The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →A September 2021 MobileSyrup comparison found that buying a 128 GB iPhone 13 through some Canadian carriers could cost up to $46 more than buying directly from Apple over two years. The figure is historical, not a current quote: carrier plans, subsidies, financing rules and Apple prices must be checked again for any purchase today.
What the $46 figure actually means
Jonathan Lamont’s comparison, published September 17, 2021 and updated September 18, examined the 128 GB base model in each iPhone 13 tier: iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. It compared Apple’s direct pricing with financing from Canada’s Big Three carriers, their flanker brands and larger regional carriers.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $262.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Blue - Unlocked (Renewed) | $268.64 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Starlight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $270.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $300.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Green - Unlocked (Renewed) | $270.95 | Buy on Amazon |
The “up to $46 more” wording describes the largest difference found in that 2021 snapshot after comparing the device cost over a two-year financing period. It does not mean every carrier, model or customer paid $46 more, and it should not be used as a current Canadian price.
Apple’s 24-month financing baseline in 2021
MobileSyrup reported these Apple financing examples for 24 months. The totals are historical and reflect the article’s figures, including small rounding differences between monthly payments and the listed outright price.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems#1 Best Overall
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
| Model | Apple monthly payment | 24-month total | Apple outright price |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 mini, 128 GB | $39.54 | $948.96 | $949 |
| iPhone 13, 128 GB | $45.79 | $1,098.96 | $1,099 |
| iPhone 13 Pro, 128 GB | $58.29 | $1,398.96 | $1,399 |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max, 128 GB | $64.54 | $1,548.96 | $1,549 |
These figures are a useful benchmark because they isolate the handset. A carrier comparison is incomplete unless it also accounts for the plan required to obtain the phone and any conditions attached to the financing.
Why a carrier’s monthly payment can be misleading
The plan is part of the transaction
The comparison notes that a carrier purchase required a plan, and that some carriers could restrict the available plan choices depending on how the phone was acquired. A low device payment may therefore come with a more expensive or less flexible service commitment. Separate the phone cost from the plan cost, then include any plan price you would not otherwise pay.
Rank #2
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR display. 5G Superfast downloads, high?quality streaming
- Cinematic mode in 1080p at 30 fps. Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 60 fps. 2X Optical zoom range
- A15 Bionic chip. New 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores. New 4-core GPU. New 16-core Neural Engine
- Up to 19 hours video playback. Face ID. Ceramic Shield front. Aerospace-grade aluminum
Device-return programs change the final bill
Big Three carriers offered “device return” arrangements in the comparison. The customer received a lower financed amount but had to return the phone after two years or pay a stated deferred amount. That deferred amount is not a discount you keep automatically; it is a conditional obligation.
Regional subsidies can change the ranking
After reader feedback, the September 18 update recalculated regional-carrier prices to include subsidies built into financing. That changed the ranking: SaskTel came first, followed by Shaw/Freedom and Videotron. The article said the Big Three and their flanker brands did not provide equivalent subsidies in that comparison. This is a reminder that advertised device prices cannot be ranked fairly until every subsidy and repayment condition is included.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #3
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR display. 5G Superfast downloads, high quality streaming
- Cinematic mode in 1080p at 30 fps. Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 60 fps. 2X Optical zoom range
- A15 Bionic chip. New 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores. New 4-core GPU. New 16-core Neural Engine
- Up to 19 hours video playback. Face ID. Ceramic Shield front. Aerospace-grade aluminum
Telus Bring-It-Back example
The article’s Telus example illustrates how a return condition affects the apparent bargain. For an iPhone 13 Pro Max, it listed $0 upfront and $43.04 per month for 24 months, with a $560 reduction conditional on returning the device or paying $560 afterward.
| Telus option in the 2021 example | Reported two-year device cost |
|---|---|
| Bring-It-Back reduction, with the stated return-or-pay condition | $1,592.96 |
| Without the reduction | $1,593.12 |
The near-identical totals show why the condition matters more than the headline monthly payment. If you want to keep the phone, budget for the deferred amount; if you return it, account for giving up a two-year-old device that must meet the carrier’s return requirements.
Rank #4
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
How to compare an iPhone 13 offer correctly
- Match the handset. Use the same iPhone 13 tier, storage capacity and financing term at every seller.
- Calculate all device payments. Multiply the monthly device charge by the number of months and add any upfront payment.
- Add or subtract subsidies explicitly. Record regional credits or financing subsidies, and include any amount that must be repaid if you cancel or leave early.
- Check the return obligation. Write down whether the phone must be returned, what condition rules apply and the exact fee for keeping it.
- Price the required plan. Compare the eligible plan with the plan you would actually choose, including any activation or account charges stated in the offer.
- Use Apple’s current direct price as a separate baseline. Include current Apple promotions and financing terms rather than relying on the 2021 figures above.
- Recalculate on the purchase date. Carrier promotions can change, and financing that appears expensive can occasionally be cheaper after subsidies are included.
A practical two-year worksheet
For each offer, use this calculation:
Total device cost = upfront payment + (monthly device payment × number of payments) + deferred keep-the-device amount − unconditional credits.
Then show the plan separately. If you are comparing a carrier purchase with buying from Apple, add only the incremental plan cost: the difference between the required carrier plan and the plan you would have bought anyway. This prevents the same mobile-service spending from being counted twice.
Best Value
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR display. 5G Superfast downloads, high?quality streaming
- Cinematic mode in 1080p at 30 fps. Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K at 60 fps. 2X Optical zoom range
- A15 Bionic chip. New 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores. New 4-core GPU. New 16-core Neural Engine
- Up to 19 hours video playback. Face ID. Ceramic Shield front. Aerospace-grade aluminum
What remains uncertain today
The 2021 article does not establish current Canadian availability, carrier pricing, plan eligibility, subsidy rules, return standards or Apple promotions. iPhone 13 stock and financing offers may also differ by province, carrier brand and customer status. Treat the historical $46 maximum and all figures in the tables as dated examples, not recommendations or guarantees.
The takeaway from the original comparison
“If you’re considering buying a phone (iPhone or anything else) from a carrier, always take the time to calculate the price after two years of financing and compare it to buying the phone outright.”
— Jonathan Lamont, MobileSyrup, 2021
That method remains the sound decision rule: compare the complete device obligation, the plan you must accept, every subsidy and cancellation charge, and whether you keep or return the phone. Only then can you tell whether a carrier offer is genuinely cheaper than buying an unlocked iPhone 13 directly.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
