Telstra has quietly added 4 new devices to its prepaid line up.

Telstra has quietly added 4 new mobile devices to its prepaid lineup, including a 5G handset which is a first for a telco to add such a device with this capability to its prepaid service. The devices, which are the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G, Nokia G20 and Nokia C30 along with a white labeled ZTE device simply known as the Telstra Essential Smart 2.1.

Samsung Galaxy A22 5G

As earlier noted, this is a first for a telco to provide a 5G device on their prepaid lineup. A small but significant step given that 5G connectivity is steadily rolling out across the country. The Samsung Galaxy A22 5G comes with a 6.6-inch TFT full HD display (1080 x 2408) and is powered by an Octa-core MediatekMT 6765 processor, 4GB RAM and 128GB onboard storage which can be expanded to 1TB via microSD card. When you add the 5,000mAh battery in, you should get a full day of use from it pretty comfortably.

The connectivity ticks all of the boxes you’d expect at this price range:

• NFC capabilities
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
• Bluetooth version 5.0

The camera setup is a triple camera set up consisting of a 48MP main wide lens, 5MP ultra-wide lens and 2MP depth sensor. In terms of the front camera, there is a single 5MP camera. The device runs Android 11 right out of the box

The Samsung Galaxy A22 5G is available unlocked through the Telstra prepaid website for $329, although you can also purchase the Galaxy A22 5G unlocked through the Samsung website for $349.

Nokia C30

Nokia is certainly ramping up its latest device offerings and partnering once again with Telstra to bring its Nokia C30 to our shores. The Nokia C30 comes with a 6.82-inch IPS LCD display that is driven by an Octa-core Unisoc SC9863A (28nm) processor, 2GB RAM and 32GB of onboard storage which can be expanded to 256GB via microSD card. The monster 6,000 mAh battery should give an outstanding battery life on the device.

We’re taking a step down in price, so it should be a surprise to only had a dual-camera system in play here. The Nokia C30 comes armed with a 13MP wide main camera lens and a 2MP depth sensor. The front-facing camera is a simple, and somewhat effective 5MP camera.

The Nokia C30 comes with Android 11 (Go Edition) and as you all probably already know, HMD Global does guarantee up to 2-3 years worth of security and firmware updates. The connectivity too is a step down from what is current generation specs with Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.2 and has a MicroUSB port for charging. There is also a rear fingerprint sensor for those who do prefer this type of security feature instead of using a pattern, pin or face unlock features.

The Nokia C30 is available from the Telstra Prepaid website and your local Telstra store for $149.

Nokia G20

The next Nokia branded device Telstra are also offering is the Nokia G20 that comes with a 6.52-inch IPS LCD display (720 x 1600) and is sporting an Octa-core MediaTek Helio G35 processor, 4GB RAM and has 64GB of onboard storage which can be expanded to 512GB via MicroSD card. All of this is powered by a 5,050mAh battery that charges by USB-C.

We’re back in the realms of connectivity that are expected of phones in the current market here with:

• Wi-Fi 802.11n
• Bluetooth 5.0
• A 3.5mm audio jack
• NFC capabilities

Regarding the camera setup for the Nokia G20, the rear camera comes with a quad-camera setup consisting of a 48MP main lens, a 5MP UltraWwide, 2MP Macro and 2MP Depth sensor. In terms of the front-facing camera setup, this is a single 8MP camera which should be pretty good for those flawless Instagram selfies.

The Nokia C30 comes with Android 11 and the same security updates promised across the HMD Global range of devices. The Nokia G20 is available from the Telstra Prepaid website or your local Telstra store for $199.

Telstra Essential Smart 2.1

Finally, we have the final new device from Telstra which is a white labelled device from ZTE (model name ZTE Blade A3 2020) which is known as the Telstra Essential Smart 2.1.

It is a $69 “throwaway” special so when it comes to specs, don’t expect anything earth shattering. It has a 5-inch FWVGA display (480 x 960), a 1.4GHz quad core Spreadtrum processor, 1GB RAM and 32GB of onboard storage which can be expanded to 512GB via MicroSD card. While the specs are very low end, perhaps the major concern would be the Android Pie (9.0) go edition: Several generations old when you open the box and a low chance of updates in the future.

The camera setup is a single 5MP rear camera with the front camera being a single 2MP camera which is ok, as long as it’s not something you want to keep for the ages. The Telstra Essential Smart 2.1 comes with a 2000 mAh non removable battery, Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth version 4.2 and a 3.5mm audio jack. If you’re after a backup device, or perhaps trying to get a technophobic relative onto their first smartphone – The Telstra Essential Smart 2.1 can be purchased from the Telstra Prepaid website or your local Telstra store for $69.