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iPhone plans in Australia October 2020
From the iPhone 11 to the iPhone XR, compare iPhone plans from Telstra, Optus and more.
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With all the major carriers scrambling over each other to sell you an iPhone, it can be hard to decide which one works for you. Our Mobile Plan Finderâ„¢ has over 200 iPhone plans to choose from, whether you're after the latest model or you want a top quality refurbished phone.
How do I compare iPhone plans?
We thought we'd do a quick step-by-step guide on how to use our comparison tables to find the right iPhone plan for you. If you're happy to browse yourself, feel free to skip to the next section.
Which iPhone are you after?
Is it better to buy an iPhone plan online?
Buying an iPhone with a mobile plan online is a totally safe decision, but it's entirely up to you whether you'd prefer buying it online or in-store. That being said, there are a couple of benefits to buying an iPhone plan online:
- Buying online gives you the opportunity to compare all options available, instead of what the people selling the phone want you to see.
- Some exclusive deals are only available to online customers.
- You can usually pay a little extra for shipping protection to ensure that your phone will arrive safely.
Compare iPhone 11 plans
Most people who are looking to buy an iPhone will default to the standard iPhone 11. You can see plans for the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max by clicking through the tabs below.
Compare iPhone SE plans
While the iPhone 11 is probably considered the "standard" iPhone, the iPhone SE is actually the latest Apple model to be released. It's a great option if you're looking for a more budget-friendly iPhone that can still hold its ground. Click through the tabs below if you want a model with more storage than the default.
Compare plans for the iPhone XS
The XS line is older, but still has a dual-camera system for better photos. You can check the XS 64GB model or click the 256GB or 512GB tabs if you're after bigger storage options.
Compare iPhone XR phone plans
With a long battery life of about 15 hours, the iPhone XR still holds its own compared to more recent models. Pick one up on a phone plan lasting 12, 24 or 36 months. Remember, you can switch between the below tabs to see the two different XR handsets.
Which iPhone plan is the best?
The plan that suits you best will depend on what you're looking for. We've done a quick comparison of the plans available from different providers and their inclusions just to give you an overview of what's on offer.
| Provider | Data allowance | Plan cost (minus handset) | iPhone handsets available | Bonus features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telstra | 40GB-180GB | $55-$115 |
| Data-free media streaming, Telstra Air Wi-Fi, Telstra Plus rewards, "endless" data |
| Vodafone | 10GB-150GB | $40-$80 |
| International inclusions, "endless" data |
| Optus | 10GB-500GB | $39-$119 |
| Data sharing, Optus Sport, international inclusions |
| numobile* | 1GB-50GB | $15-$45 |
| Data bank, international inclusions |
| TeleChoice | 4.5GB-55GB | $25-$60 |
| Data bank, international inclusions |
*Note that all of numobile's iPhones are refurbished models.
Circles.Life 100GB for $28
Pay $28 for 100GB of data from Circles.Life - $38 after the first 6 months.What's the cheapest iPhone plan?
Generally, the cheapest plan will be for older iPhone models or refurbished handsets. That said, the iPhone SE is still a solid budget choice for price-conscious users.
The longer the contract period for paying off your handset, the less you'll have to pay each month. But you should also consider whether you'll be happy paying off a plan with the same handset for three years. Most contracts have an early exit fee that you'll have to pay if you decide to leave early.
If you're looking for the cheapest iPhone 11 plan, you'd want to look at the 64GB version, as the larger memory models will cost more. Currently, Optus is offering the cheaper iPhone 11 plan, coming in $1 cheaper per month than Vodafone's deal. Vodafone's plan does include "endless data" though, so it might be worth the extra $1 a month if you're looking for more data.
Can I trust buying a refurbished phone?
If you're after the cheapest iPhone plan available, you could consider grabbing a refurbished iPhone. So long as you purchase the handset from a reputable source, you shouldn't have any problems with a refurbished device.
Providers like numobile and TeleChoice (which both sell refurbished handsets) offer a 12-month warranty period for their devices, and numobile even has a certification process that it goes through to make sure the phone operates well.
