Alex Choros
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Award Winning Journalist. Managing Editor @WhistleOut_AU + Group Reviews Editor @rev_aus @SafeWise_AU. Long hair, don't care. 📱🍷🤘 alex.choros@whistleout.com
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Articles by Alex Choros
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 Review: A More Mature Foldable
By Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 Our verdict The Galaxy Z Fold7 is a more mature device than its predecessors, sanding off the rough edges that have historically accompanied the form-factor. It's thinner, lighter, and more user-friendly. While the price is still crazy high, we're at the point where the Galaxy Z Fold7 feels good enough to replace both a phone and a tablet.
Samsung Galaxy A36 Review: Great Price, Mid Strength
By Samsung Galaxy A36 Our verdict The Samsung Galaxy A36 aims for awesome but lands solidly in mid territory. If you want to get a few years of use out of a reasonably-priced phone, then the Galaxy A36 will serve you well. Even so, those who want more power may want to look elsewhere.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Review: De-light-ful
By Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Our verdict Samsung's thinnest phone makes fewer compromises than you'd expect given its sleek form factor, but the Galaxy S25 Edge may not be for everyone. While the battery life isn't bad, it doesn't keep pace with other flagship phones, and some may miss having a dedicated zoom lens. That being said, the Galaxy S25 Edge is a slick piece of tech, and my personal favorite Samsung phone in a while.
Vodafone outage largely resolved
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Are you on one of Australia’s most popular NBN plans?
Choosing a new NBN plan isn’t always easy. There are so many providers, offering what often seem to be similar plans. If you’re looking for a simple starting point, it can pay to get an idea of what everyone else is buying. With that in mind, here are the five most popular NBN plans right now. We calculate popularity based on what users of Australia’s telco comparison website, WhistleOut, are clicking on.
Apple made my dream monitor, but the price is a nightmare
Apple has added to its monitor family with the new Studio Display XDR, and on paper, it ticks all of the boxes. Like the standard Studio Display, it has a 5K resolution, which, as I explained in my review from a few years ago, gives you native display scaling when used with a Mac, for a sharper, clearer image. On top of this, the Studio Display XDR addresses a couple of pain points that made the original Studio Display feel dated.
80 per cent of eligible Aussies are sleeping on a free NBN upgrade
Most Australians who connect to the NBN via Fibre to the Node (FTTN) or Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) technologies can now score a free upgrade to Fibre to the Premise (FTTP). FTTP is widely considered the best NBN technology, allowing for much faster speeds and better reliability, while FTTN is considered the worst. FTTP can achieve download speeds as fast as 2,000Mbps. Conversely, some FTTN addresses struggle to even get 100Mbps.
Over a million premises have taken up NBN's free FTTP upgrades
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Starlink is faster in Australia than in the US
We will never sell or share your personal information or send you emails about anything other than what you're signing up for. Please read our privacy policy for more information. Thank you. We'll keep you updated with all the best news & deals.
Some older Samsung phones have issues calling Triple Zero
Last updated 22 October 2025 Several Samsung phones released between 2015 and 2021 are unable to contact Triple Zero in certain circumstances. The devices in question - which span a timeframe between the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S21 - are unable to connect to the Vodafone network to make a Triple Zero call when another network is unavailable. No matter what network a mobile phone in Australia primarily connects to, the device is able to access any available network to make a Triple Zero call.
AirPods Pro 3 review: Give and take
Last updated 22 October 2025 Apple AirPods Pro 3 Our verdict The AirPods Pro 3 take two steps forward and half a step back. While the trade-offs Apple has made in the name of improvements like insanely good noise cancellation make sense from a big picture perspective, they may put off some buyers.
Sennheiser's new $999 headphones come with a dongle for better wireless audio
Last updated 17 October 2025 Sennheiser has a new pair of flagship wireless headphones that promise higher quality audio over Bluetooth. Dubbed the HDB 630, the headphones support a codec called aptX Adaptive that allows for "lossy" 24-bit/96Hz audio. While some phones natively support aptX Adaptive out of the box, iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices don't, for example. To assist with this, the HDB 630s come with a USB-C dongle in the box that addresses this.
