Here are the latest iPhone 4S plans from all carriers.
Compare iPhone 4S Plans – 16 GB
Compare iPhone 4S Plans – 32 GB
Compare iPhone 4S Plans – 64 GB
We wrote up the original post many months ago, but plans change quickly and the plan information became outdated pretty quickly. So just click on the links above to see the latest iPhone 4S plans directly on the main website. Original post continues below for your reading pleasure.
___ Original Post ____
Update 12 June 2012: New iOS6 features like new Maps, updated Siri, better Facebook integration and Apple Passbook will all be available for your iPhone 4S as well, when the new iPhone 5 comes out later this year.
iOS6 announced for iPhone 4S.
Update 28 March: Virgin Mobile have a stack of iPhone 4 in stock for online purchase and immediate delivery. Best way to score a quick one.
There have been major changes to iPhone 4 plans in the past couple of months. Apple iPhone 4 has been in the Australian market for a good 6 months now but counter intuitively, the monthly handset costs have been going up instead down for some (not all) of the carriers.
This speaks to the love affair between Australians and all things Apple; and the fact that demand for the iPhone has consistently outstripped supply right from the day it was launched. And unlike iPad 2, in case of iPhone 4 there is no iPhone 5 (yet!) to drive prices down.
We’ve compared all iPhone 4 plans for you and listed out the best value options. But nothing is simple in the confusing world of mobile phone plans and one size cannot fit all. To decide which option is truly the best one, you need to take your own usage into account before deciding anything. You can do a full comparison and find the best iPhone 4 plans over at the main website.
Here we go -
Telstra: iPhone 3GS 8GB iPhone 4 16GB iPhone 4 32 GB
Optus: iPhone 3GS 8GB iPhone 4 16GB iPhone 4 32 GB
Vodafone: iPhone 3GS 8GB iPhone 4 16GB iPhone 4 32 GB
Virgin: iPhone 3GS 8GB iPhone 4 16GB iPhone 4 32 GB
Three: iPhone 3GS 8GB iPhone 4 16GB iPhone 4 32 GB
iPhone plans from Telstra
There are two kinds of iPhones plans with Telstra – the Next G Caps and the iPhone plans. Next G Caps are your standard caps with a fixed credit allowance for voice, text and data. The iPhone plans are different in that the included credit is a bit less than the monthly spend and there’s barely any included data, but you get access to bonus options like My Hour, Per second billing etc. Nine times out of ten, the NextG Caps are the better option by a mile.
In fact, unless you are a heavy phone user or consume large amounts of data, the best Telstra plan for most average users is the $49 Next G Cap. Details below.
iPhone 3GS 8GB
Best iPhone 3GS 8GB plan from Telstra: $49 Next G Cap (24 m)
Total Monthly cost: $49
Phone cost: Free
Included Credit: $400
Included Data: 1 GB
| Upfront | Monthly | Included Credit | Included Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $49 Next G Cap | - | - | $400 | 1GB |
| $79 Next G Cap | - | - | $750 | 2GB |
| $99 Next G Cap | - | - | $1000 | 2GB |
iPhone 4 16GB
Best iPhone 4 16GB plan from Telstra: $49 Next G Cap (24 m)
Total Monthly cost: $58
Phone cost: $9 per month
Included Credit: $400
Included Data: 1 GB
| Upfront | Monthly | Included Credit | Included Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $49 Next G Cap | - | $9 | $400 | 1GB |
| $79 Next G Cap | - | $5 | $750 | 2GB |
| $99 Next G Cap | - | - | $1000 | 2GB |
iPhone 4 32 GB
Best iPhone 4 32GB plan from Telstra: $49 Next G Cap (24 m)
Total Monthly cost: $64
Phone cost: $15/month
Included Credit: $900
Included Data: 2 GB
| Upfront | Monthly | Included Credit | Included Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $49 Next G Cap | - | $15 | $400 | 1GB |
| $79 Next G Cap | - | $11 | $750 | 2GB |
| $99 Next G Cap | - | $5 | $1000 | 2GB |
iPhone plans from Optus
