What are 5G mobile plans?
5G is the latest generation of mobile technology and offers high speeds for phones, tablets and more. It’s the next step up from 4G mobile, offering faster downloads and uploads and less congestion.
The big three telcos which own and operate the Australian mobile networks have been rolling out 5G across the country, especially in major metropolitan areas, and are continually expanding these networks. This includes upgrades to existing infrastructure, as well as the launch of new 5G equipment.
Some telcos may offer 5G access included on all plans, while others offer 5G-specific phone plans. Keep in mind that to access 5G you will need a 5G-capable smartphone or device.
How to compare 5G mobile plans
Comparing 5G plans is easy! Using Canstar’s questionnaire and comparison table, you can find a plan to suit your needs and budget and filter by features including 5G network access.
How fast are 5G phone plans?
5G has the potential to reach speeds of up to 20 gigabits per second (Gbps), a sharp increase from 4G’s maximum projected maximum speed of 1Gbps. Theoretically, it’s a hundred times faster than existing 4G technology, but this depends on your choice of network, your location, the type of connection you have, and your device, among other factors. But for most customers, expect speeds faster than 4G mobile and some NBN plans.
Perhaps most importantly, 5G is capable of delivering ultra-low latency. A latency value measures how responsive your internet connection is, and a low latency translates to super-fast internet. For example, a connection with low latency will be able to send and receive a text message within seconds. The latency levels customers will receive with 5G make interactions almost instant, which is especially important for people who game and for international businesses that rely on fast transaction speeds.
5G download speed
While dependent on the network you’re on, provider and a number of other factors, average 5G download speeds in Australia generally sit around 300-500 megabits per second (Mbps).Â
5G upload speed
Depending on the network you’re on, the provider you’re with and a range of other factors, 5G upload speeds in Australia can sit around 10-60Mbps.
Things that can affect your 5G speed
- Your location: 5G works best in crowded urban areas where the 5G sites are placed closely together, allowing the frequencies to travel between them quickly.
- Your provider: The technology your provider is using can affect your speed. If your provider is lagging behind on the technology front, then so are you.
- The number of people connected: The more people on a cell tower, the less bandwidth you will be able to receive.
- Your device: You need to be using a 5G compatible device to access 5G and the device’s hardware can also have an impact on speeds.
What about speed caps?
Some 5G phone plans include speed caps: this means that while you might get 5G network access, your plan will not be able to reach the super-fast speeds that 5G is capable of. Some providers may offer uncapped 5G speeds on select plans, but you’ll usually need to pay more for these plans compared to speed-capped options.Â
Typically these capped speeds are reasonably fast anyway (around 100Mbps to 200Mbps), so it may have little impact on overall performance. However, when you compare 5G plans, keep an eye out if there are speed caps in place.
What are the best 5G mobile plans in Australia?
Finding the best 5G mobile plans is really down to each person’s needs — which plan type you want, how much data you need, the price you’re willing to pay and if you have any network preferences.Â
Most mobile providers now offer 5G phone plans — even the smaller providers — so you’ll have plenty of plans to choose from. Telstra, Optus and Vodafone all offer 5G phone plans on their own respective mobile networks, and small providers such as ALDI Mobile, Dodo and TPG offer 5G using one of these three networks. Keep in mind that plans from the big three telcos are typically more expensive than what you’ll get from the smaller brands.
Telstra 5G mobile plans
Telstra was the first Aussie telco to switch on 5G in selected metro areas, and its 5G coverage now reaches around 95% of the population. Telstra’s 5G mobile network can reach speeds of 1Gbps or more, although real-world performance will depend on your location, your device, and network congestion.Â
If you already have a 5G-capable device, you can access Telstra 5G on any of the telco’s SIM-only plans. However, if you need a new phone, you can choose to bundle a 5G phone on a Telstra device payment plan. Telstra offers a range of 5G phones on plans from smartphone brands such as Apple, Samsung and Google. New phones can be paid off over a 12, 24 or 36-month payment period, or outright, and bundled with your choice of Telstra’s Upfront plans.
Smaller providers using the Telstra 5G network to offer 5G mobile plans to customers include:
- ALDI Mobile
- Boost Mobile
- Belong
- Everyday Mobile
- Superloop
Optus 5G mobile plans
Optus was the second provider to roll out 5G mobile coverage across Australia. If you’re in an area covered by Optus 5G, you can get 5G access on its range of SIM-only postpaid and prepaid phone plans, provided you have a 5G-compatible phone.
If you want a new phone, you can bundle a new 5G smartphone, such as Apple, Samsung and Google phones, on an Optus phone plan over a 12, 24, or 36-month payment period. You’ll then need to bundle your phone with one of the postpaid month-to-month plans — keep in mind that cancelling your plan requires you to pay off your remaining device costs.
Some smaller providers using the Optus 5G network to offer 5G mobile plans to customers include:
- Amaysim
- Dodo
- Moose Mobile
- Southern Phone
- SpinTel
Vodafone 5G mobile plans
Vodafone was the last to launch its 5G network, with the rollout still ongoing. If you already have a 5G capable phone, you can get Vodafone 5G network access on any of its SIM-only prepaid and postpaid phone plans.
However, if you need a new 5G phone, Vodafone also offers a wide range of 5G phones from brands including Apple, Samsung and Google. You’ll need to choose a device payment period of either 12, 24 or 36 months, and then bundle your phone with a month-to-month postpaid Vodafone plan. If you cancel your plan before your payment period ends, you’ll need to pay off any outstanding device costs.
Smaller providers offering 5G mobile plans using the Vodafone 5G network include:
- Felix
- iiNet
- Kogan Mobile
- Lebara
- TPG
What is the cheapest 5G mobile plan?
Now that 5G has become more widely available, 5G mobile plans are offered by more providers — and at cheaper prices. While you won’t find the cheapest plans from the big three telcos, smaller providers will typically offer competitive 5G mobile plans, with prices starting at around $20 per month. Keep in mind that cheaper plans may have capped data speeds.
Here are some of the cheapest 5G phone plans as listed on Canstar’s database:
- Southern Phone Small 5G SIM Plan (postpaid): $24 per month with 20GB data
- Dodo Small Plan (postpaid): $25 per month with 25GB data
- Aussie Broadband Saver (postpaid): $25 per month with 20GB data
- SpinTel $29 Mobile Plan (postpaid): $29 per month with 50GB data
- ALDI Mobile $29 Plan 5G Enabled (prepaid): $29 per 30-day recharge with 29GB data
5G phones
In order to access 5G, you’ll need a 5G-compatible phone. The good news is that more and more phone brands, including Apple, Samsung, Google, OPPO, Motorola, HMD and Nothing, are releasing 5G phones at a whole range of price points.Â
Eventually, 5G connectivity will become a standard part of a phone’s specifications, much like 4G is. But until then, you’ll need to make sure you’re picking up a 5G-compatible phone if you want connectivity.
Here are some of the latest 5G phones available in Australia:
- iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone Air
- iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e
- Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+,S25 Ultra and S25 FE
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 and Z Fold7
- Samsung Galaxy A56, A36 and A26
- Google Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro Fold
- Google Pixel 9a
- OPPO A5 and A5 Pro
- Nothing Phone (3) and (3a)
- Motorola Razr 60
- Motorola Edge 60 Fusion and Edge 60 Pro
