Hello everyone, I am the assistant of Australia Encyclopedia. Recently, I have received many inquiries from international students and new immigrants who are about to go to Australia: "What should I pay attention to when buying a mobile phone in Australia?" "Can the mobile phone brought from China be used?" "Which operator package in Australia is the most cost-effective?" Today I will teach you how to make the best choice from seven dimensions including network frequency bands, contract phone routines, model recommendations, etc.
### 1. Three core perceptions of the Australian mobile phone market
1. **Full network access does not mean global access**: Australia's mainstream 4G frequency band is B28 (700MHz), and the 5G frequency band is n78/n258. Domestic mobile phones must support these frequency bands at the same time to ensure stable signals.
2. **The hidden secrets of contract phones**: Taking Telstra's iPhone 15 Pro 128GB as an example, the total cost of a 24-month contract is as high as 2,856 Australian dollars, which is 38% more expensive than buying the phone separately
3. **Price difference up to 40%**: Samsung S24 Ultra is priced at 1,999 Australian dollars (about 9,500 yuan) in Australia, which is 1,200 yuan cheaper than the domestic licensed product
### 2. The 10 most worthwhile mobile phones to buy in Australia in 2024
#### ▍Flagship model (budget over AUD 1,000)
| Model | Core Advantages | Price in Australia |
|------|----------|----------|
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | The only model that supports 5G+ from Australia's three major operators | 1,849 Australian dollars |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | 200 million pixels + satellite communication function | 1,999 Australian dollars |
| Google Pixel 8 Pro | Localized service deep adaptation | 1,299 Australian dollars |
#### ▍Mid-range models (AUD$500-1,000)
- **OPPO Reno 11**: 65W flash charging + dual 5G card slots (currently priced at AUD 699 at JB Hi-Fi)
- **Xiaomi 13T**: Leica lens + IP68 waterproof (Kogan channel price 749 Australian dollars)
#### ▍Cost-effective model (below 500 Australian dollars)
- Motorola G84: 120Hz OLED screen + stereo speakers (special price $399 at Harvey Norman)
- Nokia G60: Three days of long battery life + environmentally friendly materials (Amazon AU price 329 Australian dollars)
### 3. Comparison of contract phone VS bare phone cost
| Model | Bare metal price | Optus contract price (24 months) | Total price difference |
|------|----------|---------------------|--------|
| iPhone 15 128GB | 1,399 AUD | 95 AUD/month x 24 = 2,280 AUD | +881 AUD |
| Samsung A55 5G | 599 AUD | 55 AUD/month × 24 = 1,320 AUD | +721 AUD |
> Assistant suggestion: Student visa holders should give priority to prepaid packages (such as Amaysim's $30/35GB package)
### 4. Six Tips for Avoiding Pitfalls
1. **Frequency verification**: Enter the phone model on the Kimovil website to check the Australian network support
2. **Warranty Policy**: Huawei/Honor models have no official repair centers in Australia
3. GST trap: Online purchases over AUD 1,000 are subject to import tax
4. **Second-hand transaction**: Cash Converters purchases require an additional 15% service fee
5. **E-commerce trick**: The "international version" of the phone sold by Kogan may lack the B28 band
6. **Student exclusive benefits**: UNiDAYS can receive JB Hi-Fi 10% discount code
### 5. Three major scenarios purchasing solutions
- **International students**: Redmi Note 13 Pro ($449) + Woolworths Mobile's $25 long-term plan
- **Skilled Migrants**: Google Pixel 8 ($999) with Telstra Enterprise Plan
- **Working Holiday Maker**: Second-hand iPhone 12 (about $500) + Aldi Mobile Pay As You Go plan
8 frequently asked questions about buying mobile phones in Australia
**Q1: Can the Huawei phone I brought from China be used? **
Huawei P50 and later models lack Google services, so it is recommended to install Gspace to solve the problem. However, the Mate 60 series does not support the Australian 5G band, so be careful
**Q2: Is it cost-effective to buy a mobile phone at the airport duty-free shop? **
The price of iPhone at Sydney Airport is 7% more expensive than in the city, and it does not enjoy the tax refund policy.
**Q3: Are the mobile phone cards sold in Coles supermarkets reliable? **
Coles Mobile uses the Optus network, but speeds are limited to 50Mbps during peak hours
**Q4: How to get student discount? **
Apple Education Store offers up to 10% discount, requires verification of UNiDAYS account
**Q5: Is it necessary to buy mobile phone insurance? **
Southern Cross's mobile phone insurance is $9 per month and includes liquid damage coverage
**Q6: How much does it cost to repair a mobile phone in Australia? **
Official iPhone screen repair price: 15 Pro Max costs 599 Australian dollars, third-party repairs are about 401 cheaperTP3T
**Q7: How to apply for an eSIM card? **
Vodafone supports online application of eSIM, but a service fee of 10 Australian dollars is required
**Q8: What are the advantages of Chinese mobile phone stores? **
It can be flashed with Chinese system and provides localized services such as WeChat dual opening, but some models have no official warranty
Through this guide, I believe you have mastered the key points of buying a mobile phone in Australia. It is recommended to buy mobile phone cases, screen protectors and other accessories in China before departure. The price of these products in Australia is usually 3-5 times that in China. Finally, I would like to remind everyone that binding the device IMEI code in the MyGov account can reduce the risk of theft.
Thanks for your reading. If you are considering buying Australian real estate or need immigration legal advice, please click the link below to get our customized service (Party A needs to confirm whether to keep this sentence).
> Data updated to June 2024. Price information is collected from official channels such as Apple AU/Amazon AU/JB Hi-Fi. For policy changes, please refer to the Australian ACCC official website.
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