For most Australians, the Apple iPhone 17 is the strongest all-round pick in TechRadar Australia’s guide updated 17 September 2026. It balances performance, ease of use and value, though its battery life and lack of a telephoto camera are trade-offs. There is no single best phone for everyone: your budget, preferred operating system, camera needs and appetite for a large or foldable screen all matter.
Other Australian guides reach different conclusions: GadgetGuy chose the iPhone 17 Pro, while WhistleOut/Tech Advisor selected the iPhone 17e. Those are distinct editorial picks, not results from a shared, same-day comparison. The recommendations below are attributed to their guides and dates so you can choose the one that fits your priorities.
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Best phones in Australia in 2026 at a glance
| What you want | Shortlist pick | Guide and context |
|---|---|---|
| Best for most people | Apple iPhone 17 | TechRadar Australia, updated 17 September 2026; highlights its balance of performance, ease of use and value, with battery and telephoto-camera compromises. |
| Premium iPhone and camera | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max; Apple iPhone 17 Pro | TechRadar recommends the iPhone 18 Pro Max as its current flagship pick. GadgetGuy and WhistleOut/Tech Advisor chose the iPhone 17 Pro in their respective guides; these are not matched-generation tests. |
| Android flagship | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | TechRadar’s Android choice; its cited strengths include display, performance, cameras and S Pen, while cost and a modest generational upgrade are caveats. |
| Alternative Android flagship | OPPO Find X9 Pro | GadgetGuy’s January 2026 choice, praised for cameras and battery; that guide says its software-support commitment trails Samsung and Google. |
| Pixel and photography | Google Pixel 11 Pro XL; Google Pixel 10 Pro | TechRadar named the Pixel 11 Pro XL its best Pixel. GadgetGuy’s older January guide selected the Pixel 10 Pro for camera use. |
| Lower-cost options | Nothing Phone (4a); Apple iPhone 17e | TechRadar’s budget pick is the Nothing Phone (4a). WhistleOut/Tech Advisor selected the iPhone 17e; its guide listed an Australian RRP of $999 when updated on 31 July 2026. |
| Foldable phone | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 family; Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 | TechRadar recommends the Z Fold 8 family; GadgetGuy’s January guide selected the Z Fold 7. The guides cover different model generations. |
These are editorial recommendations from guides with different dates and selection methods, not a single independently controlled ranking. TechRadar says its reviewers spend hours testing products; GadgetGuy’s guide focuses on Australian-market devices and cautions that regional versions can differ. Check that any handset is the Australian variant before buying.
Which iPhone should you choose?
iPhone 17: the all-round option
TechRadar’s 17 September 2026 guide names the iPhone 17 the best phone for most people, citing the balance of performance, ease of use and value. It also notes two meaningful compromises: battery performance and the absence of a telephoto camera. If you want an iPhone for everyday use and do not need the most advanced zoom camera, this is the guide’s broad recommendation.
iPhone 17 Pro: a premium alternative
GadgetGuy selected the iPhone 17 Pro in its 20 January 2026 guide, and WhistleOut/Tech Advisor included it as a camera-focused choice in its 31 July 2026 update. These picks predate or differ from TechRadar’s later iPhone 18 Pro Max recommendation. Treat them as guide-specific recommendations rather than proof that the 17 Pro outperforms the newer model.
iPhone 18 Pro Max: the current flagship pick in TechRadar’s guide
TechRadar’s September update identifies the iPhone 18 Pro Max as its premium iPhone and camera recommendation. That makes it the relevant pick if you want the top-end iPhone option in that guide, rather than the more general-purpose iPhone 17. Model availability and Australian pricing can change; verify both with a local retailer before purchase.
Rank #2
- SIZE: This phone holder is Assemble style, two pieces could be split, the Backrest measures 4 x 7 x 0.2 inches & the small support is around 3.5 x 3.75 x 0.2 inches.
- QUANTITY: This holder package including 1 wooden backrest & 1 wooden support.
- MATERIAL: this phone holder are made of high quality plywood, sturdy & eco-friendly.
- APPLICATION: this phone holder could be a useful organizer fits different occasions like office, home, bedside table etc, also dog theme holders could be nice gift for dog lover.
iPhone 17e: a lower-cost route to iOS
WhistleOut/Tech Advisor chose the iPhone 17e in its 2026 shortlist, which draws on WhistleOut’s annual awards for July 2025 through June 2026. The guide listed an Australian RRP of $999 as of its 31 July 2026 update. That is a dated RRP, not a guaranteed current selling price, and the 17e is a different value proposition from the Pro models.
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Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: TechRadar’s Android flagship
TechRadar names the Galaxy S26 Ultra its best Android phone. The guide points to its display, performance, cameras, S Pen and AI features. It also flags the high price, a relatively small generational upgrade and the possibility that its AI features will not suit every buyer. Choose it if you want a premium Android device with a stylus and broad flagship capabilities; consider a less expensive option if those extras are not priorities.
