jonathan
Any HTC prepaid phones with blue tick or any other phones
Hi Mark,
Thank you for contacting finder. We are a comparison website and general information service, we’re more than happy to offer general advice.
On the table, click on modify results—>choose your phone. From there you can select the phone and see if there will be offers populated on the table for that phone.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Danielle
Will Apple 8 have a blue tick, so it can get a signal in the bush?
Hello Leslie,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Wonderful news is yes! :)
You can check the Telstra plans offered on this handset through this page.
Should you need a brief comparison about the recently launched iPhone handsets, you can read this guide as a reference.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jonathan