OPPO reveals Find X9 series ahead of global release
Last updated 16 October 2025 OPPO has revealed its new flagship Find X9 series phones in China ahead of a global release later this month. The Find X9 Pro and Find X9 will get a wider debut at an event in Barcelona, scheduled for 1am AEDT on October 29. A local spokesperson was unable to confirm if "global" includes Australia, but the Find X8 Pro was released down under in November last year. This was the first non-foldable flagship phone OPPO launched in Australia since the Find X5 in 2022.
Vision Pro, MacBook Pro, and iPad Pro are all getting an M5 update
Apple has updated three of its high-end devices with its new in-house M5 chipset: the Vision Pro, entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro, and the iPad Pro. Improved performance is naturally a benefit across the board, but each of the devices have a few other upgrades. Apple's spatial face computer - the Vision Pro - is getting its first update since its local launch in the middle of last year.
The new iPad Pro has a fresh chipset, WiFi 7, and faster charging
Last updated 16 October 2025 Apple today announced new iPad Pro models powered by its new M5 chipset, with the tablet once again available in 11-inch and 13-inch variants. As the name may suggest, the big change with the iPad Pro with M5 is the new chip. Apple says the M5 can offer up 1.5x faster graphics performance when compared to last year's iPad Pro with M4, or up to 1.2x faster video transcoding.
Motorola's cheap new phone won't get a single operating system update
Last updated 14 October 2025 Motorola today announced Australian availability for its entry-level Moto G06, with the phone now available for just $179 outright. Naturally, more affordable phones make compromises, but Motorola has confirmed the Moto G06 won't get a single operating system upgrade, and will get just two years of security updates.
Optus is selling the Galaxy S24 for under $800
Last updated 13 October 2025 Optus has one of the best deals we've seen on Samsung's Galaxy S24, selling last year's high-end device for $798.48 with 256GB of storage. For comparison, JB Hi-Fi is still charging $1,237 for the Galaxy S24. Samsung itself doesn't have the Galaxy S24 on its web store anymore, but it sells the lower-end Galaxy S24 FE in a 256GB configuration for $1,199 currently. Optus allows customers to purchase the Galaxy S24 outright or on a mobile plan.
Apple Watch Ultra 3 review: More battery, less worries
Last updated 10 October 2025 Apple Watch Ultra 3 Our verdict The Apple Watch Ultra 3 is a small upgrade, but even longer battery life makes a great wearable even more dependable. $1,399 RRP What we love Excellent battery life Lovely display New wrist flick gesture is neat What could be improved Expensive Small upgrade Too big for some wrists The Apple Watch Ultra 3 asks a simple question. What if the largest Apple Watch with the biggest battery had a larger screen and an even longer battery life?
Save 30% on one of our favourite WiFi 7 routers
More info. We may earn money when you click our links. Thanks for your interest! This feature is on the way. Last updated 08 October 2025 Amazon has cut the price of its recently launched eero Pro 7 router by 30% as part of its Prime Big Deals Day sale. While Amazon normally charges $529.99 for an eero Pro 7 or $1,199.99 for a three-pack, you can get a single unit for $370.99 right now or three for $839.99.
ALDI Mobile now has eSIM
More info. We may earn money when you click our links. Thanks for your interest! This feature is on the way. Last updated 03 October 2025 ALDI Mobile has started offering eSIM mobile plans, meaning all major Telstra-powered providers now support the technology. Existing ALDI Mobile customers can swap to eSIM by contacting the telco. Customers will also need to call up ALDI if they want to get a new QR code to move their eSIM from one device to another.
The Powerbeats Fit are Apple's latest sporty earbuds
Last updated 02 October 2025 Following the refresh of the Powerbeats Pro earlier in the year, Apple is launching another pair of sporty earbuds under its Beats sub-brand. Dubbed the Powerbeats Fit, the earbuds are pitched as "an evolution" of the Beats Fit Pro launched in 2022. The biggest changes are aesthetic. The buds themselves have a redesigned wing-tip that provides "all-day comfort" while still being as stable as the earhook design of the Powerbeats Pro 2.
iPhone 17 Pro & iPhone 17 Pro Max review: More is more
Last updated 01 October 2025 Apple iPhone 17 Pro & iPhone 17 Pro Max Our verdict The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max aren't as intriguing as the iPhone Air or as good value as the standard iPhone 17, but they're solid upgrades for those that want to get the very most out of their handset.