Rank #3
- BAMBOO SMARTPHONE STAND & LOUDSPEAKER: This beautiful portable bamboo speaker is made of bamboo and beautifully painted in Aboriginal Style. Put your cellphone through the slot at the top in the stand and you will be amazed how this bamboo speaker amplifies the sound of your smartphone! A beautiful stereo sound since the sound is reproduced on both sides. The shape of this bamboo speaker gives extra boost & body to the music from your mobile phone!
- ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: Because this sound amplifier works without electricity, it is completely environmentally friendly and therefore the ideal sound amplifier for smartphone and iPhone. Also very suitable as a decorative wooden gift for children.
- SUITABLE FOR: Due to the light compact size, this jukebox is suitable for all indoor and outdoor use. This acoustic speaker is also frequently used during yoga or mindfulness sessions or in smaller rooms when a nice, modest natural music sound is required
- SPECIFICATIONS / SIZES The membrane on the top of the speaker adapts perfectly to any smartphone. Dimensions of the Aboriginal Style loudspeaker: tube 35 - 40 cm / diameter 8 - 10 cm / opening for the phone maximum 8 x 1.5 cm
- DELIVERY: Delivered exactly as shown in a nylon bag with Australian Treasures logo
OPPO Find X9 Pro: a camera-and-battery alternative
GadgetGuy selected the Find X9 Pro in its January 2026 Australian-market guide, emphasizing its cameras and battery. The guide also says its software-support commitment trails Samsung’s and Google’s. Because that recommendation came months before TechRadar’s September picks, it is a dated alternative rather than a direct head-to-head result against the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro: camera-oriented choices
TechRadar’s September guide names the Pixel 11 Pro XL its best Pixel, while GadgetGuy’s January guide chose the Pixel 10 Pro for camera use. The recommendations cover different generations and dates; the available guide evidence does not establish a matched test between them. If photography is your main reason for upgrading, compare current Australian model availability and camera reviews for the exact version on sale.
Rank #4
- Converts plugs from any country into a two prong Australian plug
- One multi-country two prong outlet plug adapter
- Lightweight and compact, perfect for travelers
- Designed for use with the Wall Charger or VersaCharger PRO
- When used with the VersaCharger PRO, the power outlet voltage must range between 100 to 220 volts AC
Nothing Phone (4a): TechRadar’s budget pick
TechRadar recommends the Nothing Phone (4a) at the cheaper end of its shortlist. The guide’s budget label is relative to the other phones it covers; it does not establish a current Australian street price here. Check the latest local price and whether the configuration you want is in stock before deciding.
Are foldable phones worth considering?
TechRadar recommends the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 family for foldable use, while GadgetGuy’s January guide selected the Galaxy Z Fold 7. A foldable’s larger inner screen can suit multitasking, but the format comes with high cost and durability considerations. Because the recommendations concern different generations, use them to identify the category rather than as a direct model comparison.
Best Value
- THE PERFECT PAIR OF CUFFLINKS - Beautifully crafted, these will be perfect to wear to a formal event or to the office.
- INCLUDED GIFT BOX MEANS THESE MAKE AN AMAZING GIFT - Comes presented in a premium gift box - perfect for giving to that special someone
- PREMIUM MATERIALS – Made with a solid brass base, and a 3 micron premium rhodium electroplating, these will stay shiny forever.
- BY CLINKS – Who have over 10 years’ experience in manufacturing stylish quality cufflinks
- FREE RETURNS & 3 YEAR WARRANTY – For your peace of mind
How to choose the right phone for you
Start with the things you will notice every day, then check the details that affect ownership over time:
- Price and value: Compare the current outright price with any carrier bundle, and check the total you would pay over the plan term. Offers and handset availability change.
- Operating system and ecosystem: Decide whether you prefer iOS or Android and whether the phone needs to work smoothly with devices and services you already use.
- Camera: Think about the photos you actually take: everyday shots, low-light scenes, portraits or zoom. A phone without a telephoto camera may not suit someone who often photographs distant subjects.
- Battery and charging: Look for evidence relevant to your use rather than relying only on a model’s headline claims. Battery results can vary with settings and workload.
- Display and size: Consider screen quality and whether you can comfortably carry and use a large handset. Foldables add a larger screen but also bring cost and durability trade-offs.
- Software support: Check the manufacturer’s commitment for the exact Australian model, especially if you plan to keep the phone for several years.
- Durability and storage: Match build expectations and storage capacity to how you use the phone; both can affect the value of a seemingly cheaper choice.
What customer awards can—and cannot—tell you
Canstar’s 2026 smartphone award draws on a survey of 1,186 customers. Canstar says it assessed 11 providers, shortlisted five and selected one winner; the research was finalised in January 2026 and published in February 2026. Its criteria include value, ease of use, durability, battery and charging, design and camera quality. This is customer-reported satisfaction evidence, not comparative laboratory testing of individual phone models, so it answers a different question from a reviewer’s handset ranking.
Check Australian prices and availability before buying
The recommendations above come from guides updated between January and September 2026. Prices, stock, carrier promotions and exact Australian model availability can change. Check the current price, seller, storage configuration, regional variant and any plan’s full cost before purchasing; do not assume a guide’s listed price or offer is still available.
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