If you’re looking for a new smartphone, you should also consider looking for a new phone plan. Contracts can be a pretty good option, but you can often get better value for money if you buy your device outright and take up a SIM-only deal.
While you have to pay for your phone upfront – which can be quite pricey, especially if you’re after a top-end Samsung or Pixel – you get a lot more flexibility with your phone plan. SIM-only options tend to offer a lot more data-for- dollar than plans that include a phone, and you’re not stuck on your data allowance for an entire two years.
We find 12-month contract plans offer the best value these days. You might not like the idea of any contract term, but bumper data inclusions speak for themselves.
Buying your phone outright also means you can consider great devices that you won’t find at any of our local telcos, such as the Moto E4, the OnePlus 5, or the Nokia 6.
Here are a couple of our favourite SIM-only plans around right now.
12GB for $50 a month on Telstra
Telstra is far from being the cheapest telco on the market, but if you’re happy to sign a 12-month contract, it’s currently running a great deal. $50 per month will get 12GB of data, unlimited talk and text, and unlimited international talk and text to 10 countries. You’ll also get a bonus six-month Apple Music subscription (which is data-free on Telstra), provided you haven’t used the offer before.
This offer runs until September 4.
5.5GB for $25 a month on Jeenee
Jeenee Mobile is a tiny telco with a big heart; in addition to offering great SIM-only plans, they reinvest part of their profits into helping those living with disability.
As part of a new recent plan refresh, Jeenee will give you extra data as a loyalty bonus. On the $25 plan, you’ll start out with 5.5GB, which gets bumped to 6GB after sux months, and to 6.5GB after a year. Or alternatively, you can sign a six-month or 12-month contract to get the bigger allowance upfront. If you sign a contract, Jeenee will also waive its $10 SIM delivery fee.
Jeenee is powered by Optus’ 4G network.
22GB for $60 a month on Virgin
When it comes to big data, it’s hard to look past Virgin. $60 per month on a 12-month contract will get you a massive 22GB, unlimited talk and text, and data rollover. If you sign up before October 11, you’ll get a one-off 10GB bonus for your first month. If you don’t use it, it will rollover to your second, but it’s gone after that.
There’s a no-contract version of the $60 plan available too, but you’ll only get 11GB per month.
10GB for $40 a recharge on Amaysim
Amaysim is always a reliable choice when it comes to bang-for- buck, and its current plan offering is tops. We’re quite partial to the telco’s Unlimited 10GB plan, which gives you unlimited talk and text and 10GB of data for $40.
It is however worth noting that each recharge only lasts 28 days, you’ll end up end up recharging roughly 13 times per year, rather than 12. There’s no contract on this plan though, so you can change whenever you want.
