Smartphones8.05.2013

Galaxy S4 contract pricing comparison

By Jan Vermeulen

Mobile network operators in South Africa recently launched the Samsung Galaxy S4 on their networks, offering the device on a variety of contracts.

Off contract, the Galaxy S4 costs around R8,000, and none of the headline deals that networks are advertising have it for anything less than R399/month.

However, FNB does have a Cell C deal for its customers that is running until 30 June 2013 that costs R299 per month.

According to Samsung, the model being supplied to the retail channel in South Africa is the 32GB Samsung Galaxy S4 i9500.

Specifications	Samsung Galaxy S4
Dimensions	136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9mm
Weight	130g
Operating system	Android 4.2.2
Display	5″ 1080p HD (1080×1920)
Rear camera	13MP
Front camera	2MP
Storage, internal	32GB
Storage, expandable	microSD (64GB)
RAM	2GB
Processor	Exynos Octa 5410: 1.6GHz quad-core Cortex-A15 + 1.2GHz quad-core Cortex-A7
Graphics	PowerVR SGX 544MP
Battery	2,600mAh
Cellular data	LTE and HSPA+ models
SIM type	Micro SIM
NFC	Yes

This model features the 8-core Exynos Octa chip, which contains a quad-core Cortex-A15 processor clocked at 1.6GHz, and a 1.2GHz Cortex-A7 quad-core processor.

The i9505 model which boasts a 1.9GHz quad-core processor and support for Long Term Evolution networks is due out in June 2013, Samsung said.

At the African launch event for the Samsung Galaxy S4 held in Johannesburg, Samsung said that a “price difference” of R300-R400 is expected between the i9505 and i9500.

The following table summarises the headlining contract deals on offer from South Africa’s mobile network operators:

Samsung Galaxy S4 contract pricing comparison
Package	Monthly price	Minutes/Airtime	SMS	Data
R399 and below
FNB Cell C	R299	100	100	100MB
Cell C Straight Up 100	R399	100	100	1GB
MTN Anytime 200	R399	R200 + 30 on-net	200	200MB
R449 to R499
Telkom Mobile SmartPlan 100	R449	100	5 for 50	1GB
Cell C Straight Up 200	R499	200	200	1GB
MTN Anytime 350	R499	R350 + 60 on-net	350	350MB
Vodacom Smart M pre-order	R499	120	240	370MB*
Vodacom Smart S pre-order	R469	75	150	325MB*
R599 to R649
Cell C Straight Up 400	R649	400	400	1GB
MTN Anytime 500	R599	R500 + 60 on-net	500	500MB
Vodacom Smart L pre-order	R649	250	500	500MB*
R799 to R899
Cell C Straight Up 800	R899	800	800	1GB
MTN Anytime 750	R849	R750 + 180 on-net	750	750MB
Smart XL	R799	400	800	700MB*
R999 to R1,269
MTN Anytime 1200	R,1269	R1,200 + 180 on-net	1,200	1.2GB
Vodacom Red Advantage	R999	700	“Limitless”	700MB
R1,499 and over
Telkom Unlimited voice plan	R1,499	Unlimited	0	2GB
MTN Anytime 1500	R1,549	R1,500 + 360 on-net	1,500	1.5GB
Red Premium	R1,599	1,200	“Limitless”	1,200MB
Red VIP	R1,999	“Limitless”	“Limitless”	1,500MB
* Vodacom Smart S, M, L, and XL includes 250MB bonus data