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Australia has a long history as a world leader in delivering fast, reliable mobile networks. 5G is no exception.
Since 2018, Australians have been able to enjoy the super-fast speeds of 5G.
While Telstra was the first carrier to launch 5G in Australia, both Optus and Vodafone weren’t far behind.
Today, even many of the smaller Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) that use Telstra, Optus or Vodafone’s networks are offering 5G plans. So understanding which phones will best take advantage of that network speed is important.
Many of the best phones you can buy today are 5G compatible. Even the best cheap phones offer 5G in 2023.
So helping you find the best 5G phone for your needs, we’ve done the research to find the phone models most recommended by expert review sites.
You can see our full approach below, but for now, these are the best 5G phones you can buy in Australia right now.
And if you’re looking for a 5G phone, now’s a great time to update to one of the best 5G mobile plans as well.
These are the best 5G phones in Australia right now:
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Refurbished Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Hall of Fame
Recommended by 5/8 review sites
Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of the best phones you can buy in Australia right now, and it offers 5G connectivity. So it isn’t a surprise that it sits at the top of this list.
The S23 Ultra will help you get the most out of your 5G signal thanks to its stellar battery life and powerful processor.
As an added benefit, the S23 Ultra’s camera is sensational, and the screen is absolutely stunning.
Whether you just want to stream Netflix on the train or upload lots of high quality videos, this is the phone to take advantage of your 5G SIM card.
Google Pixel 7a
Recommended by 5/8 review sites
2023’s version of Google’s more affordable Pixel, the Pixel 7a, has replaced its predecessor in this round up the best 5G phones.
It makes sense when you consider that the 7a has improved almost every aspect of the Pixel 6a, including its 5G capabilities. The 7a supports more 5G bands than the 6a.
You also get a more powerful processor, improved cameras and a stunning screen, and overall performance that you would expect from a phone double the price.
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
Samsung Galaxy A54 5G 6.4" 128GB Violet SM-A546ELVBATS Editor choice
Recommended by 4/8 review sites
The Samsung A54 5G may be priced as a more affordable smartphone for Australians, but it still offers top quality 5G connectivity.
You also get a sleek design and epic battery life, a bright, clear screen and an impressive camera array.
This is a fantastic option if you like the look of the Galaxy S23, but can’t quite afford it.
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Recommended by 4/8 review sites in Australia
Google’s current flagship is a clear leader as one of the best 5G phones in Australia.
The impressive Tensor 3 processor delivers a huge amount of power while sipping at the battery, giving the phone everything it needs to be a pocket powerhouse.
The camera is one of the best around, supported by Google’s impressive AI image software.
If you’re after a pure Android experience, it doesn’t get much better than this.
Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
Recommended by 3/8 review sites
The Samsung Galaxy A14 5G is one of the best examples that you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy the faster speeds of a 5G network.
Samsung’s entry-level smartphone offers a triple camera system, a large, sharp 6.6-inch screen with a 2,400 x 1,080 pixel resolution and a battery that will get you through the day.
It doesn’t deliver the same level of performance as the A54 or the S23 Ultra above, but it’s a fraction of the cost, making it a great option for kids or as an emergency backup.
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Recommended by 3/8 review sites
Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max is a beast of a smartphone, both in terms of size and specs.
The A17 processor is one of the most powerful chipsets in mobile devices at the moment, capable of incredible console-level graphics and effortless multitasking.
The camera is also impressive, with impressive lenses and the option of a 5x telephoto zoom setting.
And like all of the iPhone 15 range, it offers 5G connectivity as well across Australia’s networks.
Apple iPhone 15
Recommended by 3/8 review sites
The iPhone 15 Pro Max may be better across the board, but it’s also much more expensive than the entry level iPhone 15.
That doesn’t make the iPhone 15 a bad device. In fact, it’s a solid performer in its own right. Powered by the A16 Bionic chip, it delivers the Dynamic Island experience first offered with the iPhone 14 Pro family of phones, plus a wider range of colours and a gorgeous 6.1-inch screen.
You still get a great dual-camera system, plus 5G connectivity, making this a fine balance of price and performance.
How we chose the best 5G phones in Australia
Review sites – including this one – are subjective by nature. Everybody has a different opinion of what is best.
So to try and counter the fact that every best guide on the internet has a different opinion of what is best, we approached our list by combining the results of some of the top sites recommending 5G phones on the market today.
To determine this list, we followed the same journey most consumers would follow: we went to Google.
We searched for “Best 5G phones Australia” and identified eight of the top results. It’s important to note that Google results can change often. The full list of sites we referenced is outlined below:
We listed out all of the 5G phones listed on each site, tidying up any slight differences in spelling for consistency.
We calculated how often each product was mentioned across those 10 guides. The more frequently a product is mentioned, the more agreement there is between experts reviewing these products.
We set a minimum of three mentions across all 10 guides to be eligible for inclusion here.
Before we created this page we took some time to remove products that are either unavailable, or difficult to find in Australia.
We also leveraged our own experience with products to ensure that we wouldn’t be recommending any product that doesn’t deliver.
What to look for when choosing the best 5G phone
Whether you’re after one of the models listed above or something completely different, the decision factors you need to consider when buying a new 5G phone is the same.
Network
There are three 5G mobile networks available in Australia. Telstra, Optus and Vodafone each operates a 5G network, and the areas that they offer 5G vary depending on the network.
When choosing your 5G compatible phone, it’s important to know you’re on a network that can deliver a 5G signal where and when you need it.
Failing 5G, you also want to make sure you get a network that can drop back to 4G in locations you live or work.
To check if you can get 5G in your area, Whistleout has a great tool for looking at coverage maps.
Performance
When you buy a 5G phone, you also want to make sure it can handle all the tasks you throw at it. Look at the processor and benchmark scores if you can to get an idea of whether the phone is suitable for your needs.
Design
Choosing a phone that matches your personal style is something you need to consider. If you want a pink 5G phone, then your options will be limited..
Consider the screen size, the phone shape and colours when finding a phone that matches your style.
Camera requirements
The camera is one of the biggest differentiators between today’s smartphones. Consider how important taking high quality photos is to you when choosing your next 5G phone.
Battery life
Battery life isn’t just a case of sticking a bigger battery in a phone, although that can have a significant impact.
The processor, software and display can also have big impacts on how quickly a phone’s battery will drain.
Finally, 5G itself can use more battery than 4G connections. So look for larger batteries in your device if you plan on using 5G all the time.
Display
The screen of your phone is what you’ll end up looking at every day.
Size is important because it will impact the comfort of the phone.
But also look at things like the resolution of the screen and its refresh rate.
Resolution refers to the number of pixels that make up the screen. The more pixels there are, the clearer the picture will be in most cases.
Refresh rate could be important if you plan on using the handset to play games or stream sports. Typically a higher refresh rate the better the phone will be at displaying fast moving objects.
Price
Most (but not all) phones released in Australia today offer 5G connectivity. There’s no premium associated with the technology, but that means you need to consider the factors above, alongside the phone’s price, to find the right model for you.
Update history
- 2 May 2023 – First Published
- 31 July 2023 – Updated number of recommendations for products. Removed Google Pixel 6a. Added Google Pixel 7a.
- 5 November 2023 – Updated the number of recommendations for products. Added the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G.
- 5 February 2024 – Updated the number of product recommendations. Removed Google Pixel 7 Pro. Added Google Pixel 8 Pro, Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and Apple iPhone 15.
