The best Optus mobile plans in 2026
Our pick for top Optus plans on iPhones and Androids for different budgets
If you're on the hunt for a new SIM or phone plan, there's a good chance you'll want to take a look at Optus. One of the biggest Australian telcos alongside Telstra and Vodafone, Optus balances Telstra’s leading coverage and higher costs with Vodafone’s more affordable plans, making it a compelling mid-range choice.
Furthermore, Optus' network regularly outperforms its peers, and was crowned Australia's fastest mobile network for both 5G and overall download speeds in the most recent OpenSignal report.
As with most telcos, Optus' best prices, deals and offers show up during major sales events such as Black Friday and EOFY. That's not to say there aren't any good deals throughout the rest of the year, and at the time of writing it's possible to get discounted Apple Watch 11 or a free Apple Watch SE 3 with a new iPhone.
Optus also has a promotional SIM-only plan that nets you a mammoth 360GB of data each month, alongside unlimited international calls to 35 destinations and AU$10 monthly credit to put towards a SubHub subscription, for AU$69p/m for 12 months. This might be overkill for many, I admit, in which case you can also get a 60GB prepaid SIM for AU$13 for the first 28 days.
If you're looking to pair one of the best phones or cheap phones with a SIM plan, Optus remains a strong contender. To help you navigate the options, we've gathered all the top deals and offerings on the most popular handsets and SIM plans below.
• Best Telstra mobile plans
• Best Vodafone mobile plans in Australia
Noteworthy Optus deals
We'll get to the best Optus plans in a second. First, here are some deals currently available through Optus on some of the best phones right now.
- Free 65-inch Samsung TV with select Galaxy smartphones
- Apple Watch Series 11 for AU$180 with iPhone 17 series
- Students now get 200GB for AU$39/month for 12 months
Best SIM-only Optus mobile plan
Optus Promo Plan | 360GB Data | AU$69p/m (for 12 months, then AU$79 p/m)
I've selected the Optus Promo plan as, on paper, it offers the best overall value right now. For AU$69p/m for the first 12 months, you get 360GB of data each month, AU$10 of credit to put towards subscriptions via Optus' SubHub service and unlimited international calls and texts.
Total minimum cost: AU$69 | First year cost: AU$828 | Ongoing yearly cost: AU$948
Best Optus iPhone plans
iPhone 17 (256GB) | 50GB Data | 24 Months | AU$113.29 p/m + Apple Watch SE 3 for AU$0
As our iPhone 17 review states, this is the best-value iPhone ever, serving up Pro-level features, plenty of power and a gorgeous display. I've singled out a 24-month plan, but you could pay less each month for the phone by opting for a 36-month contact. You can also grab a free Apple Watch SE 3 if you sign up by February 11.
Total cost over 24 months is AU$2,718.96
iPhone Air (256GB) | 50GB Data | 24 Months | AU$109.09 p/m + Apple Watch SE 3 for AU$0
The iPhone Air has perhaps not been quite the success Apple was expecting, but there's no denying it's a gorgeous device that has a lot going for it. It might only have a single camera, but it boasts the same processor as the 17 Pro, making for a phone that's a breeze to use. Right now, Optus has slashed AU$500.40 from the RRP of the iPhone Air on all plans.
Total cost over 24 months is AU$2,618.16
Best Optus Android plan
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB) | 50GB data | 36 months | AU$114.68p/m + free Samsung 65-inch TV
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is arguably the best best Android phone available right now, and right now Optus is throwing in a free 65-inch Samsung 4K QLED TV worth AU$1,499 with the device. I've selected the Small Choice plan once again, and over 36 months this time, but you'll get the TV no matter the duration you opt for.
Total cost over 36 months is AU$4,128.48
Best cheap Optus phone plans
Best cheap iPhone + plan combo: our pick
iPhone 16e (128GB) | 50GB data | 24 months | AU$96.61 p/m
While we've previously recommended the iPhone 14 or iPhone 13 for those who want to upgrade without breaking the bank, the iPhone 16e is the obvious pick for anyone wanting an affordable iPhone. It benefits from Apple Intelligence features and a highly capable camera.
Total cost over 24 months is AU$2,318.64
Best cheap Android phone + plan combo: our pick
Samsung Galaxy A56 (128GB) | 50GB data | 24 months | AU$84.10 p/m
While it's possible to get the A36 for just AU$5p/m before plan fees, we've had to select the A56 for its its excellent value. In fact, we consider it to be the best cheap phone you can buy. While it doesn't possess enough power for serious mobile gamers or those who need to edit 4K video on their mobile, it is easily the top option for most people – offering excellent performance across its design, cameras and software. It even has helpful AI features despite lacking the full Galaxy AI suite.
Total cost over 24 months is AU$2,018.40
Best premium Optus phone plans
Best premium iPhone + plan combo: our pick
iPhone 17 Pro (256GB) | 50GB Data | 24 Months | AU$138.28p/m
If you've got the cash to splash and you want the best iPhone of the moment, look no further than the 17 Pro. Ushering in an all-new design, powerful cameras and AI smarts, it's all the phone you could ever need. Note that we've selected the base 256GB storage model and set it to a 24-month contract, your monthly price will change if you change these variables.
Total cost over 24 months is AU$3,318.72
Best premium Android + plan combo: our pick
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB) | 50GB data | 36 months | AU$114.68p/m + free Samsung 65-inch TV
The Galaxy S25 Ultra is arguably the best best Android phone available right now, and right now Optus is throwing in a free 65-inch Samsung 4K QLED TV worth AU$1,499 with the device. I've selected the Small Choice plan once again, and over 36 months this time, but you'll get the TV no matter the duration you opt for.
Total cost over 36 months is AU$4,128.48
Best foldable Optus phone plans
Best overall foldable + plan combo: our pick
Why you can trust TechRadar
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 (256GB) | 50GB Data | 24 Months | AU$129.94
If you want to go down the flip phone route, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is an obvious choice. I have seen this phone and plan combo cost much less in the past, so I would recommend looking into other providers or holding out for sales if you know it's the phone for you. Alternatively, you can could buy it outright and pair it with a SIM plan, or get the Fold 7 with a free Samsung TV at Optus for a limited time.
Total cost over 24 months: AU$3,118.56
- Looking for something cheaper, or have your own phone? Check out the best-value SIM-only plans
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Max is a senior staff writer for TechRadar who covers home entertainment and audio first, NBN second and virtually anything else that falls under the consumer electronics umbrella third. He's also a bit of an ecommerce fiend, particularly when it comes to finding the latest coupon codes for a variety of publications. He has written for TechRadar's sister publication What Hi-Fi? as well as Pocket-lint, and he's also the editor of Australian Hi-Fi and Audio Esoterica magazines. Max also dabbled in the men's lifestyle publication space, but is now firmly rooted in his first passion of technology.
- Max DelaneyStaff Writer







