When you’re shopping for a mobile phone, you have some important decisions to make. One of these is, of course, the model of mobile phone that you want. The other major decision is whether you opt for a pre-paid or post-paid plan.
While each option has its pros and cons, and many people you know have probably opted for a post-paid plan, we recommend that you don’t sleep on the pre-paid option.
Today, we’re going to explain a little more about what a pre-paid and post-paid phone plan actually is, as well as some of the amazing pre-paid mobile phones that you can get!
What does pre-paid and post-paid actually mean?
While you might have figured it out by the name, one of the main differences between these two types of phone plans is when you pay for them, however, let us break it down a little more for you:
Pre-paid plans: You pay upfront for a value of credit to use for your phone needs. This credit will usually cover phone calls, texts, and data allowances, and the value you choose will have a certain allowance of these associated with it. Because you pay upfront, what you pay for is what you get, so when you run out, you run out. You can always “top-up” again, whenever you need. In most instances, the credit you buy will have a 12-month expiry on it, so if you don’t use it all in a month, that’s ok. A prepaid plan usually doesn’t have a lock-in contract, so if you decide it’s not working for you, you can always change it.
Post-paid plans: This type of plan will offer you text, phone call and data allowances that you can use over the course of a month. A lot of the time these allowances will be pretty generous, however, you’re always paying a set amount each month, even if you don’t use it all. On the flip side of that, if you do use all of your allowances, you will need to pay more on top of your plan. In addition to this, you will usually be locked into a 12–24-month contract. Most of the time, these contracts will be associated with a new phone, so the price of a new phone will be built into the price of the plan, which can mean this kind of phone plan can be a lot more expensive.
Why you should consider choosing a prepaid phone plan
There are a lot of benefits when it comes to prepaid mobile phones, some of which are overlooked because the use of a prepaid plan is often associated with someone in their early teens who has gotten their first mobile phone.
These benefits include:
- Flexibility – without the lock in contract, you have options to switch plans for better coverage or a better deal, whenever you like.
- Network coverage – the mobile phone networks available to you on a prepaid plan are the same as those on post-paid plans, including the Telstra network, so coverage is certainly not an issue.
- Save money – with a prepaid plan, there are no hidden fees or taxes, when your credit runs out, that’s it. When you first try it out, it might take you a bit to figure out the right budget for your needs, however, because the credit you buy doesn’t usually expire for at least 12 months, you don’t need to be paying for it monthly either.
- It’s a great option for kids and teens – if your child needs a mobile phone but you’re worried about them racking up the bills, a prepaid plan is a great way for you to manage their usage. It will also teach them the value of money as well.
Amazing Pre-paid Mobile Phone Deals
So, if you’ve made it this far, chances are you’re looking for a great deal on a pre-paid mobile, so here are some of the best Telstra pre-paid mobile phones available now.
Telstra Nokia C30
If you’re looking for a simple smartphone, perhaps for an elderly relative or your child’s first smartphone, this option is truly budget friendly and a great first smartphone.
Nokia is legendary for building strong and intuitive mobile phone and the C30 also includes a large 6.82” screen, a 13MP camera, and as you would expect from a Nokia phone, a long-lasting battery, which can last up to 3 days on a single charge.
Full specs below:
Display: 6.82 inches, 720 x 1640 pixels
Storage: 32GB
Cameras: 13MP primary, 2.0MP & 5MP
Battery: 6000 mAh
RAM: 2GB
Operating System: Android 11 (Go Edition)
Network Support: 2G, 3G. 4GX LTE
Telstra Blue tick: No
Dimensions: 178 x 79 x 10mm
Telstra Samsung Galaxy A12
One of the leaders of the smartphone revolution is undoubtedly Samsung. Their range of Galaxy smartphones have become arguably the most popular android smartphone out there, and luckily for us, they are offering them in a range of options, including the budget friendly A12.
The Infinity-V 6.5” display makes life so much easier, offering crystal clear views, the battery is fast charging, and the phone has a powerful quad camera system, so if you like taking a snap or two, this one is perfect for you.
Full specs below:
Display: 6.5 inches, 720 x 1600 pixels
Storage: 128GB
Cameras: 48MP + 5MP +2MP + 2MP Primary, 8MP Secondary
Battery: 5000 mAh
RAM: 4GB
Operating System: Android 10 (Q)
Network Support: 2G, 3G, 4GX LTE
Telstra Blue tick: Yes
Processor: Octa-core (4×2.3 GHz & 4×1.8 GHz)
Dimensions: 164.0 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm
Telstra Tough MAX 3 T86
If you want a tough smartphone, one that you can take just about anywhere with you and not worry about it, you want the Telstra Tough Max 3 T86.
Rated IP68, it means your phone can withstand dust, dirt, sand and even water, it also has incredible coverage, with the Blue Tick making it able to be used easily in rural and regional settings. This smart, tough, and powerful phone means you will have the capabilities of a smartphone and durability of the rugged phone that you need when you’re out on the site.
Full specs below:
Display: 5.65 inches, 1080 x 2160 pixels
Storage: 64GB
Cameras: 16 MP (Primary), 5.0 MP (Primary), 8 MP (Secondary)
Battery: 3920 mAh
RAM: 4GB
Network Support: 3G, 4G LTE
Telstra Blue tick: Yes
Processor: Octa-core 2.0 GHz
Dimensions: 157.8 x 77.2 x 11.6 mm