There are no confirmed Boxing Day 2026 phone prices to buy yet. Bell says its 2026 Boxing Week offers will launch in December, but specific promotions have not been released. Until live offers appear, the smartest strategy is to compare the full 24-month cost—not the phone payment shown in large type.
This guide explains which Canadian carriers and retailers are likely to compete, when holiday promotions usually appear, and how to tell whether a “free” phone, trade-in credit, gift card or return program actually saves money.
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Research status: December 2026 offers are not confirmed. Historical 2025–26 promotions and current marketplace listings below are benchmarks, not promises. Confirm the exact price, eligibility, expiry date and terms before ordering.
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How to rank a deal: 24-month cost, plan suitability, phone ownership, coverage, roaming and cancellation flexibility.
#1 Best Overall
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
When will Canada’s Boxing Day phone deals start?
“Boxing Day” usually means a Boxing Week promotion rather than a sale limited to December 26. Carriers and retailers may launch early, extend offers after December 26, or run limited-stock and deal-of-the-day promotions.
Bell’s official Boxing Week page says its 2026 offers will launch in December and typically include phones, Mobility plans and accessories: Bell Boxing Week. The exact launch date and prices remain unconfirmed.
The previous 2025–26 cycle illustrates why expiry dates matter. Coverage at the time reported Fido and Virgin Plus promotions ending or extending around January 6, while Public Mobile and Rogers listed January 5 end dates and Chatr listed January 6. Those dates are historical, not a forecast for the 2026–27 sale. Check the official terms rather than assuming a deal ends on Boxing Day.
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- Buy early if a specific storage size, colour, retailer gift card or limited-stock model matters.
- Wait for Boxing Week if you can tolerate inventory risk and want maximum competition between carriers and retailers.
- Do not wait automatically if a current BYOD plan is already substantially cheaper and you would otherwise take on an expensive device commitment.
Which type of Boxing Day deal is best?
The best choice depends on whether you need a phone, a plan, or both.
| Option | Usually best for | Main advantage | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| BYOD plan | People who already own a good phone | Lowest recurring cost and flexibility | You pay for a phone separately if you need one |
| Phone-plus-plan bundle | People who need a new phone now | Low upfront cost and possible credits | Required plan and financing term can overwhelm the phone discount |
| Return or rental program | Frequent upgraders | Lower monthly device payment | You must return the phone in acceptable condition or pay a deferred amount |
| Unlocked phone | Long-term owners and plan switchers | Freedom to choose or change plans | Higher upfront cost |
| Retailer gift card | Shoppers who will use that retailer’s credit | Can improve effective deal value | It is not cash and may have restrictions |
Who is likely to offer the strongest value?
Bell, Rogers and TELUS
The national premium carriers generally compete with flagship-device financing, trade-in credits, premium plans, roaming packages, bundles and device-return programs. They may be attractive for customers who need their network, want a premium phone or value Canada–U.S. roaming. They are less likely to be the cheapest route for someone who already owns a usable device and wants a flexible BYOD plan.
Compare direct carrier pricing with retailer activation offers. The same phone and plan can have different gift-card, activation-credit or accessory incentives depending on where you sign up.
Rank #2
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Fido, Virgin Plus, Koodo, Public Mobile, Chatr, Lucky Mobile and Freedom
Value and flanker brands can produce the strongest plan savings, but they are not interchangeable. Check network access, regional coverage, 5G availability, speed limits, hotspot rules, roaming, customer support, financing and autopay requirements.
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Freedom Mobile is particularly relevant for shoppers seeking Canada–U.S.–Mexico coverage in a suitable service area. Fido and Virgin Plus may appeal to customers seeking value on the Rogers and Bell networks respectively. Koodo can be a TELUS-network value option. Public Mobile, Chatr and Lucky Mobile are worth considering for BYOD or prepaid shoppers who are comfortable with more self-service. Coverage at your home, workplace and usual travel destinations should override a small price difference.
