Cheapest deals for new Samsung revealed
SAMSUNG has struck a blow in the battle for smartphone supremacy against Apple’s iPhone X with its latest Galaxy S9. These are the best deals around to get it at the best value.
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SAMSUNG has unveiled its new Galaxy S9 smartphone, which has been dubbed the “iPhone killer”. Moneysaver HQ never buys into the hype however; we just want to help those who do, by finding out the cheapest way to get this new tech toy into your hands.
So we talked to Finder.com.au, who crunched the numbers on the 24 month and 36 month plan options in the market for the 64GB version of the device, to see which providers are offering the best value.
“This is the first big launch we’ve seen with so many different options; leasing, plan-and-phone contracts and outright buy plus plan combos,” Angus Kidman, Finder.com.au tech expert, said. “We’re also seeing more carriers offer 36-month bundles rather than the standard 12 or 24 months.”
Amaysim proved the least expensive of the 24-month plans, with a monthly cost of $66.58, including handset costs, unlimited calls and text, three free renewals and wireless charger for a total two-year cost of $1598.
However, with just 1GB of data included, the plan best suits those who don’t download much content.
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Amaysim also offers customers the option of purchasing the device outright for $1119 standard or $1349 for the S9 Plus, with no lock-in contracts, which provides much-needed flexibility according to Amaysim’s commercial director Darren Bell.
“Owning the latest device shouldn’t come at the cost of being locked into a 24-month contract,” Mr Bell said.
Amaysim pipped the Woolworths Flexi Mobile plan, which cost $67.45 a month for a total cost of $1619 over the two years. Woolworths however offers 5GB of data and 200 international texts, in addition to unlimited local calls and texts.
Virgin Mobile was third with $68 a month including 2GB of data and unlimited calls and texts, while Vodafone’s Red Plan included 4GB and unlimited calls and texts for $79.50 a month and a total cost of $1908.
Optus My Plan Flex (leasing plan) offered the most data with 16GB, along with data-free streaming on Spotify, Google Play Music, Netflix and Stan, at a cost of $85 a month, or $2040 in two years.
This plan is aimed at those who know they will use more data and the $85 a month is cheaper than having one of the other plans and consistently breaching data allowances.
“It’s interesting to see that Optus has announced lease-only bundles, where you can upgrade your handset after just 12 months for a $99 fee, provided you haven’t damaged the handset in any way,” Mr Kidman said.
There were fewer options available for the 36 month plans but more providers are getting on board.
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“Our research shows Aussies typically hang on to the same phone for three years, so it’s good to see more carriers offer longer contracts,” Mr Kidman said. “But be aware that a lot can happen in three years- especially in the telco industry where plan pricing is being driven down.”
Woolworths Flexi mobile Plan was the best value for 36 months, with a monthly cost of $54.96 and total cost of $1979. The plan includes 5GB of data, unlimited calls and texts, 200 international texts each month and a $300 discount on handset repayments.
Next best was Vodafone’s Red Plan, with 4GB of data, plus unlimited calls and texts for $63, or $2268 in total.
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“To get the best deal, know your usage habits,” Mr Kidman said. “Some deals are very cheap but they come with a very low data allowance. If you sign up for 1GB but regularly use 3GB a month, you’ll be forking out in excess data fees every month and could easily spend more than if you’d chosen a slightly more expensive plan.”
Mr Kidman also said that if you were in a hurry, pre-ordering with Vodafone would likely see you receiving your smartphone half a week ahead of everyone else.