Every year, Black Friday and Cyber Monday bring a flood of mobile offers. For prepaid shoppers the trick is separating a genuinely good deal from a big number on a banner. This guide covers when the sales happen, what kinds of prepaid deals to expect, and how to check the real cost before you buy.
When are Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2026?
| Event | Date (2026) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Early deals | Weeks before Black Friday | Many brands start sales early, so offers can appear in November |
| Black Friday | Friday 27 November | Headline discounts across retail, including mobile |
| Cyber Monday | Monday 30 November | Online-only offers, often on SIM-only plans |
| Christmas and Boxing Day | 25 to 26 December | Gift-focused offers and post-Christmas sales |
| Summer holiday period | December to January | Travel and visitor SIM demand rises |
What prepaid deals can you expect?
Prepaid and SIM-only offers tend to follow a few patterns:
- Introductory pricing: a lower price for the first few recharges before the standard price applies.
- Bonus data: extra gigabytes for a set number of renewals, then the allowance drops back.
- Online-only offers: discounts that apply to new online activations rather than existing customers.
- Long-expiry savings: reduced pricing on 6-month or 12-month style plans.
None of these are bad, but each one means the price you pay later may differ from the price on the banner.
Lyca Mobile offers to look for
At the time of writing, Lyca Mobile Australia’s 28-day plans include the following. Confirm all details on the plan pages, as offers have end dates and apply to new online customers.
| Plan | Data | Offer price | Standard price | International calls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LycaPlan S | 50GB per 28 days | $15 for the first 6 renewals | $30 per 28 days | Unlimited to 35 countries |
| LycaPlan M | 120GB per 28 days | $20 for the first 6 renewals | $40 per 28 days | Unlimited to 35 countries |
| LycaPlan L | 300GB for the first 3 renewals, then 150GB | No discounted Price | $50 per 28 days | Unlimited to around 59 countries |
All plans include unlimited standard national calls and texts, 5G access, and data rollover of up to 500GB when you recharge with the same or a higher-value plan before your expiry date or within the 48-hour grace period. Speeds are capped at 100Mbps and Lyca runs on the Vodafone 4G and 5G network.
How to spot a real prepaid deal
- Find the standard price. What will you pay once the offer ends? That is your real long-term price.
- Check how long the offer lasts. “First 6 renewals” is very different from “first recharge only”.
- Work out cost per GB. Divide the price by the data to compare plans of different sizes.
- Calculate the first-year cost, not just the first recharge.
- Read who the offer is for. Many promotions are for new online customers only.
- Check the network. The best deal means little if there is no coverage where you live.
Worked example: LycaPlan S over a year
This is an illustration. It assumes the $15 price applies to 6 recharges and the standard $30 price applies after. Confirm exactly how many recharges the offer covers.
| Without the offer | With the offer | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per 28 days | $30 | $15 for 6, then $30 |
| Recharges in a year | 13 | 13 |
| First-year cost | $390 | $300 (6 × $15 + 7 × $30) |
| Average per 28 days | $30.00 | About $23.08 |
| Cost per GB (50GB) | $0.60 | $0.30 during the offer, $0.60 after |
The savings are real, but they are about $90 over the year rather than half price all year. That is the kind of maths that makes a deal trustworthy.
Which deal suits you?
- Everyday users: a mid-size plan with rollover, so unused data is not wasted.
- Heavy data users: look at bonus-data plans, and check what the allowance drops to after the bonus period.
- People who call family overseas: prioritise the list of countries with unlimited calls. See our guide to calling overseas from Australia.
- Light users and spare phones: consider a long-expiry plan. Lyca’s long-term plans run for 180 or 360 days.
- Gift buyers: a SIM with a plan can make a practical present for family or students.
Black Friday prepaid shopping checklist
- Check your phone is unlocked and eSIM compatible if you want to use an eSIM.
- Check network coverage at your home, work and favourite places.
- Decide your data needs before you shop, so a bonus does not tempt you into the wrong plan.
- Note the offer end date and set a reminder.
- Have your ID ready, as ID verification is required to activate a prepaid service in Australia.
- If you want to keep your number, have your current account details to hand. See our switching guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is Black Friday 2026 in Australia?
Black Friday 2026 falls on Friday 27 November, and Cyber Monday is Monday 30 November. Many mobile brands begin offers earlier in November.
Is Black Friday a good time to buy a prepaid SIM?
It can be, especially if you find bonus data or a discounted first few recharges. Compare the standard price and the first-year cost so you know the offer is worth it.
Do prepaid Black Friday deals last forever?
Usually not. Promotional prices commonly apply for a set number of renewals before the standard price starts, so check how long yours lasts.
Can existing customers get Black Friday prepaid deals?
Not always. Several current Lyca offers apply to new online SIM and plan purchases only, so check the terms of any deal before you buy.
Will I lose my unused data if I switch plans?
Lyca’s data rollover applies when you recharge with the same or a higher-value plan before expiry or within the grace period. Moving to a lower-value plan may mean rollover does not apply, so check the terms.
The bottom line
A good Black Friday prepaid deal is one you still like after the offer ends. Check the standard price, the length of the promotion and the cost per GB, and pick the plan that fits how you really use your phone.
Please check out our latest Black Friday Deals here: https://www.lycamobile.com.au/en/deals/