A double deal puts two devices on one contract, such as two phones or a phone and a tablet. It can cost less than taking out two separate contracts and gives you one bill to manage. It does not automatically mean the second device is free. Check how both devices are priced, what plan they share and what happens if you want to cancel or upgrade.
This page is part of Contract Deals, the comparison hub for every contract type.
Compare Double Contract Deals
Double and combo offers are structured in several different ways. Knowing which structure you are looking at is the first step to comparing them fairly.
| Structure | How it usually works | Who it may suit | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two identical phones | Same model twice on one contract | Couples or parent and child wanting the same phone | Whether both are the same storage version |
| Two different phones | Two models, often from the same brand | Households with different needs | Brand restrictions, price of each device |
| Phone and tablet | A phone plus a tablet on one contract | Work and study, or phone plus a family tablet | Whether the tablet has its own SIM and data |
| Phone and smartwatch or router | Phone plus a connected device | People wanting fitness tracking or home internet | Add-on cost, separate term, compatibility |
| Promotional 2-for-1 | Second device included at no or reduced device cost | Anyone, if the deal genuinely fits | Plan tier required, promotion conditions |
| Two separate contracts | Two lines, each with its own device | People wanting independent contracts | Total cost vs a bundled offer |
Double deal vs two separate contracts
- One contract can be simpler to manage and may be priced lower than two separate deals.
- Two contracts give each user their own account, plan and upgrade date, which can make it easier to cancel or change one without affecting the other.
Compare the total cost of both approaches over the same term before deciding. To compare specific offers, see 2 phones on 1 contract deals or, for Apple users, 2 phones on 1 contract deals for iPhones. For one specific model, see 2 iPhone 13 Contract Deals.
Current Double Contract Deals
Double and 2-for-1 offers change frequently, especially around new phone launches and seasonal sales. Here is what is currently being marketed and how to check it.
Vodacom Double Deals
Vodacom currently markets Double Deals as two devices with one contract, in three formats:
- Twinsies: two identical devices from the same brand;
- The Perfect Pair: two different phones from the same brand;
- Phone-Tablet Duo: a phone and a tablet from the same brand.
Vodacom presents these as discounted compared with buying the devices separately. Check the specific devices, plan and term on each offer, because the combination and pricing vary.
Other networks, retailers and platforms
Other networks and retailers run their own double, combo or 2-for-1 promotions from time to time. Comparison platforms such as Mondo also list 2-for-1 deals among the network offers they arrange.
What counts as a double deal
The phrase covers several arrangements, and they differ in what you owe:
- Two handsets financed under one agreement, usually with two SIMs and two plans.
- A phone plus a second device — tablet, watch or router — which may carry its own data plan.
- A promotional second device, where the terms state it carries no separate repayment.
Only the third is genuinely “two for the price of one”. Add both parts together and compare against two single contracts before deciding.
How to confirm a double deal is current
1. Open the offer on the network or retailer’s own site. 2. Check the promotion dates and conditions. 3. Confirm both devices, including storage versions, are in stock. 4. Check which price plan the offer requires. 5. Note the date you checked.
Stock and pricing for both devices are not guaranteed until your application is approved.
Monthly Prices and Contract Terms
Total cost
Work out the total cost of the double deal over its full term:
- the monthly payment multiplied by the number of months;
- any upfront payment on either device;
- SIM, connection or delivery fees where they apply.
Then compare it with two separate contracts for the same devices, and with one contract plus a cash purchase of the second device.
How the price is split
Ask how the monthly amount is made up. It may cover:
- repayments on both devices;
- one shared price plan;
- two price plans or an extra line for the second device;
- a promotional discount on one device.
Understanding the split matters if you later want to cancel, upgrade or transfer one device.
Contract term
Double deals usually follow standard device contract terms, commonly 24 or 36 months. Some add-on devices can carry their own term. MTN, for example, lists device-only deals on terms from 6 to 36 months, which may apply if you add a second device separately.
