Best Phones in Australia: Smartphone Brands Rated

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Apple claims title of Australia’s best smartphone brand in 2022

The smartphone world has exploded in recent years, with more Aussies now branching out to try new brands and devices. While the iconic iPhone and Samsung Galaxy series continue to be firm favourites, ‘challenger’ brands such as OPPO, Vivo and Realme – and established manufacturers like Google, Nokia and Motorola – are offering seriously competitive alternatives across every price point.

Many of us simply want the best mobile phone money can buy, but that doesn’t always mean the most expensive phone offers the most value! So, how do you know which new smartphone you should splash the cash on? That’s where Canstar Blue can help. Our customer satisfaction ratings are designed to help you decide which smartphone to buy based on the experiences of people just like you. This year, we’ve surveyed over 1,480 Australian smartphone users to get their feedback on the device they own.

Their opinions are reflected by the star ratings you see above, with brands compared across eight key categories, including usability, camera quality, speed of processor, durability/longevity, battery life, appearance, and value for money – all factors that ultimately help you decide which phone is right for you.

This year, five brands received the minimum sample size required to feature in our ratings: Apple, OPPO, Samsung, Nokia, and Google. We’ve tallied up the scores given by real smartphone users to determine which company was Australia’s best-loved phone brand of 2021-22.

Best Smartphones in Australia

Here are the five best smartphone brands in Australia as rated by consumers in our 2022 satisfaction survey:

Apple OPPO Samsung Nokia Google

Our most recent ratings see an iconic brand take the top spot for the second year in a row, and for the third year in total. When you think of smartphones, you think Apple – and despite an influx of smaller brands hitting Australian shores in recent years, the company remains a go-to pick for buyers wanting a trusted brand that ticks almost every box.

While new iPhones are still far from affordable for many people (especially compared to low-priced options from OPPO, Nokia, or even Samsung), features such as industry-leading cameras, ease of use and lightning-fast performance mean many of us are happy to pay a little extra for a higher quality device.

And with 2021’s iPhone 13 range bolstering Apple’s reputation for launching industry-leading smartphones, expect interest in the perennially-popular brand to continue now that it can effectively compete with 5G-capable devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S21.

In Canstar Blue’s ratings, Aussies gave Apple an outstanding five-star score for overall satisfaction, as well as five stars for speed, usability, appearance & style, and for camera quality. Apple was the only brand in our report to achieve five stars for overall satisfaction, showing that the manufacturer is still a favourite among Australian consumers.

As for the runners-up, OPPO, Samsung and Nokia each achieved four stars for overall satisfaction, while Google took home three stars. Four of the five rated brands scored at least one five-star result across our eight categories, with Samsung and Apple earning top marks for camera quality, Samsung for durability, OPPO for battery life, OPPO and Nokia for appearance and style, and OPPO again for value for money.

Best Smartphone Plans & Prices

So, if you want to get your hands on a brand new smartphone, what are your options? You could buy the handset outright and pick up a great SIM-only deal. Or you could sign up to a phone contract with one of Australia’s big telcos – Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone – or even a smaller provider (such as Southern Phone, TeleChoice or Woolworths Mobile).

Samsung

iPhone

Google The following table shows a selection of 24-month 128GB Samsung Galaxy S21 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner. The following table shows a selection of 24-month 128GB iPhone 13 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner. The following table shows a selection of 24-month Google Pixel 6 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

Which telcos sell smartphones?

If you’re looking to pick up a new mobile phone on a plan, you’ll have a few choices for which provider you can go with. The big three telcos generally offer a larger range of devices on a variety of plans, while the smaller providers tend to offer some of the most popular phones and a few low-cost options. To help you compare smartphone plans, the following table lists which of the more popular smartphones brands are available from Australian telcos, plus payment plan contract lengths.

Telco Phones Available Contract Length Telstra iPhone, Samsung, Google, Huawei, OPPO, Motorola, Nokia 12, 24 or 36 months, outright Vodafone iPhone, Samsung, Google, Huawei, OPPO, Motorola, LG, Nokia 12, 24 or 36 months Optus iPhone, Samsung, Google, Huawei, OPPO 12, 24 or 36 months Woolworths Mobile Samsung, OPPO 24 or 36 months TeleChoice iPhone, Samsung, Huawei, OPPO, Motorola, LG, Xiaomi 24 months Southern Phone Samsung, Nokia 24 months or outright

Apple iPhone Plans & Prices

Apple is back as Canstar Blue’s number-one smartphone brand, just months after the launch of its 2021 flagship iPhone 13 series. While recent releases haven’t matched the hype of previous iPhones – and online pre-orders eliminating the need to line up outside your nearest Apple Store on launch day – the brand still enjoys iconic status in Australia, with millions of customers firmly integrated into the Apple ecosystem.

