Technology getting better and more affordable each year, there are now plenty of options if you’re looking for a good budget phone. Even some of the most popular smartphone brands have found their place in the cheap phone space. So, if you’re looking for the best budget phone you can get for your money, read on to find out what cheap phones are currently available in Australia, and which phone is right for you.
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Top 5 best cheap phones in Australia
Cheap phones can not only save you money on a device cost, but when paired with a cheap phone plan — which are usually offered as SIM-only plans — having a new phone and a plan to match, can be more affordable and attainable if you’re on a budget.
It’s worth noting that the prices of the devices listed in this guide are the RRP for the phone. Some devices might now be available at even cheaper prices from certain retailers, especially if the phones are older models and the prices are marked down. You might also find some older devices have limited stock, and may not be listed on a manufacturer’s website, but could still be available from retailers, so you might need to shop around.
1. OPPO A78 5G
The OPPO A78 5G, released in 2023, is another budget-friendly phone OPPO has released as part of its A series. The stand out for the A78 5G is its design — especially the stunning Glowing Blue colour — but that’s not to say that it has nothing else going for it. While the performance of the phone tends to be a bit slow and unresponsive on occasion, it held up pretty well with day-to-day usage. The screen and built-in speaker quality was excellent for a phone at this price, and the cameras held up pretty well for most of the basics.
Want to know more? Read our review of the OPPO A78 5G.
OPPO A78 5G specifications
- Price: $359 AUD RRP
- Display: 6.56-inch HD+ display with up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Cameras: Dual rear-camera setup (50MP main + 2MP portrait), 8MP front-facing camera
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 700 Octa-core
- Battery: 5,000mAh battery with up to 33W fast charge
- Storage: 128GB internal storage + up to 1TB expandable Micro SD storage, 4GB RAM
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128GB | $359 |
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2. Nokia G60 5G
Nokia has been a leader in the budget phone space for years now, producing a range of devices to suit a range of budgets. The Nokia G60 5G offers an all-round solid experience with a surprisingly zippy performance and high refresh rate along with a good battery life. Its camera performance is pretty decent and features a good night mode, however its video quality is rather average.
To find out more, read our hands-on review of the Nokia G60 5G.
Nokia G60 5G specifications
- Price: $549 AUD RRP
- Display: 6.58-inch FHD+ display with up to 120Hz refresh rate
- Cameras: Triple rear camera setup (50MP main + 5MP ultra-wide + 2MP depth), 8MP front-facing camera
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G
- Battery: 4,500mAh battery with up to 20W fast charging
- Storage: 128GB internal storage, 6GB RAM
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128GB | $549 |
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3. Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Samsung, like OPPO, has a cheaper ‘A series’, although Samsung’s devices tend to be a little more expensive than what you can get from OPPO. That being said, the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G offers a lot for the sub-$400 price point. You’ll get an Octa-core processor, triple rear camera setup (with 50MP main lens), a big 5,000mAh battery and 5G connectivity.
Read more about Samsung’s 2023 Galaxy A series.
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G specifications
- Price: $379 AUD RRP
- Display: 6.6-inch FHD+ Infinity-V display with up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Cameras: Triple rear camera setup (50MP main + 2MP depth + 2MP macro), 13MP front-facing camera
- Processor: Octa-core
- Battery: 5,000mAh battery
- Storage: 128GB internal storage + 1TB expandable MicroSD storage, 6GB RAM
4. TCL 30+
As one of the cheaper phones in TCL’s 30 series released in 2022, the TCL 30+ includes many of the quality basics from the brand, including a great quality phone screen and built-in speaker, a slim and lightweight design, decent camera setup, along with NXTVISION technology with visual enhancements and a reduction of 30% less blue light to help reduce eye strain. One thing to note is that you won’t get 5G connectivity with the TCL 30+ — if you want 5G, you’ll need to upgrade to the TCL 30 5G for $599.
Read our hands-on review of the TCL 30+ to find out more.
Considering an upgrade to 5G? Check out our review of the TCL 30 5G.
TCL 30+ specifications
- Price: $399 AUD RRP
- Display: 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with up to 60Hz refresh rate
- Cameras: Triple rear camera setup (50MP main lens + 2MP macro lens + 2MP depth), 13MP front-facing camera
- Processor: MediaTek Helio G37
- Battery: 5,010mAh battery with up to 18W fast charging
- Storage: 128GB internal storage, 4GB RAM
5. OPPO Reno8 Lite 5G
While not part of OPPO’s cheaper A series, the OPPO Reno8 Lite 5G takes many of the focuses from the design-forward Reno series and packages them into a more affordable device. Thanks to its slim and lightweight design, super pretty rainbow finish and rear camera’s Dual Orbit Lights, it’s a phone that looks and feels great to use. It takes great selfies and portrait photos, offers a reasonably fast and reliable performance with great battery life and fast charging. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly OPPO phone but want something a little more mid-range, the OPPO Reno8 Lite has a lot to offer.
Find out more about the OPPO Reno8 Lite 5G by reading our hands-on review.
