The 10 Best Smartphones in Australia Reviewed for 2024

The best smartphone will make it easy for you to stay in touch with the people in your life while keeping you entertained for hours. The best devices will be equipped with the latest processors, capable of rapid processing, in addition to having long-lasting battery life and superior storage.

In this article, we’ve reviewed and compared the best smartphone picks for Australia so you can make an informed purchase decision. Let’s see what they have to offer.

The Best Mobile Phones in Australia for 2024 Ranked

Are you looking to upgrade to one of the best cell phones? It shouldn’t be a surprise to see the Apple iPhone 14 Pro at the top of our list. It has an advanced processor and excellent camera quality, as well as unique features. Let’s see how it compares with the rest:

1. Apple iPhone 14 Pro — The best mobile phone overall, thanks to its powerful chipset and exclusive Dynamic Island interface.
2. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra — A big screen and stylus make this phone perfect for notetakers and artists, and the 200MP camera makes it a great fit for photographers.
3. Nothing Phone 2 — The most interesting phone on the market today. Equipped with its signature Glyph interface, it’s perfect for those who want to manage screen time.
4. Poco F4 GT — A dedicated gaming phone with a superfast 120W charger and a powerful processor, making this device a great option for mobile gamers.
5. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro — A great mid-range option that looks and feels like a flagship smartphone.
6. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 — The best mobile flip phone with a top-tier chipset and a 3.5x larger cover screen.
7. Google Pixel 7 — Google’s flagship phone for those looking for a device under $900. Now with an improved battery that can last up to 72 hours and nighttime photography features.
8. OnePlus Nord CE 2 — A brilliant mid-range entry with a 90Hz refresh rate and is only 7.8mm thick, making it one of the slimmest OnePlus devices around.
9. Motorola Moto G52 — One of the best affordable Android phones in Australia, thanks to an upgraded AMOLED display and great battery life.
10. Xiaomi Redmi 9A — The best budget smartphone under $200, with one of the biggest batteries around.

Are the Best Android Smartphones Better Than iPhones?

The best Android phones in Australia are on a very similar level to the best iPhones in terms of features. However, Android comes out on top in regard to choice. Here’s a quick overview of the notable differences and similarities between the two:

If you already have Apple products like a Mac or an iPad, then the best choice will likely be an iPhone, simply because you’ll benefit from Apple’s technology ecosystem – Apple products will have a smoother, more integrated experience with other products from the company.

That said, Android is a hit for many as it offers far more customization options as well as a broad range of devices to pick from for various needs and budgets. Overall, both have plenty of great options to pick from, so the one you choose depends on your preferences and the details that are most important to you.

The Best Mobile Phones in Australia Reviewed

Getting a new smartphone is always exciting, but knowing exactly what phone to choose can be tough. To provide all the details you need, here are in-depth reviews of each of the products on our shortlist so you can get a better understanding of what the best-value smartphones in Australia have to offer.

1. Apple iPhone 14 Pro — The Overall Best Smartphone in Australia 

The iPhone 14 Pro is pretty much as close to perfect as a phone can get. It has a powerful A16 Bionic chip that can handle the most demanding tasks. The device is also equipped with the exclusive Dynamic Island feature, which replaces the infamous iPhone notch with an interactive miniature notification window. It wouldn’t be a stretch to call this the best phone in the world.

The device has many variants with varying levels of storage. This particular model has 256GB, but you can opt for the 1TB version if you want more storage, though you will be paying for it. It also houses a pretty large cutout on the screen – the Dynamic Island.

The Dynamic Island comes with a range of functionality. For example, if you’re listening to music, long-press on it, and it’ll turn into a media player. This way, you can access your media controls without swiping down for the Notification Center. All in all, it’s a much-appreciated upgrade on the notch.

Another new feature is the Photonic Engine which promises to enhance the dynamic range of your pictures and produce more detail even in low-light conditions.

The processor makes gaming an absolute treat, as well. It’s one of the most powerful processors ever fitted to a smartphone, and you won’t see any frame rate drops. It’s actually got more power than most users need, in fact.

You also get an excellent OLED screen that produces crystal-clear images with bright colors. Plus, it has the ability to drop the refresh rate all the way down to 1Hz from 120Hz to save battery power.

