Best Smartphones in Australia

Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers Awards recognise companies with the most satisfied customers overall based on consumer surveys.

Canstar surveyed 1,186 Australians for their feedback on smartphones they’ve purchased in the last two years. This refers to new smartphones (not refurbished or second-hand devices) that were bought outright or as a phone-on-a-plan.

Survey respondents are asked to rate their satisfaction with their smartphone brand from zero to 10, with zero meaning extremely dissatisfied and 10 meaning extremely satisfied. Smartphone brand satisfaction is rated on the following criteria:

• Value for money: the quality of the smartphone is good enough, or exceeds expectations for the price paid.
• User friendliness: the smartphone is easy to set up and use.
• Durability: it feels sturdy and handles general usage and wear-and-tear with minimal damage.
• Battery and charging performance: i.e. the battery lasts well during usage and it is efficient to charge.
• Design: i.e. the smartphone looks and feels good to use.
• Camera quality: the built-in cameras produce good results under a range of conditions and a variety of subjects.

The winner is the brand Aussies rate highest for the things that matter most to customers, based on overall satisfaction. To see how we crunch the numbers, check out our Methodology page.

Canstar also gives Star Ratings to top performing financial, energy and household products, and Outstanding Value Awards to providers with a range of high-performing products. Canstar’s Innovation Excellence Awards also showcase products and services that break new ground when it comes to helping customers.

Canstar rates products and services over a range of consumer categories, in addition to financial services.

Explore Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers awards here.

Beyond the smartphone brands featured in our ratings, there are many different smartphone manufacturers on the Australian market. Just because a brand didn’t qualify for our ratings, (based on the minimum sample survey size), doesn’t mean these other brands aren’t worth exploring — comparing phones from a range of manufacturers can help you find the best model for your needs. The Australian smartphone market is very competitive and you might find some new brands enter the market while others disappear. Smartphone brands available in Australia as of 2025 include:

• Apple iPhone
• ASUS ROG
• Google
• HMD
• Honor
• Motorola
• Nokia
• Nothing
• OPPO
• Optus
• Samsung
• TCL
• Telstra
• Vodafone
• Xiaomi

• Of the Australian phone buyers we surveyed, 69% purchased their phone outright, 18% purchased their new phone on a plan and 11% upgraded to a new phone with their current phone plan. 
• Most Aussies also prefer to buy their smartphone in store, whether they researched in store and bought in store (12%), researched online and bought in store (36%) or did not research but purchased in store (14%).
• The average smartphone price paid by those who purchased outright is now $985.80 (an increase from the average outright price of $978.60 in 2025). 
• Those who bought their phone on a plan are paying $132.70 per month on average in 2026 — a big jump from $74.50 per month on average in 2025. 
• 40% of those surveyed purchased their device within a set budget.
• Price was the main purchasing factor for 24% of survey respondents, whereas a fifth (20%) stated that the phone brand was their main factor in their purchasing decision. 
• Aussies are still showing a lot of brand loyalty, with 49% of survey respondents always purchasing the same brand of smartphone. 
• Of those respondents, 64% said they bought the same brand because their brand was ‘the best’, 58% chose the same brand simply because they are used to the way it operates, while 26% stated they bought the same brand out of habit.
• 13% of respondents think they would have been happier with a basic phone that cost less than the one they purchased and 18% would have been happy with a more basic camera if it meant they could save on the cost of the phone.
• Although 28% think that more expensive smartphones are better than cheaper ones.
• 28% compared specs of models of the same phone lineup.
• When it comes to how cost of living pressures impacted their phone purchase, 24% purchased the ‘base’ model rather than a ‘pro’ model, 32% waited until there was a sale before purchase, 20% waited longer to purchase (in order to save, etc) and 12% bought a cheaper phone than they intended to.

Choosing the best mobile phone for you can be complicated and confusing, especially considering the amount of phones released each year. Even if you have a clear picture of which brand or operating system you want, it can be hard to distinguish between models, and you might even fall into the trap of buying the more expensive phone just for the sake of it.

Taking a more considered approach to buying a smartphone could help you find the best mobile phone suited to your needs and save you some money along the way.

Budget

Set yourself a realistic budget for how much you’re willing to spend on your phone. Considering some phones can cost upwards of $1,000, buying the most premium phone could be out of reach for some.

