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Compare cheap phones in Australia
Looking for an outright handset bargain? It pays to shop around and consider your options when looking for a cheap phone.
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Quick facts about comparing cheap phones
- Consider the type of device you need. Are you after a low-cost smartphone or a flip phone with physical buttons?
- Cheap phones either lack features of more expensive devices, or are much slower to perform.
- Budget handsets are best suited to making calls, sending text messages and limited other functions.
Cheap feature phones with physical keypads
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Cheap Android phones
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If you're after a low-cost phone deal, you need to consider your choices, not only in terms of handsets but also in how you want to pay for it.
Paying up front for your phone and then dropping a prepaid SIM in it is almost always going to be cheaper in the long run. However, not everyone can afford to pay that upfront cost of a new phone.
Fortunately these days the market is full of budget feature phones and even cheap smartphones, which can be used to make phone calls and send messages. They typically don't serve as well as a portable computer for browsing the Internet or taking photos, even though they may technically do these things.
As with all decisions, it's best to think about your individual needs when deciding on what phone to buy. If you're after the best low-cost phone, we've rounded up our selection of the best budget phones, based on our extensive testing of Australian devices.
Another alternative is to pick up an affordable handset on contract. To help get you started, here's a range of affordable handsets on contract plans for less than $30 per month:
Cheap phones on a plan
What to consider when buying a cheap phone
- Will it meet my needs? Cheap phones are cheap for a reason, and you can't expect the absolute latest and greatest features. Of course, this shouldn't be a problem if your needs are modest.
- Prepaid or month-to-month? One of the great things about buying a handset outright is that you can opt for a prepaid SIM for maximum cost control, but you may find you get better value out of a month-to-month postpaid SIM-only deal.
- Will I be able to get cases and other accessories? Sure, it's cheap, but that's no reason not to protect it with a case. Your choices may be more limited depending on the model you choose, although it's rare to find a handset with absolutely no case options if you carefully hunt online for them.
- Smartphone or feature phone? You can't buy "premium" feature phones any more, but in the absolute budget space, they're still common. If all you want is a phone that has calling and text features, feature phones can be an ideal match, but it's perfectly feasible to get an entry-level Android handset for the same kind of money as many feature phones.
Image: Shutterstock
More guides on Finder
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TCL 30+ review: Where’s the plus bit?
The TCL 30+ hits the basics for a mid-range phone, but it never really goes any further than that, lagging well behind the best phones in this price space.
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Samsung Galaxy A53 5G review: Not Samsung’s best
The Samsung Galaxy A53 is an entirely adequate phone, but it doesn’t compare well against other phones in its price class – or even cheaper options like the Galaxy A33 5G.
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Samsung Galaxy A33 review: Probably the best value A Series this year
It’s not quite Samsung’s cheapest Galaxy A series phone for 2022, but it might just be Samsung’s best value A series phone this year.
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Oppo Find X5 Lite review: Astonishing battery life
Oppo’s Find X5 Lite impresses primarily on the strength of its exceptional battery endurance.
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Oppo Find X5 review: Good, but not great for the price
Quick verdict: The Oppo Find X5 is a pretty good phone, but for the asking price it needs to be great. And it doesn't quite manage that.
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Oppo A76 review: An average phone unless you froth over portrait photos
Quick verdict: The Oppo A76 is a weird phone to release in 2022. Limited photography. Average battery life. No onboard 5G. There's very little to recommend it.
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Oppo Find X5 Pro first look review: Hot camera, spicy price
The Oppo Find X5 Pro has just been launched in Australia and we have some early thoughts after spending a little time with it - especially about the camera and price.
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Motorola Moto Edge 30 Pro review: Great value as long as photography isn’t your focus
Motorola Edge 30 Pro is a near-perfect premium phone with average camera capabilities.
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Apple iPhone SE 2022 review: The value iPhone pick that needs more power
There's nothing quite like the Apple iPhone SE 2022 in its price range. If you want iOS, lots of processor power and upgrades for years to come, it could be good buy.
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Samsung Galaxy S22 review: A short king
We were prepared to hate on the Samsung Galaxy S22, but its small frame is misleading.
Ask an Expert
I have a dodo regular sim and now i need a phone in plan without sim
Hi Rebika,
Thanks for leaving a question on Finder.
We have no dedicated comparison of phone-only plans because all of the phones featured on our pages come with a sim. You can however consider importing grey import phones if you would like to save money on your next phone.
You can also go to our Mobile Phone Finder and we will help you in choosing your next phone. You can use our comparison table to help you find the phone that suits you. When you are ready to apply, simply press the “Buy at Amazon” button.
Cheers,
Joel
I am looking for decent android phone under $300. I have been using Xperia Z2. But shattered the screen recently.
Hi Sam,
Thanks for your inquiry. I’m sorry to hear about your phone.
You can compare the some decent and reliable phones on our page from some of the best manufacturers. Once you arrive at the page, please navigate to the list of stores and select the buy button to find your ideal phone for the right price.
Hope this information helped.
Cheers,
Arnold
I am a Senior citizen, who never carries a phone. Last night I broke down in the car on my own and wanted to contact help Luckily a good samaritan stopped and lent me his mobile, problem solved.
My wife has now said I must get a cheap phone, not 2G, although I will probably never use it please advise on the best to buy.
Many thanks
Martin
Hi Martin,
Thanks for your inquiry.
I’m sorry to hear about the incident that you had. I’m glad someone helped you in that situation.
If you’re looking for a cheap phone, you can check your local area or the Internet to check your options. Aside from that, you can also check the phones listed on this page. It should be a good place to start your search.
Alternatively, you can also try getting a mobile plan for seniors and ensure you stay connected.
Hope this information helped.
Cheers,
Arnold