- Moto G Power (2021) for $3/month
- Great battery
- Galaxy A53 5G for $10/month
- Decent processor
Not everybody wants or needs the latest and greatest smartphone, especially when there are plenty of quality, high-performing budget phones out there.
We’ve scoured the market and found the best and cheapest phones in Canada, all of which are $600 or less. Some highlights include the iPhone SE (2022), Google Pixel 6a, and the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G.
In this guide, we'll highlight the best affordable phones in Canada based on brand and discuss the key features of each.
How we picked the best cell phone deals
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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 dropped calls allowed!). -
Plan extras and perks
If you get free Netflix or a hefty hotspot, we factored those in relative to the cost of the plan.
You can read more about our detailed methodology below.
Best cheap phones available right now
| Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | iPhone SE (2022) | Google Pixel 6a | Samsung Galaxy A53 5G | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | 6.6-inch Max Vision HD+ display | 4.7-inch Retina HD display | 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED display | 6.5-inch display |
| Cameras | Front: 8MP Back: 48MP 2MP Macro 2MP Depth |
Front: 7MP
Back: 12MP |
Front: 8MP
Back: 12.2MP dual pixel wide camera |
Front: 32MP
Back: 12MP ultra-wide 5MP Macro 5MP Depth |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 | A15 Bionic | Google Tensor Titan M2 | Exynos 1280 processor |
| Storage | 64GB
|
64GB 128GB 256GB |
128GB 256GB |
128GB |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB | 8GB | 6GB |
| 5G support | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Starting MSRP | $319.99 | $579 | $599 | $489.99 |
| Learn more | View Phone | View Phone | View Phone | View Phone |
Best OverALL cheapest phone
A cheap phone doesn’t have to mean poor quality, and that’s certainly the case with Motorola’s Moto G Power (2021).
Motorola | Moto G Power (2021)—Best overall cheapest phone
The Moto G Power might be budget-friendly, but that doesn’t mean it sacrifices performance or features. Its large 6.6-inch HD+ display makes it ideal for gaming or streaming the new season of You on Netflix. It also has an impressive 5,000mAh battery that can last three days, rivaling higher-priced flagship phones.
Outright, the Moto G Power (2021) will set you back $320, but if you purchase it through Videotron, you can get it for just $3/month for 24 months when you pay $45 up front. The 6GB Canada-wide plan includes a decent amount of data with unlimited calls and texts for $48/month for the phone and plan.
- Pros: Great battery life, inexpensive, nice design
- Cons: Low resolution, poor camera quality in low-light conditions
OnePlus | Nord N20—Best overall cheapest phone runner-up
The OnePlus Nord N20 is one of the best cheap phones you can get in Canada. It has a nice-sized 6.43-inch screen and features a beautiful, smooth design that rivals more expensive phones like the newer iPhone models. The device also includes a large 4,500mAh battery with 33W fast charging, so you’ll have a full charge in 30 minutes.
If you buy the Nord N20 for $286.57 and bring your phone to a new carrier, you can save big bucks. Lucky Mobile offers a $30/month prepaid plan that includes unlimited talk and text and 3GB of data.
- Pros: Sleek design, large battery, runs on Bell’s network
- Cons: Middling processor, not the best cameras
Best Cheap iPhone
iPhones are some of the most desirable phones on the market. Despite their popularity, getting an affordable deal on an Apple handset is still possible.
Apple | iPhone SE—Best cheap iPhone
The iPhone SE (2022) might be a cheap phone, but it still has all of the features Apple users expect. It runs on the A15 Bionic chip with a new 16-core neural engine. It also has a decent battery, allowing the user to stream 10 hours of their favorite show on a single charge.
If you don’t want to pay $579 for the phone outright, you can get this device on an installment plan with Koodo Mobile for $24/month for 24 months. When paired with the Tab Plus plan, you’ll get 20GB of data and unlimited talk and text for a total price of $84/month.
- Pros: Half the cost of the Apple iPhone 14, fast and powerful processor, good battery life, solid camera system
- Cons: No night mode, big bezels, no Face ID unlocks
Best Cheap Google Phone
Now that the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are on the market, you can get the Pixel 6a, a cheaper version of the Pixel, for an even better price.
Google | Pixel 6A—Best cheap Google phone
In our extensive testing of the Pixel 6a, we found it provides a fast, smooth performance overall. It comes with the Google Tensor Titan M2 coprocessor, which is the same processor as the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, making it an extremely fast phone for the money. The device also boasts a great camera for its class that takes good-quality photos in lower light.
The Google Pixel 6a will set you back about $600 outright, but if you don’t mind paying in installments, you can get this device with Freedom Mobile for $10/month. Sign up for the carrier’s Big Gig Unlimited phone plan, and you’ll get 20GB of data with unlimited calling and messaging for $60/month in total (plus $45 up front).
- Pros: Good camera, fast performance
- Cons: Poor battery life, only comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for protection
Best Cheap Samsung Phone
Samsung offers everything from budget devices to flagship phones like the Galaxy S23. If you’re in the market for a mid-tier cell phone, look no further than the Galaxy A53 5G.
Samsung | Galaxy A53 5G—Best cheap Samsung phone
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is a great phone choice that won’t break the bank. It features a capable processor and excellent battery life for less than half the price of the new S23 lineup.
This device costs almost $500 outright, but if you pay over time, you can get it on Rogers’ reliable network for $10/month. Coupled with the 5GB Non-shared Plan, you’ll get a decent amount of data with unlimited calls and messages for $60/month.
- Pros: Great battery life, decent processor
- Cons: Camera performance is lacking
Samsung | Galaxy A14 5G—Best cheap Sunsung phone runner-up
The Galaxy A14 5G is one of the best budget smartphones you can get in Canada. Running on an Octa-core x 5G processor, the Galaxy A14 5G offers streamlined performance without glitches or frequent freezing. The device has an impressive 50MP camera, letting you take good-quality, low-light photos.
You can get the Galaxy A14 5G for $13.70/month for 24 months with Virgin Plus. The carrier’s $60 plan with 20GB of data and unlimited talk and text brings the cost to $73.70/month for the phone and plan. You’ll get access to Bell’s 4G network and reliable coverage throughout Canada.
- Pros: Good cameras, great battery life, and a decent refresh rate of 90-Hz
- Cons: Single speaker, not dust or water-resistant
Cheap Phone Plans in Canada
Want a phone plan that won’t break the bank either? Compare some of Canada's most popular and affordable phone plans from carriers like Freedom Mobile, Fido, Virgin Plus, Koodo, and more.
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#1
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Public Mobile 
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#2
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Freedom Mobile 
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#3
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Fido 
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#4
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Rogers 
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#5
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7-Eleven SpeakOut 
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#6
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Virgin Plus (previously Virgin Mobile) 
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#7
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Koodo Mobile 
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#8
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Bell 
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#9
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PC Mobile 
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#10
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Lucky Mobile 
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Methodology: How WhistleOut rates cell phones and plans
WhistleOut evaluates 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 as well as similar plans from competitors in the market so we can 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, and 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 the case of 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 cell phone deals in Canada. We compared deals from 23 carriers by analyzing their coverage, cost, and plan options. 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 people.
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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