Telstra Essential Plus review: Plans | Pricing | Specs

-
- Battery Score
2
- Camera Score
3
- Design Score
2
- Performance Score
3
- Battery Score
2
Summary
As a rebadged Alcatel handset, the Telstra Essential Plus isn't fancy, but it's also cheaper than many of the carrier's plans. If all you need is simple smartphone operation, it's an easy recommendation.
- It's very cheap
- 4G capable
- Android Oreo Go
- Blue Tick certified
- It would only go fast if you dropped it off a cliff
- Battery life isn't great
- Generic design
Details
Pricing & Availability
Launch price (RRP) | $99 |
Launch date | 2018-08 |
The latest rebranded Alcatel phone to arrive with a quick coat of Telstra paint is the Telstra Essential Plus. It's a slightly reworked Alcatel 1, which means it joins the very small family of phones running Android Oreo Go here in Australia. It's also only $99 outright, which means it's extremely affordable.
Design
- Small in the hand.
- Feels cheap (because it is).
- Headphone socket included!

Camera
- A camera is present. That's about it.
- Slow to start, slow to focus.
Performance
- Slow application performance.
- Android Oreo Go apps work a little better than you might think.
- Display washes out a lot when flat on a desk.

Battery life
- Woeful battery life.
Verdict
- Hard to argue against the value of a $99 4G smartphone.
- A good choice for low needs phone users.
Pricing and availability
- Price: RRP $99
- Where to buy: Target Australia | Telstra | Big W | Kmart
Compare SIM-only plans for the Telstra Essential Plus
Specifications
Display
Camera
Physical Dimensions
Connectivity
Power, storage and battery
Device features
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Alex Finder
Senior editor
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Jeni Finder
January 30, 2019
Hi Kgg,
Thank you for getting in touch with finder.
Kindly check if the person’s number is not duplicated. In addition, please check if you saved the number on the sim or on the phone then check the memory/storage you choose on your phone. If you still need technical help, you may visit the nearest Telstra shop or contact their technical support team for further assistance.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
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Kgg
January 29, 2019
When I am contacted by someone on contact list, number shows on screen but not name of person. How do I fix the issue?