THE FUSE

TCL has introduced its 60R 5G smartphone with a recommended retail price of R1,999 on prepaid, making it one of most affordable 5G smartphones in South Africa.

The Chinese consumer electronics company said in August that the device would cost R2,299, but it has now shaved R300 off this figure.

TCL 60R 5G smartphone in South Africa

“The TCL 60R makes 5G more accessible than ever,” Ernst Wittmann, TCL Regional Manager for Southern & East Africa and Global Operator Account Manager for Africa, said in a statement on Wednesday.

“It proves that reliable performance and modern features don’t have to come with a high price tag.”

The company said the entry-level smartphone has “smooth visuals, fast connectivity and long battery life.” It is based on the TCL NXTURBO and RAM expansion technology and powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 5G chipset with an octa-core CPU running up to 2.4GHz.

Specs include a 6.7-inch NXTVISION display with a 120Hz refresh rate, dual speakers, and 50MP main camera and 8MP front camera.

“With a 5,200mAh battery, intelligent power management and smart charging that extends battery lifespan by up to 15 percent, you can enjoy up to two days of use on a single charge,” TCL claimed.

South Africans can buy the device at Cellucity stores, online from Takealot and at other participating retailers nationwide.

Currently, the MTN Icon 5G is the cheapest 5G smartphone in South Africa at R999. Others include ZTE Blade A72 5G priced at R1,499, Motorola G35 5G (R2,799) and Hisense Infinity H50s (R2,899).

Prices for entry-level smartphones have fallen dramatically after the government removed the nine percent ad valorem tax on smartphones under R2,500 on 1 April 2025.

The government took the decision to make such devices more affordable, thus encouraging digital inclusion

It also aims to shut down 2G and 3G mobile networks in South Africa by 31 December 2027. Communications regulator ICASA has also stopped approving 2G- and 3G-only devices.

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