Xiaomi launches in Australia, along with the 15T and 15T Pro
Last updated 01 October 2025 Chinese tech manufacturer Xiaomi is officially coming down under, bringing two of its latest flagship phones with it: the Xiaomi 15T and Xiaomi 15T Pro. While Xiaomi phones have been available in Australia in the past, they've typically been brought in by a third-party business or as grey imports.
iPhone Air Review: The Coolest Phone in Apple's 2025 Lineup
Last updated 24 September 2025 Apple iPhone Air Our verdict The iPhone Air is certainly Apple's most interesting 2025 handset. It's a joy to use, but a single rear-facing camera and a "just okay" battery life are tough compromises to make when even the cheaper iPhone 17 gives you more. There's nothing pragmatic about the iPhone Air, but it sure is cool in a way most gadgets aren't these days.
Belong finally has eSIM
Last updated 23 September 2025 Telstra's budget brand Belong is the latest provider to start offering eSIM mobile plans in Australia. Belong was one of the last remaining "major" MVNOs to not offer eSIM, and it doesn't seem like a coincidence that the launch of the new SIM format roughly coincides with the launch of the eSIM-only iPhone Air.
Superloop has the cheapest NBN 2000 deal
More info. We may earn money when you click our links. Thanks for your interest! This feature is on the way. Last updated 22 September 2025 Superloop may have been slightly later to the NBN 2000 party than other providers who launched these plans at the start of last week, but it has come out swinging with a strong deal. Superloop is charging just $145 per month for its NBN 2000 plan for the first six months, followed by $165 per month thereafter.
There's a microphone inside the Nothing Ear 3's case
Last updated 19 September 2025 Nothing has made a rather unusual decision with its latest wireless earbuds: it shoved an extra microphone inside the battery case. While there's still a microphone on each of the buds that make up the Nothing Ear 3, the charging case has a dual-microphone "Super Mic". Nothing says the case microphone is better at focusing on your voice, and can cut surrounding noise as loud as 95 decibels.
Telstra says security concerns are driving eSIM adoption
Last updated 18 September 2025 eSIM adoption is on the rise at Telstra, with the telco now activating as many as 1,000 new eSIMs every day, which is double the rate of last year. In addition, more than 600 Telstra customers are now swapping from a physical SIM to an eSIM each day. Telstra Mobile Product Executive Juliet Tompkings told WhistleOut security concerns are a key reason customers are swapping from a physical SIM to an eSIM.
Telstra's budget brand finally has an NBN 1000 plan
More info. We may earn money when you click our links. Thanks for your interest! This feature is on the way. Unsurprisingly, Belong's NBN 1000 plan is much cheaper than Telstra's. Last updated 17 September 2025 Telstra's budget brand Belong is selling an NBN 1000 plan, marking the first time it has offered plans faster than 100Mbps. Belong's NBN 1000 plan is priced at $110 per month, but it is currently running a launch offer where new customers will pay $90 per month for the first six months.
NBN 750 plans: Everything you need to know about the new speed tier
More info. We may earn money when you click our links. Thanks for your interest! This feature is on the way. Unlimited Super Speed nbn750 Min. total cost $74 FTTP, HFC Deal: Promotional pricing - $74/mth for first 8 months then $89.90/mth. Offer ends 30.09.25 nbn Home Superfast Unlimited Plan Min. total cost $79.99 FTTP, HFC Deal: Get Price Beat Guarantee + $79.99/mth for first 6 months, then $99.99/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. Home Turbofast 750/50 Min.
The first NBN 2000 plans are now available
Last updated 15 September 2025 As part of NBN Co's September speed upgrades, NBN 2000 plans have now become available to NBN providers. We've seen a small number of providers start selling these already, including Aussie Broadband, Tangerine, More, AGL, Southern Phone, Leaptel, and Launtel. Dubbed "Hyperfast" plans, NBN 2000 offers download speeds of up to 2Gbps. Customers on HFC will get upload speeds of up to 100Mbps, while customers on FTTP can get an even faster 200Mbps.