Even if you opt to buy on a phone plan and split your device costs over 12, 24 or 36 months, that monthly cost can still be expensive. Consider it as part of your monthly budget and whether you can afford the device repayments and cost of the bundled plan, which can be more expensive than choosing a cheaper SIM-only phone plan.

Brand and operating system

When comparing smartphones, you might wish for a certain brand or operating system, especially if you’re familiar with and comfortable using one brand/OS over others. While there are two major operating systems (Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android which is used on most other devices), there are also differences between how some Android devices operate.

Features and specs

While it might be tempting to want the ‘best’ features, being more realistic about your needs and how you mostly use your phone could save you some money. For instance, if you’re comparing premium devices such as iPhones or Samsung Galaxy S devices, and you don’t take too many photos, you can save a bit of money by going for the standard flagship model (such as the iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy S25) rather than the ‘pro’ version (such as the iPhone 17 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra).

Keep an eye on sales or opt for the previous year’s phone model

If you’ve got a particular phone in mind, it might be worth waiting for big sales periods to pick up a discount on your device. Many brands, retailers and telcos offer discounts on devices throughout the year, especially during big sales events like Black Friday. 

Another way to save money is to go for the older version of a device. This could mean that instead of buying the phone released this year, pick up the model released the previous year (if there is still stock available). Considering many phone releases offer incremental updates to the predecessor, having a phone with technology that’s a year old might not even be noticeable.

If you’re not in desperate need for your new phone, and you have your eye on a certain model, it might even be worth holding off until the brand releases its new device and drops the price of the older phone you’ve been looking at.

Apple's iconic iPhone series is widely available in Australia, being a multi-time Canstar award winner. The premium iPhone range includes the newest iPhone 17 models, as well as older releases such as the iPhone 16.

Which iPhone is the best?

The most feature-packed Apple device is the newest iPhone 17 Pro Max, but the best iPhone for you may be an older, smaller or cheaper model - it all depends on your budget and how you use your phone. All recent iPhones come with high-end processors, excellent cameras, and integrated AI and Siri assistance - so no matter what you pick, you're getting a great quality phone.

Which is better, Apple or Samsung?

If you love Apple products and the iOS software ecosystem, you'll probably find that Apple's iPhone is 'better' for you - it all depends on your preferred software. However, Samsung offers outstanding phones which run on the Android operating system, and notably at a wider range of price points than Apple. If you're looking for a cheaper or mid-range device, you may prefer to go with Samsung.

Samsung is the biggest selling Android smartphone manufacturer in Australia, being a long-time direct challenger to Apple. The company offers a range of smartphones, from its affordable Galaxy A series to its best-of-the-best Galaxy Z Fold foldable handset.

Which Samsung phone is the best?

The best Samsung phone for you will depend on factors such as your budget, what you're looking for in a phone, and whether you prefer a folding or flipping device or something simpler. While the Galaxy S and Galaxy Z series each offer the most advanced technology, the cheaper Galaxy A range is also packed full of great features for a lower price.

Which is better, Apple or Samsung?

While all phone users have different needs, Samsung may be a better choice for you if you prefer Android, want a much wider range of devices to choose from, or are interested in folding/flip phones or a device with a stylus. However, Apple's iPhones also offer premium features and durable designs.

Apple and Samsung might be the two most dominant smartphone brands in Australia, but over recent years, Google has stepped up its game and offers a range of highly-anticipated smartphones each year.

If you’re looking for a Google phone, its latest range is the Google Pixel 10 series. It includes the following devices (prices are listed as AUD RRP):

• Google Pixel 10: 128GB ($1,349) and 256GB ($1,499) storage sizes
• Google Pixel 10 Pro: 128GB ($1,699), 256GB ($1,849), 512GB ($2,049) and 1TB ($2,399) storage sizes
• Google Pixel 10 Pro XL: 256GB ($1,999), 512GB ($2,199) and 1TB ($2,549) storage sizes
• Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold: 256GB ($2,699), 512GB ($2,899) and 1TB ($3,289) storage sizes

The above devices are available to buy outright from retailers or as a phone-on-a-plan from the big three telcos — Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Google Pixel mobile plans are typically available on 12, 24 or 36-month payment periods, and then you’ll need to bundle your phone with one of the telco’s postpaid plans. 

Are Google phones any good?

