WhistleOut Awards 2026: The best mobile plans, internet plans, and devices

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 31 July 2026

Choosing the right plan is hard. There are countless providers, and it feels like the market changes on a day-to-day basis. To help, our expert team picks out the best phone and best internet plans every month, across a wide range of categories.

This gives us data on which telcos consistently offer great value plans, which leads us to the WhistleOut Awards.

The WhistleOut Awards - now in their ninth year - recognise and celebrate the companies that have consistently provided the plans across the last 12 months (July 2025 to June 2026). The WhistleOut Awards also cover phone manufacturers, highlighting the best devices launched in Australia across the last financial year.

And for the second time, the WhistleOut Awards include Customer Satisfaction categories. This set of awards is based on survey data from over one thousand Australians.

With the cost of telco plans and devices continuing to increase, the WhistleOut Awards are designed to help Aussies find great value plans that offer the best bang for buck. We especially want to commend the telcos who’ve continued to offer competitive plans, and the phone manufacturers who’ve launched great value devices.

While we continue to see plans and phones become more expensive, there are still more affordable options. We hope the WhistleOut Awards help highlight these, and introduce Aussies to alternatives they might not have heard of before or considered.

The 2026 WhistleOut Award winners are as follows:

Best Phone Plans

Mobile Provider of the Year: TPG
Best SIM-Only Provider, Value Plans: SpinTel
- Runner Up: Dodo
Best SIM-Only Provider, Large Plans: Dodo
- Runner Up: SpinTel
Best Prepaid Provider, Value Plans: TPG
- Runner Up: felix mobile
Best Prepaid Provider, Large Plans: felix mobile
- Runner Up: TPG
Best Provider, iPhone Plans: Vodafone
- Runner Up: Optus
Best Provider, Samsung Plans: Vodafone
- Runner Up: Optus
Best Provider, International Calls: TPG
- Runner Up: Lycamobile
Best Provider, Plans for Kids: Yomojo
- Runner Up: Kogan Mobile

Best Internet Plans

Internet Provider of the Year: Dodo
Best Everyday NBN Provider: Dodo
- Runner Up: Tangerine
Best Fast NBN Provider: Dodo
- Runner Up: Kogan Internet
Best Superfast NBN Provider: Dodo
- Runner Up: Kogan Internet
Best Fixed Wireless NBN Provider: Dodo
- Runner Up: Tangerine
Best Satellite NBN Provider: Activ8me
- Runner Up: SkyMesh
Best Mobile Broadband Provider (Standard Data): Vodafone
- Runner Up: Lebara
Best Mobile Broadband Provider (High Data): Tangerine
- Runner Up: Belong
Best 4G Home Wireless Broadband Provider: TPG
- Runner Up: iiNet
Best Capped 5G Home Wireless Broadband Provider: TPG
- Runner Up: Vodafone
Best Uncapped 5G Home Wireless Broadband Provider: Optus
- Runner Up: Telstra

Best Devices

Phone of the Year: Apple iPhone 17e
Best Phone Camera: Apple iPhone 17 Pro
- Highly Commended: Xiaomi 17 Ultra
Best Phone Design: OPPO Find N6
- Highly Commended: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Best Value Phone: Nothing Phone 4a
- Highly Commended: Samsung Galaxy A57
Best High Performance Phone: Xiaomi 17 Ultra
- Highly Commended: OPPO Find X9 Pro
Phone Manufacturer of the Year: Nothing
- Highly Commended: OPPO

Mobile Customer Satisfaction Awards

Most Satisfied Customers - Mobile: amaysim
Mobile Customer Satisfaction - Network Coverage: Telstra
Mobile Customer Satisfaction - Customer Service: ALDI Mobile
Mobile Customer Satisfaction - Price: amaysim

Internet Customer Satisfaction Awards

Most Satisfied Customers - Internet: Vodafone
Internet Customer Satisfaction - Internet Speed: Superloop
Internet Customer Satisfaction - Reliability: Aussie Broadband
Internet Customer Satisfaction - Customer Service: Aussie Broadband
Internet Customer Satisfaction - Price: Vodafone

Read more about the winners here.

If you're looking to make a switch, here's a look at the most popular NBN plans (from NBN 50 and up) from the winners and runners-up in our fixed-line NBN and customer service categories:

