Help Me Pick an Android Phone (Budget ~ $1,500) + Any Current Deals?

Hey all,
I’m after an Android phone would love your deal-spotting help.

Budget: Around $1,500 (can go a bit higher if it’s truly worth it).
Buying style: Prefer outright, but open to plan/bundle if it’s a no-brainer. Not looking to do a trade-in.
Priorities (in order):

• Great camera (photos + video)
• Strong battery life + fast charging
• Smooth performance & long software support
• Good screen (120Hz+ preferred)
• Bonus GC would be a plus

About me: I’m a regular user (social, photos/videos, maps, light gaming). I switched to iPhone about 4 years ago, but now I’m keen to get back into Android. I also have access to an education store through my daughter’s school email, so I can make use of those discounts if it helps.
Network: Open to switching for a good port-in bonus (Telstra/Optus/Voda fine).

Would really appreciate suggestions on the best current outright or plan deals, and whether there are any good education store or stacking tricks I should know about. Thanks!

Comments

  • +2

    There are plenty of options meeting your modest requirements, all very similar.
    Samsung have some nice features, but also make things worse. I prefer a more pure Android experience such as Pixel.

    I'm a bit confused over your budget - $1500 is huge, but you are penny-pinching over gift -cards, education discounts and port-in bonuses.
    If you truly are looking for value, keeping cost down, then why say $1500? You are rejecting iPhone, so clearly interested in function over status-symbols.

    Post-paid plans these days are poor value. Not like the old days.
    The Ozbargain way to go is buy your phone outright, and go on a "prepaid" plan.

    Check out the polls:
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/921733

    How does Pixel 9a look to you? Way under budget. Anything missing?
    Samsung S25 is under $1k now.

    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/collections/mobile-phones/google-p…

    • Thanks for the reply! When you say Samsung “make things worse,” what do you mean exactly? On the budget —I set $1,500 because I’m comfortable going that high if it’s worth it, but at the same time, I’d definitely prefer to save as much as possible if a cheaper option ticks all the boxes. So I’m trying to keep both angles open: happy to pay more for a top phone, but not against good-value deals either.. The Pixel 9a looks good value, though I’m wondering if I’d miss some premium features (like camera coach and newer AI integration). The S25 under $1k with edu-store access is tempting too.

  • +1

    OPPO Find X8 Pro is pretty good if you can wait for a sale.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/product/oppo-find-x8-pro

  • +3

    Pixel 9 Pro XL. Got mine from the last sale posted here, under $1500. Ticks all the boxes and should be on sale now, or if not soon because of Pixel 10 release. Pixel 10 only seems to be an incremental improvement over the 9, so I didnt feel it warranted the $500 price bump for changing the number from 9 to 10.

    • Pixel 9 Pro XL in JB HiFi is still $1847 … unless if he could get it cheaper around his $1500 budget elsewhere or buy refurb. Also I don't consider 37w as fast charging. For me, at least 65w or above …

      Other options under $1500:
      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/16866089/redir

    • Thanks, that’s helpful!

  • +1

    Strong battery life + fast charging

    On that, you may want to investigate mandatory Battery Health Assistance on the Pixel 10s - see if it suits you

    • Good tip, thanks! I hadn’t known about the Pixel 10’s Battery Health Assistance yet.

  • +1

    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/oppo-reno13-pro-5g-512gb-…
    OPPO Reno13 Pro 5G 512GB for $999
    * 80w wired charging, 50w wireless charging
    * 5800 mAh battery
    * 120 Hz, 3840Hz PWM (better for eyes)
    * Five years of Android OS updates and six years of quarterly security updates

    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/motorola-edge-60-pro-5g-5…
    Motorola Edge 60 Pro 5G 512GB for $1199
    * 90w wired charging, 15w wireless charging
    * 6000 mAh battery
    * 120Hz, 720Hz PWM
    * Up to 3 major Android upgrades

    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/asus-rog-phone-9-5g-256gb…
    Asus ROG Phone 9 5G 256GB for $1499
    * 65w wired charging, 15w wireless charging
    * 5,800 mAH
    * 185 Hz
    * Up to 2 major Android upgrades

    Check the colour options. More spec from gsmarena website. Checked based on max $1500 budget. If the camera is still not great for you, try to install gcam mod to improve the photo quality from here:
    https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/

    For example, choose download from one of this (more stable version):
    https://www.celsoazevedo.com/files/android/google-camera/dev…

    Bonus $350 gift card for example Pixel 10 Pro 128 GB or 256 GB until today only in JB HiFi could be in your budget, but slower charging like under 35w. Pixel 10 non pro is even cheaper with bonus $200 gift card (slower charging too).

  • Thanks for all the suggestions and links! Also appreciate the heads-up on the Pixel 10 gift card deals — good to know about the slower charging there.

  • This article may be of interest to you.
    May or may not be an issue in your case. Just putting it out there.
    Take care.

    https://9to5google.com/2025/08/25/android-apps-developer-ver…

    • "The requirement will go into effect in September 2026 for users in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. Google notes how these countries have been “specifically impacted by these forms of fraudulent app scams.” Verification will then apply globally from 2027 onwards."

      It will take longer time as more devs don't like this especially devs in Europe will push back and maybe google could be fined by European Commission for this action.

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