Alcatel 1C is the cheapest phone you can buy on Telstra

We weren't expecting to see any of Alcatel's new smartphones in Australia until August, but the $89 Alcatel 1C has already popped up in Telstra's prepaid section.

At $89, the Alcatel 1C is the cheapest phone available through Telstra, and the cheapest phone in Australia to rock a new-fangled extra-tall 18:9 display. The screen measures in at 5.3-inches and runs at 480p+. Other specifications include a 1.3GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, an 8MP rear-facing camera, and a 2,460mAh battery. The Alcatel 1C is however only 3G and runs the somewhat dated Android Nougat.

You can grab it in a choice of black or gold.

Since the Alcatel 1C is being sold as a prepaid device, it's locked to Telstra's network. This means you won't be able to take it to another provider without forking out a bit of extra cash. If you want to unlock your shiny new handset within the first six months, you're looking at an $80 fee. If you're happy to wait, the fee gets cut to $25 after six months. After two years, you'll be able to unlock the phone for free.

The Alcatel 1C is the first new low cost device available through Telstra the following the company's decision to drop ZTE smartphones due to the sanctions imposed on the manufacturer by the US government.

Telstra's prepaid plans are as follows:

Mobile Phone Plans

Telstra

Telstra $44 Pre-Paid Mobile SIM Starter Kit 65GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get the $44 Pre-Paid Mobile SIM for $13 online + 45GB activation bonus for first 3 recharges $13.00 Starter Pack 28 Day Expiry Link not supplied

$13.00 Starter Pack 28 Day Expiry

Link not supplied

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See More Plans ~ Last Updated 6/11/2026

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Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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