Foldable phones are the dearest phones on contract, and the networks price them almost identically. We compared the Galaxy Z Fold8, Fold8 Ultra and Flip8, and Honor's Magic V6, across Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Telkom, using the lowest-priced plan each network lists for the phone. We use 36 months unless we say otherwise.
Who lists what
| Model | Vodacom | MTN | Cell C | Telkom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Fold8 | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | Upgrade Only | 256GB | 256GB |
| Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra | 512GB, 1TB | Upgrade Only | 512GB | Size not recorded |
| Galaxy Z Flip8 | 256GB | Upgrade Only | 256GB | Size not recorded |
| Honor Magic V6 | 512GB | No price | 512GB | No price |
"Upgrade Only" means MTN's deals are open to existing MTN customers only, so we leave them out of the rankings below unless we say otherwise. "No price" means we hold no price for that network, which is not the same as the network not selling it.
The Galaxy Z Fold8, 256GB
| Network | 24 months | 36 months | Plan at that price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodacom | R2 149 a month (R51 576) | R1 599 (R57 564) | RED Core, 5GB |
| Cell C | R2 199 (R52 776) | R1 599 (R57 564) | Elevate 2+, 3GB |
| Telkom | R2 199 (R52 776) | R1 599 (R57 564) | FlexOn 6, 6GB |
On 36 months the three prices are identical to the rand. On 24 months Vodacom is R50 a month cheaper, or R1 200 over the contract. The deciding factor is the data: Telkom's R1 599 plan has twice Cell C's 3GB and Vodacom's has 5GB. MTN's Fold8 is also R1 599 on 36 months (6GB), but Upgrade Only.
The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, 512GB
| Network | 24 months | 36 months | Plan at that price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cell C | R2 499 a month (R59 976) | R1 849 (R66 564) | Elevate 2+, 3GB |
| Vodacom | R2 599 (R62 376) | R1 849 (R66 564) | RED Core, 5GB |
Again identical on 36 months. On 24 months Cell C is R2 400 cheaper than Vodacom, with less data. Telkom lists an Ultra at R1 849 on 36 months (6GB) and R2 449 on 24, but the storage size is not recorded for that deal, so we do not rank it. Vodacom also lists a 1TB Ultra at R2 149 a month (R77 364).
The Galaxy Z Flip8, 256GB
| Network | 24 months | 36 months | Plan at that price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodacom | R1 349 a month (R32 376) | R999 (R35 964) | RED Core, 3GB |
| Cell C | R1 349 (R32 376) | R999 (R35 964) | Elevate 2+, 3GB |
Vodacom and Cell C are the same price on the same 3GB of data. Telkom lists a Flip8 at R999 on 36 months with 4GB and R1 349 on 24, but no storage size is recorded. MTN's Flip8 is R999 (2GB) on 36 months and R1 369 on 24, Upgrade Only.
The Honor Magic V6, 512GB
| Network | 24 months | 36 months | Plan at that price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodacom | R2 099 a month (R50 376) | R1 599 (R57 564) | RED Core, 5GB |
| Cell C | R2 199 (R52 776) | R1 599 (R57 564) | Elevate 2+, 3GB |
Same pattern: level on 36 months, with Vodacom R2 400 cheaper over 24. The 512GB Magic V6 costs the same per month as the 256GB Galaxy Z Fold8.
What a step up costs
| Step | Network and plan | Extra per month | Extra over 36 months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fold8: 256GB to 512GB | Vodacom, 5GB | R150 | R5 400 |
| Fold8: 512GB to 1TB | Vodacom, 5GB | R150 | R5 400 |
| Fold8 to Fold8 Ultra (512GB) | Vodacom, 5GB | R100 | R3 600 |
| Flip7 to Flip8 | Vodacom, 3GB | R150 | R5 400 |
| Razr 60 Flip to Flip8 | Vodacom, 3GB | R450 | R16 200 |
More data costs less than more phone. On the 256GB Fold8 at Vodacom, going from 5GB to 20GB is R150 a month (R1 599 to R1 749), the same as doubling the storage.
The cheaper foldables
Not every foldable is over R1 000 a month. At Vodacom, on 36 months:
| Phone | Monthly | Total | Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motorola Razr 60 Flip, 256GB | R499 | R17 964 | RED Core, 1GB |
| Galaxy Z Flip7, 256GB | R799 | R28 764 | RED Core, 1GB |
| Honor Magic V5, 512GB | R999 | R35 964 | RED Core, 1GB |
The Razr costs half a Flip8 a month. We hold no open price for these three phones on the other networks.
What this tells you
- The networks do not compete on price here. On 36 months the Fold8, Fold8 Ultra, Flip8 and Magic V6 are the same price at every network that lists them.
- Compare the data, not the rand. The same R1 599 buys 3GB, 5GB or 6GB.
- Shorter costs less in total. The 256GB Fold8 at Vodacom is R51 576 over 24 months and R57 564 over 36, so the longer contract adds R5 988 to save R550 a month. For the Flip8 the gap is R3 588.
- The 24-month price is where the networks differ, by R50 to R100 a month.
What to watch for
- The plans are not identical. We show the lowest price on each network, not a like-for-like data comparison.
- MTN's foldables are for existing customers.
- Some Telkom deals have no storage recorded. We do not rank them against deals with a stated size.
- Prices move. We read Vodacom and MTN on 16 October 2026, Cell C on 1 October and Telkom on 9 October. Check the figure on the day.
- No upfront payment is recorded for any of these deals. Totals are the monthly price times the number of months. See how a contract's total cost adds up.
How to compare
- Choose the model and storage first, then compare networks.
- Compare the total, and look at 24 and 36 months side by side.
- Check the data the price includes. Equal prices rarely mean equal plans.
- Ask about upgrade rules if you are with MTN and the deal is Upgrade Only.
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Sources. Each network's own live catalogue: Vodacom and MTN read on 16 October 2026, Cell C on 1 October and Telkom through its online shop (9 October). Only deals open to new customers are used in the rankings. Totals and differences are our own arithmetic.
Frequently asked questions
- How much is a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 on contract in South Africa?
- The 256GB Fold8 is R1 599 a month over 36 months (R57 564 in total) at Vodacom, Cell C and Telkom. On 24 months it is R2 149 at Vodacom (R51 576) and R2 199 at Cell C and Telkom (R52 776). MTN lists it at R1 599 on 36 months too, but only for existing MTN customers.
- Which network is cheapest for the Galaxy Z Flip8?
- None is cheaper than the others on price. The 256GB Flip8 is R999 a month over 36 months (R35 964) at Vodacom and Cell C on 3GB, and at Telkom on 4GB, and R1 349 over 24 months at all three. The difference is how much data you get. Telkom's storage size for its Flip8 is not recorded.
- Is the Galaxy Z Flip8 much dearer than the Flip7?
- At Vodacom on the same 3GB plan, the Flip8 is R999 a month and the Flip7 is R849, so R150 more a month and R5 400 more over 36 months. Vodacom is the only network with a Flip7 price in our data.
- Is a 24-month foldable contract cheaper than 36 months?
- In total, yes. The 256GB Fold8 at Vodacom is R51 576 over 24 months and R57 564 over 36, so the longer contract costs R5 988 more even though the monthly price is R550 lower.
- What is the cheapest foldable you can get on contract?
- The Motorola Razr 60 Flip at Vodacom: R499 a month on 36 months (R17 964) on a 1GB plan. It is the only foldable we found under R800 a month. The cheapest Samsung is the Galaxy Z Flip7 at R799 a month (R28 764), also at Vodacom.
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