Telstra Blue Tick Program – What Phone Users Need To Know

It’s easy to take mobile coverage for granted. We just kind of expect it to be there, and in turn, expect our phones to always work.

This tends to be the case in most metro areas, but it’s a whole different story in rural and regional areas. Phone networks obviously play a part in ensuring you can get connectivity in the outback, but your handset does too.

A phone’s antenna strength can make a big difference in terms of connectivity, which is something Telstra tests for with its Blue Tick program. Telstra says a device with even a small amount of extra signal strength (measured in dBM) can result in many kilometres of additional coverage when you’re on the borderline of connectivity.

So if you’re looking for a smartphone that will have an easier time staying connected – wherever you are in Australia – here are some of the latest phones to be awarded a Telstra Blue Tick.

Samsung Galaxy S10e

Telstra has awarded pretty much every Samsung flagship in recent years a Blue Tick, including the entire new Galaxy S10 family. Out of these, the Galaxy S10e is currently the best deal on Telstra. Right now, all Telstra Galaxy S10e plans come with a bonus pair of JBL Duet noise-cancelling headphones, valued at $350 each. That’s pretty good for a freebie.

Better yet, Telstra has cut $10 per month off its 20GB and 160GB plans, bringing them down to $89 per month and $129 per month, respectively. Out of these, we’d say the $89 per month is the better deal.

Here is Telstra’s full range of Galaxy S10e plans:

Apple iPhone 8

Oddly, Telstra has only awarded two iPhones Blue Ticks. 2017’s iPhone 8, and 2015’s iPhone 6s. It seems neither Plus variant, nor any of the 2018 iPhones met Telstra’s criteria. Buying a phone from 2015 on a plan isn’t a great idea (although the iPhone 6s is also available on Telstra prepaid), but Telstra still has some decent iPhone 8 deals. $99 per month gets you the iPhone 8 and 20GB of data, which is $26 per month less than grabbing an iPhone XS on the same plan.

Here is Telstra’s full range of iPhone 8 plans:

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Samsung’s Note devices also tend to get Blue Tick certification on the reg, and the Note 9 is no exception. Samsung’s latest supersized handset might not be quite as flash as the S10 family, but the S Pen alone is unique enough to make the Note 9 still worth considering.

At present, Telstra is doing a $10 per month discount on its 160GB Note 9 plan, bringing it down to $139 per month.

Here is Telstra’s full range of Note 9 plans:

If none of these devices take your fancy, here’s the entire current range of Telstra Blue Tick postpaid smartphones:

Alex Choros is Managing Editor at WhistleOut, Australia’s phone and internet comparison website.