My relationship with consumer electronics has changed over the years, and I've found that I don't really need most of the conveniences that high-end tech gear, especially smartphones, offer. I rarely play mobile games, I don't consider myself a phone photographer, and I've been trying to stop doomscrolling by generally reducing my phone usage.
It doesn't help that flagship phones from Apple, Samsung, Google and others have become more expensive than ever, to the point that anything under AU$1,000 for decent specs is now considered a bargain.
The base models of the iPhone 17 and Google Pixel 10 start at AU$1,399 and AU$1,349 respectively, while the creme de la creme iPhone 17 Pro Max with 2TB of storage costs AU$3,799, or about the same as a small second-hand car. I'm not spending that much money when I wouldn't really use those flagship features to their full potential.
Luckily, there are already some notable deals on some very capable phones for under AU$1,000, and most of the Black Friday sales haven't even officially started yet! This price range can still get you great performance, decent cameras, and even plenty of storage and a 120Hz display. Oh, and if you can believe it, there's a new iPhone available at this price of under $1,000 AU!
These aren't necessarily the flashiest or most powerful phones on the market, but they are still very capable devices that will be great for most users. You could even consider them as great Christmas gifts for your loved ones who could use a nice new phone, and it won't cost them an arm and a leg.
