In Saudi Arabia, the mobile market in February 2026 is centered on massive 5G data expansions and competitive device financing through stc, Mobily, Zain, and newer players like Salam and Jawwy.
Major Carrier Offers
Most carriers offer a mix of Mofawtar (postpaid) and Prepaid (Sawa, etc.) plans with dedicated "Social Media" data buckets.
* stc (The Heavyweight):
* Mofawtar 3+: For SAR 264.50/mo, you get 110GB of general data, unlimited social media, and 750 minutes to all networks.
* Sawa Hero (Prepaid): A premium prepaid choice at SAR 414 for 4 weeks, offering unlimited everything (Data, Social, and local Calls/SMS).
* Mobily:
* Postpaid 200: Priced at SAR 230/mo, offering 97GB of data plus unlimited social media and local calls.
* Prepaid 150: For SAR 172.50 (4 weeks), you get 55GB of data and unlimited social media.
* Zain KSA:
* Black Plans: These are their "VIP" tiers. The Postpaid 420 includes unlimited 5G data, a vanity number, and significant cashback rewards.
* Visitor Packs: Perfect for Hajj/Umrah or short trips, ranging from SAR 40 (7GB) to SAR 160 (Unlimited Social).
Smartphone & Retailer Deals
The market is currently reacting to the February 2026 flagship launches. Major retailers like Jarir Bookstore and eXtra dominate the hardware space.
* iPhone 17 Series:
* iPhone 17 (256GB): Approx. SAR 3,699.
* iPhone 17 Pro Max (256GB): Approx. SAR 5,699.
* Trade-in: Jarir currently offers up to SAR 3,600 off if you trade in an eligible older iPhone.
* Samsung Galaxy S26 & S25:
* With the S26 newly launched, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has seen price drops to around SAR 3,400–3,500 at Noon and Carrefour.
* Installments through Tamara or Tabby (4 payments) or 24-month bank financing are standard at Jarir.
* Mid-Range 5G: The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G (SAR 1,280) and Honor X9d (SAR 1,265) are currently the most popular performance-per-riyal choices.
Important Tips for 2026
* VAT: Note that some prepaid prices are listed without VAT (it's collected at the time of recharge), while postpaid plans usually include the 15% VAT in the advertised price.
* Digital-Only Brands: For the best data-to-price ratio, check Jawwy (by stc) or Yaqoot (by Zain). These are managed entirely via apps and often offer "Unlimited" data on 3 apps of your choice for a lower monthly fee.
* National ID/Iqama: All SIM cards must be linked to your Absher account or validated via a fingerprint at a kiosk.
Major Carrier Offers
Most carriers offer a mix of Mofawtar (postpaid) and Prepaid (Sawa, etc.) plans with dedicated "Social Media" data buckets.
* stc (The Heavyweight):
* Mofawtar 3+: For SAR 264.50/mo, you get 110GB of general data, unlimited social media, and 750 minutes to all networks.
* Sawa Hero (Prepaid): A premium prepaid choice at SAR 414 for 4 weeks, offering unlimited everything (Data, Social, and local Calls/SMS).
* Mobily:
* Postpaid 200: Priced at SAR 230/mo, offering 97GB of data plus unlimited social media and local calls.
* Prepaid 150: For SAR 172.50 (4 weeks), you get 55GB of data and unlimited social media.
* Zain KSA:
* Black Plans: These are their "VIP" tiers. The Postpaid 420 includes unlimited 5G data, a vanity number, and significant cashback rewards.
* Visitor Packs: Perfect for Hajj/Umrah or short trips, ranging from SAR 40 (7GB) to SAR 160 (Unlimited Social).
Smartphone & Retailer Deals
The market is currently reacting to the February 2026 flagship launches. Major retailers like Jarir Bookstore and eXtra dominate the hardware space.
* iPhone 17 Series:
* iPhone 17 (256GB): Approx. SAR 3,699.
* iPhone 17 Pro Max (256GB): Approx. SAR 5,699.
* Trade-in: Jarir currently offers up to SAR 3,600 off if you trade in an eligible older iPhone.
* Samsung Galaxy S26 & S25:
* With the S26 newly launched, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has seen price drops to around SAR 3,400–3,500 at Noon and Carrefour.
* Installments through Tamara or Tabby (4 payments) or 24-month bank financing are standard at Jarir.
* Mid-Range 5G: The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G (SAR 1,280) and Honor X9d (SAR 1,265) are currently the most popular performance-per-riyal choices.
Important Tips for 2026
* VAT: Note that some prepaid prices are listed without VAT (it's collected at the time of recharge), while postpaid plans usually include the 15% VAT in the advertised price.
* Digital-Only Brands: For the best data-to-price ratio, check Jawwy (by stc) or Yaqoot (by Zain). These are managed entirely via apps and often offer "Unlimited" data on 3 apps of your choice for a lower monthly fee.
* National ID/Iqama: All SIM cards must be linked to your Absher account or validated via a fingerprint at a kiosk.
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