The best plans for the new iPhone SE (2022) in Australia

Apple has pulled the curtain back on the 5G evolution to its (more) affordable iPhone SE. Not only is the new iPhone SE (3rd generation) compatible with Australian 5G networks, but it also sees a performance boost courtesy of the same A15 Bionic processing chip that was last seen in the flagship iPhone 13 range. And yes, it still has a home button and TouchID.

Days after the new iPhone SE was officially announced, Australian mobile providers Telstra, Optus and Vodafone officially announced their competitive pre-order deals for the new handset. Starting from $59.97 per month with Vodafone (on a 36-month plan), the new iPhone SE is still the most affordable smartphone choice for Apple users but with fewer compromises than the last generation.

Here’s a closer look at some of the best plans available for the new iPhone SE.

If you’ve come this far, you’ve already decided to save some money with the iPhone SE and a cheap phone deserves a cheap plan. That’s why our top pick is Vodafone’s $40 Lite Plan.

Powered by the growing Vodafone 5G network, the Lite Plan is available on 12, 24 or 36-month arrangements. It comes with unlimited calls and text to standard Australian numbers and 40GB of monthly data (plus endless data capped at 1.5Mbps when you exceed 40GB in a month). Normally the Lite Plan would only get you 10GB per month but if you sign up by the 30th of March, Vodafone will chuck in an extra 30GB to use every month.

Our top pick for the iPhone SE is the 24-month version of the iPhone SE plan but if you want to pay as little per month as possible, you can always opt for a longer 36-month arrangement (and switch it at any time). 

Here's a small list of the very cheapest plans for the iPhone SE 64GB model. 

If your taste for small and affordable phones is at odds with your insatiable appetite for data, then look no further than the discounted Optus Plus Promo plan. Normally $115 per month (not including handset repayments, the Optus Plus Promo plan is discounted to $65 for the first 12 months, bringing the total package down to $84.96 per month for the first year if you sign up for 36 months. That’s a great price for 500GB per month, which is more than most people will ever need in the space of a month, but it’s important to remember that your plan will revert to $115 after the first year is up, bringing the total monthly cost to an eye-watering $134.96 per month. That’s a lot to stomach but you can always drop your plan to a cheaper one after the first year is up at no extra cost.

If you’d prefer another high-data plan without the caveat that you will be paying more a year from now, check out more high-data iPhone SE plans below.

One of the biggest upgrades to the 3rd generation iPhone SE is its 5G-connectivity. Previously, budget-minded Apple users were locked out from the next-gen network. If 5G is playing a part in your decision to upgrade, it's worth knowing that not all 5G networks were created equal. As you might expect, Telstra is currently leading the Australian 5G race by a wide margin is offering some breakneck download speeds across Australia. That's what makes Telstra 5G our top choice in this category. As for the plan itself, we'd normally recommend the next cheapest option, the Telstra Medium Upfront Plan. But for a limited time, Telstra is offering its 180GB Extra Large Upfront Plan at a discounted price. 

Normally $115 per month, the Extra Large Upfront plan is currently discounted to $65 per month for the first 12 months. That brings the total monthly cost (including handset repayments) down to $85 per month when you sign up for 36 months. Those fees will revert to $115 per month after the year is up so it's worth setting a reminder to review your plan. 

The other big bonus that Telstra is offering at the moment is a 12-month Disney+ subscription, which itself is valued at $119. That's decent value (at least for the first 12 months) on Australia's largest 5G network. 

Not convinced? Here are some of the most popular iPhone SE plans that are 5G-ready. 

If coverage is your main concern (especially 5G coverage), then there's only one provider for you, Telstra. The Big Blue is offering a range of plans for the new iPhone SE, each with the telco's trademark coverage and a little bonus for Disney fans to sweeten the deal. Just be careful to avoid Telstra's cheapest Small Upfront plan if 5G is of any interest to you.

Optus, the middle-child of Australian network providers. If Optus' careful balance of coverage and value is where you find yourself, there's a decent suite of iPhone SE plans that cater to the budget-minded and the data-hungry. 

Here are the most popular iPhone SE plans through Optus right now. 

Putting Australia-wide coverage aside for a moment, most Australians living in densely populated areas know that Vodafone is the first choice for budget plans and tempting bonuses (like $5-per-day international roaming). 

Not only does the regular pricing of Vodafone's iPhone SE plans trump the competitions but the provider is offering a range of huge data bonuses to celebrate the launch of the new iPhone SE. 

Here's a rundown of the most popular iPhone SE plans through Vodafone right now. 

Still not sure if Telstra, Optus or Vodafone should have you as a customer? Well let's put it to the audience. These are the most popular 64GB iPhone SE plans currently available in Australia, according to our comparison engine.