Blue Tick Phones: What is the Telstra Blue Tick?
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Like the population of Australia, the mobile networks tend to congregate around the major metro areas along the coast. If you live in one of these cities, you probably have great mobile coverage and might even be able to connect to the new 5G network. However, if you live outside of a metro area where cell reception might not be as reliable, trying to stay connected on your phone can be a challenge. Luckily, Telstra offers its Blue Tick certification to let customers know certain phones have superior coverage in regional and rural Australia. Below, you can find out more about the Telstra Blue Tick program and compare mobile phones that have earned the Blue Tick and can thus claim the best cell reception when out in the bush.
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List of Blue Tick phones
The list of Telstra Blue Tick phones is extensive and tends to favor Samsung-brand and Telstra-brand phones. In fact, since 2017 with the Apple iPhone, Telstra has not certified any Apple products with their Blue Tick. As of 2025, the most recent lineup of Telstra Blue Tick phones include:
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S25+
- Samsung Galaxy A56
- Samsung Galaxy S25
- Samsung Galaxy A36
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
- Samsung Galaxy S24+
- Samsung Galaxy S24
- Samsung Galaxy XCover7
- Samsung Galaxy S23
- Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S22+Â
- Samsung Galaxy S23+Â
- Samsung Galaxy S22
- Nokia 215 4G
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Apple iPhone SE (3rd gen)
- Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- OPPO A60
- Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
- Samsung Galaxy A55 5G
- Telstra T-Elite 5G
- Sonim XP10
- Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
- Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
- Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
The Telstra Blue Tick isn’t just for one type of cellphone. The newest 5G-enabled smartphones can get a Blue Tick just as easily as simple flip phones. With the Telstra Blue Tick program, you can find prepaid phones, smartphones with a monthly plan, old-school flip phones, or the newest high-end phones, as long as they pass the Telstra Blue Tick test.
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Telstra Blue Tick - Samsung Phones
It’s clear that Telstra favors Samsung phones when it comes to the Blue Tick, and you can find both prepaid Samsung phones, and Samsung phones on a monthly plan, that have earned the Telstra Tick.
Did You Know?Telstra also offers streaming services through Telstra TV!
Samsung Blue Tick Phones
If you prefer a phone on a plan, or to purchase one of the newest phones outright, many Samsung phones come with the Telstra Blue Tick. If you decide to go the monthly phone payment plan route, you will also need to choose to add a monthly Telstra mobile plan.
| Phone | Cost (mobile plan not included) | Specification and Features |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S25 Ultra 5G | 12 months: $137.41/month 24 months: $68.70/month 36 months: $45.80/month Outright: $1,849 | Display: 6.9 inches Storage: 256 GB, 512 GB, 1,000 GB Rear camera: 200MP (Wide), 10MP (Telephoto), 50MP (telephoto), 50MP (Ultrawide) Front camera: 12MP AF (f2.2) 4GX: Yes 5G: Yes |
| Galaxy S25+ | 12 months: $108.24/month 24 months: $54.12/month 36 months: $36.07/month Outright: $1,499 | Display: 6.7 inches Storage: 256 GB, 512 GB Rear camera: 50MP (Wide), 10MP (Telephoto), 12MP (Ultrawide) Front camera: 12MP AF (f2.2) 4GX: Yes 5G: Yes |
| Galaxy S25 | 12 months: $91.58/month 24 months: $45.79/month 36 months: $30.52/month Outright: $1,199 | Display: 6.2 inches Storage: 256 GB, 512 GB Rear camera: 50MP (Wide), 10MP (Telephoto), 12MP (Ultrawide) Front camera: 12MP AF (f2.2) 4GX: Yes 5G: Yes |
| Galaxy A56 | 12 months: $41.58/month 24 months: $20.78/month 36 months: $13.85/month Outright: $499 | Display: 6.7 inches Storage: 128GB Rear camera: 50MP (Wide), 12MP (Telephoto), 5MP (Ultrawide) Front camera: 12MP 4GX: Yes 5G: Yes |
Source: Providers individual websites. Actual offers may vary. Actual speeds may vary. Comparison does not include all providers, products, or features. ValidÂ
June 2025.
Telstra Phones with a Blue Tick
It makes sense that Telstra’s own brand of mobile phones - which include smartphones, basic cell phones, and flip phones - are frequently Blue Tick certified. These phones are available prepaid, so you can purchase one outright, and many come with an included Telstra prepaid mobile plan.
| Phone | Cost (mobile plan not included) | Specification and Features |
|---|---|---|
| Telstra T-Elite 5G | $178.92 | Display: 120Hz Refresh Rate, 1612x720P, 6.6 inches Storage: 128GB Rear camera: 50MP(Main)+2MP Dual AI Camera Front camera: 5MP 4GX: Yes 5G: Yes |
Source: Providers individual websites. Actual offers may vary. Actual speeds may vary. Comparison does not include all providers, products, or features. ValidÂ
June 2025.
Telstra Tick FAQ
What is the “Telstra Blue Tick”?
The Telstra Tick program is a program that rigorously tests smartphones for their signal strength, particularly in rural and regional Australia. Phones are tested and classified as A, B, or C with “C” class phones earning the Blue Tick.
If you’re looking for a phone with top-level signal strength (at least, according to Telstra and on the Telstra Network) you’ll want to look for one with a Blue Tick label.
How does Telstra test Blue Tick phones?
Phones are tested for their signal strength and receiver sensitivity, as even the smallest advantages in connectivity can increase cell phone range. Testing includes Telstra technicians physically holding the phone in the air in different directions to check antennae strength, and all Telstra Tick testing is done in controlled settings, for consistent results across the board.
Do I need a Telstra Blue Tick phone?
You don’t necessarily need a Telstra Blue Tick phone, particularly if you live in an urban centre where 4G, and now 5G, coverage is reliable. However, if you’re planning an extended trip to the bush or are planning to move outside of a major city, and want to upgrade your phone anyways it might be worth keeping an eye out for that Blue Tick. If you want to speak about your options, feel free to give our representative a call or contact Telstra for more info
What about other mobile networks?
The Telstra Blue Tick program is only for phones on the Telstra Network. But, what if you’re on the Optus or Vodafone networks instead?
Currently, while there is no equivalent certification for phones on the Vodafone network, Optus does offer its “Top Pick for Regional Coverage” badge. While it might not sound as snazzy as “Blue Tick”, it does give Optus customers peace of mind that any phones on this list (which includes many of the same Samsung smartphones) will offer superior coverage when out in the bush.
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