The right phone is the one that fits your budget, habits, existing devices and local carrier—not necessarily the one with the biggest numbers on its spec sheet. Compare the full cost and how a phone performs in the things you actually do, then check that the model is sold and supported in your market. The guidance below draws on New Zealand and Australian consumer sources; network bands, plans, prices and accessory availability vary by country and provider.
1. Set a budget for the phone and its service
Compare the total cost of buying a handset outright with the total you would pay for a carrier plan over the same period. A low monthly handset payment does not tell you whether the overall deal is good: include the service charge, contract length and any other terms that affect what you pay. CHOICE’s Australian guide notes that buying upfront may save money, but plan costs depend on the contract and your usage. Check current offers and contract conditions with providers in your market.
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Start with the plan you need, then compare handset options against it. This helps avoid paying for a larger allowance or a longer commitment just to make the phone payment appear smaller.
2. Choose an operating system that fits your devices and apps
Consider how a new phone will work with the devices and services you already use. If your household, computer, watch or other accessories are tied to one ecosystem, staying with the same platform may involve less adjustment. Switching between Apple’s iOS and Android can mean redownloading apps and, in some cases, buying them again. Both platforms offer ways to transfer data such as photos, but a transfer does not guarantee that every app, setting or purchase will move with you.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Before switching, check which apps you rely on, whether their data can be transferred, and whether you are comfortable learning a different interface. Consumer NZ and CHOICE both identify the operating system and ecosystem as important buying considerations.
3. Check network compatibility where you will use the phone
A phone is not universally compatible with every carrier or region. Before buying, confirm that the exact model supports the 4G and, if relevant, 5G bands used by your intended carrier in the places you use the phone. Check the carrier’s current compatibility information for your area; the name of a phone model alone may not establish that a particular regional variant will work well.
Rank #2
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Tracfone plan required, activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- DISPLAY: Immersive viewing on a 6.7-inch super-bright 120Hz display with powerful stereo speakers and Bass Boost for cinematic entertainment.
- CAMERA SYSTEM: Advanced 50MP Quad Pixel camera captures sharp, detailed photos and videos in any lighting condition
- PERFORMANCE: Lightning-fast 5G connectivity paired with a powerful processor and RAM Boost for smooth multitasking.
- BATTERY LIFE: Long-lasting 5000mAh battery with TurboPower charging technology delivers hours of power in minutes.
5G can be useful where the network and phone support it, but Consumer NZ says it is not necessary for most users. Prioritize reliable local coverage and compatible bands over a 5G label if your usual locations or plan do not make 5G valuable.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →4. Choose a screen size you can comfortably handle
A larger display can make video, games and reading more comfortable, but it can be harder to use one-handed and may be less convenient to carry. Screen measurements do not tell the whole story: body shape, weight and hand size affect how a phone feels. If you can, handle a model in person before buying, especially if you are moving to a noticeably larger or heavier phone.
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
5. Compare battery performance in context
Battery capacity alone is not a reliable way to predict how long a phone will last between charges. Screen size and the way you use the device affect power needs, so compare battery results from tests conducted on similarly sized phones and under comparable conditions. Think about your own routine, too: video, games and extended screen use can make a difference to how often you need to recharge.
If you are regularly away from a charger for long stretches, a power bank may be a useful extra. Otherwise, weigh its cost and the inconvenience of carrying it against your actual charging habits.
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
6. Judge the camera by its results, not its resolution
Megapixels do not tell you on their own how good a phone’s photos or videos will look. As CHOICE puts it, “Picture and video capture quality is not just determined by your smartphone’s resolution, but also the ability to deliver a good image in different lighting situations.” Look at sample photos and video from the exact model, paying attention to conditions that matter to you: indoor scenes, night shots, moving subjects, portraits or video.
CHOICE’s guide describes independent testing of more than 50 smartphones over the two years before its 2025 update; that scope is a description of its own testing, not a count of phones available on the market. Its Australian guide was last updated 11 December 2025.
Best Value
- Carrier: This phone is locked to Tracfone, which means this device can only be used on the Tracfone wireless network. Activating is easy, just 3 steps.
- ACTIVATION Promotion: Includes 1500 min, 1500 texts & 1500 MB Data + add more as you need it
- CAMERA SYSTEM: 50MP Quad Pixel camera. Capture sharper, more vibrant photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity.
- PERFORMANCE: Blazing-fast Qualcomm performance. Get the speed you need for great entertainment with a Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM.
- 64GB built-in storage. Get plenty of room for photos, movies, songs, and apps. Made for US
7. Plan for storage and ownership beyond the first day
Estimate how much storage you use
Apps, downloaded media, photos and videos all take space. Think about what you keep on your phone and whether you routinely remove files or prefer to store them locally. Consumer NZ says heavier app or video users may need 128GB or more. Some models offer microSD expansion, but many do not, so check the exact model’s storage options before purchase.
Check repairability, water resistance and cases
Consider how practical the phone will be to own if it is damaged or needs service. Compare repairability information and the manufacturer’s current terms for the specific model in your market. Treat water resistance as a limited feature rather than a promise that a phone is waterproof, and check the model’s stated rating and warranty terms.
Case availability also varies by brand and model. Confirm that a suitable case is available for the exact phone you are considering, particularly if you want protection from the start.
Use evidence that matches your market
Consumer NZ’s New Zealand guide, updated June 2026, says it provides test results for 59 current and 148 discontinued models and reports independent testing of more than 50 models from six brands. Those figures describe that guide’s coverage, not the whole phone market. CHOICE’s Australian guide was last updated 11 December 2025 and reports independent testing of over 50 smartphones in the preceding two years. Both can help explain what to compare, but availability, network compatibility, prices and plans need to be checked locally.
For any particular model, verify current software-support terms with its manufacturer before treating it as a long-term purchase. Support commitments can differ by model and market, and the cited guides do not establish an exact current commitment for every phone.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
