iStore sells Apple devices on contract through all four major networks, but not in the same way for each. Vodacom, MTN and Telkom contract deals can be browsed and applied for online. Cell C contract options are available in iStore stores only. Beyond iPhone, iStore’s contract listings also include iPad and Mac models, and a separate iStore Pre-owned route offers pre-owned iPhone contracts. Compare the monthly amount, contract term, data allowance and upfront costs before you apply, and check the network’s own deal for the same device.
This hub sits under contract deals by retailer. If you have not settled on Apple, start with broader contract deals across brands and networks.
Current iStore Contract Deals
CURRENT MARKET FACT (checked 25 September 2026 on iStore’s cellular page): iStore sells Apple devices on contract across all four networks, but not through the same channel. Vodacom, MTN and Telkom contracts can be browsed and applied for online; Cell C contracts are in-store only.
| iPhone | From (per month) | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17e | R599 | In-store only |
| iPhone 17 | R799 | Online |
| iPhone Air | R819 | Online |
| iPhone 17 | R849 | Online |
| iPhone Air | R879 | In-store only |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | R1 279 | Online |
| iPhone 17 Pro | R1 299 | Online |
The same model appearing twice at different prices is not an error: iStore lists separate deals per network and plan, and two of the entries above were marked in-store only. That is the single most useful thing to know before you shop here — an online price and an in-store price for the same iPhone can differ, and the cheapest listing on the page (iPhone 17e at R599) was one of the in-store ones.
iStore also runs separate Business and Pre-owned contract ranges, a trade-in route that reduces the monthly figure, and was offering free iCarePlus valued at R1 999 with an iPhone purchase when we checked. Pricing and promotions change often, so confirm on the day you apply.
CURRENT MARKET FACT (checked September 2026 on iStore’s cellular page): iStore lists contract options by network and by device. Here is how its routes compare:
| Route | Networks | Where to apply | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| New contract | Vodacom, MTN, Telkom | Online or in-store | iPhone, iPad, Mac (varies by listing) |
| New contract | Cell C | In-store only | Check with your nearest store |
| Upgrade | Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, Cell C | Online or in-store | Upgrade even if your contract was not signed at iStore |
| Pre-owned contract | Telkom, Vodacom (online); Cell C (in-store) | iStore Pre-owned | Pre-owned iPhone models |
| Business contract | Business deals | iStore Business | Business devices |
Listings on the deals page show a monthly amount over 24 months, with the plan’s data allowance attached. Some featured contract prices are marked “in-store only”, so an online listing and an in-store offer for the same phone may differ. iStore was also taking iPhone 18 Pro pre-orders on contract at the time of checking. Stock and launch timing can change, so confirm availability when you apply.
We have not quoted prices here, because iStore updates contract pricing often. Check the current listing on the day you apply.
What iStore is, and what that means for contracts
iStore is South Africa’s Apple Premium Partner retail chain, with stores nationwide and an online store. For contracts, the distinction that matters is this: iStore sells you the device and takes the application, but the network owns the contract. The credit check, the monthly billing, the RICA process and the coverage all sit with Vodacom, MTN, Telkom or Cell C. iStore controls the device range, the trade-in offer and the in-store extras.
That split explains most of the confusion people run into. If your billing is wrong, the network fixes it. If the device is faulty, iStore handles the repair through Apple’s process.
iStore Phone Contract Deals
New contracts
A new contract gives you a new number (or lets you port an existing one, subject to the network) with a device and a monthly plan. On iStore, you pick a device, choose a network plan, and complete the network’s application. The network carries out the credit and affordability checks, and approval is never guaranteed.
Buying online versus in a store
iStore runs a full online store alongside its branches, and contract applications can be completed online for Vodacom, MTN and Telkom. Two things are worth knowing before you choose:
- Some featured contract prices are marked in-store only. The same iPhone can appear at one monthly amount online and another in a branch promotion.