The battery, unfortunately, isn’t on the same level as previous models. That’s not to say it’s bad, and it’ll last a full day with heavy use. However, if you compare it to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, it falls short. Apple also decided to stick with the 20W wired charger.

Although this isn’t as fast and efficient for charging as our shortlisted Xiaomi device, for example, which has a 120W charger, it’ll reach 50% in just half an hour of charging. Another minor point is that thanks to its upgraded cameras, the iPhone 14 Pro won’t sit flush on a flat surface.

2. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra — The Best Camera Phone in 2024

Samsung has always been a big hitter when it comes to smartphones, and with the Galaxy S23 Ultra, they’re hitting even harder. The device has an advanced Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor custom-built for Galaxy, which delivers the fastest speeds Android has to offer, while the 200MP camera is one of the largest ever fitted to a smartphone – and it makes it the best camera phone on the list.

The device has a flatter display with a more gentle curve than previous models, making it look slimmer and feel more premium while also remaining comfortable when using the S-Pen. It features Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which protects the phone from drops and scratches.

It’s also got a more eco-friendly design as it’s been built with recycled fishnets for the S-Pen cover and recycled aluminum for the SIM card tray.

The screen is amazing, and with a resolution of 3,088 x 1,400 pixels, you can be sure it’s crystal clear and bursting with color, and just like the iPhone 14 Pro, you can scale down the refresh rate to 1Hz to save on battery power. Although the battery has slower charging speeds than its competitors, it still boasts an excellent life, so you won’t have to worry about it suddenly dying on you.

You’ll notice the camera nodules themselves are slightly bigger than past models, which is because there’s more going on under the hood, and the device can deliver poster-size prints. The 12MP selfie camera might seem like a downgrade, but it’s been enhanced with artificial intelligence, meaning it’s capable of producing some of the best images.

When it comes to the processor, the Samsung S23 Ultra is out of this world. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 will deliver some of the best graphics you’ve ever seen. Gaming performance is a dream, too, and often outperforms purpose-built gaming phones.

Plus, the phone remains cool while running the most demanding games thanks to a larger vapor cooling chamber than the S22 had. All this makes the Samsung S23 Ultra the best Android smartphone around.

3. Nothing Phone 2 — The Most Interesting Phone on the Market

The Nothing Phone 2’s predecessor sold over 500,000 handsets in 2022. Being the new kid on the block, that’s pretty impressive, especially when you consider the competition. This model is around 80% faster thanks to its powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, and it has improved cameras and an enhanced user interface.

A lot of the issues from the device’s predecessor have been ironed out – it has a better battery, for example. And its main attraction is, of course, the signature transparent backplate that does an excellent job of showing off the Glyphs – the illuminations which appear on the back of the phone.

The Glyphs have been enhanced to offer more customizability than before without losing features like the Flip to Glyph function, which silences all notifications and instead notifies you with light patterns on the Glyph interface.

With Gorilla Glass on the front and back, you can be sure the device is durable, and it has IP54 splash and dust resistance rating, though the glass makes the phone slippery. It’s also got a slight curve on the back for added comfort.

The Nothing Phone 2 offers a full HD 1080p LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) display that’s one of the best screens you’ll see on a phone. It uses battery power more efficiently, adjustable from 120Hz to 1Hz, while giving you a crystal-clear display.

Speaking of the battery, it’s been increased from 4,500mAh to 4,700mAh and lasts for up to 40 hours. The charger has also been improved and now offers a 45W charge as opposed to the 33W seen in its predecessor. The wireless charging feature is also good and offers superb convenience and ease of use.

There’s a new 32MP selfie camera on the front. It’s capable of producing clean and crisp images that you’ll want to show off. The HDR processing has also been improved to produce even more accurate colors without it looking overdone. The main camera in the Nothing Phone 2 is a 50MP lens and is capable of delivering excellent images.

4. Poco F4 GT — High-Quality, Dedicated Gaming Phone

Here we have a dedicated gaming smartphone with magnetic pop-up triggers designed to emulate the feel of a gamepad’s triggers. It’s also been equipped with a top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Processor capable of delivering blinding speeds. The Poco F4 GT comes from Xiaomi, so it has a whopping 120W charger.

The Poco F4 GT being mainly glass and aluminum makes it a durable build which is a good idea for a gaming phone but just be prepared as it’s a fair bit chunkier than you may expect. A weight of 210 grams mixed with a durable build makes this phone one of the best rugged smartphones around.

