It used to be that $49 was the average cap plan cost per month where you could get a handset for free. Now, though, with the flooding of smartphones into the Australian marketplace and the ongoing competition between mobile providers to get your business, you'll be able to get a brand new phone on a great $29 cap plan.
Click here for the best cap plans.
This means that light users will be able to get new phones without having to pay upwards of $20 hardware costs per month, making these plans especially great for people who don't make a lot of calls on their mobile, and for seniors who still use a landline for most things but want the convenience of a smartphone when they're out and about.
Generally you're not going to get the very newest and most hyped smartphone on a $29 plan – but you're still going to get some pretty famous, high quality phones. It's also a plan tier that is almost constantly changing, so check back at Compare Mobile Plans often to see if your favourite phone has come up for sale on it. Keep in mind that all of these plans are for 24 month contracts. Most providers are unwilling to give you a brand new phone on a contract any smaller, though Vodafone has started offering 12 month contracts.
If you already have a phone and are just after a great plan on a month to month contract, check out Amaysim's unlimited plan for $39.99 per month.
Here we take a look at some of the best phones available on $29 plans, and how those plans stack up against each other.
Generally you're going to find that most $29 plans offer around the same amount of data and credit, but take special note of plans that offer unmetered access to social network sites, and Virgin's great offer of rolling over your phone and text credit at the end of the month. When you're investigating the plans further, too, look at call rates and excess usage charges to find the best plan for you. If you're having trouble finding some information on that, give us a call on 1300 850 518.
Alas, you're not going to be able to get the much beloved iPhone on a $29 plan – but click here for some great, low-cost iPhone plans.
The HTC Evo 3D
A big, splashy phone with 3D photo effects, impressive specs, and a nice big-is-best feel to it. We complained about the sometimes sluggish performance, but the new version of Android should help in speeding the phone up. It has a large screen great for playing around with the fun 3D video and photo effects, not to mention games, and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Who it's good for: teenagers looking for a cheap smartphone, those of you who focus on keeping the fun in functionality.
Get it for $29 on....
The Optus $29 Cap Plan – gives you $180 included value for texts and calls, 200MB of data, and unmetered access to social networking sites. Call Optus on 1300 137 897.
The Samsung Galaxy S II
A crowd favourite, selling 20 million units in 10 months, the Galaxy S2 is the Everyman of phones. The phone is well-designed, easy to handle, with a gorgeous AMOLED display screen and a great camera. The battery life isn't great, but the Android system is at its best on the Galaxy S2, with a focus on customisation and functionality. The Samsung Galaxy S II puts the emphasis on doing everything and doing everything well.
Who it's good for: first-time smartphone users, old hands who want a phone that 'just works', those looking for an inexpensive smartphone that still offers great quality.
Get it for $29 on....
The Vodafone $29 Cap Plan – gives you $180 included value for texts and calls, 200MB of data, and unmetered access to social networking sites. Call Vodafone on 1300 850 518.
The LG Optimus 3D
Let's face it: with both the Evo and the Optimus, the 3D option is a gimmick. But it's a fun gimmick. As the popularity of apps like Instagram and Hipstomatic prove, photography on smartphones is usually just for fun, so why not embrace the first 3D phone on this great plan. With no glasses required and a crisp, powerful quality to the photos, the Optimus 3D is a fun phone with specs that can support it.
Who it's good for: the everyday user looking to play around with picture apps, and those who enjoy the stylish design of LG phones.
Get it for $29 on...
The Virgin $29 Cap Plan – gives you $190 included value for texts and calls, 250MB of data, and the ability to roll over unused text and call credit to the next month. Call Virgin on 1300 768 103.
The Nokia N9
Nokia's first smartphone, the N9 is a smooth, well-designed phone running a sadly now defunct operating system. Despite this setback, the N9 features a lovely AMOLED display with sturdy Gorilla Glass to protect the screen – the same material the iPhone uses. With a comfortable, easy feel to it and an 8MP camera, the N9 phone showcases all of Nokia's finest qualities as a manufacturer.
Who it's good for: fans of Nokia who want to try out a smartphone for the first time, people wanting a change from the market stranglehold Android and iOS operating systems have.
Get it for $29 on...
The Vodafone $29 Cap Plan – gives you $180 included value for texts and calls, 200MB of data, and unmetered access to social networking sites. Call Vodafone on 1300 850 518.
Unconvinced by any of these phones? For a little bit extra per month, you could get yourself one of Australia's favourite smartphones: the Apple iPhone 4S 64GB, the Nokia Lumia 800, or, to try something different, the brand new Samsung Galaxy Note.
If you're still having trouble finding a plan and/or phone, or have any further questions, please don't hesitate to call us on 1300 850 518 and we'll be happy to help you further.