Refurbished smartphones in South Africa

Pre-owned, refurbished smartphones could be the answer for many South Africans worried about being left behind when the country switches off its 2G and 3G networks. Several companies now offer affordable pre-owned devices.

While the final deadline for the shutting down of South Africa’s 2G and 3G networks is still under debate, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies previously said it wants to ban the activation of devices that use this technology by 31 December 2024.

While already-active 2G and 3G devices will still work until the final shutdown, it is critical that South African residents start transitioning to newer technologies.

South Africa’s mobile operators have indicated that the high cost of 4G and 5G devices makes them unaffordable for many low-income earners in the country.

To address this, Vodacom recently unveiled the Mobicel S4 cloud-based phone, priced at R249, which it says will provide a “smartphone lite” experience and 4G connectivity.

The device allows users to access popular apps like YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook, which are all accessed via the cloud.

MTN also sees the high price of 4G and 5G devices as a potential challenge, and it said it would subsidise 4G handsets for its customers.

“We have put measures in place to serve customers who have been utilising 2G devices, some of the measures include increasing the investment towards smart feature devices and continue investing in subsidising 4G entry devices,” it said.

Companies like Digicape, Cellucity’s PrO, and Computer Mania-owned Gomaxx offer a range of pre-owned and refurbished devices that could provide an affordable option for South Africans to upgrade to newer technologies.

Gomaxx and Digicape only offer pre-owned Apple smartphones, while Cellucity’s PrO offers both iOS and Android devices.

MyBroadband looked for some of the best deals on pre-owned devices, focusing on lower-cost smartphones that offer at least 4G connectivity.

Digicape’s prices are generally higher than the other two. However, this is because it offers a two-year warranty on its pre-owned iPhones, including their batteries.

“If your battery health is functioning above 80% at purchase, we will replace the battery if it drops below 75% within a 2-year warranty period,” it states.

Digicape lists three second-hand iPhone models on its website: the iPhone 8, iPhone XR, and iPhone 12, all of which are certified by the company.

Its used devices must meet specific criteria before they can be sold to customers. This includes passing all certified quality checks.

It says its pre-owned iPhones are “in the best condition with an unmarked screen and little to no light markings on the body”.

Digicape’s pricing for second-hand iPhone 8 handsets starts at R5,899, while the iPhone XR and iPhone 12 are more expensive, with starting prices of R7,899 and R9,699, respectively.

Computer Mania-owned Gomaxx also sells a range of used Apple smartphones. While its prices are lower than Digicape’s, its warranty lasts one year instead of two.

It says these devices are “perfect for people looking to purchase a high-quality pre-owned iPhone at a reasonable cost”.

South Africans can get an iPhone 7 with 32GB of storage for as little as R2,499 through Gomaxx, while pricing for pre-owned iPhone 8 handsets starts at R2,999.

The retailer also offers 7-day returns for customers who aren’t pleased with their purchases.

Cellucity’s PrO sells a range of pre-owned iPhones and Samsung devices, including older generation budget, mid-range, and flagship devices.

“Pre-owned phones can be an excellent option for people who want to save money on a premium device at a great price,” it says.

Notable devices on offer include the Samsung Galaxy A15 128GB, iPhone 8 64GB, iPhone SE 2020 64GB, and Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 128GB.

All of these devices support 4G technology and cost R2,799 to R4,299. Although PrO offers newer, more expensive options, we focused on more affordable devices.

The table below lists some of the best deals on pre-owned devices from Gomaxx, PrO, and Digicape.

Smartphone	Spec	Warranty	Cellular connectivity	Price
Digicape
iPhone 8	256GB	2 years	4G	R5,899
iPhone XR	128GB	2 years	4G	R7,899
iPhone 12	64GB	2 years	5G	R9,699
Gomaxx
iPhone 7	32GB	1 year	4G	R2,499
iPhone 7	128GB	6 months	4G	R2,999
iPhone 8	64GB	6 months	4G	R2,999
iPhone SE 2020	64GB	1 year	4G	R3,999
iPhone 8	256GB	6 months	4G	R4,499
PrO
Samsung Galaxy A15	128GB	1 year	4G	R2,799
iPhone 8	64GB	6 months	4G	R2,999
Samsung Galaxy S10e	128GB	6 months	4G	R2,999
iPhone SE 2020	64GB	6 months	4G	R3,999
iPhone XR	64GB	6 months	4G	R4,499