Crazy expensive Samsung Galaxy S6
While pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge opened in the second week of March 2015, prices for the two smartphones have been released in dribs and drabs over the past week.
When contract prices started becoming available, though, many pointed out the devices were far more expensive than expected.
This observation was in-line with what we saw from overseas pricing, but out of step with local trends.
A comparison of the contract prices of the Samsung Galaxy S4, S5, and S6 in South Africa over the past three years reveals that prices have increased.
The table below provides a summary of the launch prices over the years.
| Galaxy S contract launch prices | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contract | Galaxy S6 | Galaxy S5 | Galaxy S4 | Data | Voice | SMS |
| Telkom SmartPlan 50 | R479 | R419 | N/A | 1099MB | 50 | 5 for 50 |
| Telkom SmartPlan 100 | R499 | R449 | R449 | 1174MB | 100 | 5 for 50 |
| Vodacom Smart S | R529 | R469 | R469 | 200MB | 75 | 200 |
| My MTNChoice 100 | R549 | R489 | N/A | 300MB | 100 | 200 |
| Vodacom Smart M | R629 | R549 | N/A | 300MB | 120 | 300 |
| Vodacom Smart S | R658 | R549 | N/A | 1224MB | 75 | 200 |
| My MTNChoice 200 | R679 | R609 | N/A | 300MB | 200 | 300 |
| My MTNChoice 350 | R769 | R759 | N/A | 500MB | 350 | 500 |
| Vodacom Smart L | R779 | R699 | R649 | 500MB | 250 | 500 |
It is worth noting that some contracts include different amounts of bonus data.
For example, one Vodacom Smart S contract offered a total of 250MB per month bonus data with the Galaxy S5.
This year’s similar Smarts S contract only offers 1GB per month of bonus data for 3 months.
Samsung vs iPhone contract prices
Another question raised is: How does the Galaxy S6’s pricing compare to other high-end devices such as the iPhone 6?
Contract prices on Samsung’s high-end smartphones are usually in the same region as the iPhone. On some networks the Galaxy S was a better deal, while on others the iPhone was.
Our recent contract price comparison of the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus versus the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge shows that this is still the case, though the S6 Edge is consistently more expensive than the iPhone 6 Plus.
Higher Samsung prices, or is something else afoot?
| Samsung Galaxy S6 (32GB) vs Apple iPhone 6 (16GB) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telkom | ||||
| Contract – Telkom SmartPlan 100 | Data | Voice minutes | SMS | Monthly price |
| Samsung Galaxy S6 | 1174MB | 100 | 5 for 50 | R499 |
| Apple iPhone 6 | 150MB | 100 | 5 for 50 | R499 |
| Vodacom | ||||
| Contract – Vodacom Smart S | Data | Voice minutes | SMS | Monthly price |
| Apple iPhone 6 | 200MB | 75 | 200 | R499 |
| Samsung Galaxy S6 | 200MB (Free 1GB x 3 months) | 75 | 200 | R529 |
| MTN | ||||
| Contract – My MTNChoice 100 | Data | Voice minutes | SMS | Monthly price |
| Apple iPhone 6 | 500MB | 100 | 200 | R499 |
| Samsung Galaxy S6 | 300MB | 100 | 200 | R549 |
| Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge (64GB) vs Apple iPhone 6 Plus (64GB) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telkom | ||||
| Contract – Telkom SmartPlan 100 | Data | Voice minutes | SMS | Monthly price |
| Apple iPhone 6 Plus (16GB) | 1174MB | 100 | – | R549 |
| Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge | 1174MB | 100 | – | R649 |
| Vodacom | ||||
| Contract – Vodacom Smart M | Data | Voice minutes | SMS | Monthly price |
| Apple iPhone 6 Plus | 300MB | 120 | 300 | R749 |
| Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge | 300MB (Free 1GB x 3 months) | 120 | 300 | R779 |
| MTN | ||||
| Contract – My MTNChoice 350 | Data | Voice minutes | SMS | Monthly price |
| Apple iPhone 6 Plus | 500MB | 350 | 500 | R849 |
| Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge | 500MB | 350 | 500 | R899 |
With higher contract prices on the Samsung Galaxy S6 compared to the S5 across Vodacom, MTN, and Telkom, and prices still more-or-less in line compared to the iPhone 6, this raises the question: why have prices increased?
Industry insiders say Cell C and Vodacom’s recent contract price hikes aren’t related to the higher prices. In fact, Vodacom subscribers who take out a Galaxy S6 contract today will still see a price increase on 1 May.
Instead, it is suggested that a much weaker Rand and a South African economy that is under pressure are the reasons prices are higher this year.
Whatever the reason, the fact is that a Samsung Galaxy S6 will cost you more in 2015 than a Galaxy S5 cost you in 2014.
More on the Samsung Galaxy S6
Samsung Galaxy S6 vs iPhone 6 contract comparison
Samsung Galaxy S6 – should you go contract or prepaid?
Samsung Galaxy S6 contract prices: MTN vs Telkom vs Vodacom
Galaxy S6 doesn’t bend: Samsung
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