Apple continues to nail five-star ratings for user friendliness, explaining why so many Australians are remaining loyal to the iPhone brand. iPhone is also a recurring five-star achiever for appearance and style, and the sleek 2021 iPhone 13 series continues the company’s focus on fashionable designs and quality craftsmanship.

Alongside five stars for usability and appearance, Apple also earned a five-star rating for speed and for camera quality. Apple’s iPhone cameras have long been considered some of the best in the smartphone game, so it’s no shock that Australians are loving the multi-lens options found on the iPhone 13 Pro range and on last year’s iPhone 12 Pro.

Apple scored five stars in five categories in Canstar Blue’s 2021 report, with the exceptions being battery life, durability, and value for money. These results aren’t exactly a surprise: the iPhone isn’t known for offering more than a day of power on a single charge, and 2021’s iPhone 13 outright pricing ranged from $1,199 for the 128GB iPhone 13 Mini, to a whopping $2,719 for the 1TB iPhone 13 Pro Max. This year’s iPhones include:

Apple iPhone 13

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

Apple iPhone 13 Mini

You can pick up 2021’s iPhones from Apple or many third-party retailers, or on plans from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. The 2020 iPhone 12 is also available bundled with postpaid phone plans from several providers. We’ve compiled some iPhone plans in the below table.

iPhone 13 plans

iPhone 13 Pro plans The following table shows a range of 24-month plans for the 128GB iPhone 13 as published on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our phone plan comparison tool to compare plans from a range of providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner. The following table shows a range of 24-month plans for the 128GB iPhone 13 Pro as published on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our phone plan comparison tool to compare plans from a range of providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

OPPO Plans & Prices

A previous Canstar Blue’s phone ratings winner from 2018 through to 2020, this is OPPO’s second year in a row taking home the silver. The manufacturer is already well-established with buyers in its home market of China, and is continuing to make inroads internationally with discerning Western customers who want an alternative to the iPhone.

A variety of OPPO phones are available in Australia, including low-cost models under $300 as well as premium, high-end devices for serious smartphone users. No matter what your preferred price point, it’s likely that OPPO has a device to suit your needs, and the company’s stylish designs make it a popular choice for customers looking for a high-end feel in a lower-cost phone. Major OPPO devices of 2021 include:

OPPO Find X3 Pro

OPPO Find X3 Neo

OPPO Find X3 Lite

OPPO Reno 5G

OPPO A54 5G

OPPO A74 5G

OPPO A94 5G

OPPO was awarded four stars for overall satisfaction in this year’s ratings, and received five-star scores for value for money and for battery life.

In addition to being available to buy outright, OPPO’s latest phones are also offered on plans from Vodafone, Optus, Telstra, TeleChoice and Woolworths Mobile. Plan options for selected models are available in the table below.

OPPO Find X2 Pro

OPPO Find X2 Lite

OPPO Find X3 Lite OPPO Find X2 Pro Plans The following table shows a selection of 24-month OPPO Find X2 Pro plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner. OPPO Find X2 Lite Plans The following table shows a selection of 24-month OPPO Find X2 Lite plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner. OPPO A91 Plans The following table shows a selection of 24-month OPPO Find X3 Lite plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.

Samsung Galaxy Plans & Prices

Samsung is still a consistent pick for Aussie buyers, but faces stiff competition from challenger brands such as OPPO and bigger names like Google. Although the onset of mid-range and low-cost alternatives to iPhones has lessened Samsung’s dominance among Android buyers, the company’s flagship Samsung Galaxy S series continues to be a best-seller in the premium price range.

Alongside the always-popular Galaxy S and Galaxy Note releases, Samsung also caters to more budget-conscious consumers with the more affordable Galaxy A series. Samsung was one of the first phone manufacturers to offer 5G devices to the Australian market, and offers niche products such as folding and flip phones, and 4G and 5G variants of most new devices. Popular releases include:

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 series

Samsung Galaxy S21 series

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G

Samsung Galaxy A52

Samsung Galaxy A22 5G

Samsung Galaxy A12

Achieving four stars overall for satisfaction, Samsung also took home five-star ratingS for camera quality, durability/longevity, and appearance and style.

Samsung smartphones are available on plans from Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Southern Phone, TeleChoice and Woolworths Mobile, with price and plan options for selected phones listed in the below table.

