How to buy a smartphone at Best Buy Canada: plans, carriers & options explained

Cellphone buying at Best Buy Canada starts with two important decisions: choosing the right phone and deciding how you want to buy it. Whether you’re shopping for the latest flagship, comparing carrier plans, or looking for an affordable open-box device, Best Buy Mobile makes it easy to explore your options in one place.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know to buy a phone at Best Buy, so you can make the right call before you get to the store.

Table of contents

• Understand your payment options
• Pick your phone type
• Choose your carrier
• Save money with open-box and refurbished phones
• Trade in your old phone
• FAQ

Start by choosing how you want to buy your phone

When you buy a phone at Best Buy Canada, you have a few ways to pay. You can either spread out the cost through a carrier plan or pay for an unlocked phone upfront and choose your own service provider.

Get a phone with a carrier plan

A carrier plan lets you pay for your phone over time instead of paying the full price upfront. Your carrier divides the device cost into monthly payments, which you pay alongside your wireless plan.

For example, if you choose a $1,200 phone with a 24-month financing plan, your device payment may be about $50 per month. If your wireless plan costs $60 per month, your total monthly bill would be around $110 before taxes and any optional add-ons.

This option works well if you want the latest phone without a large upfront payment. Available through Rogers, Bell, TELUS, Fido, Koodo, Virgin Plus, and Freedom Mobile at Best Buy Mobile.

Buy an unlocked phone outright

Alternatively, an unlocked phone gives you full ownership from the moment you buy it. You pay the full price upfront, then choose the carrier and plan that fit your needs.

For example, you can buy an unlocked phone at Best Buy and pair it with a prepaid plan, a BYOD plan, or a traditional monthly plan from a carrier of your choice. You can also switch carriers, change plans, or use a different SIM card without replacing your phone.

This option is a great fit if you want maximum flexibility, travel a lot, or prefer to avoid a long-term carrier commitment.

Carrier plan vs unlocked phone: at a glance

Factor	Carrier plan (postpaid)	Unlocked
Upfront cost	Lower	Higher
Monthly payments	Higher (plan + device tab combined)	Lower (no device payments; only pay for your phone plan)
Contract	Monthly device financing term (often 24 months)	None
Carrier flexibility	Locked to chosen carrier for term	Switch between compatible carriers anytime
Early exit	Remaining tab balance owed	No penalty
Best for	People who want a new phone without a large upfront cost	People who want flexibility and full ownership

Pair your phone with a prepaid plan

If you buy an unlocked phone, you can choose how you want to pay for your wireless service. A prepaid plan lets you pay for your plan month-to-month with no contract. You purchase the phone separately at full retail price (or choose an open-box or refurbished option to lower the cost), then activate it on any prepaid plan. No credit check required. Best for budget-conscious shoppers or anyone who wants more control over your monthly spending.

For a full breakdown of how each plan works at Best Buy, read our article on mobile phone financing.

Pick your phone at Best Buy Canada

Once you decide how you want to buy your phone, the next step is choosing the right device. Best Buy Canada offers smartphones across a range of prices, from premium flagship models with the newest features to affordable phones designed for everyday use.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s available at Best Buy Canada.

Flagship (iOS and Android) models

For heavy users who want the latest technology, best performance, and software support.

Mid-range models

Strong performance at a lower price point. A great choice for everyday tasks, entertainment, and multitasking.

Budget and prepaid phones

Lower upfront cost; suitable for light users, seniors, and kids. Best paired with a prepaid plan for the lowest total monthly spend.

The right choice depends on how you use your phone, the features you care about, and your budget. If you want a deeper look at phone features like cameras, performance, storage, and battery life, check out our cell phone buying guide.

Compare your carrier options at Best Buy Mobile

Once you know which phone you want and how you want to pay, the next step is choosing a wireless provider. Best Buy Mobile brings Canada’s major carriers together in one place, making it easier to compare plans before you commit. You can review current pricing, data allowances, network coverage, and available phone offers to find the option that fits your needs.

Carrier	Network	5G	Why consider it
TELUS	National	Yes	Strong national network and flexible plans
Bell	National	Yes	Strong national network and device financing options
Rogers	National	Yes	National coverage with a range of plan options
Koodo	National	Yes	Lower-cost option with flexible plans
Virgin Plus	National	Yes	Bell network access with competitive plans
Fido	National	Yes	Affordable plans on the Rogers network
Freedom Mobile	Regional	Yes	Best pricing in major cities; check coverage for your area

When comparing carriers, consider what matters most to you:

• How much data do you need? Streaming, gaming, and frequent video calls use more data than basic browsing and messaging.
• Where do you use your phone most? Check coverage where you live, work, and travel.
• Do you want to finance your phone? Some carrier plans include device financing options that lower your upfront cost.
• Do you prefer flexibility? If you buy an unlocked phone, you can choose a BYOD or prepaid plan and switch compatible carriers more easily.

If you buy an unlocked phone at Best Buy, you can still compare carrier options and choose a plan that works with your device.

Save money with open-box and refurbished phones

If you want to spend less while still getting a quality device, consider an open-box or refurbished phone.

Open-box phones are devices that customers returned after purchase, used as display models, or opened but not kept. Best Buy tests each open-box phone to make sure it works properly before selling it again.

Refurbished phones go through a more extensive inspection and restoration process. Certified refurbishers check the device, repair any issues, test its performance, and restore it to full working condition before resale.

Best Buy grades refurbished phones based on their cosmetic condition, so you can understand what level of wear to expect before you buy. Each device receives a condition rating, such as Excellent, Good, or Fair. If you’re unsure which condition tier is right for you, ask a Best Buy Mobile advisor to compare two or three options side by side before deciding.

Trade in your old phone

Your current phone can help reduce the cost of your next upgrade. With Best Buy Canada’s Trade-In Program, you can get credit for an eligible device and apply it toward your new phone purchase, whether you buy it outright or choose a carrier plan.

Before your visit:

1. Check your phone’s estimated trade-in value online or in-store.
2. Back up your data and remove your personal information.
3. Remove passwords and factory reset your device before handing it in.

Trade-in values can change over time, so checking your estimate before you buy can help you understand how much you could save on your next phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Ready for cellphone buying at Best Buy?

Explore cell phones, plans, and carriers at Best Buy. Or visit your nearest Best Buy Mobile location to compare options in person.