Australian carrier pricing some of best in galaxy

The recent launch of the Samsung Galaxy S3 mobile phone demonstrated that Aussies are being offered some of most attractive mobile phone deals in the international market place.

Leading comparison site WhistleOut analysed the 50 competing mobile plans for the Galaxy S3 offered by Australian telcos and compared them to plans available in major international markets – UK (97), USA (31), and New Zealand (18).

Cameron Craig, Director of WhistleOut, said that Australian carrier pricing for this flagship Android phone highlighted just how competitive Australian telcos are on an international stage.

“Our Galaxy S3 international pricing analysis reveals that the contracts available to Australian consumers for this handset are amongst the best value in the world. Technology prices are known to be far cheaper in the USA, however the Galaxy S3 shows that to be false for mobile phones on service plans. The UK remains one of the most competitive mobile phone markets in terms of pricing on the leading handsets, but Australia is not far behind,” says Cameron.

Recent promotions for the Galaxy S3 by two telcos in Australia, Virgin Mobile and Vodafone have demonstrated how competitive Australian deals can be.

“Virgin Mobile and Vodafone are both currently offering bonus data promotions for Australian customers who purchase a Samsung Galaxy S3 plan, pushing their overall offering right up there with the best value UK plans. Virgin Mobile for example, is offering an online promotion with three months free access and a bonus 2GB of free data per month included, which reduces their total plan price by 12 per cent and adds the equivalent of $240 in data value,” continued Cameron.

WhistleOut’s international price comparison was based evaluating two plan types:

One - cheapest Galaxy S3 plan with a minimum of 400 call minutes and 250MB of data; and

Two - cheapest Galaxy S3 plan with unlimited calls and a minimum 500MB of data.

Category 1: Cheapest Galaxy S3 plan for a minimum of 400 minutes of calls and 250MB data

An Australian plan wins this category with the Virgin Mobile Big Plan 29 coming in as the best value plan, with a value equivalent of 400 minutes and 2GB of data and the Galaxy S3 handset offered for $49 per month. Over the life of the contract, taking into account their bonus promotion of three free months, the total contract cost is $1,034. The UK compares well to this offer with 500 minutes and 500MB data costing AUD $1,202, whilst New Zealand (AUD $1,881) and USA (AUD $1,875) options for the same value are far more expensive.

Category 2: Cheapest Galaxy S3 plan including unlimited calls and a minimum 500MB data

The United Kingdom comes out on top with the T-Mobile Full Monty 41 plan offering unlimited calls and data on a 24 month plan and the Galaxy S3 handset for a total equivalent contract cost of AUD $1,527. The Vodafone $79 Infinite Plan is Australia’s leading contender at $1,738, whilst the unlimited USA plan (AUD $2,584) and NZ plan (AUD $2,802) lag considerably behind.

“If the past month is anything to go by, we can expect the Galaxy S3 to end up as Samsung’s most successful phone launch to date as carriers have upped the ante with their value focused incentives,” said Cameron.

The Galaxy S3 features a number of improvements from the Galaxy S2, including a larger 4.8 inch screen, quad core processor, longer battery life, and enhanced front camera. Samsung have retained the existing Galaxy S2 model which is available in Australia from $29 per month.

To review all current Samsung Galaxy S3 pricing and plans in greater detail by country visit:

Australia: Galaxy S3 Australian Plans http://www.whistleout.com.au/MobilePhones/Phones/Samsung/Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-16GB

UK: Galaxy S3 UK Tariffs

http://www.whistleout.co.uk/MobilePhones/Phones/Samsung/Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-16GB

USA: Galaxy S3 US Cell Phone Plans

http://www.whistleout.com/CellPhones/Phones/Samsung/Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-16GB

NZ: (WhistleOut for NZ coming soon)

http://www.whistleout.co.nz/

For further information and images or to interview Cameron Craig, please contact The Ideas Suite:

Elizabeth Coad | 0404 644 848 | 02 9279 3330 | ecoad@theideassuite.com.au

About WhistleOut
WhistleOut is one of Australia’s leading comparison websites, offering the most tailored comparisons available for mobile phone and broadband plans, mortgages, credit cards and more. WhistleOut’s comparison technology is featured on 240 websites with 21 partners, including leading media companies. To find a tailored comparison for you visit: www.whistleout.com.au.