You’ve picked the phone you want. Now it’s time to decide how to buy it. At Best Buy Canada, you can choose a postpaid carrier plan, a prepaid plan, an unlocked phone purchased outright, or Best Buy Financing on eligible Samsung Galaxy phones. Each option offers different benefits depending on your budget and preferences. This guide will help you find the right fit.
Haven’t picked a phone yet? Start with our cell phone buying guide to compare different models and features before deciding how you want to pay for one.
Table of contents
- Which option is right for you?
- Postpaid
- Prepaid
- Unlocked outright
- Best Buy Financing
- Reduce your cost with the Trade-In Program
- FAQ
Which option is right for you?
The best way to buy your next phone depends on how you prefer to pay, how much flexibility you want, and the device you’re looking for. Here’s a quick reference:
| Your situation | Best option |
|---|---|
| Want a new flagship phone without paying full price upfront, happy with a 24-month contract | Postpaid carrier plan |
| Already own a phone or buying outright, want the lowest monthly plan cost, no contract | Prepaid |
| Want full carrier flexibility and no contract, can pay the full device price upfront | Unlocked outright |
| Want a Samsung Galaxy phone with monthly payments but no carrier contract | Best Buy Financing |
| Want to reduce the cost of any of the above | Trade-In Program |
Postpaid: carrier plan with the phone included
With a postpaid plan, the cost of your phone is bundled into your monthly carrier bill. You’ll sign a contract, typically 24 months, and make one monthly payment that covers both your wireless plan and the cost of your device. Once you’ve completed the term, the phone is yours.
This option is ideal if you want the latest smartphone without paying the full purchase price upfront. It’s also a good fit if you’re comfortable staying with the same carrier for the length of your agreement and prefer the convenience of one predictable monthly payment.
Before signing up, remember that ending your contract early usually means paying off the remaining balance on your device.
See current phones with plans at Best Buy Canada. If you’re comparing carriers before signing up, learn more about finding the right mobile plan with Best Buy Mobile and how to compare available options.
Prepaid: month-to-month, no contract
A prepaid plan lets you pay for your service in advance with no long-term contract. If you’re bringing your own phone (BYOD) or buying one outright, you can activate it on a prepaid plan or choose an eligible BYOD plan from participating carriers. Because you pay upfront for your service, you stay within your plan’s included talk, text, and data, helping you avoid unexpected overage charges.
Prepaid is a good fit if you already own an unlocked phone or plan to buy one outright. It’s also a smart option for students, occasional users, parents setting up a first phone, or anyone who wants the flexibility to switch carriers without signing a contract. Since payment is made in advance, prepaid plans generally don’t require a credit check.
If you’re a student or looking to cut your monthly phone bill, read our guide to saving money on phone plans in Canada for more ways to reduce monthly costs.
Keep in mind that prepaid plans don’t include phone financing, so you’ll need to purchase your device separately.
See current prepaid plans at Best Buy Canada.
Unlocked: buy outright, no contract
Buying an unlocked phone means paying the full purchase price upfront and owning the device immediately. Because it isn’t tied to a carrier, you can use it with virtually any Canadian postpaid or prepaid plan.
This option is a smart choice if you’re able to pay upfront and want complete flexibility to change carriers whenever you like. It’s also ideal if you travel internationally or plan to pair your phone with the prepaid or BYOD plan that best fits your needs.
The biggest consideration is the upfront cost of premium devices, though open-box and refurbished phones can help reduce the initial expense.
See unlocked phones at Best Buy Canada.
Best Buy Financing: monthly payments on unlocked Samsung phones
If you’d rather spread out the cost of your phone without signing a carrier contract, Best Buy Financing provided by Fairstone offers another option. Eligible unlocked Samsung Galaxy phones can be purchased with monthly payments over 24 months, allowing you to choose any compatible BYOD plan that suits your needs. Applications can be completed online or in-store, with approval taking only a few minutes.
