Buying the phone cash and adding a SIM-only plan is often called the cheap way to do it. At Telkom's own prices it usually isn't. We compared 47 phones, and over 24 months the contract cost less than the cash price plus the same plan SIM-only for 46 of them. Cash comes out ahead when you take a longer contract, buy the phone for less elsewhere, or need a smaller plan.
Why we used Telkom
The comparison needs two prices from the same network: the phone's cash price and the same plan sold SIM-only. Telkom is the only network in our data whose catalogue prints both. Its edition for 7 October to 6 November 2026 lists a cash price under every contract deal, and a SIM-only page with the same FlexOn plans, so the allowances match exactly.
We read it on 28 October 2026. We left out deals that bundle a second gadget, such as a free watch, earbuds or a second phone. We also left out the iPhone Air 256GB. Its printed cash price of R 18 439 is lower than the iPhone 15's, which looks like a misprint. That leaves 47 phones, each on a 24-month and a 36-month contract.
The SIM-only prices are R 149 a month for FlexOn 2, R 199 for FlexOn 4 and R 269 for FlexOn 6.
Over 24 months, the contract usually wins
For each phone we added the contract's monthly price over 24 months. We set that against Telkom's cash price plus 24 months of the same plan SIM-only.
| Phone | Plan | Contract, 24 months | Cash + SIM-only, 24 months | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A27 | FlexOn 2 | R 8 856 | R 10 605 | Contract, by R 1 749 |
| Samsung Galaxy A57 | FlexOn 2 | R 15 336 | R 15 625 | Contract, by R 289 |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 256GB | FlexOn 2 | R 22 776 | R 24 765 | Contract, by R 1 989 |
| HONOR 600 Lite | FlexOn 2 | R 11 976 | R 15 745 | Contract, by R 3 769 |
| HUAWEI Pura80 | FlexOn 2 | R 19 176 | R 24 555 | Contract, by R 5 379 |
| iPhone 16e 128GB | FlexOn 2 | R 15 096 | R 19 685 | Contract, by R 4 589 |
| iPhone 17 256GB | FlexOn 4 | R 28 056 | R 28 955 | Contract, by R 899 |
| iPhone 18 Pro 256GB | FlexOn 6 | R 37 416 | R 38 705 | Contract, by R 1 289 |
Across all 47 phones the contract was cheaper for 46, by a median of R 1 669. The exception was the Galaxy Z Fold8 256GB, where cash won by R 41.
For six phones the whole 24-month contract, plan included, cost less than the phone's cash price alone. Those were the Galaxy S25 FE, HONOR 600 Lite, HUAWEI Pura80, Mate80 Pro and Pura80 Pro, and the iPhone 16e. The Pura80 is R 19 176 over 24 months on contract, against a cash price of R 20 979.
A contract discounts the phone because it signs you up for two years. On these numbers the discount is bigger than the cost of the plan.
Over 36 months, cash wins more often
A 36-month contract has a lower monthly price but runs a year longer. The contract was still cheaper for 40 of the 47 phones, by a median of R 1 519. For seven, all Samsung, buying cash came out ahead:
| Phone | Contract, 36 months | Cash + SIM-only, 36 months | Cash cheaper by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra 512GB | R 66 564 | R 62 123 | R 4 441 |
| Galaxy Z Fold8 256GB | R 57 564 | R 55 963 | R 1 601 |
| Galaxy Z Flip8 256GB | R 35 964 | R 34 923 | R 1 041 |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB | R 39 564 | R 38 833 | R 731 |
| Galaxy A57 | R 17 964 | R 17 413 | R 551 |
| Galaxy A37 | R 14 364 | R 14 093 | R 271 |
| Galaxy S26 FE | R 23 364 | R 23 173 | R 191 |
For every one of the 47 phones, the 36-month contract cost more in total than the 24-month one, by a median of R 2 508. Part of that buys 12 more months of service. See how a contract's total cost adds up.
