Optus has introduced 36-month phone plan contract options to coincide with the launch of the iPhone 11 family. While a 36-month contract means committing to a longer term and paying more over the long run, it does lower your monthly bill.
For example, if you're considering a 64GB iPhone 11 Pro with 60GB of data, you can pay $127 per month on a 24-month contract, or $103 per month over a 36-month contract. That's a minimum total cost of $3,048 and $3,708 respectively.
At this stage, the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max are the only devices that you can grab on a 36-month contract via the Optus website. However, an Optus spokesperson told us that the iPhone XR, Note 10+, Galaxy S10, and Galaxy S10+ are also available on a 36-month term if you go to an Optus store, order over the phone, or through live chat. Meanwhile, the 36-month plan options for these devices are set to go live on the Optus website from Friday.
Given device prices seem to be continually on the rise, a 36-month contracts may seem more palatable than ever - especially given many of us tend to be holding onto our smartphones for longer. Of course, there are still savings to be had by buying your phone outright, if you can stomach the upfront cost.
The move makes Optus the last of the major telcos to introduce a 36-month term. Vodafone was an early mover, while Telstra did so in the middle of this year during a phone plan refresh. Of course, Optus does only offer 36-month terms for a limited range of devices, while Telstra and Vodafone let you get any phone on an three-year repayment plan. It will certainly be interesting to see if Optus broadens out its 36-month options.
It's also worth noting that Vodafone and Telstra's plans are a bit more flexible than Optus'. If you shack up with either telco, you can change your base plan once per month to either a cheaper or more expensive option. Optus will let you change your plan, but only if you move to an option that's more expensive.
Alex Choros
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