- Cell C contracts are in-store only. If Cell C is the network you want, an online application is not an option.
If you are comparing quietly from home, browse online first, then phone or visit a store to ask whether an in-store-only price exists for the model you want.
Telkom contracts at iStore
Telkom is one of the three networks whose contract deals iStore lists online, and it also appears on the iStore Pre-owned contract route. Telkom deals are worth comparing separately from Vodacom and MTN, because the plan inclusions attached to the same iPhone often differ more than the device price does. Compare the data allowance and the term, not just the monthly figure, and check the network’s own current offer on the same device before you commit.
Upgrades
iStore says you can upgrade your contract “no matter where you signed up”. That means an existing Vodacom, MTN, Telkom or Cell C customer can upgrade through iStore instead of the network store. Before upgrading early, check:
- whether you still owe device repayments on your current contract. iStore’s pre-owned FAQ notes that MTN and Vodacom handle outstanding device fees differently;
- whether the new plan changes your airtime, data or minutes;
- whether you want to trade in your old iPhone for cash back.
Pre-owned iPhone contracts
iStore Pre-owned’s contract page offers pre-owned iPhones on contract with Telkom and Vodacom, and with Cell C in-store. A pre-owned device can lower the monthly amount compared with a new model, but compare:
- the device’s age and remaining software support;
- warranty terms on the pre-owned unit;
- whether a new entry-level iPhone on a similar plan costs only slightly more.
Trade-in when you upgrade
iStore promotes trading in an old device when you upgrade, with the trade-in value paid back to you as cash. Its pre-owned FAQ explains that during an online upgrade, a trade-in counts only as cash back and cannot be used to switch to a lower contract phone. It also says iStore can collect the old iPhone from you. A trade-in does not reduce the contract itself, so compare the monthly amount on its own first. Then treat any cash back as a separate saving, and check the value you are quoted once your device has been assessed.
Business contracts
iStore Business lists separate contract deals for companies. If the contract will be in a company’s name, use that route rather than a personal application. Business applications usually have different documentation and approval requirements.
iStore Deals by Brand
iStore is an Apple-focused retailer, so its contract range is Apple devices. If you want Samsung, HUAWEI, HONOR or other Android phones on contract, you need a network or a multi-brand retailer.
| Apple device type | On contract at iStore? | What to compare |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone (current models) | Yes, listed by network | Storage size, plan data, 24-month total |
| Pre-owned iPhone | Yes, via iStore Pre-owned | Model age, condition, warranty |
| iPad (cellular and Wi-Fi models listed) | Yes, listed with data plans | Whether you need a cellular iPad or just a data plan |
| Mac (MacBook models listed) | Yes, listed with data plans | Whether bundling a laptop into a data contract suits your budget |
| Apple Watch, AirPods | Not confirmed as contract items | Buy outright or through other payment methods |
iPads and Macs on contract
iStore’s contract listings are not limited to phones. iPad and Mac models, including MacBook Air, appear with data plans attached. Before taking a tablet or laptop this way, be clear about what you are financing:
- A cellular iPad uses the SIM itself, so the data plan is doing real work.
- A Wi-Fi iPad or a MacBook does not. The contract is financing the device alongside a data plan that feeds something else, such as a router or a separate SIM.
That second case can still suit you, but compare it against paying the device off another way, because you are paying for data the laptop cannot use directly.
Double and Bundle Deals
On 12 September 2026, iStore’s contract pages did not show dedicated double deals (two devices on one contract) or two-phone bundles. If you see a bundle offer in-store, check exactly how it is structured:
- Two separately financed devices. Two contracts or two device repayments, each with its own monthly cost.
- A bundled second device. A second product (such as an iPad or Watch) added to a single plan, with its cost built into the monthly amount.
- A genuine promotional offer. A discount or free item, which should be stated in the terms.