When buying cash is the better deal
You need less than the contract's plan. The expensive phones come on bigger plans: the iPhone 17 Pro and 18 Pro range on FlexOn 6, with 6GB, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra on FlexOn 4. Buy the phone cash and you can pick a smaller plan. With FlexOn 2 at R 149 a month, cash beat the 24-month contract for 17 of the 23 phones that come on FlexOn 4 or FlexOn 6. For the iPhone 18 Pro 256GB it was R 35 825 against R 37 416. That is 2GB a month instead of 6GB, so it only works if 2GB is enough.
You can buy the phone for less. Our comparison uses Telkom's cash price. For the typical phone the contract's lead over 24 months was about 5% of the cash price. If a shop sells the phone for more than that below Telkom's price, cash can win. We did not check other shops' prices.
You want to be able to leave. A month-to-month SIM-only plan can be changed or cancelled. A contract runs for its full term, and cancelling early can cost a penalty. See what it costs to cancel a phone contract early.
Things the totals leave out
- Telkom's online shop can be cheaper still. It sometimes sells the same phone on the same plan for less than the catalogue. On 25 October 2026 the iPhone 17 Pro 256GB on FlexOn 6 was R 979 a month over 36 months online, against R 999 in the catalogue. That tips things further towards the contract.
- Some contracts come with extras. Several deals, including the Galaxy A27, Galaxy S25 FE, iPhone 16e and HONOR 600, come with a R 500 accessories voucher. We did not count it.
- A contract's price can change. Telkom's catalogue says it may adjust the charges "within a contract period", and that changes will only apply to the tariff plan. A SIM-only plan's price can change too.
- Fees. The catalogue says a R 99 once-off SIM and connection fee applies. We left it out of both sides.
- The end of the contract. Once the term ends, the bill does not stop by itself. See what happens when a phone contract ends.
- You need the cash, or the credit. Buying cash means paying the full price on day one. A contract needs a credit check. If that is the problem, see phone contracts with bad credit or under debt review.
How to check any deal yourself
- Multiply the contract's monthly price by its months, and add any upfront payment.
- Find the phone's cash price and a SIM-only plan with the allowance you need. Multiply the plan's monthly price by the same months and add the cash price.
- The lower number is the cheaper way to get the same phone and plan for that period.
Compare handset contracts on Vulo → · Compare SIM-only plans →
Sources. Telkom catalogue, edition "7 October - 6 November 2026" (telkom.co.za/catalogue.pdf), read on 28 October 2026. It is the source for every contract price, cash price and SIM-only price above. Online shop price from our 25 October 2026 check. Totals are the monthly price multiplied by the months, with no interest, insurance or fees added. Prices change, so check them with Telkom before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to buy a phone cash and go SIM-only in South Africa?
- Not usually, at Telkom's own prices. We compared 47 phones in Telkom's 7 October to 6 November 2026 catalogue. Over 24 months the contract cost less than the cash price plus the same plan SIM-only for 46 of them, by a median of R 1 669. Over 36 months it cost less for 40 of 47.
- When is buying the phone cash cheaper than a contract?
- In three cases in our comparison. On 36-month contracts, buying cash was cheaper for 7 of the 47 phones, all Samsung, by up to R 4 441 on the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra. It also wins if you can buy the phone for less than Telkom's cash price elsewhere, or if you need a smaller plan than the one the contract comes with. Paired with FlexOn 2 at R 149 a month, cash beat the contract over 24 months for 17 of the 23 phones that come on FlexOn 4 or FlexOn 6.
- How can a contract cost less than the phone's cash price?
- Because the network discounts the phone to sign you up for 24 or 36 months. Telkom's HUAWEI Pura80 is R 799 a month over 24 months on FlexOn 2, R 19 176 in total including the plan. Telkom's cash price for the phone alone is R 20 979.
- Does this apply to Vodacom, MTN and Cell C?
- We could not check. Telkom is the only network in our data whose catalogue prints a cash price next to each contract, and the comparison needs both from the same network. Do the same sum with any network: multiply the contract's monthly price by the months, and compare it with the phone's cash price plus the SIM-only plan for the same months.
- Is a contract or SIM-only more flexible?
- SIM-only on a month-to-month plan. You can change or cancel it, and you own the phone from day one. A contract ties you in for the full term, cancelling early can cost a penalty, and Telkom's catalogue says it may adjust the tariff plan charges within a contract period.
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