There’s no in-screen fingerprint scanner but rather a side-loaded pad, similar to other Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro. The speakers sound great, and you’ll be happy that there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack, something that’s becoming a rarity nowadays.

When the triggers aren’t being used for gaming, they can be set as shortcuts to various apps, and they’re able to retract back into the phone’s body to prevent accidental presses.

The screen is certainly something to write home about. It offers a full 120Hz OLED display, and we couldn’t ask for more, considering the price. Vivid mode is on by default, which enhances the display without oversaturating images. Beyond this, the OLED display makes outdoor use easy, as you won’t strain your eyes to see what’s happening on the screen.

In terms of performance, the chip can deliver a flagship experience while costing significantly less. However, the cooling system could be improved. So while the phone will deliver peak gaming performance, it’ll dip slightly due to overheating. The phone, in fact, slightly warms up when you’re downloading files and watching a video, as well.

5. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro — Mid-Range Option That Feels Like a Flagship Device

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro is one of the best mid-range smartphones that looks and feels more like a high-end model. And while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro is already one of the best smartphones under $500, its successor has seen many improvements.

Xiaomi opted for plastic on the side rails rather than aluminum, and it actually gives the phone more grip. The fingerprint scanner has also been placed in the power button on the side, making it easy to get to. Even with camera notches that house a 50MP camera on the back, it’s a very smooth device, and if you use the cover that comes in the box, it’ll sit flush on a flat surface.

The display wouldn’t be out of place on any high-end phone as it’s equipped with a very good OLED screen that’s only interrupted by a small black dot that houses a selfie camera. The camera can also be used for facial recognition to unlock the phone, and the display offers a 120Hz refresh rate that can be dropped to 60Hz.

Another interesting feature is the dedicated sunlight mode which turns off auto-brightness for the device, so using it outside is a pleasure. The Duel stereo speakers are the same as the ones found on the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus and deliver crystal-clear vocals and a decent bass hit. The best earphones can also be used as it offers a 3.5mm audio jack, so there’s no need for a USB-C adaptor.

It’s equipped with a Snapdragon chipset which delivers impressive speeds while doing everyday tasks, and it can keep up with some of the most graphically intense games with relative ease, but seeing that it’s a mid-range entry, you can expect some frame lag when playing games like Asphalt 9. If you’re more of a gamer, then you might look to the best gaming phones for alternatives.

6. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 — Best Flip Phone on the Market

When it comes to flip phones, there aren’t many options. However, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is an outstanding option. It boasts a larger outside screen than the Flip 4, and it closes flush without leaving a small gap like the previous model.

The body is also thinner than its predecessor, and the crease on the main display is smaller. Features like these make the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 the best folding phone on the market. The main display is nice and bright and boasts 25% more durability than the previous model.

The main attraction, of course, is the 3.4-inch cover screen. It’s a massive 3.5x bigger than the tiny 1.9-inch screen found on the Flip 4, and it’ll show you updates like the time and date.

What we liked was the fact that you can personalize the display to really make it your own in addition to using apps like WhatsApp. That means you can pull up a QWERTY keyboard and respond to messages without having to open the phone. If we compare mobile phones, the Flip 5 has a lot going for it.

The processor is the same one found in the Galaxy S23 series, so you can be sure it’s powerful. As such, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is one of the fastest smartphones on the market and definitely the fastest flip phone. In terms of the battery, it’s on the smaller side at only 3,300mAh, but you can expect around 35 hours of continuous use, which isn’t bad at all.

When it’s flat, it’ll reach a full charge in around 90 minutes, which isn’t very fast, but not a surprise seeing that it only offers a 25W charger. One thing we found slightly disappointing was the fact that the charger is sold separately. Other than that, the UI is fantastic. It’s called Samsung One and is overlaid on top of Android, working in much the same way.

7. Google Pixel 7 — Flagship Phone under $900

Here we have the Google Pixel 7. With the new Pixel 7, Google has continued the refinement of its predecessor, and it comes equipped with a new Tensor G2 chip which is definitely the star of the show.

It’s also smaller than the Pixel 6 without sacrificing too much of the screen, which we liked as the reduction makes it feels more secure in your hand. The distinctive band that houses the camera makes the Pixel 7 easy to pick in an already crowded marketplace, and if you liked how the Pixel 6 looked, we’re happy to report that Google likes it too, as the same design has been brought over to their latest device.

