PEP does not sell cellphone contracts in the usual sense. You cannot sign up at PEP for a 24- or 36-month Vodacom, MTN, Telkom or Cell C plan with a monthly network bill. What PEP sells are prepaid phones, either locked to a specific network or open to any network. You can pay for them in full, or buy them on a PEP Account, which is store credit repaid in monthly instalments. PEP also points customers to Foneyam, a phone rental service. If you want a true network contract, compare network or dealer deals instead.
This page explains what PEP offers, how it differs from a contract, and when each route makes sense. To see retailers that do sell network contracts, browse contract deals by retailer, or compare contract deals across networks.
Current PEP Cell Phones Contract Deals
CURRENT MARKET FACT (checked 25 September 2026 on PEP’s cellular range): PEP sells cellphones outright, not on contract. There was no mention of a contract anywhere in its cellular section — the range is dual-SIM prepaid handsets bought for cash:
| Phone | Cash price |
|---|---|
| Stylo Prizm 32GB Dual Sim | R799 |
| Hisense Y63 32GB Dual Sim | R899 |
| Honor Choice T10 64GB Dual Sim | R1 999 |
| Samsung A07 64GB Dual Sim | R2 299 |
| Samsung A06 128GB / Galaxy A07 128GB Dual Sim | R2 499 |
| Huawei Y63 128GB / Vivo Y05 128GB Dual Sim | R2 999 |
| Huawei Y74S 128GB Dual Sim | R3 299 |
| Xiaomi Redmi 17 128GB / Huawei Y74 256GB Dual Sim | R3 799 |
| Huawei Nova 14 256GB / Samsung A27 128GB Dual Sim | R6 999 |
| Samsung Galaxy A37 256GB Dual Sim | R8 999 |
Because there is no contract, there is no bundled data, minutes or SMS — budget for a prepaid or SIM-only plan on top of the handset price. The devices are dual-SIM and sold unlocked, which is the practical advantage of this route: you are free to use whichever network is cheapest or has the best coverage at your address.
PEP does offer three routes to spread the cost, and none of them is a network contract: FoneYam device rental as a separate category, Lay-by, and a Capfin loan. Each has its own total cost, so compare the amount repayable against the cash prices above before choosing one. Free delivery applied on orders over R600, with collection available at over 2 700 points nationwide.
CURRENT MARKET FACT (checked September 2026 on PEP’s cellphone range): there were no network contract deals on PEP’s official pages. These are the ways you can get a phone at PEP:
| PEP route | Is it a network contract? | How you pay | Who you owe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network-locked prepaid phone | No | Cash, card or PEP Account | Nobody, or PEP’s credit provider if on account |
| “Any Network” open phone | No | Cash, card or PEP Account | Nobody, or PEP’s credit provider if on account |
| Phone on PEP Account | No, it is store credit | Monthly instalments | Tenacity (PEP’s credit provider) |
| Foneyam rental | No, it is a rental service | Rental payments | Foneyam, per its terms |
| Lay-by | Not offered on cellular devices | Not applicable | Not applicable |
The main practical difference is this. On a network contract, your monthly amount covers your phone and a monthly bundle of data, minutes or airtime. At PEP, a phone on account is only a phone repayment, and airtime and data are bought separately on prepaid.
PEP, PEP Cell and pepcell.com
The names get used interchangeably, so it helps to separate them:
- PEP stores carry the cellular range alongside everything else, and handle RICA, PEP Account applications and Click & Collect.
- PEP Cell is the online store at pepcell.com, selling phones, tablets, routers and accessories.
Whichever route you use, the underlying products are the same: prepaid handsets rather than network contracts, bought outright, on a PEP Account, or rented through FoneYam.
Finding the cheapest phone at PEP
PEP’s range runs from feature phones through entry-level smartphones to pre-owned iPhone models, so “cheapest” depends on what you actually need the phone to do. Before buying on price alone, check:
- whether the handset is network-locked or an “Any Network” model, because a locked phone limits you to one network;
- the storage and RAM, which is what usually separates two similar-looking budget phones;
- whether it is pre-owned, and what warranty comes with it;
- what the total cost becomes if you buy on a PEP Account rather than paying cash.
When a PEP phone may suit you better than a contract
A PEP phone can be the more practical route if:
- you want to control spending week by week with prepaid airtime and data, rather than commit to a fixed monthly bill;
- you need a basic smartphone or feature phone for a child, a parent or as a backup;
- you do not want a long-term agreement with a network;
- you would rather pay cash than take on any credit.
A network contract may suit you better if you use a predictable amount of data every month, want a more expensive phone spread over the term, and can pass the network’s credit and affordability checks. Neither route is automatically cheaper. Compare what you would spend on the phone and on prepaid data over two years with the total cost of a contract.
PEP Cell Phones Phone Contract Deals
Network-locked phones
PEP says it sells network-locked phones for Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C, usually with starter packs and airtime promotions. A locked phone only works with that network’s SIM, so check the network in the product name before you buy. Locked phones can work well if you are already happy on that network. They are less flexible if you want to switch later.
