Black Friday smartphones hit early in South Africa
South African consumers are getting a head start on Black Friday phone deals this year. Big brands are dropping prices earlier than usual, with Huawei already advertising savings of up to 71 percent on selected devices and Samsung running limited time specials on its Galaxy S and Z series.
Honor and Oppo have joined the push with aggressive pricing, especially in the mid range category where South Africans do most of their upgrading. With cost of living pressure still high, brands are betting that strong discounts will trigger upgrade decisions that have been delayed all year.
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The best Black Friday phone deals right now
Samsung Galaxy A26 5G
Samsung’s A series continues to dominate the mid tier and the Galaxy A26 5G is one of the strongest value picks this Black Friday. Expect prices around R4999 or lower on some deals. It offers solid performance, 5G connectivity and enough storage for most users.
Oppo A40
Oppo has become a go to brand for younger South African buyers and its A40 deal sits in the sweet spot. Around R2699 during sales, it packs 128 GB storage, fast charging and reliable everyday performance. The design also punches above its price.
Huawei Nova Y61
Huawei’s Nova Y series is well known for delivering value and this year is no different. The Y61 sits around R1999 on Black Friday and remains one of the most reliable budget devices on the market. It also benefits from Huawei’s strong build quality.
Honor X5 Plus
Honor has been steadily gaining traction in South Africa and the X5 Plus is one of the cheapest good quality smartphones available at around R1499. It is ideal for buyers on a tight budget, first time smartphone owners or as a secondary work device.
What to check before buying
Black Friday deals can be chaotic, so it helps to slow down and check the details.
Make sure the phone comes with a local warranty and not an import warranty that could limit service options.
If you are buying a 5G device, check whether your area and network support stable 5G.
Compare the actual discount with normal retail price to avoid inflated sale tags.
Look out for bundle deals that include data or accessories because these often offer better overall value.
Also consider software support. A cheaper older model may sound good now but could lack future updates.
Why this year offers strong upgrade value
The biggest shift in 2025 is that mid range phones are now offering features that were limited to flagship models two years ago. Faster charging, larger batteries, high refresh rate screens and AI assisted cameras are now standard even in phones under R5000.
That makes Black Friday a smart upgrade window. Whether you want to step up to 5G, get more storage or switch brands, this year’s deals offer better value for long term use.
There is no shortage of smartphone deals this Black Friday, but the best pick is the one that suits your everyday needs and budget. Huawei, Samsung, Honor and Oppo have all brought strong offers to South Africa and the timing is perfect for anyone looking to upgrade without overspending
