The average monthly phone bill varies significantly by country and plan type, but generally ranges from around $44 (AUD) for a typical Australian postpaid plan to $70-$100 (USD) for a single US line, with US family plans averaging $160-$200, often including a device payment. In Australia, SIM-only plans average $44/month, while those paying for a handset on top of service cost significantly more, around $75+/month.
According to JD Power, the average cell phone bill for a single line is $141/month. It'd be nice to shave something off that nearly $1,700 annual expense. Of course, averages can be deceiving. Costs vary widely depending on whether you want a data plan, how many lines you need and more.
The cheapest mobile plans in Australia often come from MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) like TPG, SpinTel, Kogan Mobile, OnePass Mobile, and amaysim, with deals starting from around $12.50/month for basic data, while longer expiry plans (like 365-day) offer great value, such as Kogan's $179.90 for 140GB or OnePass's $200 for 280GB, averaging under $20/month, often including 5G and data banking/rollover. Prices and deals change, so check comparison sites like WhistleOut or Canstar for current offers on prepaid or SIM-only plans.
Yes, $15/month phone plans exist, often from MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) like Mint Mobile (requires buying in bulk for best price), Lyca Mobile, and sometimes introductory offers from major carriers like T-Mobile (Connect plan) or felix mobile, providing unlimited talk/text and varying amounts of data (e.g., 1GB-5GB+), using major networks like T-Mobile or Optus, but check for required upfront payments or intro periods, notes Mint Mobile, Lyca Mobile, T-Mobile, felix mobile, Vodafone Australia, Amaysim, ALDI Mobile, Kogan Mobile.
What is Unlimited Talk and Text Only from T-Mobile? Customers who only need talk and text capabilities can now get the Unlimited Talk & Text Only plan for just $20/month per line, plus taxes and fees.
Gen Z is buying dumb phones to combat digital addiction, improve mental health, and regain focus by reducing constant notifications and social media comparison, allowing for more present, intentional tech use with simpler devices that offer calls/texts without the overwhelming features of smartphones, leading to better sleep, productivity, and less anxiety, says www.abc.net.au. This trend is a conscious move towards digital wellness, prioritizing real-world connections and reducing "compare and despair" cycles from curated online lives, The Guardian.
We've made some changes to our plan prices
Changing our prices helps us to invest more to improve our mobile network and performance, including the reliability and security of your services and continue to have local support on hand.
Yes, Optus is generally cheaper than Telstra for similar data plans, often providing more data for the same price, while Telstra typically costs more but offers superior network coverage, especially in regional and rural areas, making the decision a trade-off between price and network reach. Optus usually wins on price, but you should check both providers' coverage maps for your specific locations.
Telstra's $99 mobile plan (often part of their Upfront or Business offerings) typically includes a large data allowance (like 300GB), uncapped 4G/5G speeds on the included data, unlimited national calls and texts, plus some international calling/SMS to standard numbers, often available on 24-month terms or no-lock-in options, with features like data sharing and speed capping if data limits are exceeded, though details vary by specific plan and retailer (like The Good Guys or JB Hi-Fi).
Kogan is cheap primarily because it's an online-only retailer with a direct-to-factory import model, cutting out middlemen like wholesalers and distributors, which significantly lowers overheads and passes savings to customers. They also offer private label brands (like Kogan's own) and sell refurbished items, along with selling "international models" which aren't always Australian-spec, explaining some of the price differences, though customers must check descriptions for warranty and model specifics.
The best budget phone depends on your priorities (camera, iOS vs. Android, battery), but top contenders in late 2025/early 2026 include the Google Pixel 9a (best overall Android, great camera/AI), Motorola Moto G series (excellent value, good battery), and the Samsung Galaxy A series (balanced features, wide range). For iOS fans, the iPhone SE (2022) or older refurbished models offer affordability with Apple's ecosystem.
Cell phone bills are still high, largely due to hidden fees, device installment plans, and unused features like streaming perks or excessive data. Cut your bill by choosing a plan that matches your usage—many people overpay for unlimited data or unused extras.
The cheapest phone plans often come from Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) like Moose Mobile, TPG, Kogan Mobile, and ALDI Mobile, offering plans for under $20/month with introductory deals or basic data/calls, especially prepaid SIM-only options for those bringing their own phone. Look for discounts, data banking, and long-expiry plans (365-day) from providers like Kogan Mobile and OnePass Mobile for excellent per-month value, with providers like Moose Mobile and TPG featuring deals around $12-$12.50 monthly for initial periods.
Did you know you can negotiate your phone bill? It's true! Companies want to keep you as a customer and are often willing to work with you to lower your bill. So, now that you've shopped around and know what the competitors are offering, pick up that phone and give your provider a call.
How much is the average cell phone bill per month? According to WhistleOut's report, the average American is spending $157 per month for their cell phone plan with a major carrier,* which adds up to almost $2k per year.
Ways to reduce mobile spending
You could consider turning off your device's ability to switch to mobile data when out of Wi-Fi range. A Spend Cap can help you limit usage outside of your monthly allowance by restricting your use of services like roaming and photo messaging, so you can stay in control of your bill.
Otherwise, say something like: “Thanks, but the problem isn't that I don't have enough to watch, it's that my monthly bill is too high. What can you do to lower my bill?” You can often get free ancillary services in addition to a lower monthly bill.
Telstra's cheapest mobile plan depends on your needs, with the $13 Pre-Paid plan offering 3GB data, unlimited standard calls/texts for 7 days, while the $39 Pre-Paid plan gives more data (55GB with bonus) and 28-day expiry, and their entry-level SIM-only Upfront plan starts around $70/month (often with discounts). For minimal usage, a $10 access-only plan might exist, but it's costly for calls/data, so check Telstra's site for current prepaid/upfront options and bonuses.
Understand how CPI-linked rises work
“Your monthly price will increase each April by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate published in January, plus 3.9%.” So if CPI is 4%, your bill goes up 7.9% that April. These hikes apply automatically even if you're mid-contract and not yet free to switch.
The "Telstra $109 plan" typically refers to older Telstra Premier Medium Bundles for home internet, offering ~200GB data with Foxtel on a 24-month term, or potentially older Unlimited Internet Plans on a month-to-month basis, including home phone and unlimited local/national calls. However, Telstra now offers more flexible Internet Only plans, so the $109 plan might be an older package, with current offerings varying, so checking Telstra's website for the latest bundles or Upfront plans is recommended for current details.
For Gen Z, the 😭 (Loudly Crying Face) emoji usually means something is overwhelmingly funny, cute, or heartwarming, signifying "crying with laughter" or being emotionally moved, rather than actual sadness, often replacing the older 😂 emoji for intense amusement. It's used for exaggerated, positive reactions to things like relatable humor, adorable pets, or touching moments.
Why do Android phones turn up in breach headlines so often? Android powers most of the world's phones and many run outdated software, so attackers get more mileage for their effort. iPhones see fewer hits overall but attract highly skilled spyware crews.
Here's a look at some of the trending substances being abused by Gen Z today: