Under R10,000 you can now buy a 5G phone with a big battery and a smooth screen. The safest all-round pick in The Mercury’s March 2026 guide is the Samsung Galaxy A35 5G, from R5,990.
Our picks at a glance
| Phone | Price | Best for | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy A35 5G | From R5,990 | All-rounder | Called “arguably the safest bet under R10K”; solid performance and dependable software updates |
| Samsung Galaxy A25 5G | From R4,299 | Value | Similar value at a lower price, with 5G speeds and a capable camera setup |
| Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 | R4,499 | Battery and screen | Sharp display and impressive battery life at an aggressive price |
| Samsung Galaxy A05s | From R2,499 | Tightest budget | Big screen and good battery life; reliable for everyday use |
| Unihertz Jelly Max 5G | From R7,890 | Compact size | A rare compact phone in a market of ever-larger devices |
| Samsung Galaxy A37 | R8,699 | Newer Samsung mid-range | Carries Samsung’s AI features |
| Honor 600 Lite | R8,999 outright | Contract buyers | 36-month contract options; the 200 Lite before it was South Africa’s best-selling postpaid smartphone in 2024 |
Prices for the first five phones are from The Mercury’s guide of March 2026, and the last two are from Reframed. Check the current price before you buy, especially during Black Friday.
What to look for under R10,000
- 5G and a smooth display. Many phones in this range now offer 5G and 120Hz screens, features once limited to pricier models.
- Battery life. Battery is one of the main reasons South African buyers pick mid-range phones, along with price and performance.
- Software updates. The Galaxy A35 5G is praised for dependable updates, which keep a phone secure for longer.
- Total cost. If you buy on contract, multiply the monthly fee by the term and compare it with the cash price.
Black Friday tip
Black Friday is on Friday, 27 November 2026, and many retailers are running early deals. Older models such as the Galaxy A25 5G and Redmi Note 13 are the ones most likely to be discounted, so compare prices across stores before you commit.