Getting a new smartphone shouldn’t feel like a game of roulette, and it doesn’t have to when you’re shopping with Virgin Plus. As a flanker brand of Bell, Virgin Plus commonly offers cheaper mobile phone plans and the option of getting a new device. For many Canadians, the sweet spot when getting a new smartphone comes down to device financing. Virgin Plus’s Sweet Pay lets you spread the cost of a new phone over time with 0% interest, often with $0 down phone deals and bundled with your plan.
How does Sweet Pay actually work? What happens if you want an early upgrade? Are cheap phones really cheap? And what happens if you decide to pay off your balance early or switch plans? This guide breaks it all down, including how Sweet Pay compares to buying your own phone outright.
Virgin Plus device financing and how Sweet Pay works
From a top-level view, Sweet Pay is Virgin Plus’s branded device financing program. Rather than pay the full retail cost of a phone upfront, Sweet Pay lets you finance it over 24 months with 0% interest. So, you only pay the price of the phone with no added financing fees over the two-year term.
Breaking it all down:
$0 down at activation (in many cases), so you start with no upfront cost.
0% interest ensures you never pay more than the retail price of the device.
Monthly device payments are added to your bill, which is on top of your plan charges.
For example, a flagship phone like the Apple iPhone 16 might be financed for around $33/month for 24 months with $0 down and 0% APR when paired with an eligible plan. That $33 charge will be included on top of your mobile phone plan each month.
Take a look at some of the most popular Virgin Plus 4G LTE plans available below.
$0 Down Phones and Cheap Options
Part of Sweet Pay’s appeal is how easy it makes getting a phone without high upfront costs. Many promotions list newer devices like the iPhone 16, Google Pixel 9a, and more at $0 down, 0% APR.
Sometimes, Virgin Plus even offers more budget-friendly options through Sweet Pay with pre-owned phones. Older models like the iPhone 14 can be financed at prices as low as $6/month, helping make smartphone ownership more affordable.
Sweet Pay early upgrade
One of the most common questions from Canadians using Sweet Pay is about early upgrades. Virgin Plus lets you upgrade early when on a Sweet Pay term, but there’s a trade-off.
Sweet Pay is tied to a 24-month financing term. Upgrading your phone before that term ends typically means you must pay off the remaining balance on your existing device before starting a new one. That balance includes whatever you haven’t paid yet for the phone itself under your Sweet Pay agreement.
This setup works similarly to other carriers’ financing programs. Comparatively, if you want a new device before your current one is fully paid, you must settle the current bill first and then finance the next phone. It’s not an interest charge, mind you. It’s simply closing out your existing financing obligation. This is a common practice across all carriers.
Paying off your Sweet Pay balance
Sweet Pay doesn’t lock you into a rigid structure where you can only pay monthly. If you want to make a one-time lump sum payment and pay off your device balance early, you can do so through your Virgin Plus account.
Paying off early can be a smart move when:
You plan to switch carriers.
You want to free up financing space to get a new device sooner.
You want to reduce your monthly bill.
Just make sure you check your current balance before making a large payment. Your Virgin Plus account dashboard or customer support can confirm the exact amount you owe still, in case you're ever curious.
Virgin Plus $0 down phone deals
A big part of Sweet Pay’s appeal is the number of devices available with $0 down, 24-month financing, and 0% APR.
Here’s how it typically works:
Promotional devices can be as low as $0 down / $0 upfront on eligible plans.
Some newer models are financed at low monthly rates spread over 24 months.
The retail price is split evenly across those payments with no added interest.
This structure lets you walk out of a store or activate online with a new flagship phone. As of the time of writing, this includes the iPhone 16 series or Samsung's Galaxy S25 series. Additionally, Virgin Plus also includes Sweet Pay offers on devices like the Apple Watch 11.
How to upgrade your phone with sweet pay
Upgrading your phone on Sweet Pay can be done online or at a retail location. If you're navigating Sweet Pay online, you can follow these steps:
Check your current Sweet Pay balance in your Virgin Plus account or app.
Pay off the remainder of the existing device financing if you’re still within the 24 months.
Choose your new phone and eligible plan.
Start a new Sweet Pay agreement for the new device.
Because Sweet Pay doesn’t charge interest, the upgrade decision largely comes down to how quickly you can or want to pay off your existing balance. The faster you pay off your balance, the lower your subsequent monthly bills.
FAQs
Steve Vegvari
Steve Vegvari is a 10-year writer in the gaming and tech space, writing for several Canadian publications. He's covered everything from the latest marquee games and hardware to smartphones, smart home devices, TVs, and smart lights. Steve emphasizes his love of weird, experimental tech while uncovering the pros and cons of the Canadian mobile market.
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