The display is a 1,080 x 2,400 FHD+ with a refresh rate of up to 90Hz. It would be nice to see a 120Hz refresh rate, but that’s reserved for the Pro model. The screen itself is slightly smaller than the previous model, but you’ll hardly tell the difference. That said, the brightness has been noticeably improved and now boasts 1,400 nits, making it perfect for use outside.

The new Google Tensor G2 chipset is a star here. It boosts the performance of the phone as a whole and the camera. Thanks to it, you get a major improvement to nighttime photography, and the camera comes with new features like Photo Unblur, which reduces blur in images and videos.

The chipset is also responsible for the enhanced battery. It’s a beefy 4,355mAh, and it’ll last around 23 hours of heavy use, which is impressive considering the price. The Pixel 7 might not be able to dethrone the Samsung S23 or the iPhone 14, but what it can do is show you that there’s more variety out there, and $883 for a flagship phone is excellent value for money.

8. OnePlus Nord CE 2 — 90Hz Refresh Rate And Slim 7.8mm Body

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 is more of a budget entry, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a lot to offer. There’s an impressive camera on offer, and it’s pretty reminiscent of the Oppo Find X5 Pro. A decision was made to use plastic rather than metal and glass, which keeps costs down while remaining durable.

It has an AMOLED display that offers a 90Hz refresh rate, and for this price, we couldn’t really ask for more. It’s big, bright, and handles scrolling as smoothly as you’d expect. It’s also covered with a layer of Gorilla Glass 5 which isn’t the best, but it’s enough to keep scratches and nicks at bay, plus, you get a pre-applied screen protector for added screen protection.

You might experience some lag when multitasking or loading new apps, and when it comes to gaming, there are better devices out there. That being said, you can still play some pretty basic games or the Lite version of bigger games like PUBG Lite. On the plus side, the OnePlus Nord CE comes with a very healthy 4,500mAh battery that’ll easily last a day, even with heavy use.

Lighter use will give up to 2 days of battery power. What’s included is a 65W charger which is actually better than the one from the iPhone 14 that only gives you a 20W charger. Reaching a full charge will happen in less than an hour, which is always nice. Unfortunately, there’s no wireless charging, but that’s not a deal breaker.

9. Motorola Moto G52 — Excellent Heat Management and Upgraded Display

Motorola makes an array of smartphones, from budget entries to flagship models. The Moto G52 falls comfortably in the mid-range. It’s equipped with an AMOLED display that offers much better contrast in comparison to its predecessor, though it’s slightly smaller. This has been done to save battery power which already offers a full day of use.

The back leaves a slightly cheap impression as it’s made of plastic, but it actually looks really good in the hand. It has a thinner lower bezel with a more glossy finish and even manages to shred some weight which is impressive when you consider the massive 5,000mAh battery at the back. It’s also IP52 rated, so it can handle dust and splashes.

The AMOLED display is actually one of the biggest upgrades received by the Moto G52, and while the refresh rate has been downgraded, it still produces a smooth 90Hz. In fact, most users won’t tell the difference. The display is also reasonably bright, and using it in bright conditions is easy. The Moto G52 has also a fingerprint scanner embedded in the power button.

When it comes to performance, there’s some noticeable lag – albeit very little – depending on what you’re doing. This is because the chipset has been manufactured with power efficiency in mind rather than performance — another reason why the battery is so great. That being said, it can still handle graphic intense games like Apex Legends Mobile, even though you’ll need to turn the settings down.

Where the Motorola Moto G52 impressed us was with its heat management. A prolonged gaming session didn’t even raise the heat of the phone, the same can’t be said for many mid-range smartphones. With all these features and easy-on-the-eye design, it’s not a stretch to call the Moto G52 one of the best cheap Android phones around.

10. Xiaomi Redmi 9A — Best Budget Smartphone Under $200

Xiaomi has a knack for accommodating phenomenal functionality at a more affordable cost than other brands like the iPhone. With the Redmi 9A, you get a smartphone with all the functionality you need at a much lower price. You also get a 3.5mm audio jack, which is always nice to see nowadays.

