Everyone knows university is a time of tight finances, when a quick pitstop at Tim Horton’s can feel like a five-star meal. Luckily, we've been studying the cell phone industry for several decades and have learned how to spot back-to-school deals that help students save for the semester. For this guide, we dug through every carrier’s plans to find the best back-to-school deals and student cell phone plans.
We’ve got excellent student promos from Rogers, Bell, Lucky Mobile, and Videotron. We've also got seriously low prices on the iPhone 15, as well as an unbelievable deal on a free phone through Freedom Mobile.
Don’t believe us? Read on to find all of the best back-to-school cell phone deals for 2024.
How we picked the best back-to-school deals
-
Price & value
We ensured you’re getting the most bang for your buck without sacrificing on the essentials to keep you connected. -
High-speed data
We looked at whether the amount of guaranteed “premium” data was reasonable for the plan price, and flagged if you’re being overcharged for data you likely don’t need. -
Coverage & network reliability
We evaluated each carrier’s nationwide 4G LTE and 5G coverage to predict your service quality, no matter where you find yourself on (or off) campus. -
Plan extras and perks
We factored perks like free Netflix, a hefty hotspot, or anything else that will make dorm life more bearable.
You can read more about our detailed methodology below.
Best back-to-school deals in Canada for 2024
| Carrier | Deal | Shop this plan | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
100GB for $49/month | VIEW DEAL | |
|
25GB for $27/month | VIEW DEAL | |
|
100GB for $55/month | VIEW DEAL | |
|
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G for free | VIEW DEAL |
Best back-to-school
plans
Rogers | 100GB for $49/month
Why we like it:
- 5G coverage on the country's most reliable nationwide network
- Dozens of cheap phone options for financing
- 6 free months of Disney+
The best student deal in Canada is back for another year with this Rogers plan.
Rogers has trotted out this plan for several years now and we continue to name it as the best student phone plan in the country. Customers with valid student IDs will grab an enormous chunk of super-fast 5G, reliable coverage, and unlimited talk and text.
|
Rogers
Infinite 100GB - Student Plan
$49/mth
|
Lucky Mobile | 25GB for $27/month
Why we like it:
- Cheap coverage on the nationwide Bell network
- Data bonus for students
- Several cheap phones available
Get a cheap, practical phone plan with this student deal from Lucky Mobile.
Lucky Mobile is an MVNO operating the nationwide Bell network. Right now, the carrier is offering a student deal that provides 25GB of 4G data and a free month of service for enrolling in auto-pay. It's not as fast as the premium deal from Rogers, but it's more than enough for typical phone users just looking to get through their years at university.
|
Lucky Mobile
$27 Unlimited Canada-wide Calling Plan
$27
Per 1 Month Top-up
+ $10 Upfront
|
Videotron | $15/month BYOD discount
Why we like it:
- BYOD discount
- Reliable 5G coverage in Quebec and Ontario
- Expanding nationwide coverage through partner networks
Score a hefty discount when you bring your own device to Videotron's 100GB plan.
Videotron is offering $15/month discounts for students who BYOD and activate their 100GB All-Inclusive plan. Videotron provides excellent 5G coverage in Quebec and select areas of Ontario. They also provide reliable 4G coverage throughout the rest of the country.
|
Videotron
100GB All-Inclusive Cell Phone Plan
$55/mth
+ $50 Upfront
|
Best iPhone back
to school deal
Freedom Mobile | iPhone 15 | $20/month
Why we like it:
- Cheapest price in Canada
- All-day battery
- Large, 6.1" display.
Freedom allows you to grab the latest iPhone for the lowest price in Canada.
The iPhone 16 may arrive shortly after classes start, but that just means the iPhone 15 is more affordable than ever. This deal from Freedom Mobile allows you to grab the device for cheap and score a premium data plan in the process.
Freedom Mobile $60 5G Unlimited 100GB CA-US plan
| Carrier | Freedom Mobile |
|---|---|
| Included Phone | iPhone 15 128GB |
| Data | Unlimited Data |
| Type | Lease (24 mths) |
| Total Price |
$85 per month
with Digital Discount
+ $45 Upfront
|
| View Details |
iPhone 15 128GB
Best Android back
to school deal
Freedom Mobile | Samsung Galaxy A15 5G | Free
Why we like it:
- Free smartphone
- Large 6.5" display
- All-day battery
This practical smartphone may not be flashy, but it will definitely keep you out of debt.
The Galaxy A15 isn't the most sophisticated smartphone on the market, but that's no secret: Samsung designed it for more basic phone users, who don't need all the bells and whistles of their premium Galaxy S phones. If that sounds like you, you won't find a better deal than this: Freedom Mobile allows you to grab the phone for free when you activate on their Unlimited CA-US plan.
Freedom Mobile $60 5G Unlimited 100GB CA-US plan
| Carrier | Freedom Mobile |
|---|---|
| Included Phone | Samsung Galaxy A15 5G |
| Data | Unlimited Data |
| Type | Installments (24 mths) |
| Total Price |
$60 per month
with Digital Discount
+ $45 Upfront
|
| View Details |
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Best Amazon
back-to-school deals
How WhistleOut rates back-to-school cell phone deals
WhistleOut evaluates phone deals and phone plans based on the following criteria:
- Price & value: Not all cheap plans are “bad,” and not all expensive plans are worth it. We look at everything a plan includes and compare it to other plans from the same carrier and similar plans from competitors in the market to determine whether the value is consistent with the price.
- High-speed data: Also called “premium” data, this is how much data you get at full 4G/5G speeds before they can or will slow down. The more guaranteed high-speed data the plan includes, the better experience you’ll generally have—but there’s also usually a limit to how much you actually need. We ensure that you’re not overpaying for data that will go unused.
- Coverage & network reliability: The breadth of each carrier’s 4G LTE and 5G networks determines your reception and service. Particularly in 5G, some carriers offer far more robust coverage than others, which affects how their phone plans perform in different parts of the country.
- Plan extras and perks: In addition to the basics—talk, text, and data—some plans throw in freebies like hotspot allowances, cloud storage, entertainment subscriptions, or service discounts.
Our mobile experts leveraged proprietary data and real-world customer feedback to evaluate the best back-to-school cell phone deals. We considered plan-specific elements, including perks, premium data allowances, and mobile hotspot allocations. After performing hands-on testing and extensive research, including customer feedback, we picked the deals we feel meet the needs of most students.
Visit our guide to choosing a phone plan to evaluate a cell phone carrier or plan and find the one that best meets your specific needs.
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