Retail activation channels
Check Best Buy Canada and Best Buy Express, Walmart, Costco wireless kiosks, The Mobile Shop and Wireless Wave. Retailers may offer gift cards or activation credits instead of the lowest advertised monthly phone payment. Inventory, participating brands and in-store availability can vary by province and location.
Best Buy’s current marketplace separates unlocked phones, carrier phones, BYOD plans and prepaid offers. Its listings have included roughly $45-per-month 20GB plans from Fido, Koodo and Virgin Plus, Freedom plans with Canada–U.S.–Mexico coverage, and premium-carrier plans around $70 per month with Canada–U.S. coverage. These are current marketplace signals, not confirmed Boxing Day 2026 offers.
Best phone categories to compare
Holiday value differs by category. A single universal winner is misleading because a discounted flagship on a premium plan may be worse value than an unlocked midrange phone.
- iPhone: compare the current standard model, Pro and Pro Max, previous-generation models, entry-level models when available, and refurbished or open-box devices.
- Samsung Galaxy: compare the S flagship, S Ultra, Z foldables, A-series phones and previous-generation models after a new launch.
- Google Pixel: compare the flagship Pro, standard Pixel, A-series and discounted previous-generation models.
- Budget Android: include Motorola, TCL, Samsung A-series and other unlocked models when their lower purchase price materially reduces total cost.
- Unlocked and refurbished: consider these for readers who intend to keep a phone for four or more years or want to retain an existing plan.
These are deal-value categories, not camera, battery or performance rankings. Product quality claims require current independent testing or manufacturer specifications.
Rank #3
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
What “$0 per month” really means
A $0 monthly device payment does not necessarily mean the phone is free. It may mean that:
- a promotional bill credit offsets the financing payment;
- you must take an eligible, relatively expensive plan;
- you must trade in a qualifying phone;
- you must return the device later;
- the offer applies only to one storage capacity or model;
- taxes, activation fees or add-ons are excluded;
- the phone is financed for 24 months and becomes payable if you cancel early.
Freedom’s current listings show low device payments connected to particular plans, 24-month terms and TradeUp or MyTab structures. They demonstrate how conditional pricing works, but are not Boxing Day 2026 confirmations: Freedom device offers.
Return, rental and deferred-payment programs
Before accepting a lower device payment, identify who owns the phone and what happens at the end.
- Return the phone: the device payment is lower, but the phone must meet condition requirements by the deadline.
- Keep the phone: you pay the deferred amount or remaining balance.
- Cancel early: the outstanding financing balance—and potentially the deferred amount—may appear on your next bill.
- Upgrade early: an upgrade may require settling the balance or meeting the program’s conditions.
- Trade in: a trade-in can be separate from, or interact with, the carrier’s return program. Read both valuations and agreements.
Under Rogers’ Save & Return, the customer eventually returns the device in acceptable condition or repays the deferred amount. Rogers says cancelling or transferring the linked wireless service can make the deferred amount and remaining device balance payable.
Bell’s Device Return Option similarly requires returning the phone in good working condition or repaying the deferred amount. Bell lists practical requirements such as working power, charging and touchscreen functionality and no apparent physical damage.
Bell SmartPay’s Flex Option also defers part of the phone cost and may make remaining payments due if service ends early or the account moves to an ineligible plan.
Rank #4
- 6.5 Super AMOLED, 1080x2340 (FHD+), 90Hz Refresh Rate, Android 14, One UI 6, Bluetooth 5.3
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, Expandable MicroSD, Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6 nm), Octa-core, Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, Fingerprint (side-mounted)
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 + 5MP, f/2.2 + 2MP, f/2.4, Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, 5000mAh Battery
- 2G: 850/900/1800/1900, 3G: 850/900/1700/2100/1900/2100, 4G: LTE 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/41/66/77/78 - Single SIM - Single SIM
- No Warranty. Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Sprint.
How to calculate the real 24-month cost
Use the same period and assumptions for every offer:
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24-month cost = upfront phone cost
+ (monthly plan price × 24)
+ (monthly device payment × 24)
+ activation fees
+ required add-ons
+ deferred phone amount if keeping the device
− bill credits
− realistic trade-in value
− realistic gift-card valueDo not deduct a gift card at face value if you would not otherwise shop at that retailer, or if the credit has restrictions or a short expiry. Show two totals when applicable:
- Keep-the-phone total: includes the deferred amount or final payment.
