Telstra now sells smartwatches, drones and headphones with contracts

Yesterday Australia's biggest telco, Telstra, announced it will sell a range of mobile accessories to be paid off over 24 months with its postpaid mobile and fixed broadband plans. The devices include high-end headphones from Apple, Beats and Google, Apple and Galaxy smartwatches and a DJI drone.

The devices are sold through Telstra with no upfront fees. And to Telstra's credit, repayments over 24 months do add up to an amount similar to what you would pay for the devices outright. For example, a set of Apple AirPods sold through Apple direct would cost you $229 outright. Alternatively, you can add them to your Telstra plan for $10 per month, which adds up to $240 over a 24 month term.

Device repayments can be added to both new and existing Telstra fixed broadband or postpaid mobile contracts. They're contract-free on the basis that if you want to stop repayments early, there is no penalty, you just need to pay out the remainder owing on your device. But note, if you're adding a device to an existing Telstra postpaid mobile or fixed broadband contract, you will need to continue your contract or re-contract with Telstra after expiry in order to continue paying off your other device/s monthly.

Telstra currently limits device add-ons to five per customer. Telstra is currently offering a range of over 20 devices which it says will grow to more than 30 by Christmas.

But is it worth it?

While it is definitely appealing to add a high-end device like a smartwatch, which can cost $600+, to your monthly mobile or broadband bill, note that Telstra mobile and broadband plans are without fail the most expensive on the market. Add high-tech gadgets on top and you could be looking at a pretty painful monthly bill. You might be better off choosing a cheaper monthly broadband or mobile plan, and using the savings to buy other devices outright.

Check out a comparison of Telstra's broadband and postpaid mobile plans to other providers below. We've chosen BYO mobile contracts with at least 5GB of data and NBN 50 plans with unlimited data for comparison.

#1	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 26.80 SIM Only 40GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps On the Optus 5G Mobile Network Deal: Get 40GB for $12.40 – Includes $14.40 off and 13GB bonus data for first 6 months. Offer ends 31.05.25 $12.40/mth Min. cost $12.40 Link not supplied	$12.40/mth Min. cost $12.40	Link not supplied
#2	Belong	Belong 25GB Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $30/mth Min. cost $30 Go to Site	$30/mth Min. cost $30	Go to Site
#3	Vodafone	Vodafone $49 Small SIM Only Plan 100GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 100GB for $39 (incl. 50GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $49 Small plan. T&Cs apply. $39/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
#4	Optus	Optus $55 Optus Choice Plus Plan 50GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device $55/mth Min. cost $55 Go to Site	$55/mth Min. cost $55	Go to Site
#5	Telstra	Telstra $65 Basic Upfront SIM Plan 50GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get your first 3 months device protect on Telstra, then $10/mth. $65/mth Min. cost $65 Link not supplied	$65/mth Min. cost $65	Link not supplied

#1	Dodo	Dodo nbn50 Unlimited Plan nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data 12mths Deal: Incl. $15/mth discount for 12 months based on the standard price $83.90/mth. Ends 29.04.25. T&Cs apply. $68.90/mth Min. cost $68.90 Go to Site*	$68.90/mth Min. cost $68.90	Go to Site
#2	iiNet	iiNet nbn50 Liimitless nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $15/mth off for 6 mths – $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $84.99/mth. Use code SAVE15FOR6. Ends 06.05.25 $69.99/mth Min. cost $69.99 Go to Site	$69.99/mth Min. cost $69.99	Go to Site
#3	TPG	TPG nbn50 Unlimited Plan nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get Price Beat Guarantee + $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $84.99/mth. T&Cs apply. $69.99/mth Min. cost $69.99 Go to Site	$69.99/mth Min. cost $69.99	Go to Site
#4	Vodafone	Vodafone Essential+ nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Save $10/mth for 6 mths + Speed upgrade at no extra cost if you have a mobile phone plan with Vodafone $74/mth Min. cost $74 Link not supplied	$74/mth Min. cost $74	Link not supplied
#5	Belong	Belong NBN Standard Plus – Unlimited nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Receive a Free Belong mobile SIM loaded with $80 credit. For new Belong nbn customers only $85/mth Min. cost $85 Link not supplied	$85/mth Min. cost $85	Link not supplied
#6	Optus	Optus Optus Plus Everyday nbn® nbn® 50/18 Mbps Unlimited Data $89/mth Min. cost $89 Link not supplied	$89/mth Min. cost $89	Link not supplied
#7	Aussie Broadband	Aussie Broadband Business Value nbn nbn® 49/16 Mbps Unlimited Data $89/mth Min. cost $89 Go to Site	$89/mth Min. cost $89	Go to Site
#8	Telstra	Telstra Upfront Internet Plan Essential (Fixed Wireless) nbn® Wireless 68/7 Mbps Unlimited Data $105/mth Min. cost $105 Link not supplied	$105/mth Min. cost $105	Link not supplied

Also, free Google Home Mini

Telstra is apparently determined to stuff your house full of devices this Christmas and to prove it is giving out free Google Home Mini speakers with all home broadband plans as well as any Android smartphone bought from Telstra either prepaid or on a postpaid contract. That includes the Alcatel U3 phone which is currently selling through Telstra prepaid for $39. Considering the Google Home Mini retails at $79 outright, that's a pretty good deal.

The Google Home Mini offer is running until 25 December or until stocks run out. Check out Telstra broadband plans along with Telstra postpaid plans paired with popular Android phones below.