Best Google phone for Australians in 2024

If you’re looking to break away from the Apple iPhone and the iOS ecosystem, Samsung has always been the obvious choice. However, Google's Pixel smartphones have become a more popular and increasingly compelling option in recent years.

If you can't make heads or tails of Google's smartphone lineup, we are here to help bring you up to speed. We've compiled a quick guide to help you navigate Google's new lineup of Pixel smartphones and find the right one that suits your needs and budget plus a round-up of older (and refurbished) devices and how they compare to the latest and greatest.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro might share a few specs with the likes of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, but it's got a slightly different take on what a flagship smartphone should offer. While it's got many of the same practical premium inclusions like water resistance, 5G connectivity, a 120Hz screen, additional RAM and a bigger battery seen in its predecessors and competitors, Google's most recent flagship also comes armed with a suite of AI-powered features and capabilities that promise to help it get better over time.

Reviewed Adam Smith came away impressed with this approach, particularly when it came to what it meant for the Pixel's photographic prowess.

If you're in the market for an Android phone and don't fancy paying the high price attached to Samsung's latest flagship, then the Pixel 8 Pro is a more-than-worthy alternative. It's a phone with everything you need plus the promise of seven years of support from Google.

If you're sold, check out the widget below for a round-up of the cheapest plans for Google's best smartphone.

While the mainline Pixel devices have always emphasised cutting-edge tech, the Pixel A series has been a crowd-pleaser. From as far back as the Pixel 4a, the budget-friendly branch of Google's smartphone empire has combined clean and likable looks, simple and seamless software and camera hardware that works smarter rather than relying on high-end specs.

All this is to say that Fergus Halliday came away with plenty of nice things to say about the Pixel 7a in his review of the device.

While Google's strength in the premium segment has waxed and waned over the years, its Pixel A devices have dominated the mid-range market ever since their introduction and this year's Google Pixel 7a is another strong instalment in that saga.

If you're sold, check out the widget below for a round-up of the cheapest plans for Google's thriftiest smartphone.

The Google Pixel 8 isn't a huge departure from last year's Pixel 7. It looks pretty similar and packs in plenty of the same bells and whistles. However, it's built better and engineered to last in a way that goes well beyond the standard set by its predecessor. It's also the obvious choice for those who favour the smaller screen size but don't want to compromise on features.

The Pixel 8 is armed with a brighter dynamic OLED screen clocked at 120Hz, a faster Tensor G3 processor, a new temperature sensor, improved face unlock and a full seven years of security and software updates. All those upgrades do add up to a starting price that's $200 more expensive than the starting price for last year's Pixel 7, but the benefits are just as hard to miss.

In his assessment of the device, WhistleOut editor Alex Choros found that some inconsistency around the Pixel 8's new AI features didn't detract from its overall value.

In Australia, the Google Pixel 8 starts at $1199. It's also available on a postpaid plan through all three of Australia's big mobile carriers. If you're looking to pick up the Google Pixel 8 on a plan for as little as possible, check out the widget below for the cheapest options.