Rain’s LoopPhone is pitched as a disruptor, and it certainly feels like one. Instead of the usual contract dance with handset repayments and capped bundles, Rain flips the script: the phone is free if you sign up for unlimited data, calls, and SMS starting at R595 a month, or you can buy it outright for R7,999. That alone positions it as a lifestyle device rather than just another smartphone.
The hardware is intriguing. A 6.83-inch main display dominates the front, while a secondary Glance Display sits on the back, letting you check music, sports scores, or weather without waking the main screen. It also doubles as a viewfinder for selfies, so you can use the 200MP main camera for front-facing shots. Powering it all is a 7,000mAh silicon-anode battery, which promises days of endurance without turning the phone into a brick. The device is locked to Rain’s network, but it rides their 4G and 5G coverage with unlimited data capped at 20 Mbps — enough for streaming, social media, and video calls. Rain sweetens the deal with 5GB of hotspot data monthly, with extras available at R20 per gig.
The plans are structured around geography. At R595, you get unlimited data in your city and surrounds, with 2GB to use outside that zone. For R695, the province-wide plan expands your footprint, while R995 buys you unlimited data countrywide. If you prefer to own the device, the R7,999 once-off purchase comes with a R150 monthly discount on your unlimited plan.
From a SMETechGuru lens, the LoopPhone is less about chasing specs and more about Rain’s ecosystem play. The dual-display design is clever, the battery is a genuine standout for South Africans juggling load-shedding, and the bundled unlimited usage makes it a predictable, budget-friendly option.
The capped speeds and network lock-in are compromises, but for data-hungry users who want simplicity and value, the LoopPhone is still worth it. It’s Rain’s way of saying: stop worrying about contracts, just live online.