Cancelling and upgrading
- Early cancellation: on network contracts, cancelling early usually means paying the remaining device balance and cancellation charges. Vodacom requires at least 20 business days’ notice, and charges can include the discount applied to the device. On a double deal, check whether that applies to one device or both.
- Upgrades: Vodacom lists upgrade eligibility from month 19 on a 24-month contract. Ask whether both devices share one upgrade date or can be upgraded separately.
What Is Included
Compare inclusions for both devices, not just the headline phone.
| Inclusion | What to check |
|---|---|
| First device | Model, storage, colour, new or pre-owned |
| Second device | Model, storage, and whether it is financed, discounted or included |
| SIM cards | One SIM or two, and whether the second device needs its own line |
| Data | Shared allowance or separate allowance for each device |
| Minutes and SMSes | Whether both users get calls, or only the main line |
| Warranty | Warranty on each device and who handles repairs |
| Promotional extras | Bonus data or extras, and when they expire |
Shared or separate data
If both devices draw from one data allowance, estimate combined usage. A plan that suits one person may run out quickly when shared, pushing you into out-of-bundle charges.
Tablets and connectivity
If the second device is a tablet, confirm whether it is a cellular model with its own data, or a Wi-Fi-only model that relies on home internet or hotspotting.
Networks, Retailers or Providers to Compare
Networks
Networks design the double deal formats and set the contract terms. Vodacom’s Double Deals, for example, require both devices to be from the same brand. Direct network offers may include options not available elsewhere.
Retailers
Retailers often list network double deals and may add their own promotions, such as accessories. The contract is usually still with the network, so the network’s credit check and terms apply.
Comparison platforms
Platforms such as Mondo list 2-for-1 deals across the networks they work with. They are useful for seeing several offers together before applying.
Choosing where to get a double deal
- Compare the same two devices and plan across networks and retailers.
- Check whether a retailer’s version includes any extra promotion.
- Confirm who handles delivery, RICA for each SIM and after-sales support.
How to Choose the Right Deal
1. Confirm you need two devices. A double deal only saves money if both devices will be used. 2. Agree who uses each device and what each person needs from their plan. 3. Check data needs for both users, especially if the allowance is shared. 4. Compare structures: double deal, two separate contracts, or one contract plus a cash purchase. 5. Calculate total cost over the full term for each option. 6. Read the terms on cancelling, upgrading and transferring one device. 7. Check affordability. The monthly payment covers two devices, so it needs to fit your budget for the full term. 8. Prepare your application. Typically ID, proof of address, recent bank statements or payslips, and banking details.
Credit and affordability
A double deal increases the amount you are committing to each month, and networks assess this during the application. Vodacom’s terms require consent to a credit bureau check, and applicants may be asked for a deposit or given a credit limit. Approval depends on your circumstances and is never guaranteed. If a double deal is declined, a single device contract or a SIM-only plan for the second user may be worth comparing. For single-line options, see Phone Contract Deals and Data Contract Deals.
Who is responsible for payments
One contract means one account holder is responsible for both devices. If the second device is for someone else, make sure you are comfortable being liable for the full amount for the whole term.
Double Contract Deals FAQs
Is the second phone free on a double deal?
Not automatically. The second device may be financed, discounted or included in a promotion. Check how the monthly price is made up.
Can I choose two different phones?
Often yes, depending on the offer. Vodacom’s Perfect Pair format, for example, allows two different phones from the same brand.
Can I get a phone and a tablet on one contract?
Some offers allow it. Vodacom’s Phone-Tablet Duo pairs a phone with a tablet from the same brand. Check whether the tablet has its own data.
Do both devices need to be on the same network?
On a single double deal, both devices are normally on the same network contract. If you want different networks, compare two separate contracts.
Can I cancel one device and keep the other?
It depends on the contract. Ask the network how cancellation charges apply to each device before signing.
Will a double deal affect my credit check?
The monthly amount is higher than a single contract, so the network’s affordability assessment takes that into account. Approval is not guaranteed.
Who owns the second device?
The account holder is usually responsible for the contract and both devices until the term ends and all payments are made.