An iPhone-and-iPad combination is the pairing people ask about most often. Treat it as two devices with two costs unless the listing clearly says otherwise, and check whether the second device is genuinely discounted or simply added to the monthly amount.
iStore does sell extras that can be added to a contract purchase, such as iCare or iCarePlus cover and iStore Insurance. These are optional costs, so leave them out when comparing base contract prices, then add them back in when working out your total monthly spend.
Application, Delivery and Collection Options
Applying online
iStore’s contract application runs through an online account, where you can check your contract status. For Vodacom, MTN and Telkom, you can apply fully online. For Cell C, visit a store.
Documents commonly requested for contract applications include your ID and a recent proof of residential address. iStore’s contract terms list proof-of-address examples such as a utility bill, lease agreement or municipal rates invoice. For new line applications, the same terms also list recent bank statements and a latest payslip, with longer statement histories for self-employed or retired applicants. Non-South African applicants need a visa and passport that stay valid beyond the contract term. Requirements can change and the network makes the final decision, so check the current list before you start.
Tracking your application
Because the application runs through an iStore account, you can check the status of a submitted contract there. If the status has not moved, the delay usually sits with the network’s credit assessment rather than the store. Have your ID number and application reference ready when you follow up.
Delivery
iStore offers free delivery. For contracts, the network’s RICA rules apply: iStore Pre-owned states that the account holder must accept the delivery personally, and someone else cannot sign for it.
Collection in-store
You can complete the application online and choose to collect at your nearest iStore once it has been processed.
After you receive the device
iStore Pre-owned’s FAQ mentions a 30-day window to cancel. A handling or penalty fee may apply if the box has been opened. Each application covers one contract, tied to one cellphone number. SIM swaps are processed by the network, not iStore.
How to Compare iStore Offers
1. Compare the same iPhone across networks. iStore lists Vodacom, MTN and Telkom versions of many deals. The device may be identical while the plan, data and monthly amount differ. 2. Work out the total contract cost. Multiply the monthly amount by the 24-month term and add any upfront payment. 3. Compare with the network directly. A network’s own store may run a different promotion on the same device. 4. Check in-store versus online pricing. Some featured prices are in-store only. 5. Decide new versus pre-owned. Compare the monthly saving against the device’s age. 6. Separate optional extras. iCare, insurance and accessories change the monthly total. 7. Check coverage. The network matters more than the retailer once the contract is active.
For non-Apple options, compare how other retailers work. See TFG contract deals for a store-account approach, and PhoneFinder contract deals for an online comparison-and-call-back model.
iStore Contract Deal FAQs
Does iStore offer contract deals?
Yes. iStore offers Vodacom, MTN and Telkom contracts online and Cell C contracts in-store, mainly on iPhone, with iPad and Mac also listed.
Can I get a Telkom contract at iStore?
Yes. Telkom is one of the networks whose contract deals iStore lists online, including pre-owned iPhone contracts.
Can I get a Cell C contract from iStore online?
No. At the time of checking, iStore said Cell C contract options are available in-store only.
Can I apply for an iStore contract online?
Yes, for Vodacom, MTN and Telkom. The application runs through an iStore account, which also lets you track the contract’s status. Cell C applications must be done in-store.
Can I upgrade at iStore if my contract is with the network?
iStore says you can upgrade on Vodacom, MTN, Telkom or Cell C no matter where you signed up. Check any remaining device repayments first.
How long are iStore contracts?
The contract listings checked showed monthly amounts over 24 months. Confirm the term on the specific deal before applying.
Can I get an iPad or MacBook on contract at iStore?
iStore’s contract listings include iPad and Mac models with data plans attached. Check whether the device uses the SIM itself before deciding the data is worth paying for.
Does iStore guarantee approval?
No. The network runs the credit and affordability assessment, and the outcome depends on your circumstances.
Can someone else collect or sign for my contract phone?
iStore Pre-owned says the account holder must accept delivery because of RICA requirements. You can also choose in-store collection.