Best Optus mobile plans (December 2023)

Optus logo
(Image credit: Optus)

Optus is the second-largest telco in Australia, and it sits between Telstra and Vodafone in terms of cost. Optus strikes a nice balance between data, cost and coverage, and we’re hoping it stays that way. Its main competitor Telstra increased the cost of its mobile plans in July 2023, so we’ll be watching closely to see if Optus decides to follow suit.

While we wait to see if Optus hikes its prices for the second year in a row, the telco has been busy cutting a deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite business. It’s revealed that it’s partnering with Starlink to bring mobile coverage to Australia’s mobile black spots, and it intends to reach nearly 100% of the country. The service is expected to launch in late 2024, so we’ve got a while yet before you can get better signal in remote parts of Australia.

If you’re considering signing up or upgrading your phone with Optus, we’ve laid out the best Optus mobile plans to suit different needs on this page, so no matter what you need, we’ve got you covered. Click the links below to skip ahead to our plan recommendations:

Jump to:
• Best SIM-only option – AU$49p/m for Optus Small plan
• Best overall phone + plan combos – AU$107.29p/m for iPhone 14 | AU$105.19p/m for Samsung Galaxy S23
• Best cheap phone + plan combos – AU$78.94p/m for iPhone SE | AU$80.20p/m for Google Pixel 7a
• Best premium phone + plan combos – AU$121.87p/m for iPhone 14 Pro | AU$130.18p/m for Samsung S23 Ultra

Noteworthy Optus deals

We’re running through our picks for the best Optus phone plans below, but before we get to that, the telco has a few sweet deals you should know about:

Best Optus mobile plans: our picks

Best SIM-only option

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Optus Small plan

Optus Small plan | 30GB data | AU$49p/m

If you already have a phone, and you’re not keen on starting up a new phone contract, then a SIM-only plan is a great alternative. The Small plan from Optus comes with 30GB of data, unlimited talk and text to standard numbers in Australia and 5G network access. When you hit your data cap, you can still browse without facing any excess data charges, your speed will just slow to 1.5Mbps instead. You can also cancel anytime without facing a fee.

Total minimum cost is AU$49

Best overall phone + plan combos

Best overall iPhone + plan combo: our pick

iPhone 14 (128GB)

iPhone 14 (128GB) | 30GB data | 24 months | AU$107.29p/m

We should note that Vodafone’s iPhone 14 plans are cheaper, but if you want to go with Optus, we’d recommend the AU$49 Small plan. It’ll set you up with 30GB of data, and access to Optus’ 5G network is included as standard. All told, you’ll pay AU$107.29 a month for this Apple flagship with Optus.

Total cost over 24 months is AU$2,574.96

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Best overall Android + plan combo: our pick

Samsung Galaxy S23 (128GB)

Samsung Galaxy S23 (128GB) | 30GB data | 24 months | AU$105.19p/m

The Samsung Galaxy S23 gives you lots of power at a reasonable price, and if you sign up with Optus, we think the AU$49 Small plan will suit most users. It comes with 30GB of data and 5G access, and with phone repayments thrown in, your monthly bill will be AU$105.19. If you sign up before July 26 you’ll be eligible to receive a bonus Galaxy Watch 5, but you’ll need to stay connected to a watch plan for 24 months.

Total cost over 24 months is AU$2,524.56

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Best cheap phone + plan combos

Best cheap iPhone + plan combo: our pick

iPhone SE 2022 (64GB)

iPhone SE 2022 (64GB) | 30GB data | 24 months | AU$78.94p/m

If you’re keen on Apple’s most affordable handset, we recommend pairing it with Optus’ cheapest plan, the AU$49 Small plan on a 24-month contract. It gets you 30GB of data each month, and if you keep your phone connected to Wi-Fi networks throughout the day, we think that’s enough data for most people. It’ll set you back AU$78.94 each billing.

Total cost over 24 months is AU$1,894.56

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Best cheap Android phone + plan combo: our pick

Google Pixel 7a (128GB)

Google Pixel 7a (128GB) | 30GB data | 24 months | AU$80.20p/m

The Google Pixel 7a is a good choice if you want an affordable phone with clever photo-taking abilities. The Pixel 7a will set you back AU$749, and if you want a cheap plan from Optus to go with it, we suggest pairing it with the AU$49 Small plan. That’ll get you 30GB of data each month, and on a 24-month contract, you’ll pay AU$80.20 each billing.

Total cost over 24 months is AU$1,924.80

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Best premium phone + plan combos

Best premium iPhone + plan combo: our pick

iPhone 14 Pro (128GB)

iPhone 14 Pro (128GB) | 30GB data | 24 months | AU$121.87p/m

The iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Pro Max are Apple’s most premium devices, and the one you choose will mostly come down to size and price. We’re going with the 14 Pro here, and pairing it with Optus’ AU$49 Small plan on a 24-month contract. That’ll set you up with 30GB of data, unlimited talk and text to standard numbers and access to an expanding 5G network.

Total cost over 24 months is AU$2,924.88

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Best premium Android + plan combo: our pick

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (256GB)

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (256GB) | 30GB data | 24 months | AU$130.18p/m

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the best of the best from Samsung. We recommend pairing it with the provider’s AU$49 Small plan to set yourself up with 30GB of data each month and 5G network access. If you pick up this device from Optus before July 26, you’ll be eligible for a free Galaxy Watch 5, but you’ll need to stay connected to an Optus watch plan for 24 months.

Total cost over 24 months is AU$3,124.32

  • Looking for something cheaper, or have your own phone? Check out the best-value SIM-only plans
Jasmine Gearie
Ecommerce editor

Jasmine Gearie is an ecommerce editor at TechRadar Australia, with a primary focus on helping readers cut through the jargon to find the best mobile and internet plans for their needs. She crunches the numbers to maintain dedicated guides to the latest phones, NBN and broadband plans of all types, and covers the important telco industry news. She also hunts down tech deals on laptops, phones, gaming consoles and more, so readers know where to buy the products they want for the cheapest prices.