“Any Network” phones
PEP also sells open-market phones marked “Any Network”. Choose these if you want to keep your existing SIM or might change networks.
Buying a phone on a PEP Account
A PEP Account lets you buy a phone and repay it in instalments. According to PEP:
- The account is provided by Tenacity, a division of Pepkor Trading, which is a registered credit provider.
- You can apply in store or online.
- You may need your latest three months’ payslips or bank statements, depending on how you earn your income.
- You can check your balance and instalment, and request a credit limit increase, through PEP’s self-service channels.
An account purchase is credit, so approval is not guaranteed and interest or fees may apply. Before buying, ask for the cash price, the instalment, the number of instalments and the total you will repay.
Renting a phone through Foneyam
PEP says that while it does not offer traditional lay-by on cellular devices, Foneyam lets you rent a smartphone for a period of time. Renting is different from both buying and a contract, because you do not own the phone outright in the same way. Read Foneyam’s terms carefully, especially what happens at the end of the rental period and if a payment is missed.
PEP Cell Phones Deals by Brand
PEP’s online range includes collections for these brands, among others:
| Brand | What PEP typically carries | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy | Entry-level A-series models | Storage, network lock |
| HUAWEI, HONOR | Budget to mid-range smartphones | App support, storage |
| Hisense | Entry-level smartphones and basic phones | Storage, 4G support |
| OPPO, vivo, realme, Xiaomi | Budget smartphones | Storage, network lock |
| Motorola, Nokia | Smartphones and feature phones | Whether you need a smartphone at all |
| Mobicel, Stylo, itel | Low-cost smartphones and feature phones | Battery, basic app performance |
| Apple | Pre-owned older iPhone models | Model age, software support, warranty |
PEP’s own buying advice is to check storage and whether a phone takes a memory card, because low-cost smartphones can fill up quickly with apps, photos and WhatsApp media. Also check which SIM size the phone uses.
PEP also sells older pre-owned iPhone models. Compare their price with a new entry-level Android phone, and check how long the model will keep receiving software updates.
Double and Bundle Deals
PEP does not sell double deals in the contract sense, meaning two devices financed on one network plan. What you may see at PEP are:
- starter-pack bundles on network-locked phones, which include a SIM and promotional airtime or data;
- phone-and-accessory bundles, such as a phone sold with earphones.
If you need two phones, you would buy two separate devices, either outright or on account. Check that the combined instalments fit your budget. If you are specifically looking for two devices on one monthly network plan, compare network or dealer bundle deals instead.
Application, Delivery and Collection Options
In store
Most PEP phone purchases happen in store. You can buy a phone, apply for a PEP Account and RICA your SIM there. PEP says you need your green barcoded ID book, smart ID card or valid passport, plus proof of residence not older than three months, to RICA a new SIM.
Online
PEP sells phones online on its main store and through its PEP Cell online shop. Delivery and collection options include Click & Collect at a store and PAXI, PEP’s parcel service. Delivery fees and minimum order values can change, so check them at checkout.
Warranty and returns
PEP says its cellphones come with the standard manufacturer’s warranty, usually between 12 and 24 months depending on the brand. Keep your till slip as proof of purchase.
How to Compare PEP Cell Phones Offers
1. Decide whether you need a contract. If you only need a phone and are happy on prepaid, PEP can be a low-cost route. If you want data and minutes included every month, compare network contracts. 2. Compare the total cost on account. Add up all instalments and compare them with the cash price. 3. Check the network lock. A locked phone may come with a starter pack, but it limits your SIM choice. 4. Compare storage and memory card support. This matters more than brand on budget phones. 5. Compare the monthly cost of a SIM-only or entry-level contract. For some users, a small contract with a basic phone may cost a similar amount to an account instalment plus prepaid data. 6. Understand rental terms. If you are considering Foneyam, compare the full rental cost with buying outright.
For retailers that combine phones with store credit or network contracts, see TFG contract deals and iStore contract deals.
PEP Cell Phones Contract Deal FAQs
Does PEP sell cellphone contracts?
No network contracts were available on PEP’s official pages when we checked. PEP sells prepaid phones, which you can buy outright or on a PEP Account.
Can I buy a cellphone on account at PEP?
Yes. PEP says you can apply for a PEP Account in store or online to buy a cellphone on credit. Approval depends on the credit assessment.
Can I lay-by a phone at PEP?
PEP says it does not offer traditional lay-by on cellular devices. It mentions Foneyam phone rental as an alternative.
Are PEP phones locked to a network?
Some are. PEP sells network-locked phones for Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C, as well as “Any Network” open phones.
What do I need to RICA a SIM at PEP?
You need your ID book, smart ID card or valid passport, plus proof of residence not older than three months.
Is a PEP Account the same as a phone contract?
No. A PEP Account is store credit used to pay off a purchase. A phone contract is an agreement with a network that includes a monthly plan.