OPPO Reno8 Lite 5G specifications
- Price: $599 AUD RRP
- Display: 6.4-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with up to 60Hz refresh rate
- Cameras: Triple rear camera setup (64MP main + 2MP depth + 2MP macro), 16MP front-facing camera
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G
- Battery: 4,500mAh battery with up to 33W fast charging
- Storage: 128GB internal storage, 8GB RAM
Compare SIM-only phone plans
Postpaid offers you might like
The following table shows a selection of sponsored SIM Only plans on Canstar Blue’s database with links to referral partners.
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $16.50) SIM Only Postpaid
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40GB Data/month |
$16.50 Cost/month |
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $14) SIM Only Postpaid
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$14.00 Cost/month |
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Best cheap iPhone
Apple’s iPhones don’t come cheap, and unlike other smartphone brands, it only releases a core selection of (usually) four devices each year. However, Apple does do budget phones in its own way with the iPhone SE. The 2022 version features 5G connectivity and a design reminiscent of the iPhone 8 — the last iPhone to include a home button.
iPhone SE (2022)
The 2022 iPhone SE offers some of Apple’s most recent tech, including 5G connectivity and the A15 Bionic chip, along with wireless charging and IP67 water and dust resistance. While it includes many of the things Apple does well, it’s still a more bare-bones basic phone, with a smaller display and a disappointing battery life — something other brands can pull off in much cheaper phones.
Want to know more? Read our hands-on review of the iPhone SE (2022).
iPhone SE specifications
- Price: From $719 AUD RRP
- Display: 4.7-inch Retina HD
- Cameras: 12MP rear camera, 7MP front-facing camera
- Processor: A15 Bionic chip
- Battery: 2,018mAh battery with up to 20W fast charging
- Storage: 64GB, 128GB and 256GB internal storage options, 4GB RAM
The below table shows a selection of 24-month 64GB iPhone SE 5G plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost from lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of providers. This table includes products with links to a referral partner.
Best cheap Samsung
While we’ve already covered one of Samsung’s budget-friendly ‘A’ series phones further up the page, some of its A series fall into the more mid-range category. So if you’re looking for a Samsung device that’s more of a step up than its basics-only cheapest phones — but don’t want to shell out for its premium Galaxy S series — you may wish to boost your budget and look at phones around that $500-$700 price point, like the Galaxy A54 and A34.
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
Samsung continues to offer premium phone experiences at more affordable price points, and the A54 5G is no exception. The A54’s bright display, smooth performance and great battery life make a serious case for ditching $1,000+ devices, ticking most of the boxes for a standout mid-range phone. The triple rear-camera setup also delivers great quality shots by day, but if photography is your number-one priority, you may want to consider upgrading to Samsung’s S23 lineup.
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G specifications
- Price: $599 AUD RRP
- Display: 6.4-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with up to 60Hz refresh rate
- Cameras: Triple rear camera setup (64MP main + 2MP depth + 2MP macro), 16MP front-facing camera
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G
- Battery: 4,500mAh battery with up to 33W fast charging
- Storage: 128GB internal storage, 8GB RAM
| Phone | Features | Storage Size | Price | |
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128GB | $699 |
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Best cheap Pixel
Google, like Apple, releases only a small selection of Pixel phones each year. While it’s standard and ‘Pro’ Pixel phones — like the 2022 releases of the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro which are usually reasonably priced for premium phones compared to Apple and Samsung — its budget-friendly ‘A’ Pixels (like the Pixel 7a) take some of the Pixel’s great features and pack it into a slightly more affordable package.
Google Pixel 7a
The Pixel 7a incorporates many of the Pixel 7 range’s key features in a cheaper package without sacrificing the brand’s iconic design. Google’s Tensor G2 chipset provides a fast and smooth performance, while the phone’s battery is more than enough for an average day of usage. The Pixel 7a’s cameras aren’t quite on par with the setup found in the 7 and 7 Pro, and long-distance shots suffer from the lack of a telephoto lens, but it still offers overall great results in both daylight and low-light environments.
Google Pixel 7a specifications
- Price: $749 AUD RRP
- Display: 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED display with up to 90Hz refresh rate
- Cameras: Dual rear camera setup (64MP wide + 13MP ultra-wide), 13MP front-facing camera
- Processor: Google Tensor G2
- Battery: 4,300mAh battery with up to 33W fast charging
- Storage: 128GB internal storage, 8GB RAM
The below table shows a selection of 24-month Google Pixel 7a plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost from lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of providers. This table includes products with links to a referral partner.
Best budget phones under $400
There are plenty of phones for $400 and under, with brands including OPPO, Nokia, Motorola, Samsung and TCL offering phones around this price point. The below prices are the RRP for the phone, but keep an eye out for discounts and offers on devices to save even more. Some older phones may be available at a reduced price.
