Aspera's $99 smartphone has a removable battery

Aspera Mobile celebrates its 10 year Australian anniversary today with the launch of a throwback-style device - the 4G AS5 smartphone. Sporting a removable 2000mAh battery and a headphone jack the $99 device really takes us for a walk down memory lane by including a wall-plug charge and headphones in the box. It's compatible with the 4G, 3G, and 2G networks.

Along with the classics, the Aspera AS5 includes facial recognition, dual SIM slots, a 5MP primary lens and 5MP selfie lens. Powered by an octa-core 1.6GHz processor, the AS5 runs a stripped-down version of Android 13 called Android Go. Go edition apps are streamlined for phones with less than 2GB of RAM to keep the phone operating more efficiently.

According to Aspera Mobile MD Allan Robertson, the device is geared to the younger demographic.

"The AS5 and the other phones we will launch this year set us apart from our competitors. The AS5 is a compact, well-featured but lower-cost smartphone aimed squarely at the younger audience," said Robertson.

Robertson noted that it may also be suited for budget-conscious consumers.

All Aspera phones come unlocked so you can grab the cheap SIM of your choosing to go along with it. These are the most popular mobile plans under $20 in our database at the moment.

#1	SpinTel	SpinTel $23 Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT WhistleOut Special: Enjoy $11 off for the first 6 months for new customers - $12/mth for first 6 months, then $23/mth $12.00/mth Min. cost $12 Go to Site	$12.00/mth Min. cost $12	Go to Site
#2	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 23 SIM Only 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 30GB for $14 – Includes $9 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $23. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
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#4	Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Large Monthly Plan 120GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 120GB for $20 (incl. $20 off for first 6 mths + 40GB bonus data for 6 mths), then 80GB for $40 thereafter, valid until 25.10.26 $20.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$20.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#5	amaysim	amaysim 7-day UNLIMITED 10GB Plan 10GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $14.00 Per 7 Day Renewal Go to Site	$14.00 Per 7 Day Renewal	Go to Site
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#7	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $14 Prepaid 6GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices $14.00 Per 7 Day Renewal Go to Site	$14.00 Per 7 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#8	OnePass mobile	OnePass mobile 28 Day Plan - 22GB 22GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $12.50 - Get 22GB for only $12.50 for the first 6 recharges! Recharges $25/22GB. New customers only. T&Cs apply $12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#9	TPG	TPG 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#10	Vodafone	Vodafone $13 Prepaid Plus Recharge 5GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 1GB extra data on every Automatic Recharge when you opt-in to Automatic Recharge $13.00 Per 7 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$13.00 Per 7 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

Aspera Mobile’s AS5 is available to purchase outright for $99 at retailers including Big W, Ritchies IGA, Seasons IGA, Freedom Fuels, Trinity Petroleum, Mobiciti and Personal Digital.

Anula Wiwatowska

Offsite Editorial Lead | Instagram

Anula is the Off-Site Editorial Lead for WhistleOut Australia, and an award winning tech journalist. She has been writing about the Australian telco industry, and consumer technology for over five years, and has been known to tell her Uber driver which phone they should upgrade to next.

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