The best mobile phone plans in December 2023

If you’re in the market for a new phone and the best mobile phone plans that can go with it, there are a couple of categories on this page that’ll be of interest, whether you’re after a shiny new iPhone 15—which you can easily sub out for a Google Pixel 8 or another phone—or a more affordable alternative with a great mobile plan.

Whatever you’re after, from cheap through to data-stuffed and the best Prepaid plans, scroll on for the best mobile plans available in Australia this month.

While this mobile plan from iiNet doesn't have as many gigabytes to offer as last month's pick, it does have a pretty compelling promotion attached.

If you're a new customer, you'll score 50% off for the first six month. Those who bundle an active iiNet NBN plan also score triple the usual amount of data. After that honeymoon period is up, you'll be paying $29.99 per month for this particular mobile plan. You get 40GB of monthly data as standard plus unlimited local standard calls and texts.

In terms of coverage, iiNet runs on the Vodafone network, which means most Aussies living in a metropolitan area should be covered by it.

Compare phone plans below from a daily updating list of cheap SIM Only Plans with at least 50GB of data.

This month, the iiNet 8GB plan is our top pick for a cheap SIM only plan. While it’s normally priced at $19.99 per month, you'll pay just $10 a month for your first six months . If you're looking for a cheap SIM only plan and don't need tonnes of data, this one is worth a look.

Compare phone plans below from a daily updating list of popular SIM Only plans in Australia that don’t cost more than $15 a month (at least initially).

Vodafone is back again to continue its highly recommendable run when it comes to the best mobile phone plans that let you pay off an iPhone handset over 24 months. This month, we’re going with a cheaper iPhone plan to keep costs closer to $100.

Coupled with the Vodafone $45 Medium Plan, you're looking at a few bucks more than $100 a month with the iPhone 15 128GB. That price nets you 80GB of data on the Vodafone 5G network, capped to 2Mbps speeds if you burn through it all. You also get unlimited minutes of international calls to selected countries.

For comparison, check out the daily updating list of popular iPhone 15 128GB plans below that come with at least 10GB of data.

The Optus $89 Plus Promo Plan gets you way more data than you need, minus the speed limits that come with "infinite data" plans. You get 500GB a month to work with, plus unlimited calls, texts and international calls to 35 countries. Plus, for the first 12 months you'll only pay $69 a month.

For a sense of how this compares to some of the other big and unlimited data month-to-month phone plans, check out the widget below.

The best value Prepaid plan you can buy comfortably under our $50 category cap is the TPG 25GB Mobile Plan.

The normal $25-per-month price is decent, but it’s even better for new customers in the first six months at just $12.50 a month. That’s a great price to pay for 25GB of data, even if there’s not much in the way of perks. 

If you're looking to compare phone plans, below is a daily updating list of popular Prepaid plans from our database with at least 30GB of data.

This postpaid option from Belong runs on the Telstra 5G network and comes with 40GB of data per month. You also get unlimited data banking and 5G speeds of up to 100Mbps.

If you're keen to take advantage of the biggest network available but don't like the idea of paying the steep price are asking then this is our pick of the lot when it comes to the best mobile phone plans with 5G. 

For comparison, check out the daily updating list of 5G phone plans below with at least 40GB of data.

Given the premium that its mobile plans typically command, it's little surprise that Telstra is rarely the most popular pick on its own network. Most consumers don't realise it but MVNOs like Boost, Mate and Belong can offer the same level of connectivity at a significantly cheaper price point.

This month, ALDImobile is the provider behind the most popular plan choice on the Telstra network. This particular prepaid plan comes with 5.5GB of data per 30-day renewal.

For comparison, the updated list of popular month-to-month phone plans on the Telstra network below will give you a good opportunity to compare phone plans.

Long expiry prepaid plans aren't for everyone, but if you're looking for a good set-and-forget plan, it's hard to go past Catch Connect's 365 day plan. You'll get 200GB of data for the year, and if you jump on the deal before 12 December you'll get an extra 60GB on top of that.

For a sense of how the most popular plan (in our database) that uses the Optus network compares to some of the other options available, check out the widget below.

As of this month, the TPG 12GB Mobile Plan has its nose in front of Vodafone's 40GB Mobile Plan. This TPG Prepaid plan comes with 12GB of data but has no data banking or international talk and text inclusions.

There aren’t as many Vodafone MVNOs on the scene as there are for Optus and Telstra, but Australia’s third-largest mobile network has plenty of providers with plans that offer great value and plenty of data.

You can compare the people's pick for the best Vodafone phone plan using the widget below.

To compare phone plans, it’s worth understanding the three different types available to Australian consumers. All three should let you keep your number as you switch between telcos, but some are going to be a better fit for your needs than others.

Postpaid mobile plans range from cheap to expensive and bundle a monthly plan with a handset. This is a straightforward way to pay off a new smartphone without having to think about pairing a new handset with a SIM Only or Postpaid plan. Regardless of whether it has 5G or not, handsets tend to be offered as interest-free monthly repayment terms of either 24 months or 36 months.

SIM Only and Prepaid plans assume you already have a phone. Either you need an unlocked handset or you’ll have to stick with the carrier network that your phone is currently locked to. SIM Only plans are identical to Postpaid plans in terms of data, coverage and inclusions, minus the additional cost of handset repayments, which makes them cheaper overall.

Prepaid plans are paid in advance of a month, instead of afterwards like Postpaid and SIM Only plans (except for Telstra Upfront plans, which are paid ahead of usage). The duration of Prepaid plans varies from one day to a full year, but a month is typically broken down into 30 days, 28 days or, rarely, an actual month. Prepaid plans tend to have fewer bells and whistles than Postpaid and SIM Only plans but are a great way to stay in control of monthly costs.

In order to pick the best phone plan in Australia, you need to factor in not just the type of plan but also what it includes and whether the network involved can meet your individual connectivity needs. These days, the best mobile plans offer more than just data and calls. They also incorporate things like data banking, excess-free data, international calls and the ability to save by bundling or family plans.