Last updated: August 2026
Cheap double phone deals put two handsets on one contract at the lowest monthly figure available. Getting there depends almost entirely on one choice: how much cheaper the second device is than the first.
That is where providers concentrate their discount, and it is the lever that moves the instalment more than anything else.
The pairing decides the price
| Pairing | Effect on the instalment |
|---|---|
| Two entry-level handsets | Lowest available monthly figure |
| Mid-range plus entry-level | Usually the best balance of cost and capability |
| Flagship plus entry-level | Bundle discount at its largest, but the total is still high |
| Two flagships | Most expensive; the discount rarely justifies it |
The mid-range plus entry-level pairing is where most households land. One person gets a capable phone, the other gets something reliable, and the instalment stays manageable.
Three ways to bring the cost down
- Drop the second device a tier or two. The single largest saving available on a bundle.
- Share a smaller data pool. Two lines rarely need double the data of one. Check combined usage before choosing.
- Take 24 months rather than 36. A longer term lowers the monthly figure and raises the total, and on two devices that gap is larger than on one. See 24 vs 36 month phone contract.
Check it against two separate contracts
A cheap bundle is not automatically cheaper than two cheap contracts. Price each handset individually on the bundle you want, add the totals across the same term, and compare.
Bundles win most reliably when the second device is much cheaper. Where both are budget handsets already, two separate contracts sometimes cost the same and leave you free to cancel one independently. The double deal vs two separate contracts guide sets out that calculation.
What a budget bundle commits you to
- One agreement, one exit. You generally cannot cancel one device and keep the other.
- A higher approval bar than a single cheap contract, since affordability covers both devices combined.
- Liability for both, regardless of who uses the second handset.
- Shorter software support on budget devices — confirm both will still receive security updates at the end of the term.
That last point matters more on cheap bundles than anywhere else, because entry-level handsets have the shortest support windows. See budget Android contract deals.
Compare by network
Compare by network
| Provider | Compare |
|---|---|
| Vodacom | Vodacom double deals |
| MTN | MTN 2 for 1 deals |
| Cell C | Cell C bundle deals |
| Telkom | Check current bundle availability |
Wider bundle formats are on double deals South Africa, 2 phones 1 contract and 2 for 1 phone deals. Family options are on family cellphone contract deals.
Before you apply
- Total across the term for the bundle and for two separate contracts.
- How data is allocated — shared pool or split per line.
- Software support on both handsets.
- RICA on both SIMs.
- Credit and affordability. Assessed on both devices combined, and approval is not guaranteed.
See apply online, budget deals, cheapest cellphone contracts or best contract deals South Africa.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a double deal cheap?
A much cheaper second device, primarily. Providers discount hardest on the lower-value handset, so the pairing determines the instalment.
Is a cheap bundle better than two cheap contracts?
Not always. Where both handsets are already budget models, two contracts can cost similarly and give you the option to cancel one.
Is the second phone free?
No. It is discounted and financed inside the monthly instalment.
Is approval harder on a bundle?
Yes, because affordability is assessed on the combined value of both devices.
What should I check on budget handsets?
The software support window first. Entry-level phones have the shortest, and it should extend past the end of your contract.
More comparisons
- Phone Deals Under R1000
- Cheap Samsung Contract Deals
- Contract Deals Under R500
- Cell C LTE Deals
- Cheap Double Deal Vs Single Premium Phone
- Cell C Phone Deals
- Check Network Coverage Before Phone Contract
- Which Is The Best Contract Phone Deals
- Phone Deals Under R300 Vs Under R500
- Pre-Owned iPhone Double Deals
Pricing, availability, stock, bundle structures and approval criteria change regularly and are set by the provider. Confirm all current terms directly with the network before applying.