In many cases,as with Telstra's current plans,some quick maths will indicate you are paying exactly the same over a 24-month period either way.
![If all you need is a high-end phone that will last a few years,you don't have to pay $2000.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/be6419db2aaea5ffcce8d69f19357c261a58331a)
If all you need is a high-end phone that will last a few years,you don't have to pay $2000.iStock
However,a huge hidden benefit of buying outright is flexibility. For the most part,signing up for a plan locks you into a set price for a certain amount of data for the whole term.
If your needs change or a new plan comes along that offers more for less you will miss the opportunity if you are tied to a contract.
On the other hand,if you are buying outright you might not be able to afford the newest phone you have your eye on. Thankfully,if all you need is a high-end phone that will last a few years and not feel like it is out of the bargain bin,you don't have to pay as much as $2000.
Google's most expensive 2020 phone,,is $999. It's reliable,easy to use,and continues Google's trend of smart and phones with heaps of smarts.
I like its eggshell-textured recycled metal enclosure,love the camera and I don't mind that it is packing an old-fashioned,rear-mounted fingerprint sensor instead of facial recognition. Everything else you expect in a high-end phone is here.
If you are happy to do without water resistance,the $799 Pixel 4a with 5G is essentially the same phone but with a plastic body and some of the fancy trimmings,including the 90Hz screen refresh rate,removed.
Meanwhile,the $599 is stunning value with all the same smarts and a fantastic camera system,in a smaller package with less grunt and no 5G. The 4a pair also feature 3.5mm headphone jacks,which is becoming a rarity,and every 2020 Pixel has a generous 128GB of storage.
![If you're a fan of Google's clean design and AI-driven services,the Pixel 5 is an excellent choice.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/f8e9b1c4c40355957a0c91539e1288ab5111ca55)
If you're a fan of Google's clean design and AI-driven services,the Pixel 5 is an excellent choice.Bloomberg
For some people,any phone not bearing that mirrored fruity logo on the back is a non-starter,but with some of the 2020 model iPhones exceeding the $2000 mark it can be a stretch to buy one outright. Instead,I would make an argument for the,which Apple sells for $999. You get almost all the up-to-date software features thanks to iOS 14,basically the same camera capabilities as this year's iPhone 12 and a big,bright LCD screen.
If you want to squeeze a bit more,go for the $849 iPhone XR,which is essentially the same phone with an older processor and a more basic camera. All of these prices are for devices with 64GB storage.
![The iPhone 11 doesn't pack a beautiful OLED screen like the iPhone 12,but it's a great phone at $1000.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/5a88bc79c2e2c6ba979d61927c77d295af9c53bb)
The iPhone 11 doesn't pack a beautiful OLED screen like the iPhone 12,but it's a great phone at $1000.
Apple made some impressive improvements to its devices this year,including 5G capabilities,hardier materials and rear magnets that make them compatible with a new range of MagSafe accessories. Compared to the iPhone 11 and XR,in particular,the OLED screens on the iPhone 12 range are a spectacular leap. If you must get in on the latest and greatest,the minimum spend will be $1199 for the 64GB version of the. If you're an existing iPhone user you can also save by trading your old phone back to Apple,for credit of between $120 and $900 toward a new model.
Samsung offers so many phones from the very low to the very high end but,this year,the sweet spot may be the $999 Galaxy S20 FE. With a 120Hz OLED screen,trio of cameras and powerful processor,it is essentially a full S20 with a plastic body,bigger battery and most features pared-back just a bit.
If you are happy to lose the waterproofing,some power and a bit of camera clarity,the $749 Galaxy A71 strikes a nice balance.
I have also been impressed with the at $899. This is a big and flashy 5G phone,so if you want that premium flagship feel at a sub-$1000 price,it fits the bill. There's also a heap of custom software that will appeal to content creators.
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