Google has put significant effort into its range of Pixel phones and in the last several years, has produced devices of great quality and at more competitive prices than its rival, Samsung — although pricing for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series saw bigger price jumps than its predecessors. You can expect good quality cameras, a range of great features, a vibrant display, user-friendly interface and good battery life.

What is the cheapest Google Pixel?

Currently the cheapest Google phone is the Pixel 9a at $849 AUD RRP for the 128GB version and $999 AUD RRP for the 256GB version. 

What is the best Google phone?

The best Google phone will be the device that best suits your needs. There are a wide range of Pixels with different features and at different price points. Consider what features are important to you — whether that’s a foldable phone, excellent cameras, a bigger screen, longer battery life — and what your budget is. If you have a tighter budget, you might need to make some compromises on certain features, but ultimately, you can expect a good quality smartphone if you go with a Google Pixel.

Which is better, Samsung or Google Pixel?

Neither one brand is ‘better’ than the other — both Samsung and Google offer excellent quality smartphones. 

One advantage that Samsung has is that it has a wider range of devices, especially in the more budget-friendly price range, thanks to its Galaxy A series. Samsung has also been making foldable devices for longer, so they’ve had more time to develop and improve their folding technology.

However, since Google owns Android (the operating system that Samsung also uses), you might find the Google interface a smoother and more intuitive experience packed with great features.

Typically considered a more value-focused brand, OPPO has built a strong reputation in Australia for its range of quality phones at cheaper prices. This is especially true of its budget-friendly A series phones, which offer quality features at competitive prices. OPPO is also not one to shy away from using texture and colour to create beautiful-looking phones, proving you don’t have to follow the trends of the big players when it comes to phone design.

Which OPPO phone is best in Australia?

This depends on what you want in a phone. OPPO offers a range of different devices to suit different needs, including value-packed budget phones, premium devices, foldable phones and everything in between. Consider what features are the most important to you and what your budget is. 

For example, the OPPO A5 Pro 5G might offer a good selection of features and specs for its $399 price point if you’re looking at a cheaper phone. However for a more premium performance (including a huge 7,500mAh battery), the OPPO Find X9 Pro might suit your needs better.

Is OPPO a good brand of phone?

OPPO produces great quality smartphones at competitive prices. Its best value is perhaps its more budget-friendly phones, which also includes its mid-range Reno series. You’ll typically find better features, such as bigger batteries, at the cheaper price points when looking at comparable Samsung phones.

However, you might find OPPO is a bit behind in some aspects such as camera quality and foldable technology. While you won’t get a bad experience with an OPPO phone, if you are particular about some features, you might prefer to go with a Samsung or Google phone. 

Is an OPPO phone better than a Samsung phone?

When it comes to value for money, especially in the budget phone price range, OPPO is typically better than Samsung. OPPO also offers more cheap phones than Samsung typically does, and its cheapest phones can be around $100 or more cheaper than the cheapest Samsung phone.

However if you’re in the market for a premium or foldable phone, Samsung might have the edge. But ultimately, it comes down to your budget and your must-have features and specs.

Motorola has significantly improved its market share in Australia over the past few years to now position itself as the third largest smartphone brand in the country. Its quality range of budget-friendly G series phones and its iconic Motorola Razr position it as a strong competitor to other Android brands like Samsung and OPPO. 

You’ll find excellent quality devices with great features, all packed into more competitively priced smartphones. And much like its iconic pink Razr phone of the early 2000s, bold colour choices are at Motorola’s forefront, especially thanks to its partnership with Pantone.

Which Motorola phone is the best?

This depends on what phone you’re after. If you want a budget-friendly device, choosing a phone in the Motorola G series will best suit your budget. For a more premium experience, the Edge series offers sleek devices packed with features and great tech at that more mid to higher price range, but still cheaper than most premium phones from Samsung and Google. 

Its Razr foldable phones are perhaps where Motorola shines, offering great quality features that keep it competitive to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip range — but typically around $600 cheaper between comparable devices. 

Which is better, Motorola or Samsung?

This ultimately depends on what you want from a phone. Motorola does its best at packing great quality features and technology into more affordable phones — but these smartphones look and feel far from cheap.

One key difference is how many years your phone will last. Samsung offers up to seven years of security updates, while Motorola only offers around two or three years of security updates, so you’ll get more longevity from a Samsung.