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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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We’re committed to our readers and editorial independence. We don’t compare all products in the market and may receive compensation when we refer you to our partners, but this does not influence our opinions or reviews. Learn more about Finder.
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
Cheap Android phones
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.
If you need a new prepaid or contract SIM for your new handset, our Mobile plan Finder can guide you through selecting the very best plan for your needs.
Image: Shutterstock
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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.
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.
You can compare the cheapest phones from the best manufacturers here. Once you arrive at the page, please navigate to the list of stores and press ‘Go to site’ 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.
You can compare and find the best plan for your case by visiting this page.
https://www.finder.com.au/best-mobile-plans-for-seniors
Hope this information helped.
Cheers,
Arnold