Tech Guide’s 2023 12 Days of Christmas Gift Ideas – Day 2: Smartphones

Christmas is less than three weeks away and there’s still time to nail the perfect tech present with the help of the Tech Guide 2023 12 Days of Christmas Gift Guide.

Today we’re focusing on smartphones and smartphone accessories.

Be sure to come back and check out the different categories we’re covering over the full 12 days of the Christmas gift guide.

Day 1: Cameras

Day 2: Smartphones

Day 3: Wearables/smartwatches

Day 4: Headphones/speakers

DAY 5: Gaming

DAY 6: Tablets/e-readers

DAY 7: Drones/Gadgets

DAY 8: Smart/IoT devices

DAY 9: In-car gadgets

DAY 10: TVs/Blu-Ray/4K

DAY 11: Appliances

DAY 12: Computers

DAY 2: SMARTPHONES

IPHONE 15 (from $1,499) & IPHONE 15 PRO (from $1,849)

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro have taken a significant step forward in terms of power, performance, features and design.

Apple has intelligently upgraded the most popular parts of the iPhone including the camera, the display and added several convenient new features to make using the device faster, easier and more enjoyable to use.

iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro have the same screen sizes 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch and start at $1499 and $1849 respectively.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW HERE

GOOGLE PIXEL 8 ($1,199) & PIXEL 8 PRO ($1,699)

The Google Pixel 8 and Google Pixel 8 Pro are pure Google smartphones. They are taking Google’s hardware and the latest Tensor processor and running Google’s latest Android 14 operating system.

In doing this, Google has taken a move from the Apple playbook where, since 2007, the company has been offering an end-to-end experience with their own hardware and software.

Google has raised the bar even further with the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro with intelligent improvements to the camera and a boost in performance.

READ OUR COMPLETE REVIEW HERE

SAMSUNG GALAXY Z FLIP5 (from $1,649) AND GALAXY Z FOLD5 (from $2,599)

Samsung’s new fifth generation foldable smartphones – the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Galaxy Z Fold5 – will inspire people to take their first bold step into the world of foldables.

Samsung, of course, has been leading the way in this growing category and these latest models represent years of development and improvement.

The Z Flip5 and Z Fold5 are both foldable smartphones but they are aimed at totally different customers.

What they do have in common is the same design language, eye-catching colours and surprising durability.

For a folding device – that’s quite an achievement.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW HERE

GOOGLE PIXEL 7A – $749

The Google Pixel 7a has won a lot of fans with its affordable price and impressive feature set that makes it more than just another Android smartphone.

The latest device from Google has a 6.1-inch FHD+ display running at up to 90Hz and is powered by Google’s very own Tensor G2 chip.

That’s the same chip you’ll find on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, so performance is up there with these more expensive devices.

On the camera side, it has a 64-megapixel main camera and 13-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 13-megapixel front camera.

And naturally the Pixel 7a is running Android 13 with all the trimmings.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW HERE

SAMSUNG GALAXY A54 – $649

Samsung’s Galaxy A54 5G is a mid-tier smartphone with the design, display and features that makes it feel like a flagship product.

No, Samsung isn’t trying to put itself out of business – the A54 5G is no Galaxy S23 but the mid-tier device can still hold its own.

It’s ideal for the customer who wants something better than an entry level smartphone but that doesn’t want to shell out thousands of dollars for the top of the line products.

You can describe Samsung’s A54 5G as the Goldilocks smartphone – not too cheap, not too expensive – it’s just right.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW HERE

OPPO FIND N2 FLIP – $1,499

Oppo has entered flagship territory with the release of its new Find N2 Flip foldable smartphone and it’s now rubbing shoulders with Samsung the world’s number one manufacturer.

The Oppo Find N2 Flip looks a lot like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 – but in many ways it is better.

Oppo has been working on this technology for the last four years.

The Oppo Find N2 Flip has a slick design with polished aluminium sides and a fingerprint-resistant glass cover.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW HERE

NOKIA G42 5G – $449

Give the gift of affordable repairability with the Nokia G42 5G. The Smartphone has 5G connectivity, 3-day battery life and a large 6.56p-inch HD screen. With the 50MP camera paired with the 5G capabilities, creating, and sharing memories this holiday season has never been quicker or easier. The Nokia G42 5G is also repairable by you.

Together with iFixit, Nokia has created a self-repairable phone where aspects like dead batteries, broken screens and bent charging cables can be fixed at home by the phone user, without voiding the warranty.

