Lab testing
Each device's receiver sensitivity is measured under controlled conditions to see how faint a signal it can still lock onto.
Telstra · Blue Tick
Telstra · Blue Tick
Telstra Blue Tick phones: the best reception in the bush
Mobile reception thins out fast once you leave the coast and the capital cities. To help, Telstra awards its Blue Tick to handsets that pass extra testing for voice coverage in regional and rural Australia. If you live, work or travel in the bush on the Telstra network, a Blue Tick phone gives you the best chance of a clear, reliable signal. Here is how the program works and which phones qualify in 2026.
Samsung
most certified models
4G & 5G
all current devices
from $129
prepaid T-Pro 2 5G
Rural
real-world tested
The basics
What is the Telstra Blue Tick?
The Blue Tick is Telstra's seal for handsets proven to deliver strong, reliable voice coverage where the network is weakest. It is about how well a phone holds a signal in your hand at the edge of coverage, not how powerful the phone is overall.
Real-world field checks
Phones are then tested on location across regional areas on the Telstra network, including how they perform when held to the ear.
Voice first, data too
Testing focuses on 4G call quality, which also reflects how well the phone handles browsing data at the edge of coverage.
The list
Which phones earn a Blue Tick?
The certified range is overwhelmingly Samsung Galaxy, alongside rugged and entry-level handsets and the iPhone SE. No current flagship iPhone or Google Pixel is certified. These are some of the models carrying a Blue Tick in 2026.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S25+
Samsung Galaxy S25
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S24
Samsung Galaxy A56
Samsung Galaxy A36
Samsung Galaxy A55 5G
Samsung Galaxy XCover7
Telstra T-Pro 2 5G
Telstra T-Elite 5G
Nokia 215 4G
OPPO A60
Sonim XP10
Apple iPhone SE (3rd gen)
On a budget? The prepaid Telstra T-Pro 2 5G carries a Blue Tick from around $129, making it one of the cheapest ways onto certified regional coverage. Look for the blue tick icon on Telstra's device pages, as the full certified list is updated regularly.
Go further
Boost your rural reception further
A Blue Tick phone is the starting point. In the most marginal areas you can squeeze out more signal with the right accessories.
External antenna
A patch lead or external antenna mounted high and clear of obstructions can dramatically lift reception at a fixed location.
Car kit
A cradle and roof antenna keep your phone connected on remote roads where a handheld signal would drop out.
Approved repeater
A Telstra-approved signal repeater can extend coverage indoors. Only use approved units, as unapproved boosters are illegal in Australia.
Now all 4G. With Telstra's 3G network closed, every current Blue Tick phone uses 4G VoLTE calling. Always check the Telstra coverage map for your exact address before you buy.
Common questions
A Selectra expert answers your Blue Tick questions
The Blue Tick marks phones Telstra has tested and certified for superior voice coverage in regional and rural Australia. It signals the device holds a usable signal closer to the edge of network coverage than an untested handset.
Telstra measures each device's receiver sensitivity, first in a controlled lab and then on location across regional areas on its mobile network. The testing focuses mainly on 4G call quality, which also reflects how well the phone handles data at the edge of coverage.
The list is overwhelmingly Samsung Galaxy S and A series, plus rugged and entry devices such as Telstra-branded phones, Nokia, OPPO and Sonim, and the iPhone SE. No current flagship iPhone or Google Pixel carries a Blue Tick. Telstra updates the full list regularly on its website.
No. Telstra has not certified any current flagship Apple iPhone or Google Pixel with a Blue Tick. If regional reception is your priority, a certified Samsung or rugged handset is the safer choice.
Pair a Blue Tick phone with an external antenna or a car kit, or install a Telstra-approved signal repeater at a fixed location. Always check the Telstra coverage map for your exact area first, and note that all current devices use 4G VoLTE calling now that the 3G network has closed.
100% free
Compare
in minutes
Independent comparison
Need Telstra coverage without the Telstra price?
Several resellers run on the same Telstra network, so you can keep the coverage that matters in the bush while paying less. Compare the Telstra-network plans side by side to find your best fit.