The Xiaomi Redmi 9A is a no-fuss smartphone that feels light despite being relatively large, and it’s well-balanced and easy to grip. It’s a good thing that Xiaomi gave the back a matte finish, as it looks slightly more premium though you can still see fingerprints.

The bezels from the camera and buttons aren’t as flush as we’d like, but if you keep the price in mind, it’s hardly a deal breaker. The LCD display is 720 x 1,600 pixels giving it a 269 ppi density. The processor is a MediaTek Helio G25 which is pretty snappy for a lower-end chip, and because it’s a Xiaomi, you can be sure that there are a lot of customization options in the settings menu.

The battery is where the Redmi 9A shines. It’s a big 5,000mAh which is the same capacity as many flagship-level phones. It promises about two days of use which is surprising for such an affordable phone. Unfortunately, there’s no fingerprint scanner, but with all these features, the Redmi 9A is undoubtedly one of the best budget smartphones in Australia.

Australia’s Best Phones Compared

To make all this information more digestible, we’ve created a table of the most important specs so you can compare the best mobile phones in Australia:

Key Details to Consider When Looking for the Best Phones

Buying a high-quality smartphone can be expensive, so the last thing you want is to purchase a device that doesn’t match your requirements. So, before you treat yourself to a new iPhone or Android mobile phone, consider the following details ahead of making a decision:

Quality

The materials used to build smartphones determine their durability. While the majority of smartphones have metals and plastics in their bodies, some offer glass-covered panels. It’s recommended that you get a model with plastic and metals as these can handle falls from a relatively high place (1 meter). The glass-covered phones will shatter if dropped from that height.

Processor

The best smartphones, like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, have a Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor or equivalent. This increases a phone’s speed dramatically, making it a pleasure to work with.

Depending on what you plan to do with your phone, you’ll want to consider whether the processor can handle it — for example, if you need to multitask or you’re looking to play games, you’ll want to get a phone with a top-of-the-line processor.

Built-in Storage

Go for a phone with 32GB of storage if you don’t want a lot of applications on your phone, otherwise, you can go up to 256GB of onboard storage if you prefer more space. Many smartphones also have the option to extend their storage through a microSD card.

Battery life

Every year our smartphones get smarter and more advanced features. So the battery needs to keep up as well. A good range capacity is around 3,000 to 5,000 milliamp hours. Anything less than that means your battery won’t last very long.

Beyond this, fast charging is always an added bonus, as nobody wants to wait ages for their device to charge. 120W charges are the best of the lot, but slightly less will do the job just as efficiently.

Camera Quality

This is not a deal breaker, but it’s always nice having a good-quality camera. Nowadays, most of the best-value smartphones have decent cameras. If you’re more into photography, though, a really good camera like the one on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra or the Apple iPhone 14 will serve you very well.

Price

The price plays a big role in determining a new phone for yourself, and while many flagship phones offer excellent features at a premium, don’t be afraid to look at the cheaper models like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro. You might be surprised to see how little the flagship model differs from a more budget-friendly option.

Display

It’s important to have a screen with a good resolution not only to see what you’re doing but also to ensure you don’t strain your eyes too much. The sweet spot is at least 1280 by 720 pixels. A screen with this size will be perfect for most people.

What is the Best Phone Camera Available?

The best camera phone on our list is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. It has a massive 200MP main camera and a host of other cameras to aid and enhance your photography. Other notable phone cameras are:

Conclusion – What’s the Best Mobile Phone in Australia in 2024?

The best smartphone for Australia is the iPhone 14 Pro. It has an extremely powerful processor, and the iPhone notch has been replaced by the extremely useful Dynamic Island, which is a very welcome addition to the phone. The camera has also been improved, and the device is equipped with one of the best screens ever seen on a phone. Don’t take our word for it, though – try it yourself today.

And if Apple isn’t your flavor, the best Android phone is the Samsung S23 Ultra. It has a processor just as powerful as the iPhone 14, and it comes with a stylish S-Pen for easy note-taking.

Best Phone in Australia FAQs

Justin Van Gent

Technology Writer

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Justin Van Gent

Technology Writer

With a background in telecommunications and renewable energy, and having studied engineering and web design, Justin’s technical expertise shines through with his content. He has written pieces spanning numerous tech verticals for Techopedia and The Tech Report, but he specializes in VPN, antivirus, and hosting content. His pieces are known for their accuracy and insight and for delivering informative content for Techopedia's audience.

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