First National Bank (FNB) has announced two new self-branded smartphones; the ConeXis A1 and X1, which will pitched at banking customers.
For years, South Africans have been reliant on mobile networks and smartphone manufacturers to provide price-sensitive smartphone offerings. Now, First National Bank (FNB) has joined the fray, and will offer a choice of two new smartphones – named the ConeXis A1 and X1 – to banking customers.
Speaking on the announcement, Jan Keynhans, CEO of FNB Consumer Segment, offered that “œFor FNB, mobile banking is more than just having the best banking app… For us, true mobile banking is enabling customers to bank anywhere, anytime using smartphone technology at very affordable prices for our customers.“
Read: FNB confirms plans to shut down its uncapped ADSL service
The first of the two new smartphones, the ConeXis A1, is pitched towards Easy bank account holders, and is intended for first-time smartphone owners. The A1 will be available for R59 ZAR pm and will arrive with 15 minutes of airtime and 50 megabytes of data.
The ConeXis A1 features a quad-core 1.2Ghz CPU, 8GB of internal storage, 1GB of memory, and a 5-megapixel primary and 2-megapixel secondary camera.
The ConeXis X1 features 4G/LTE connectivity, 8GB of internal storage, 1GB of RAM, a 5.2″ HD display, and runs Android Marshmallow.
Clients with Gold and Premium accounts (Premier, Private Clients and Prive Wealth included) will be able to purchase the ConeXis X1 for R150 per month with 25 minutes of airtime and 100MB of data included.
FNB will offer a 100% rebate on the XI depending on a consumer’s eBucks Rewards levels. Accordingly, Gold customers on eBucks Rewards level of 3, 4, 5 will be rebated R60, R90, R150 (100%) respectively on the monthly repayment, while Premium customers will be rewarded from level 1.
Both the ConeXis A1 and X1 arrive with FNB’s banking app preinstalled and are further tied into FNB’s rewards program. Consumers who bank with the financial institution will be able to earn up to 40% back on their monthly cellular spend, a press release reports.
Unlimited Calls, data, and zero-rated banking services
The announcement came alongside the news that the bank has further introduced Unlimited Calls, which will allow subscribers free calls to any network for R399 ZAR per month. The offer, which runs on a month-to-month basis, includes 200MB of data and 20 free SMSes. However, customers will not earn eBucks while using the subscription, but will earn eBucks on any additional data or SMSes purchased.
Lastly, FNB has zero-rated data usage for consumers who are banking online, through cellphone banking, or through the preinstalled FNB app; effectively meaning no data costs will be incurred while transferring money.
Read: FNB takes app and digital banking to a wider African audience
What are your thoughts on First National Bank’s newest offering? Would you subscribe to use the ConeXis A1 or X1? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Follow Bryan Smith on Twitter: @bryansmithSA