Galaxy S21 Plus

Galaxy Note 20 5G

Galaxy S20 FE Samsung Galaxy S21+ Plans The following table shows a selection of 24-month 128GB Samsung Galaxy S21+ plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to compare phone plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products which may contain links to a referral partner. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G Plans The following table shows a selection of 24-month 256GB Samsung Galaxy S20 5G plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to compare phone plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products which may contain links to a referral partner. Samsung Galaxy S20 FE Plans The following table shows a selection of 24-month Samsung Galaxy S20 FE plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to compare phone plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products which may contain links to a referral partner.

Nokia Plans & Prices

There’s more to Nokia than the classic 3310 — the enduring European company continues to release quality smartphones, albeit slightly under the radar. The brand has made a move into the premium 5G market with 2020’s Nokia 8.3 5G, a high-end option for customers who want the reliability of Nokia combined with 5G connectivity.

Nokia has long been a go-to choice for Aussies wanting durable phones with long-lasting battery life, and robust models such as the Tough series make Nokia a wallet-friendly option for tradies, outdoor enthusiasts or even kids and teenagers. Value for money continues to be a key feature for Nokia buyers, as well as the security that the Finnish company offers to customers who prefer to go with trusted brands. Notable Nokia phones in 2021 include:

Nokia XR20

Nokia G20

Nokia C30

Nokia G50

Nokia G10

Nokia scored four stars for overall satisfaction in our latest ratings, but did achieve five stars for appearance and style, with a surprising three stars for durability. You can buy Nokia devices on plans from Vodafone and Southern Phone, or outright from major retailers.

Google Plans & Prices

Coming in fifth this year’s ratings is Google, with the tech giant’s Pixel smartphone series proving to be a popular Samsung alternative for users wanting a premium experience from a different brand. Google’s recently-released Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro offer cutting-edge cameras, strong battery life and a sleek design, along with 5G capability.

Like Apple, Google combines software and hardware to offer a powerful performance and intuitive user experience, but the company does neglect the mid and low-cost phone market in doing so. Google’s phones aren’t for everyone, but are worth considering if you’re ready to switch from a high-end competitor. Google devices to look out for include:

Google Pixel 6 Pro

Google Pixel 6

Google Pixel 4a

Google was awarded three stars for overall satisfaction in our 2022 awards, along with stars in all other categories. You can pick up the Pixel 6 series on plans from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, and outright from the Google store and selected retailers.

Pixel 6 Pro

Pixel 6 The following table shows a selection of published 24-month plans for the 128GB Google Pixel 6 Pro on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our mobile phone comparison tool to see plans from a range of providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners. The following table shows a selection of published 24-month plans for the 128GB Google Pixel 6 on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our mobile phone comparison tool to see plans from a range of providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.

Is buying the ‘best’ smartphone a smart option?

According to Canstar Blue’s most recent survey, just under a fifth of us (17%) prefer to upgrade only when our current phone plan expires. Unless there’s a problem with your existing phone, there’s really no practical reason for upgrading every 12 months – and with the average plan user now spending $85 per month on their device, chasing the hottest handset can cost you serious dollars.

You may be surprised to learn that 40% of survey respondents always buy the same brand of smartphone, with 68% of those admitting it’s simply because they’d prefer not to learn a new operating system or device design. While it makes sense for buyers to stick with what they know, getting stuck in a phone rut could mean you’re missing out on a better option. Although Samsung or Apple loyalists may be a little reluctant to look elsewhere, there are plenty of comparable (and more affordable) alternatives available.

Interestingly, Aussies seem less committed overall to buying phones tied to a telco plan, with 62% of this year’s respondents stating that they bought their latest device outright. If you’ve got the cash handy, buying an unlocked device outright can offer you flexibility and options you might not find when purchasing on a telco plan, but can also be a major expense. The average amount Aussies spend on a phone outright is around $733, but premium devices can set you back upwards of $2,500.

Even if you have your heart set on a specific phone, you should ensure that you first compare that handset’s cost across multiple providers. If you’re serious about finding the best deal, it is essential you compare phones, plans and perks before you sign on to a provider.

If you do buy over a standard 24-month plan (or even 12 or 36-months), you don’t need to automatically upgrade to a new phone as soon as your contract expires. If you’re still happy with your handset, you can switch to a SIM-only plan and go month-to-month, rather than locking yourself into another long-term contract.

A contract-free, SIM-only plan is a perfect move for when you’re weighing up your options – so if you don’t want to be stuck with a phone or plan you hate, it pays to shop around before you commit.

About the author of this page

This page was written and is regularly updated by Canstar Blue’s Telco Editor, Tara Donnelly. Having spent years writing for and editing telco comparison websites, she’s an expert in all things phone & internet, including phone plans and how to find the best deal for your family. She loves to highlight the next best phone deals, while also flagging the things you need to be aware of. Tara also acts as a spokesperson for Canstar Blue.

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