Optus have had great success with the iPhone in the Australian market because of their exclusivity arrangement with Apple when the phone was first launched. Last month Optus changed the structure of their iPhone plans to charge a heftier upfront payment. They also hiked up the price point at which the phone came free. But the strategy backfired and in the old plans were back in less than two weeks. Why did Optus ever think that people would be willing to pay $400-$500 upfront and still sign up to a 2 year contract? Anyway, all is well again. Here are the best Optus plans for iPhone 4
iPhone 3GS 8GB
Best iPhone 3GS 8GB plan from Optus: $49 Cap (24 m)
Total Monthly cost: $49
Phone cost: $5/month
Included Credit: $500
Included Data: 1.5 GB
| Upfront | Monthly | Included Credit | Included Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $19 Cap | 0 | $19 | $70 | 100MB |
| $49 Cap | 0 | $5 | $500 | 1.5GB |
| $79 Cap | 0 | - | $900 | 3GB |
| $99 Timeless Extreme | 0 | - | Unlimited | 5GB |
iPhone 4 16GB
Best iPhone 4 16GB plan from Optus: $79 Cap (24 m)
Total Monthly cost: $79
Phone cost: Free
Included Credit: $900
Included Data: 3 GB
| Upfront | Monthly | Included Credit | Included Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $19 Cap | 0 | $25 | $70 | 100 MB |
| $49 Cap | 0 | $9 | $500 | 1.5GB |
| $79 Cap | 0 | - | $900 | 3GB |
iPhone 4 32 GB
Best iPhone 4 32GB plan from Optus: $59 Cap (24 m)
Total Monthly cost: $74
Phone cost: $15/month
Included Credit: $700
Included Data: 2 GB
| Upfront | Monthly | Included Credit | Included Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $29 Cap | 0 | $25 | $180 | 200MB |
| $59 Cap | 0 | $15 | $700 | 2GB |
| $79 Cap | - | $5 | $900 | 3GB |
| $99 Timeless Extreme | - | - | Unlimited | 5GB |
iPhone plans from Vodafone
Unlike Optus and Telstra, Vodafone plans have remained unchanged in the past months. In fact iPhone 4 on one of the Infinite Caps would be the best value option for most people. But the Vodafone network has taken a bit of a rap lately and it is best to test the network in your area beforehand using a $2 SIM.
iPhone 3GS 8GB
Best iPhone 3GS 8GB plan from Vodafone: $45 Infinite Cap (24 m)
Total Monthly cost: $60
Phone cost: $15/month
Included Credit: Unlimited (plus $45 for Voicemail, 13/1800)
Included Data: 1 GB
| Upfront | Monthly | Included Credit | Included Data | Total `per mth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $29 Contract Cap (24m) | - | $12 | $180 | 200MB | $41 |
| $45 Infinite Cap (24m) | - | $15 | Unlimited | 1GB | $60 |
| $69 Contract Cap (24m) | - | - | $700 | 2GB | $69 |
| $85 Infinite Cap (24m) | - | - | Unlimited | 3GB | $85 |
iPhone 4 16GB
Best iPhone 4 16GB plan from Vodafone: $45 Infinite Cap (24 m)
Total Monthly cost: $65
Phone cost: $20/month
Included Credit: Unlimited (plus $45 for Voicemail, 13/1800)
Included Data: 1 GB
| Upfront | Monthly | Included Credit | Included Data | Total per mth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $29 Contract Cap (24m) | - | $18 | $180 | 200MB | $47 |
| $45 Infinite Cap (24m) | - | $20 | Unlimited | 1GB | $65 |
| $65 Infinite Cap (24m) | - | $10 | Unlimited | 2GB | $75 |
| $100 Infinite Cap (24m) | - | - | Unlimited | 4GB | $100 |
iPhone 4 32 GB
Best iPhone 4 32GB plan from Vodafone: $49 Contract Cap (24 m)
Total Monthly cost: $63
Phone cost: $14/month
Included Credit: $500
Included Data: 1.5 GB (can be used for tethering)
| Upfront | Monthly | Included Credit | Included Data | Total per mth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $29 Contract Cap (24m) | - | $24 | $180 | 200MB | $53 |
| $49 Contract Cap (24m) | - | $14 | $500 | 1.5GB | $63 |
| $45 Infinite Cap (24m) | - | $28 | Unlimited | 1GB | $73 |
| $65 Infinite Cap (24m) | - | $20 | Unlimited | 2GB | $85 |
| $100 Infinite Cap (24m) | - | - | Unlimited | 4GB | $100 |
iPhone plans from Virgin
Virgin has two sets of plans – Easy Caps with more credit and less data, and Smart Caps with lesser credit and more data. The phone costs on both types of plans are similar but the plan you select should depend on how you expect to use your phone. A good rule of thumb is to budget for at least 25% more talk time than you expect to use; this will help avoid bill shock if you ever bust your cap. You can always pick up a five or 10 dollar data pack to manage excess data usage, which is not the case with voice calls.