SAMSUNG GALAXY A05S – $249 (64GB) $299 (128GB)

Samsung has released an impressive new Galaxy A05s smartphone priced under $250 which offers a notable line-up of features and an upgraded camera system.

This new product demonstrates that customers don’t have to break the bank to buy a decent smartphone especially at a time like this with rising interest rates and cost of living pressures.

Parents might also see the device as an ideal first smartphone for their child.

The Galaxy A05s has a slick design with a 6.7-inch Infinity-U display with FHD+ resolution (1080 x 2400) and fast reactive 90Hz refresh rate to make viewing high definition content an even better experience.

FIND OUT MORE HERE

ASPERA MOBILE R10 – $299

Rugged and affordable are not usually two words that appear together to describe a smartphone but Aspera Mobile’s R10 certainly fits the bill.

Priced at $299 the Aspera Mobile R10 has an IP68 rating which means its built to handle water and dust.

And with its rugged formulated rubberised outer body design and larger corners to absorb impact, it can also handle a drop as well.

FIND OUT MORE HERE

SAMSUNG GALAXY SMARTTAG2 – $55 EACH or $169 FOR FOUR PACK

Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag 2 is a small device that allows users to track valuables and other important items through their Samsung smartphone.

The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2 is like Apple’s AirTag, but it only works with Samsung smartphones.

The Galaxy SmartTag2 has a ring-shaped design so they can easily add to keyrings and attached to bags and luggage.

It also has an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance which means you can track your valuables while travelling anywhere.

FIND OUT MORE HERE

ASUS ZENFONE 10 – from $1,499

The ASUS compact yet powerful Zenfone 10 has a 144Hz AMOLED 5.9-inch display yet, despite its smaller size, it offers a powerful performance thanks to the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 mobile platform.

On the camera side, the Zenfone 10 now includes a 6-axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabiliser 2.0 which works with new algorithms to provide rock-steady videos.

Also under the hood is a new adaptive EIS (electronic image stabilisation system) plus OZO Audio-powered 3D surround sound recording capabilities.

FIND OUT MORE HERE

NOKIA XR21 – $799

The Nokia XR21 is designed to be virtually indestructible, with the phone being made up of 100 per cent recycled aluminium and being certified to MIL-STD-810H and IP69K standards.

This marketed durability has been tested and is dust-proof, water-resistant and can withstand drops of 1.8 metres. However, just because the phone is tough doesn’t mean you have to miss out on capturing life’s soft moments, the XR21 comes with a 16MP front camera and a 64MP main camera with 8MP ultrawide.

The internal 128GB of storage (with room to upgrade) means you can keep the memories you make in your back pocket to re-watch later.

FIND OUT MORE HERE

NOKIA 2660 FLIP – $129

The Nokia 2660 FLIP has a classic design and contains all the necessities of a phone and keeps you connected and contactable whilst also being present in the moment. The lightweight phone means you can connect with your surroundings without even realising you’re carrying the device.  Relive your younger years with access to classic mobile phone games like Snake, Tetris, Arrow Master, and Air Strike. Whilst also being able to listen to the radio with the build in wireless (or wired) FM radio

BOOST MOBILE REFURBISHED PHONES – From $259

Get your hands on big brands including Apple or Samsung, but at a fraction of their original prices as high quality refurbished smartphones continue to deliver great value including new models from various big brands like iPhone, iPads, Samsung, Google Pixel and more, Boost Mobile refurbished phones offer great savings on near new devices, a perfect gift-giving for all who are looking for an upgrade.

All refurbished phones sold through Boost Mobile go through a stringent 72 point check to ensure the device meets their high functional and cosmetic standards. Each refurb comes with a 12 month warranty and a 30 day satisfaction guarantee.

 

STM FOCUS iPHONE CASES – $69.95

The new Focus iPhone cases were specifically designed to promote mindfulness, improve focus and restore personal wellbeing. This game-changing collection (including the Relax, Reawaken, and Reveal cases) come with a variety of designs that incorporate tactile materials, serene colour palettes, and interactive features that encourage users to be in the moment.

Made from impact resistant, high-quality materials that are comfortable to the touch yet durable for everyday use, they not only look great but will make its recipient feel great.

STM MAG POD – $69.95

Simple, functional and user friendly, the MagPod (RRP $69.95) is the ideal elevated phone pad. Keeping devices safe from the chaos of work and life with its magnetic marvel disc atop of a pivoting socket, this collapsible mini tripod gives iPhones a neat and nifty parking spot.