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iPhone Plans

Whether you're buying the newest iPhone or considering plans for your older model, you can compare offers through Savvy.

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, updated on October 10th, 2023       

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We’ve partnered with Econnex to bring you a range of mobile phone plans to help you compare them.

iPhone plans are the most popular mobile phone plan currently on the market. With new iPhones released every year or two, it can be hard to know what’s the best option for you. Fortunately, there are iPhone plans with vastly different costs and varying features to suit different desires or needs. Discover how you can compare iPhone plans to find the best one to suit you in this guide.

How do iPhone plans work?

As opposed to buying an iPhone outright, an iPhone plan will bundle an iPhone and a SIM plan together while stretching out your payments. This will allow you to take advantage of an iPhone’s perks and an accompanying SIM card which provides you with calls and texts, data and other features specific to each provider or plan.

Your iPhone plan will be billed to you monthly and you can choose from contracts which run for 12, 24, or 36 months. This gives you the flexibility to choose a contract which suits your financial needs and has monthly repayments that you can meet. The shorter your contract, the more expensive your monthly payments will be and vice versa. At the end of the day, no matter your choice of plan term, you will be paying the same amount of money for the same iPhone plan.

After your iPhone plan’s contract has ended and you have paid off your phone, you will own it outright. This also applies if you wish to cancel your plan early and have paid off the remainder of your plan’s payments. Bear in mind, though, that there will be charges if you do wish to cancel your iPhone plan before the end of your contract.

How do I compare iPhone plans?

Type of iPhone model

There’s an array of different iPhone models out there, so you should compare them all to work out which one is best for you. The newest iPhone models will be under the most expensive plans, but will have the most up-to-date features. Older iPhones can still be effective and could better suit you if you’re on a tighter budget.

Cost

iPhone plans vary in cost significantly based on the iPhone model and the features of its accompanying SIM plan such as data allowance. You could be paying anywhere from $60-$150 each month depending on your choice of model and SIM plan. It’s important that you compare iPhone plans which fit within your budget and make sure you get the best value possible.

Coverage

Coverage is an important factor in deciding on your iPhone plan, especially if you live in the country or make regular trips to rural areas of Australia. Telstra offer the most wide-ranging coverage of Australia’s three mobile networks. However, if you’re living in the city and rarely make trips to rural areas, both the Optus and Vodafone network will suit your needs comfortably. In addition, if you’re after fast browsing and download speeds, you may wish to compare the newest iPhone 12 range which can provide you with 5G network coverage.

Data limits

Everyone’s data needs are different, so it’s important that you figure out your estimated monthly data usage and compare plans within this range. Data limits could be 1GB per month or they could be unlimited. While a high data limit can be a good thing, it’s important you don’t pay for more than you need. If your data usage fluctuates significantly from month to month, consider giving yourself a buffer to ensure you don’t go over your data limits.

Bonus features

Bonus features can be of value to your plan if you make the most of them or if they are relevant to your phone usage. Bonus features can include data-free music or video streaming, free or discounted subscriptions to entertainment and streaming services or a data rollover feature.

How much will my iPhone plan cost?

The pros and cons of iPhone plans

PROS

Costs are more manageable than buying outright.

Buying an iPhone outright is too expensive for many people. An iPhone plan will enable you to get an iPhone plus a SIM card and draw out your payments across a 12, 24 or 36-month period.

Can provide you with access to the 5G network.

All iPhones released following the iPhone 12 range are, and will be, 5G compatible. This will give you the luxury of faster browsing and download speeds.

By buying an iPhone on a plan, your SIM card plan is already bundled in.

If you buy your iPhone outright, you will have to search to find an accompanying SIM-only plan. Purchasing an iPhone plan will ensure you get an iPhone and a SIM card plan bundled together which could save you money.

CONS

One of most expensive mobile phone plans on the market.

iPhone plans are very expensive and unaffordable to some buyers. If you’re after a cheaper mobile phone plan, Android plans are a more affordable and accessible option.

One of most expensive mobile phone plans on the market.

iPhone plans are very expensive and unaffordable to some buyers. If you’re after a cheaper mobile phone plan, Android plans are a more affordable and accessible option.

Liable for termination fees and potentially outstanding payments if you want out of your iPhone plan.

If you decide you want out of your iPhone plan halfway through its contract, you may have to pay a termination fee and potentially any outstanding payments. Read your plan’s terms and conditions to find out what will happen if you wish to break from your contract.

Top tips for getting the best iPhone plan for you

Do your research online before buying an iPhone plan.

If you go into a shop without knowing what iPhone plan you’re after, you’ll be bombarded with an extensive range of plans to choose from, particularly the more expensive models, which may not be right for you. Do your research online and compare iPhone plans with Savvy to help make the right decision for your situation.

Take advantage of the discounts offered by providers on iPhone plans

When you buy a new phone plan, many providers will offer you perks which can reduce the cost of your plan or improve its features. This could be bonus data or discounts for the first few months of your plan.

If you can’t afford expensive monthly payments, consider choosing a long-lasting contract

Depending on your financial situation, you may struggle to meet the payments of a 12-month iPhone plan. Instead, you can opt for a 24 or 36-month contract, which will lessen the monthly cost of your plan.

Frequently asked questions about iPhone plans

What is the cheapest iPhone plan?

While no iPhone plan is cheap, there are ways in which you can minimise the cost of your plan. Older model iPhones are more affordable and still offer quality features which could suit you. If you’re looking to reduce the monthly cost of your iPhone plan, you can opt for a 36-month contract, which will lessen your monthly payments. In addition, to get the cheapest iPhone plan, you can opt for a basic SIM card which will only provide you unlimited calls and texts without any extra features.

Can I get unlimited data on my iPhone plan?

Yes. Unlimited data iPhone plans are available with Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Unlimited data plans will give you a full speed data limit. Once this limit is reached, your data usage will be capped to slow down your browsing and downloading speeds.

Which iPhones have access to 5G network coverage?

The iPhone 12 range are all 5G-capable and any models released since then will ensure you have access to the 5G network. Ensure that your SIM card is also 5G-capable to get access to the network.

Which iPhone will give me the longest battery life?

As Apple is constantly releasing new iPhones, the model with the longest battery life is changing all the time. To get the longest battery life, your best bet is to go with the latest iPhone models, as battery life is improving with every release.

Should I consider buying a refurbished iPhone on a plan to save money?

There’s nothing wrong with buying a refurbished iPhone, which is a “like new” phone with any older parts replaced with new ones, but make sure you’re purchasing through a reputable provider. You can purchase refurbished iPhones outright at a cheap price or as part of a plan.

Where can I find the best deals on iPhone plans?

To get the best deal on an iPhone plan, you can compare your options online with Savvy. Savvy allows you to compare your options across a range of providers to find a plan suitable to your desires and your financial situation.

Disclaimer:

Savvy is partnered with Econnex Comparison (CIMET Sales Pty Ltd, ABN 72 620 395 726) to provide readers with a variety of mobile phone plans to compare. We do not compare all retailers in the market, or all plans offered by all retailers. Savvy earns a commission from Econnex each time a customer buys a mobile phone plan via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased directly, as all purchases are conducted via Econnex.

Any advice presented above is general in nature and doesn’t consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing a mobile phone plan. For further information on the variety of mobile phone plans compared by Econnex, or how their business works, you can visit their website.

Digital wallets - Mobile Payments Australia

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