- Motorola Moto E13 — $149
- Nokia C32 — $249
- Motorola Moto G32 — $299
- Samsung Galaxy A14 — $329
- Motorola Moto G53 5G — $329
- OPPO A76 — $349
- Nokia G22 — $349
- OPPO A78 5G — $359
- Samsung Galaxy A14 5G — $379
- Motorola Moto G62 5G — $399
- TCL 30+ — $399
- OPPO A96 — $399
Best budget phones under $600
Adding a little bit more to your budget can make a difference between a device with just the basics and a phone offering a little bit more for your money. You can find devices with faster processors and better cameras around this price point, and it’s also worth keeping an eye out for more mid-range devices that are a year old or so, that could be discounted to this price range.
- OPPO A77 5G — $449
- Nokia G42 — $449
- Motorola G82 5G — $499
- Nokia G60 5G — $549
- Samsung Galaxy A34 5G — $599
- Motorola Edge 30 Neo — $599
- OPPO Reno8 Lite 5G — $599
- TCL 30 5G — $599
- Samsung Galaxy A54 5G — $599
Cheap SIM-Only Phone Plans
If you’re buying a phone outright, you’ll need a SIM-only plan to go with it. Choosing to go with a cheap phone plan (if the data inclusion is enough for your needs) can help reduce the costs of having a phone and a phone plan. However, no matter what your needs are, there are plenty of phone plans to choose from, whether that’s a plan from one of the MVNOs or one of the big three telcos. Here’s a selection of cheap prepaid plans and postpaid phone plans you might want to pair with your new phone.
Prepaid Plans Under $40
Here is a selection of prepaid plans from Canstar Blue’s database for $40 or less, listed in order of standard cost, lowest to highest, then by standard data allowance, largest to smallest. If you want to see a wider range of plans from other providers our phone plan comparison tool can help. This table includes products with links to referral partners.
Postpaid Plans Under $40
Here is a selection of postpaid plans from Canstar Blue’s database for $40 or less, listed in order of standard cost, lowest to highest, then by standard data allowance, largest to smallest. If you want to see a wider range of plans from other providers our phone plan comparison tool can help. This table includes products with links to referral partners.
So, what is the best cheap mobile phone?
Like with any piece of technology, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ best budget phone on the market. What will make the best cheap phone for one person, might not be right for another person. Many of the devices we’ve listed in this guide have their strengths and weaknesses. Some devices might have a great quality screen but the camera performance might be a bit average, while others might have great cameras but be a bit slow to process.
Choosing the best budget phones also greatly depends on the price range you’re looking at. If you want a phone for the absolute basics and you don’t tend to use your phone too much, a device under $400 (or even under $200) could easily fit your needs. However, if you’re after a phone for more moderate or heavy use, or perhaps you want a better camera setup, you might need to stretch that budget up to the $600 mark, or even look at more mid-range devices around the $700-$800 price point. There are plenty of smartphone brands offering great quality phones for under $1,000 — you might just need to do some research first to find which is going to be the best cheap phone for you.
As phones get smarter, the price of technology drops
The good news is that while smartphones are getting, well, smarter, the price of this technology is dropping. While premium devices like devices in the iPhone 14 series and Samsung S23 phone range are still very expensive, the prices for these high-end phones stay fairly consistent year-on-year, despite the technology getting better. What this also means is that as technology gets better and cheaper, more phone manufacturers are now packing that technology into mobile phones with a smaller price tag.
For example, a smartphone at $300 now has far better technology — cameras, display, processing chips, etc — than what you’d expect in a premium phone five or so years ago. So if you’re looking for a cheap phone, you no longer have to sacrifice quality for price.
More competition in cheaper smartphones means better value for Australians
In more recent years, we’ve also seen several challenger brands pop up to rival the big players such as Apple and Samsung, and even well-known brands like Nokia and Motorola have put more of a focus on the budget and mid-range phone, market rather than the premium price range that Apple and Samsung dominate. Having lots of competition in this space also means that some brands will look for ways to stand out from the crowd, so you don’t need to look far to find some great value-for-money phones.
Buying a phone on a plan doesn’t always make phones more affordable
If you’re on a tight budget, a cheaper phone is definitely the way to go. While choosing to buy a phone on a plan from a telco might make a premium device look affordable, you’re still paying the same price, just split up over 12, 24 or 36 months. Plans for these premium phones can also easily set you back around $100 each month.
The advantage to buying a budget phone, especially when you’re buying a phone outright, is that you’re able to choose a cheap SIM-only phone plan that fits into your budget. These days you can get 10GB of data on a phone plan for under $30, so there are plenty of savings around.
Is it worth buying a cheap mobile phone?
Cheap phones are a great option for people, such as seniors, who don’t use their phone often or only use it for calls, messages and basic internet/app usage. Because of the affordability, they also make great phones for kids, especially younger kids. If you’re worried about your child losing or damaging their device, you might not want to spend upwards of $1,000 on a phone that could eventually need to be repaired or replaced. Pairing your child’s cheap smartphone with a cheap and kid-friendly SIM-only phone plan can also ensure that your child having a phone is much more budget-friendly for parents.
It’s important to remember that when you are comparing cheap phones, don’t be put off by the smaller name manufacturers or those many challenger brands. These days many companies have similar products and technology, so there is very little difference in quality. Comparing smartphones is a great place to start to give you a better understanding in the differences between devices and manufacturers, and to give you an idea of what kind of value you can get for your money.
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