This option is best for shoppers who have their eye on an eligible Samsung Galaxy phone and want predictable monthly payments without being tied to a specific carrier. You’ll need to complete a Fairstone credit application before financing is approved.
Keep in mind that financing is available only on eligible Samsung phones, not every smartphone sold at Best Buy Canada. Be sure to review the latest financing terms and eligibility requirements before applying.
See eligible Samsung phones and current financing terms.
Reduce your cost with the Trade-In Program
No matter which buying option you choose, trading in your current phone can help lower the overall cost of upgrading. Best Buy Canada’s Trade-In Program lets you exchange eligible devices for a Best Buy gift card, which you can put toward your next phone purchase.
Here’s how it works:
- Check your device’s estimated trade-in value online before visiting a store.
- Bring your device to a participating Best Buy location after removing your passwords and wiping your personal data.
- Receive a Best Buy gift card based on your device’s assessed condition and current trade-in value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Keep it and a Return it plan?
A Keep it plan lets you pay off the full cost of your device during your contract, so you own the phone at the end of the term. A Return it plan generally offers lower monthly device payments, and when your agreement ends, you can return the phone, upgrade to a new model, or pay the remaining amount to keep it. Check current plan details with a Best Buy Mobile advisor or on bestbuy.ca.
Can I finance a phone at Best Buy without signing a carrier contract?
Yes. Best Buy Financing through Fairstone lets you finance eligible unlocked Samsung Galaxy phones without committing to a carrier contract. You can then pair your phone with the BYOD plan that works best for you. Visit the financing page on bestbuy.ca for current eligibility and terms.
Do I need a credit check to buy a phone at Best Buy Canada?
It depends on how you choose to buy your phone. Postpaid carrier plans and Best Buy Financing through Fairstone require a credit application, while prepaid plans and outright purchases do not.
How does the Best Buy Trade-In Program work?
Bring your eligible device to a participating Best Buy location, where its condition will be assessed. If it qualifies, you’ll receive a Best Buy gift card based on its current trade-in value, which you can use toward your next phone purchase or anything else at Best Buy.
Which carriers are available at Best Buy Mobile?
Best Buy Mobile offers plans from major Canadian carriers. Available carriers and promotions may vary by location, so you can compare current options online or speak with a Best Buy Mobile advisor in-store.
If you’re comparing carriers, you can also learn more about Freedom Mobile plans.
Ready to get started?
Explore phones, plans, financing, and trade-in options online or visit the Best Buy Mobile store online or in person to compare your choices.
Do I need enough money in my bank account for the full price of the phone to do the plan? What if I know I will be receiving money.
Can i avail just for the phone,i have existing plan
Hi, yes you can just buy an unlocked phone, which doesn’t come with any prepaid plan or contract. The link is https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/category/unlocked-phones/743355
This is so much worse than before, it’s so insanely more expensive to get a phone now. Before, you just had to pay a little bit of money upfront and sign up with a plan, and you own a brand new phone with a reasonable monthly plan, and a reasonable promotional price. I paid $160 for my S10 in late 2019 during the boxing day sale, and $50/month 2 year contract for 5gb of data and unlimited everything. That was a steal and now it’s over, I can’t believe they are charging so much, we already have the highest cell phone expenses of any developed country, and I can’t believe they are doing this, it’s totally insane and impossible for low income people to have a phone now.
We have always had Android phone considerING I Ph. Is it hard to get familiar with the switch? And is it more expensive?
Koodo won’t let me get another phone on contract. So what i want to know is if i try financing through best buy but with a Koodo plan will koodo still denie me
You can finance just your phone with the Best Buy card
Can I finance a phone and not have it registered to my carrier. I am on a corporate plan. So I need to pay for it myself. Hopefully financed.
Can I only finance the phone let’s say from Bell and do not register for any cell plans?
iPhone 11pro max I need total monthly charges please
Hi Gurmukh,
You can get pricing details for specific phones and a range of cellular carriers at any Best Buy location.
Best regards,
Martin
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