#1	Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo FTTP, HFC Editor's Pick nbn500 Unlimited Plan FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/48 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $30/mth discount for 6 months based on the standard price $92.99/mth. Ends 08.12.26. T&Cs apply. $62.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.99/mth Min. cost $62.99 Go to Site*	$62.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.99/mth Min. cost $62.99	Go to Site
#2	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom FTTP, HFC Speedy Max NBN 500/50 FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/42.5 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $33/mth off for the first 6 mths, $59.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.90/mth. Ends 30.10.26 $59.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.90/mth Min. cost $59.90 Go to Site	$59.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.90/mth Min. cost $59.90	Go to Site
#3	Superloop	Superloop FTTP, HFC Family Max nbn500/50 FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/45 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $21/mth off for 6 mths! $74/mth for 6 mths, then $95/mth + Bundle & Save $74/mth for first 6 mths, then $95/mth Min. cost $74 Go to Site	$74/mth for first 6 mths, then $95/mth Min. cost $74	Go to Site
#4	SpinTel	SpinTel FTTP, HFC Home Ultrafast 1000/100 FTTP, HFC nbn® 1000/100 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $28.95 off your plan for first 6 months! $76/mth for first 6 months, then $104.95/mth. $76/mth for first 6 mths, then $104.95/mth Min. cost $76 Go to Site	$76/mth for first 6 mths, then $104.95/mth Min. cost $76	Go to Site
#5	Kogan Internet	Kogan Internet FTTP, HFC Gold Plus Unlimited FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/42 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $16/mth off for 12mths. $69.90/mth for first 12 months then revert back to $85.90/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $69.90/mth for first 12 mths, then $85.90/mth Min. cost $69.90 Go to Site	$69.90/mth for first 12 mths, then $85.90/mth Min. cost $69.90	Go to Site
#6	Aussie Broadband	Aussie Broadband FTTP Super-Fast Pro nbn - Unlimited FTTP nbn® 250/89 Mbps Unlimited Data $114/mth Min. cost $114 Link not supplied	$114/mth Min. cost $114	Link not supplied
#7	Vodafone	Vodafone All Fixed Line nbn® Essential+ nbn® All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Save $10/mth when you bundle with a mobile plan with Vodafone. T&Cs apply. $94/mth Min. cost $94 Link not supplied	$94/mth Min. cost $94	Link not supplied

And here's a look at the most popular SIM-only plans from our mobile plan winners and runners-up:

#1	SpinTel Editor's Pick	SpinTel Editor's Pick $23 Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT WhistleOut Special: Enjoy $11 off for the first 6 months for new customers - $12/mth for first 6 months, then $23/mth $12.00/mth Min. cost $12 Go to Site	$12.00/mth Min. cost $12	Go to Site
#2	Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo Editor's Pick Medium Mobile Plan 40GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: 50% off for first 4 mths! Get the Medium Mobile Plan for $15/mth for first 4 mths. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 27.10 $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site
#3	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $39.00/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39.00/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
#4	TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	felix mobile	felix mobile felix 25GB Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 5G/4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $15/mth for first 3 mths, then $30/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply $30.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$30.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#6	Yomojo	Yomojo Starter 29GB Plan 29GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network $24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#7	Vodafone	Vodafone $58 Small SIM Only Plan 65GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $13/mth off plan fees for first 12 months when you stay connected to this plan. Ends 29.10.26. T&Cs apply. $45.00/mth Min. cost $45 Go to Site	$45.00/mth Min. cost $45	Go to Site
#8	Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Small Monthly Plan 25GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network $23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#9	ALDI mobile	ALDI mobile $28 Mobile Plan 12GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $28.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$28.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#10	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick Unlimited Plan S 50GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $15 for first 6 renewals when you activate this plan. Offer ends 31.12.26. T&Cs apply $15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#11	Telstra	Telstra $84 Essential Upfront SIM Plan 180GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices $84.00/mth Min. cost $84 Link not supplied	$84.00/mth Min. cost $84	Link not supplied
#12	amaysim	amaysim UNLIMITED 120GB Plan 120GB data at download speeds up to 200Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $32 for first renewal when you sign up by 19.10.26. New online services only. T&Cs apply $50.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$50.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

The WhistleOut Award categories for the best phone and internet plans were judged by awarding three, two, and one points to the providers of the three best plans in each category on a monthly basis, between July 2025 and June 2026.

The best phone and internet plan award winners are the providers with the highest number of points at the end of the 12 months. In case of a tie, winners are chosen based on the number of 1st positions, then 2nd positions, then 3rd positions they achieved in that category over the course of the year.

The WhistleOut Awards for phones were judged by our editorial team, considering price, performance, battery, screen, camera, design and the overall user experience.

The WhistleOut Awards for Customer Satisfaction are judged based on consumer surveys that asked over a thousand Australians about their telco experiences. As with the telco plan categories, we have surveyed the biggest cross-section of providers possible, including the top 10 service providers in each category. For a provider to be considered for a Customer Satisfaction award, 50 survey responses were needed from respondents who had been customers for at least six months.

The mobile categories included Network Coverage, Customer Service, and Price. The internet categories included Internet Speed, Reliability, Customer Service, and Price. Respondents rated their satisfaction on a scale of one to five, where one was extremely dissatisfied, and five was extremely satisfied. The overall most satisfied awards were measured by averaging each provider’s category scores within mobile and internet, with each category given equal weighting, and the award going to the provider with the highest overall rating.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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