The latest refurbished iPhone model currently available from numobile and TeleChoice is the iPhone XR. You can view the plans available below.
Although refurbished handsets are cheaper than new models, be careful about buying one at a ridiculously low price from a dodgy seller with no credentials.
Is it better to buy a phone outright or pay monthly?
When you purchase a phone on a plan, you end up paying the exact same amount for the handset itself as you would if buying it outright. The difference is that in the outright case, you're paying it all upfront, while on a plan you'll be paying it in monthly instalments over 12-36 months.
However, plans that come with handset tend to be uncompetitive, which means you'll be locked in for a set period on a plan that probably isn't the best value. That being said, it could still be favourable for you to pay for your new phone over a 12-36 month period compared to forking out thousands of dollars outright.
Below, we've done a quick analysis of how much you might save when buying a phone on a plan versus buying it outright and getting a more competitive plan:
| On a plan | Bought outright | |
|---|---|---|
| Phone model | iPhone 11 (64GB) | iPhone 11 (64GB) |
| Provider | Telstra | Mate |
| Outright cost | $0 | $1,199 |
| Monthly cost | $104.96 ($49.96 phone + $55 plan) | $40 plan |
| Monthly data | 40GB | 40GB |
| Contract period | 24 months | No contract |
| Talk/text | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Total cost over 24 months | $2,519.80 | $2,159 |
As you can see, you'll save around $350 over two years buying a phone outright with a cheaper SIM-only plan. That being said, some contract phone plans will offer bonuses like free headphones, especially if the phone is a new release, which does add some value.
Keep in mind that your monthly repayments will be higher on a 12-month contract than on a 36-month one, but it also means you're locked into the contract for a shorter period of time.
For low data users, buying a phone on a plan will almost never be worth it compared to buying it outright, if you can afford to. If you only need a few GB per month, that $350 of savings suddenly jumps up to nearly $1,000 if you choose, for example, a $15 ALDImobile 3GB plan for that two-year period, instead.
Can't decide which iPhone to buy?
If you'd like some more information on the different iPhone models, check out our table below for our detailed reviews of the different models available.
Frequently asked questions about iPhone plans
Is it cheaper to buy an iPhone at the Apple store?
No. Regardless of how you purchase it, a new iPhone will cost you the same amount. The only difference is whether you're paying upfront, as you would at the Apple store, or paying in instalments as you would on a phone plan.
Latest iPhone news
Apple shifts to “Apple Silicon”, but does that mean you should hold off buying new Macs?
Is now a bad time to buy a new Mac, and what else did Apple announce at its WWDC 2020 keynote?
Read more…
New iPhone SE 2020 Plans from Telstra, Optus & Vodafone
Telstra, Vodafone & Optus have released mobile plans for the new iPhone SE 2020. We've broken down their prices and features here.
Read more…
Images: Apple
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Ask an Expert
I have my own iPhone X and want the best sim only plan in Australia. Theo/what is that. Thanks
Hi Vince!
Thanks for your message and for visiting finder – a leading comparison website and general information service built to give you advice on your buying decision needs.
While we have a range of sim cards to choose from for your iPhone X, please note that we are not affiliated with any company we feature on our site hence we cannot recommend a product/service that is rightfully fit for you. We can only give you general information on it.
Feel free to reply to this message should you have further questions.
Thanks and best regards,
Nikki
i need home internet
a new phone
whats the cheapest and most reliable
Hi Stu,
Thanks for reaching out us. I hope all is well with you today.
I am sorry because I am unable to give a recommendation on which options are cheapest and most reliable. We are a comparison website and general information service. Your decision would entirely depend on your needs.
We may give you a list of options that you may review though. For home internet, you may compare a list of options on this page.
You may go to this page for a list of options for phones.
Please take time to review the relevant details of information as well as the Product Disclosure Statements / Terms & Conditions of each option so you would be able to compare and eventually decide on which option would suit your needs.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Judith