In South Africa, you no longer need to carry your wallet or SIM card, because the technological revolution is everywhere! What not long ago seemed exclusive to expensive phones is now something anyone can have on the street. In South Africa, the combination of cheap phones with NFC and eSIM is completely changing the way people pay and connect. So no, you no longer need a physical bank card or a SIM for anything. Everything is on your phone. More convenient, more secure, and much cheaper!
Paying with your phone: easier, safer
South African banks have been encouraging users to make contactless payments for a while now, and for good reason: they’re much more secure. You don’t hand your card to anyone, you don’t insert it into any strange slot, and the risk of having your data cloned is greatly reduced.
Now that most phones come with an NFC chip, you just need to hold your phone near the card reader, confirm with your fingerprint or PIN, and that’s it. Apple Wallet, Google Wallet and Samsung Wallet do the rest. Even if you lose your phone, nobody can pay with it without your fingerprint or your code.
And mind you, we’re no longer just talking about super expensive iPhones or Galaxies. There are models for less than R5,000 (about $250) with all of this included. Samsung, Xiaomi and others have made it accessible to everyone.
What if you lose your phone?
Well, actually, you’re better protected. Because if you lose a card, anyone can use it to make small purchases without a PIN. But with a phone, without your fingerprint, your face or your password, nothing can be done. So yes: paying with your phone is safer than using a card.
A SIM without plastic
The eSIM is like a regular SIM, but without the card. It’s activated with a code or a QR, and that’s it. You can have several active lines on the same phone, switch operators whenever you want, and even combine eSIMs if your model allows it. Very useful to save on data, especially if you take advantage of deals from different providers.
You no longer need a high-end phone
Before, this was reserved for top-tier phones like the iPhone 11 or the Galaxy S23. But that has changed. Today you can find phones with eSIM for less than R6,000. The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G, for example, already includes it and costs much less than the others. Even models like the iPhone SE 2022 come with this option and are more reasonably priced.
Check the details carefully
It may sound hard to believe, but yes: the same model can come with or without NFC or eSIM depending on where you buy it. For example, the Galaxy A26 has eSIM in some countries… but in the official South African version, it doesn’t. Same thing with Xiaomi. So if you’re thinking about importing a phone or buying online, check the specifications carefully before hitting the “buy” button to avoid surprises!!
Ask, ask and ask again
Especially if you’re buying online. Many sellers don’t clarify which version they’re selling, and you could end up with a phone that doesn’t have what you were looking for. It’s better to ask first than be surprised later.
This is already happening, and you don’t need to spend a fortune
What once seemed like technology for the rich is now within reach of anyone. The drop in prices and the arrival of these features in more modest phones has made it possible for many more people to pay without a card, manage their lines without a physical SIM, and be better protected against theft or fraud.
The digital future in South Africa is no longer just for a few. It’s practical, it’s safe, and also… it’s cheaper than you think