Mobile Phones

Buying a new Phone through a contract can be a cost effective way to upgrade. Rather than paying the full cost of the Phone upfront, it can be paid off in instalments on a regular phone bill. In exchange, the Phone that you buy will be locked to that network during the contract's term. For locked phones, you cannot freely swap SIM Cards for other network providers until you have met the conditions needed to unlock it, usually only if the contract's time has expired or you have paid a release fee to the provider. The existing network provider will be able to provide these details.

Purchasing a Unlocked Phone outright may cost more initially but it gives the flexibility to use any a SIM Card for any network. If you already have a SIM Card from a previous Phone, you may want to keep that and carry it over into your new Phone as it may have contacts, photos and other personal files saved to it.

SIM Cards themselves come in three sizes; standard, micro and nano. Networks can generally send out new sizes free of charge and some Multi SIM cards can be size adjusted as needed. eSIM cards are also starting to become popular as digital options for maximum flexibility and no more awkward removals or installations.

5G internet is the next generation of Mobile Network infrastructure. This new technology standard builds on the capabilities of 4G to deliver faster speeds, more reliable connections and close to zero latency. In Australia, 5G infrastructure is still being rolled out and it may not be readily available outside of major metropolitan areas. To access 5G you will need a 5G Compatible Phone or smart device and a 5G plan with your service provider, in addition to coverage in the area where you are.

Location, service provider and the type of plan you are on are factors that influence the costs, data limits and speeds available for home and Mobile Internet. As it currently stands 5G can theoretically reach speeds of up to 20 gigabytes per second, around 200 times faster than the 100 megabytes per second speeds NBN currently offers to most Australians. 5G is limited by potential downtime along with short range but can be a viable substitute for home NBN and broadband.

Choosing between an iPhone or an Android Smart Phone will largely come down to personal preferences and how you want to use your device, with each having their own strengths.

iPhones are manufactured by Apple and run off Apple’s iOS operating system. Because Apple controls the hardware and software design, the tech and operating system that make up and iPhone complement each other for high efficiency. Apple products are designed to work together in simple and useful ways, with many Phone Accessories designed for iPhones.

Android is a Google made operating system and unlike Apple’s iPhone, Android Phones are designed and manufactured by a wide variety of companies like Samsung, Motorola and Google to name a few. Because of this, most of the Mobile Phones on the market today are Android OS and this gives users a much wider selection of products to choose from across budget and premium prices. Newer Android Phones use the USB-C standard of cables, which are standard across most newer tech products aside from Apple.

Camera quality is improving all the time in Smartphones. In addition to high resolution lenses, Mobile Phones come with a range of features that make quality, high-definition photography quick and easy. Some models have a dedicated camera button that lets you respond quickly to snap the perfect shot. Front facing cameras are great for making video calls or taking selfies but can be easy to overlook amongst the cutting edge features of the main camera.

If you find yourself using your Phone to consume media a lot, then it’s worth looking at models with larger, high resolution screens that will best display high quality YouTube or streamed videos. If you want to watch video or listen to music on your commute, a larger capacity battery will help ensure your Phone will keep you entertained on your trip home, even after a long day out. If you have Headphones, then you may want to check that your new Phone has a 2.5 / 3.5mm audio jack or Bluetooth connectivity for Wireless Headphones.