Best iPhone 16 pre-order deals in South Africa

Serious Apple fans in South Africa who want to buy the iPhone 16 can benefit from one of several special pre-order deals.

The iPhone 16 offers multiple improvements over its predecessor — including better cameras, a more powerful chip, a longer-lasting battery, faster charging speeds, and a new camera control button.

From December 2024, Apple will also make its new Apple Intelligence upgrade available, offering several AI-powered enhancements to its iOS system software.

For the first time ever, South Africa will get the latest iPhone on the same day as users in Apple’s home country and the company’s other major markets.

Pre-orders also opened on the same day as in the US — Friday, 13 September 2024 — with offers available from Computer Mania, Digicape, Takealot, iStore, Game, Makro, and Incredible.

Most retailers are selling the iPhone starting from R20,999 for the base model, R23,999 for the iPhone 16 Plus, R26,499 for the iPhone 16 Pro, and R31,499 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Although some have slightly different pricing, the overall differences are negligible.

The real distinction between the offers is the value-adds, which can include extended warranties, accessories, vouchers, and discounts.

For example, Digicape is offering its Protection Plan Basic warranty with every iPhone 16 pre-order, alongside either an assortment of accessories or a voucher.

Buyers of the regular iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Plus get a Moov clear glass screen protector, Moov clear MagSafe case, and a Looped 30W wall charger.

Combined with the protection plan, Digicape says the value of these products is R2,400.

Pro model buyers get a R2,000 voucher instead of these accessories.

One unique aspect of Digicape’s offers is that you don’t necessarily have to pay the full amount up-front if you don’t necessarily want your iPhone 16 on launch day.

Customers can still benefit from the launch special but opt to pay a R3,000 deposit instead of the full price. Once Digicape has “sight of stock”, it will contact the buyer to pay the balance before their order is delivered.

There is also a zero deposit option, where Digicape will notify a customer when stock becomes available.

Buyers looking to replace their current iPhone with the iPhone 16 or those with a spare iPhone lying around can get a significant discount on the new model by trading those in with Digicape.

The retailer allows buyers to trade in up to five Apple or Android devices, the value of which will be deducted from their iPhone purchase.

Below are the maximum trade-in values that Digicape offers for several models going back to 2019.

	Maximum trade-in value
Phone SE 2020 256GB	R2,400
iPhone 11 256GB	R5,800
iPhone 11 Pro 256GB	R6,300
iPhone 11 Pro Max 512GB	R7,400
iPhone 12 Mini 256GB	R5,300
iPhone 12 256GB	R6,200
iPhone 12 Pro 512GB	R8,200
iPhone 12 Pro Max 512GB	R9,700
iPhone 13 Mini 256GB	R5,700
iPhone 13 256GB	R8,700
iPhone 13 Pro 512GB	R10,600
iPhone 13 Pro Max 512GB	R12,500
iPhone 14 256GB	R10,500
iPhone 14 Plus 256GB	R10,550
iPhone 14 Pro 256GB	R10,600
iPhone 14 Pro Max 256GB	R12,500
iPhone 15 256GB	R13,000
iPhone 15 Pro 256GB	R16,600
iPhone 15 Pro Max 1TB	R22,500

FNB on iStore — Low interest rate and eBucks payout

Several other retailers are offering pre-order deals on the iPhone 16.

FNB customers can buy the iPhone 16 series on iStore and choose to pay for it on a budget period to pay it off at an interest rate of prime minus 1%.

In addition to a lower monthly premium, FNB customers can earn back up to 15% in eBucks on their purchase by using their virtual card.

The offer is available exclusively when buying an iPhone 16 through the iStore website.

Incredible — R2,000 or R3,000 discount

Incredible’s pre-order deal for online shoppers is best for those who simply want the lowest cash price.

The retailer gives buyers an instant R2,000 off on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus models and R3,000 off the Pro models.

That means the iPhone 16 128GB will set you back R18,999 instead of the usual R20,999, while the iPhone 16 Plus 128GB starts from R21,999 instead of R23,999.

With the R3,000 discount, the iPhone 16 Pro models start at R23,499.

All iPhones bought on Incredible also come with a 2-year warranty, which must be registered online.

iStore — Free 1-year warranty extension and Contract Freeze option

The primary benefit of pre-ordering an iPhone 16 on cash through the iStore is the iCare Plus Protection Plan, which adds another year onto Apple’s standard 1-year warranty.

This plan includes one free screen repair, an extended Apple warranty, and a buy-back guarantee that ensures you will get at least 55% of your phone’s purchase value back if you trade it in within 24 months.

iStore is also offering a special Contract Freeze price, which lets users upgrade to a newer iPhone while continuing to pay the price of their old iPhone contract.

The option is supported on Vodacom, MTN and Telkom contracts taken out from 1 October 2021 and is valid for trade-ins of the iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15.

iStore also offers up to R15,500 off on the iPhone 16 for trading in old devices, going up to R22,000 for trade-ins on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Makro — R1,000 to R2,000 coupon and AirPods 2nd gen with charging case

Makro’s iPhone 16 prepaid offer throws in free AirPods 2nd gen wireless earbuds with a charging case on the base or Plus models.

While the retailer values these at R2,999, MyBroadband found them selling for around R2,500 from multiple other stores — including Amazon.co.za and Takealot.

Buyers should make sure to view and copy the coupon codes on the iPhone 16 product pages, which will give them a discount of R1,000 on the standard and Plus models, R1,500 on the Pro models, and R2,000 on the Pro Max.

Vodacom — Free 1-year warranty extension and power adapter

Vodacom customers get a free 1-year extended warranty and 20W power adapter with new contracts and upgrades.

Pricing starts from R799 per month for the iPhone 16 128GB on a 4-year contract or R999 on a 3-year contract.