- Return-the-phone total: excludes that payment but assumes you satisfy the condition and deadline rules.
Example 1: “Free” phone on a premium plan
Suppose a phone has a $0 monthly payment with an $85 monthly plan for 24 months, plus a $60 activation fee. The two-year cost is $2,100 before taxes ($85 × 24 + $60). If a comparable BYOD plan costs $45 per month and you already own a phone, the plan alone would cost $1,080 over 24 months. The “free phone” offer is not automatically the cheaper choice; it must be compared with the cost of obtaining the phone another way.
Example 2: Unlocked phone plus BYOD
Suppose an unlocked phone costs $700 upfront and a BYOD plan costs $40 per month. The 24-month total is $1,660 before taxes ($700 + $40 × 24). This may be higher upfront but offers more flexibility and avoids a deferred return obligation. These examples are hypothetical, not advertised offers.
What every deal comparison must show
For each phone or plan, record:
- exact model and storage capacity;
- upfront price, device payment and financing term;
- monthly plan price during and after the promotion;
- 24-month cost and keep-the-phone cost;
- Canada-only, Canada–U.S. or Canada–U.S.–Mexico coverage;
- data allowance, full-speed amount and any reduced-speed limit;
- hotspot allowance and 5G access;
- international calling and texting;
- activation, SIM or eSIM fees;
- autopay, online-billing or other discount requirements;
- credit-check requirements;
- new-customer, existing-customer and port-in eligibility;
- trade-in conditions and inspection rules;
- whether the phone is owned, financed, returnable or subject to a deferred payment;
- online, in-store or retailer-only availability;
- province, postal-code and inventory restrictions;
- exact expiry date and the regular price after the promotion.
Direct carrier versus retailer
| Where to buy | Potential advantage | Check before signing |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier | Direct support, device financing and carrier-specific credits | Plan eligibility, cancellation balance and return terms |
| Best Buy, Walmart or The Mobile Shop | Gift cards, activation bonuses and competing inventory | Whether the retailer can process your upgrade, port or existing-customer change |
| Costco | Potential member-only incentives | Membership, participating kiosk and redemption conditions |
| Apple, Samsung or Google | Unlocked purchase, direct financing and manufacturer trade-in | Upfront cost, trade-in assessment and plan cost separately |
A retailer promotion is not necessarily the carrier’s direct offer. Compare the same model, plan, term and ownership structure. A large gift card may be less valuable than a lower monthly price if you would not use the retailer’s credit.
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The CRTC Wireless Code applies to wireless services purchased online, in a store or by phone, including device-financing arrangements. Among its protections:
Best Value
- Immersive 120Hz display* and Dolby Atmos: Watch movies and play games on a fast, fluid 6.6" display backed by multidimensional stereo sound.
- 50MP Quad Pixel camera system**: Capture sharper photos day or night with 4x the light sensitivity—and explore up close using the Macro Vision lens.
- Superfast 5G performance***: Unleash your entertainment at 5G speed with the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 octa-core processor.
- Massive battery and speedy charging: Work and play nonstop with a long-lasting 5000mAh battery, then fuel up fast with TurboPower.****
- Premium design within reach: Stand out with a stunning look and comfortable feel, including a vegan leather back cover that’s soft to the touch and fingerprint resistant.
- newly purchased devices must be unlocked;
- a minimum 15-day trial period applies in qualifying situations;
- customers can generally return the phone without penalty during the trial period if usage and condition requirements are met;
- customers who identify as having a disability receive a minimum 30-day trial period;
- device financing and related early-cancellation charges fall under the Code;
- early-cancellation charges must be calculated under the Code’s rules.
These protections do not eliminate carrier-specific practical requirements. Return programs may add packaging, account-removal, damage, deadline and repayment conditions. The CRTC trial period also should not be confused with every retailer’s commercial return policy. See the plain-language Wireless Code and the CRTC’s financing decision for details.