iPhone 3GS 8GB
Best iPhone 3GS 8GB plan from Virgin: $49 Smart Cap (24 m) OR $49 Easy Cap if you need more talk and less data
Total Monthly cost: $49
Phone cost: Free
Included Credit: $300 (free calls to Virgin and free Voicemail)
Included Data: 2 GB
| Upfront | Monthly | Included Credit | Included Data | Total `per mth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $29 Easy Cap (24m) | - | $6 | $190 | 100MB | $35 |
| $39 Easy Cap (24m) | - | - | $300 | 300MB | $39 |
| $49 Smart Cap (24m) | - | - | $300 | 2GB | $49 |
| $49 Easy Cap (24m) | - | - | $450 | 300MB | $49 |
iPhone 4 16GB
Best iPhone 4 16GB plan from Virgin: $45 Infinite Cap (24 m)
Total Monthly cost: $65
Phone cost: $20/month
Included Credit: Unlimited (plus $45 for Voicemail, 13/1800)
Included Data: 1 GB
| Upfront | Monthly | Included Credit | Included Data | Total per mth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $29 Contract Cap (24m) | - | $18 | $180 | 200MB | $47 |
| $45 Infinite Cap (24m) | - | $20 | Unlimited | 1GB | $65 |
| $65 Infinite Cap (24m) | - | $10 | Unlimited | 2GB | $75 |
| $100 Infinite Cap (24m) | - | - | Unlimited | 4GB | $100 |
iPhone 4 32 GB
Best iPhone 4 32GB plan from Virgin: $49 Contract Cap (24 m)
Total Monthly cost: $63
Phone cost: $14/month
Included Credit: $500
Included Data: 1.5 GB (can be used for tethering)
| Upfront | Monthly | Included Credit | Included Data | Total per mth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $29 Contract Cap (24m) | - | $24 | $180 | 200MB | $53 |
| $49 Contract Cap (24m) | - | $14 | $500 | 1.5GB | $63 |
| $45 Infinite Cap (24m) | - | $28 | Unlimited | 1GB | $73 |
| $65 Infinite Cap (24m) | - | $20 | Unlimited | 2GB | $85 |
| $100 Infinite Cap (24m) | - | - | Unlimited | 4GB | $100 |
iPhone plans from Three
We haven’t seen many new or exciting iPhone plans from Three Mobile after the VHA merger. The existing plans do the job but nothing to write home about.
iPhone 3GS 8GB
Best iPhone 3GS 8GB plan from Three: $39 iPhone Cap (also called the iPhone Pack)
Total Monthly cost: $44
Phone cost: $5/month
Included Credit: $150 (plus $200 for calls to other 3 and Vodafone numbers)
Included Data: 150 MB
| Upfront | Monthly | Included Credit | Included Data | Total `per mth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39 iPhone Cap (24m) | - | $5 | $150 | 150MB | $44 |
| $79 iPhone Cap (24m) | - | - | $650 | 2GB | $79 |
iPhone 4 16GB
Best iPhone 4 16GB plan from Three: $59 Promo Cap (24 m)
Total Monthly cost: $69
Phone cost: $10/month
Included Credit: $650 (plus free calls to other Three and Vodafone numbers)
Included Data: 2 GB
| Upfront | Monthly | Included Credit | Included Data | Total per mth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $29 New Cap (24m) | - | $18 | $180 | 200MB | $47 |
| $49 iPhone Cap (24m) | - | $10 | $350 | 1.5GB | $59 |
| $59 Promo Cap (24m) | - | $10 | $650 | 2GB | $69 |
| $79 New Cap (24m) | - | - | $800 | 2GB | $79 |
iPhone 4 32 GB
Best iPhone 4 32GB plan from Three: $79 iPhone Cap (24 m)
Total Monthly cost: $79
Phone cost: Free
Included Credit: $650
Included Data: 2 GB
| Upfront | Monthly | Included Credit | Included Data | Total per mth | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $29 New Cap (24m) | - | $24 | $180 | 200MB | $53 |
| $49 New Cap (24m) | - | $14 | $450 | 1.5GB | $63 |
| $79 iPhone Cap (24m) | - | - | $650 | 2GB | $79 |
So there you have it. A comprehensive rundown on all the iPhone 4 plans available in Australian today. Bear in mind though, that the best plan will always be the one that fits in with your usage. Calls, text, data. Consider everything before making your final decision. Our free and very clever mobile deal finder can help.
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I don’t understand half of this stuff. In fact I think phone companies have gone out of their way to be deceptive.
What’s infinite? What’s unlimited? This approach is clearly calculated to confuse.
Does no-one have the courage to say. ‘Make as many calls as you like for free’? but the introduction of another term that doesn’t quite mean the same thing makes me very suspicious. What’s the catch?
And what’s included credit? I don’t understand that and Total per month? No idea either. How many minutes can I talk for? How many text messages can I send?
Much too hard.
Also known as marketing by obfuscation.
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