Telstra’s Blue Tick signifies that the telco has tested a given device thoroughly for service in remote, rural areas. This is performed as both a lab test under controlled conditions and in actual rural areas on the Telstra network to ensure that what happens in the lab also happens in the real world. The practical upshot of this is a selection of phones that should be able to provide you with phone service even on the very fringes of the phone network itself.
All below phones on a plan are Telstra Blue Tick certified
Be sure to use the filters to look for the best plan for your needs.
Best Blue Tick phone breakdown
At Finder we review all the biggest phones launched in Australia to compare their features and capabilities. We think the best Blue Tick phone you can buy on the market right now is the Samsung Galaxy 10+, based on our comprehensive reviewing process.
Samsung Galaxy S10, S10e & S10+
Samsung's 2019 flagships continue to represent the cream of the Android smartphone crop. The S10+ in particular delivers top-notch photos with its triple-lens camera, and its powerful Exynos 9820 processor ensures a snappy and responsive experience in apps, games and anything else you can throw at it.
Designers and on-the-go business folk will find a lot to like in the Samsung Galaxy Note9. From its massive 6.4-inch screen and its extensive battery life to its handy DeX mode for connecting to an external monitor, the Note9 is a productivity powerhouse.
The performance and battery efficiency of the iPhone 8 was a bit of a surprise, but it is a testament to Apple's engineering team in their ability to manage such solid performance despite shrinking the battery capacity of the previous year's models. The fact that the 8 doesn't have the same dual-camera and portrait functionality as the 8 Plus sees it lose a few places to other phones on this list, but it's still an impressive device for iOS users.
The Galaxy S8 was a solid phone in its own right, but Samsung struck back in a big way with the Galaxy S9 and S9+. Both are excellent smartphones with incredible cameras and battery life.
After the explosive disaster of the Galaxy Note 7, some were surprised that Samsung kept the Note brand alive. Fortunately it did, because the Note 8 is a fantastic device with plenty of power and impressive battery life (and no explosions).
Sony might not be the first name that comes to mind when comparing top-of-the-line smartphones, but with the Xperia XZ Premium it proved itself capable of standing alongside the likes of Samsung and Google. With its 4K screen, super slow-motion camera and snappy performance, the Xperia XZ Premium remains a capable smartphone well worth considering.
If you’re an iPhone fan of old, just because you’re in a regional area doesn’t mean you have to miss out. Apple’s iPhone 6s has passed Blue Tick certification. The iPhone 6s is a slender and stylish phone running Apple’s iOS operating system, including compatibility with the contactless Apple Pay system.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that a Telstra-branded phone would pass Blue Tick certification, and the Tough Max 2 certainly does. As the name suggests, the core selling point of this phone is that it’s a rugged device built with IP67 resistance for dust and water ingress. That doesn’t mean that tough is all it does, as it also offers a decent camera and wireless charging to boot.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
What is the Telstra Blue Tick certification process?
If you’re curious about how Telstra checks phones to see if they’re Blue Tick suitable, you can watch this video which runs through the scientific testing process:
If you’re an old school phone user you might think that a Blue Tick phone would have to be one with an ugly, stubby antennae or similar, but the reality is that a lot of current mobile phones, including an increasing number of high-end premium phones, are available with Blue Tick certification. That means you’ve got a choice of styles, prices and features to consider when choosing a Blue Tick certified phone.
It's worth noting that phones that don't have a Blue Tick certification may still work in remote locations, so devices like the iPhone 7 or the Google Pixel XL might still be worth considering. However, if you want peace of mind with your purchase, Telstra's certification is designed to ensure best-in-class connectivity.
A multi-award winning journalist, Alex has written about consumer technology for over 20 years. He has written and edited for virtually every Australian tech publication including Gizmodo, CNET, PC Magazine, Kotaku and more. He has also been the Editor of Gizmodo Australia, PC Mag Australia, CNET.com.au and the Tech and Telco section at Finder. Alex has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New England and a serious passion for retro gaming.
Looking for an alternative to your iPhone? We've rounded up the best smartphone alternatives whether your passion is for better photography or more battery life.
See the online stores offering an unrivalled selection of mobile phone models.
Feedback
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
findershopping.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stands by our editorial principles
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.
Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
