Best BYO Plans for the Nexus 5X and 6P

By Alex Angove

Last updated 26 January 2016

The Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are not the kind of phones you pick up on a subsidized 2-year contract. Most people will buy them outright and unlocked from the Google Play store, but what then? You’ll need a plan. One with enough data to handle your new device, and at a level of affordability that befits the sensibly-priced Nexus philosophy.

We’ve collected a range of plans from the perspective of someone living in Ontario, but the general information should be nation-wide with the exception of Videotron plans. If you live elsewhere, hit the link at the bottom of each table and change your location at the top of the new page.

If you're wondering where the major carriers are (Rogers, Bell, TELUS), they're not here. Recently, all three significantly raised the prices of their BYO device plans. They're still great options if you want a new phone on a contract, but if you're bringing your own device to a carrier you're probably better off looking elsewhere. Remember that Fido (owned by Rogers), Koodo (owned by TELUS), and Virgin Mobile (owned by Bell) operate over the networks of their parent carriers, but are significantly cheaper when it comes to BYO.

Folks in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Quebec should also note that these plans will likely be priced differently (AKA cheaper), or possibly not even available in their regions. If this is the case you can follow the same link, after which it’s possible to adjust your location using the drop-down at the top of the new screen.

Phone prices

First, you need to actually buy a Nexus. The new phones are deceptively-affordable, but don't let that throw you. Even the cheaper Nexus 5X can hold its own against an iPhone 6s in a bunch of ways.

Pick which you think you'd prefer and keep in mind to add its price (original RRP) to the final 24 month total in each comparison.

Nexus 5X 16GB - $499
Nexus 5X 32GB - $559
Nexus 6P 32GB - $699
Nexus 6P 64GB - $749
Nexus 6P 128GB - $849

5GB plans

To get us started, here are a few of the bigger plans for the more data-thirsty among us. If you stream a lot of music, and spend any amount of time watching YouTube off of WiFi, then you'll probably need a hefty data allowance.

#1	Fizz	Fizz Unlimited Quebec Minutes & Text Messaging + 6GB Data 6GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps $26/mth + $15 Upfront Go	$26/mth + $15 Upfront	Go
#2	Public Mobile	Public Mobile $29 Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk + Text + 20GB 20GB at 4G speeds up to 100Mbps Deal: Get $1.05/mo. with Public Points + Receive a FREE eSIM with new activation only $29 + $10 Upfront Go	$29 + $10 Upfront	Go
#3	Freedom Mobile	Freedom Mobile $34 4G LTE 20GB CA-US plan 20GB at 4G LTE speeds up to 100Mbps Deal: Get $5/mo. off for 24 months when you bring your own device $29/mth + $45 Upfront Go	$29/mth + $45 Upfront	Go
#4	Eastlink	Eastlink $35 Rollover Data 20GB Plan 20GB at 5G speeds $35/mth + $50 Upfront Go	$35/mth + $50 Upfront	Go
#5	Fido	Fido $39 Data, Talk & Text Plan with 20GB 20GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps $39/mth Go	$39/mth	Go
#6	Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile)	Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile) $39 Plan with 20GB Data and Unlimited Minutes 20GB at 4G speeds up to 150Mbps $39/mth Go	$39/mth	Go

5GB is a lot of data. With this kind of package you can hit up music streaming services, send and receive images all day long, download games without relying on WiFi, and even indulge in YouTube occasionally without much fear. It's unlikely most users would ever end up actually using this much; it's more about feeling safe that you're probably not going to go over your cap, no matter how crazy you go.

2GB plans

2GB is more than respectable. This is a more-popular data allocation, as it merges freedom of use with affordability.

#1	Fizz	Fizz Unlimited Quebec Minutes & Text Messaging + 4GB Data 4GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps $25/mth + $15 Upfront Go	$25/mth + $15 Upfront	Go
#2	Public Mobile	Public Mobile $26 Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk + Text + 4GB 4GB at 4G speeds up to 100Mbps Deal: Get $1.30/mo. with Public Points + Receive a FREE eSIM with new activation only $26 + $10 Upfront Go	$26 + $10 Upfront	Go
#3	Freedom Mobile	Freedom Mobile $34 4G LTE 20GB CA-US plan 20GB at 4G LTE speeds up to 100Mbps Deal: Get $5/mo. off for 24 months when you bring your own device $29/mth + $45 Upfront Go	$29/mth + $45 Upfront	Go
#4	Eastlink	Eastlink $35 Rollover Data 20GB Plan 20GB at 5G speeds $35/mth + $50 Upfront Go	$35/mth + $50 Upfront	Go
#5	Fido	Fido $35 Basic Plan with Unltd Minutes + 3GB 3GB data $35/mth Go	$35/mth	Go
#6	Koodo Mobile	Koodo Mobile $35 - No Tab/BYO Plan with 3GB Data 3GB at 3G speed up to 3Mbps $35/mth + $10 Upfront Go	$35/mth + $10 Upfront	Go

This much data can still handle things like light daily music streaming, but if that's your habit then you'll still want to train an eye on that usage meter. As far as general browsing and social media apps go, feel free to let your hair down and scroll until your heart's content.

1GB Plans

1GB plans are far more-common, probably as a result of their lower cost, rather than actually meeting the data needs for all customers. This much data is OK for social media-users, daily browsers, and the (very) occasional bit of music streaming. Anything more and you'll likely hit your cap.

#1	Freedom Mobile	Freedom Mobile $19 4G LTE 1GB Starter Plan 1GB at 4G LTE speeds up to 100Mbps $19/mth + $45 Upfront Go	$19/mth + $45 Upfront	Go
#2	Fizz	Fizz Unlimited Quebec Minutes & Text Messaging + 1GB Data 1GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps $23/mth + $15 Upfront Go	$23/mth + $15 Upfront	Go
#3	Public Mobile	Public Mobile $25 Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk + Text + 1GB 1GB at 3G speeds up to 3Mbps Deal: Receive $1.25/mo. in points value with Public Points + Receive a FREE eSIM with new activation only $25 + $10 Upfront Go	$25 + $10 Upfront	Go
#4	Eastlink	Eastlink $35 Rollover Data 20GB Plan 20GB at 5G speeds $35/mth + $50 Upfront Go	$35/mth + $50 Upfront	Go
#5	Fido	Fido $35 Basic Plan with Unltd Minutes + 3GB 3GB data $35/mth Go	$35/mth	Go
#6	Koodo Mobile	Koodo Mobile $35 - No Tab/BYO Plan with 3GB Data 3GB at 3G speed up to 3Mbps $35/mth + $10 Upfront Go	$35/mth + $10 Upfront	Go

With a great phone like the Nexus 5X or 6P, you're unlikely to want to fall under this level of usage each month, unless you're a very light broadband user between WiFi hotspots.