You can already save $1,200 on an iPhone 17
More info. We may earn money when you click our links. Thanks for your interest! This feature is on the way. Vodafone is offering big savings on all iPhone 17 models, but there's a catch. Last updated 12 September 2025 Vodafone has come out swinging with an eye-catching pre-order offer for the iPhone 17 family. If you pre-order one on its new $79 promo plan, you'll get $1,200 in credit toward the purchase of the phone. This takes the form of a $33.34 per month discount on your bill.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max: Best plans, prices, and deals in Australia
The iPhone 17 family is now available to pre-order! The iPhone 17 Pro Max epitomises "go big or go home" as the largest model in the series, with more zoom and an even longer-lasting battery. In this guide, we'll look at plans, deals, pricing, and key features. Pre-orders for the iPhone 17 Pro Max are now open ahead of a September 19 release date. iPhone 17 Pro Max plans The Phone 17 Pro Max is available on mobile plans from Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro: Best plans, prices, and deals in Australia
Telstra iPhone plans are often the priciest on the Australian market, but they do come with a host of perks. Telstra lets you pay your iPhone off over 12, 24, or 36 months, and all plans are free from excess data charges. If you go over your cap, your data will simply be slowed to speeds of 1.5Mbps, which is still fast enough to stream video in SD. But speeds may be slower during peak times. Telstra still has Australia's largest mobile network, with 99.7% population coverage for its 4G.
AirPods Max are now $100 more expensive
Last updated 11 September 2025 In the wake of the iPhone 17 reveal, Apple has quietly increased Australian pricing for the AirPods Max. Apple's top-end headphones now start at $999, up from their old price of $899. While Apple refreshed the AirPods Max last year with USB-C connectivity and support for high-resolution audio when used wired, they're otherwise identical to the model it launched in late 2019. Older tech getting a price rise has been a recurring theme in 2025.
iOS 26 drops at the start of next week
Last updated 10 September 2025 Hot off its iPhone 17 event, Apple has confirmed that the latest version of its iPhone operating system - iOS 26 - will be available from September 16 (AEST). Announced in June, iOS 26 includes new features such as the "Liquid Glass" redesign, live translation across Messages, FaceTime, and the Phone app, call screening, improved visual intelligence, and a new Games app. Most phones that support iOS 18 will be able to upgrade to iOS 26.
The iPhone 16 just got a permanent price cut
Last updated 10 September 2025 As is the custom whenever Apple announces a new iPhone, some old models get cheaper, while others make their way to the Big iCloud in the sky. This time around, Apple has made permanent price cuts to the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. The iPhone 16 now starts at $1,249, making it $150 cheaper than it used to be, while the iPhone 16 Plus is $200 cheaper at $1,399. Notably, Apple has trimmed down the number of storage options available for the devices.
AirPods Pro 3 have "world's best" noise cancellation
Last updated 10 September 2025 As part of its iPhone 17 event, Apple revealed the latest version of its AirPods Pro and made some pretty big claims. Apple says the AirPods Pro 3 have the best active noise cancellation available on a pair of in-ear wireless headphones. This claim is based on testing against the "best-selling wireless in-ear headphones" conducted in July in accordance with the IEC active noise cancellation standard.
The iPhone 17 still starts at $1,399, but with twice the storage
Last updated 10 September 2025 After months of leaks and rumours, Apple has officially taken the wraps off its 2025 iPhones, and once again, we're getting four brand new devices: the iPhone 17, the iPhone 17 Pro, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the all-new iPhone Air. As with the last few years, the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max's upgrades are a bit flashier.
NBN Co has started work on the last tranche of FTTN upgrades
More info. We may earn money when you click our links. Thanks for your interest! This feature is on the way. Last updated 09 September 2025 NBN Co has announced that it is now working on the last stage of the FTTN upgrade program, which will see all remaining FTTN connections eligible for a free tech type change by the end of 2030. This wave of upgrades was first announced in January, and will see more than 95% of remaining FTTN connections able to swap to FTTP for free.
Tangerine and More's mobile plans are getting more expensive from September 10
Last updated 08 September 2025 Sibling telcos Tangerine and More are increasing their mobile plan prices by as much as $5 per month. The new pricing kicks in from September 10, and existing customers will be charged the new amount from their first bill following the increase.