Best fit by shopper
- You already have a good phone: start with BYOD plans. A phone bundle may reduce the headline payment while increasing your two-year cost.
- You want the lowest monthly bill: compare low-cost Android phones, prepaid plans and BYOD options. Do not choose a flagship on a premium plan merely because its device payment is $0.
- You want an iPhone or Galaxy flagship: compare standard financing, return financing, trade-in, retailer incentives and manufacturer pricing.
- You travel to the United States: prioritize included roaming, then verify data limits and fair-use rules.
- You travel to Mexico: treat Canada–U.S.–Mexico plans as a separate category; Canada–U.S. inclusion does not imply Mexico coverage.
- You change phones frequently: a return or upgrade program may be convenient if you accept condition rules and do not plan to keep the phone.
- You keep phones for four or more years: an unlocked phone or ordinary financing is often easier to evaluate than a return program with a deferred final payment.
- Your home or workplace has weak service: check the carrier’s coverage map and your postal code before considering price.
Common Boxing Day mistakes
- Ranking by the monthly phone payment instead of total cost.
- Calling a returnable or financed phone “free.”
- Ignoring the expensive plan required for the lowest device payment.
- Subtracting a gift card as though it were cash.
- Assuming trade-in value is guaranteed despite damage, storage or inspection conditions.
- Missing autopay, online-billing or temporary-credit requirements.
- Comparing a 24-month offer with a 36-month offer without normalizing the total.
- Assuming monthly credits continue after changing plans or porting out.
- Confusing a retailer activation promotion with the carrier’s direct offer.
- Leaving last year’s expired prices on a holiday article.
- Assuming a Canada–U.S. plan includes Mexico.
- Assuming the CRTC trial period overrides every retailer return rule.
How to rank the deals
A useful editorial score can weigh:
- 30%: 24-month total cost;
- 20%: data allowance and geographic coverage;
- 15%: phone value and storage;
- 15%: ownership and cancellation flexibility;
- 10%: coverage and network fit;
- 5%: activation or gift-card value;
- 5%: simplicity and risk.
That framework should produce both a best overall value and winners for specific readers—not a single claim that one carrier is best for everyone. Coverage, prices, fees and eligibility vary by province and postal code.
Boxing Week buying checklist
- Confirm the exact phone model, storage and condition.
- Calculate the complete cost for the full financing term.
- Calculate the extra amount required to keep the phone.
- Read what happens if you cancel, transfer or change plans.
- Verify trade-in value, inspection rules and deadlines.
- Check Canada-only, Canada–U.S. or Canada–U.S.–Mexico roaming.
- Confirm full-speed data, hotspot and 5G rules.
- Add activation, SIM/eSIM, taxes and required add-ons.
- Check the regular plan price after promotional credits end.
- Confirm whether autopay or online billing is mandatory.
- Record the exact expiry date and save the offer details.
- Check coverage at home, work and regular travel destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are December 2026 Boxing Day phone deals available yet?
Not as confirmed offers. Bell says its 2026 Boxing Week promotions will launch in December, but specific prices and expiry dates should be verified when the live promotions appear.
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Not necessarily. The payment may be offset by credits, require a premium plan or trade-in, or involve a return obligation or deferred amount. Calculate the plan, financing, fees and keep-the-phone cost together.
Is it cheaper to buy an unlocked phone and use BYOD?
Often, especially if you already have a suitable plan or keep phones for several years. Compare the unlocked phone’s upfront price plus 24 months of service with the full cost of a carrier-financed bundle.
What happens if I cancel a phone-financing or return plan early?
The remaining device balance and, depending on the program, a deferred return amount may become payable. Read the carrier’s specific agreement before cancelling or changing plans.
The Bottom Line
Wait for live December 2026 terms if you want a holiday phone promotion, but do not judge the deal by its phone payment alone. Compare the same phone and plan over 24 months, include the amount needed to keep a return-program device, discount gift cards realistically, and verify coverage, roaming, fees, eligibility and the cancellation balance.
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.