Samsung's Galaxy S25 FE fits more battery into a thinner frame
Last updated 04 September 2025 Samsung just revealed its latest "Fan Edition" mobile phone, the Galaxy S25 FE. Samsung's FE range is the semi-premium option in its portfolio, representing a step down from the mainline S-series devices, but a solid improvement over its mid-tier A-series phones. This year, the Galaxy S25 FE represents fairly subtle upgrades when compared to last year's Galaxy S24 FE. The key changes are a thinner build and a larger battery.
Telstra still the fastest NBN provider according to the ACCC
More info. We may earn money when you click our links. Thanks for your interest! This feature is on the way. Telstra has maintained its first-place finish in the latest Measuring Broadband report. Last updated 04 September 2025 The ACCC has released its 30th Measuring Broadband Australia report, ranking Telstra the fastest NBN provider. Telstra also topped the report last time, marking the first time the brand has had successive first-place wins.
The Google Pixel 10 Has Launched: Prices, Features, and Plans
Last updated 04 September 2025 After many leaks and teases, Google has finally revealed the Pixel 10 family. The Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL hit shelves on August 28, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is coming on October 9. Despite global economic uncertainty that has seen electronics manufacturers increase prices, Google has kept Pixel 10 pricing in line with last year's models—and that's not taking into account any price drops or deals for the Pixel lineup.
Aussie Broadband cuts prices on "Pro" plans by as much as $49 per month
Last updated 03 September 2025 Aussie Broadband has cut the price of its "Pro" home NBN plans by as much as $49, making its most expensive consumer plans a little bit more affordable. The Pro plans boast upload speed as high as 400Mbps, which is a big step up from standard NBN plans, which currently max out at 50Mbps on the NBN 1000 speed tier. These Pro plans were previously much more expensive than Aussie's standard home NBN range, costing as much as $199 per month.
Apple iPhone 17: Everything we think we know so far
Telstra iPhone plans are often the priciest on the Australian market, but they do come with a host of perks. Telstra lets you pay your iPhone off over 12, 24, or 36 months, and all plans are free from excess data charges. If you go over your cap, your data will simply be slowed to speeds of 1.5Mbps, which is still fast enough to stream video in SD. But speeds may be slower during peak times. Telstra still has Australia's largest mobile network, with 99.7% population coverage for its 4G.
Aussie Broadband is selling the eero Pro 7 for much cheaper than Amazon
Last updated 28 August 2025 Aussie Broadband has started selling WiFi 7 routers ahead of the September NBN speed upgrades, and is undercutting Amazon on eero Pro 7 models in a pretty significant way. While Amazon normally charges $529.99 for an eero Pro 7 or $1,199.99 for a three-pack, Aussie Broadband is offering a single model for $240, a two-pack for $480, or a three-pack for $720. Customers do need to pay shipping, however, but it still works out to be a solid discount.
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL review: Big ideas and small changes
Last updated 28 August 2025 Google Pixel 10 Pro XL Our verdict The Pixel 10 Pro XL continues to be a great flagship device, especially for those interested in mobile photography, but it is only a small upgrade. Google's emphasis this year has been on ambitious AI swings that are too inconsistent to be a selling point, rather than significant year-on-year changes.
We now know when Apple will reveal the iPhone 17
Last updated 27 August 2025 Apple will hold its next major product event at 3am on September 10 (AEST), and the iPhone 17 is almost certainly on the cards. In addition, we're expecting new Apple Watches and perhaps a new pair of AirPods. There are a few changes set for this year's iPhone family. Apple is expected to discontinue its "Plus" model in favour of a super-slim iPhone 17 Air, similar to what Samsung achieved with the Galaxy S25 Edge.
ALDI is killing its cheapest mobile plan
Last updated 26 August 2025 ALDI is increasing mobile plan prices from September 24, and as part of the process, axing its cheapest plan. The telco is discontinuing its $19 recharge with 10GB, and suggesting customers opt for a new $23 recharge with 12GB instead. Customers with auto-recharge on the $19 plan will automatically be moved to the $23 option after September 24. Customers who don't have auto-recharge will be prompted to choose a new plan.
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