How-to
Finance a New Phone or Buy Refurbished? The 2-Year Math
We added up 24 months of phone and plan costs for the iPhone 17, Galaxy S25 and Pixel 10. iPhones and Androids give opposite answers.
Over two years, buying a refurbished iPhone and putting it on a bring-your-own-phone plan usually costs less than financing a new one, and you own the phone at the end. For Samsung and Pixel it flips: with Galaxy S25 financing at $10 a month and the Pixel 10 at $0, the new financed phone costs about the same or less, as long as you would pay for a $90 plan anyway. If 20 GB of data is enough, refurbished wins every time.
The short answer
- iPhone: refurbished + bring your own phone is about $135 cheaper on the iPhone 17 with 100 GB, and $855 cheaper with 20 GB.
- Galaxy S25 and Pixel 10: financing wins against refurbished + 100 GB. Refurbished still wins with the 20 GB plan.
- No credit, or want freedom to switch: refurbished. No credit check, no 24-month tie, nothing owed if you leave.
- Remember: financed prices use the return option. Keep the phone and you pay the remaining balance on top.
The 2-year math, phone by phone
24 months, before tax. Financed: phone payment plus our 5G+ Core plan at $90 a month with auto-pay. Refurbished: our lowest-grade price today plus our 5G+ 100 GB bring-your-own-phone plan at $75 a month, or the 20 GB plan at $45.
| Phone | New on financing, 24 months | Refurbished + 100 GB, 24 months | Refurbished + 20 GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 | $38.96/mo + Core $90 = $3,095.04 | $1,159.99 + 100 GB $75 = $2,959.99 | $2,239.99 |
| iPhone 17 Pro | $37/mo + Core $90 = $3,048 | $1,149.99 + 100 GB $75 = $2,949.99 | $2,229.99 |
| Galaxy S25 | $10/mo + Core $90 = $2,400 | $659.99 + 100 GB $75 = $2,459.99 | $1,739.99 |
| Pixel 10 | $0/mo + Core $90 = $2,160 | $679.99 + 100 GB $75 = $2,479.99 | $1,759.99 |
Refurbished prices are our lowest available grade on October 25, 2026. Live prices: iPhone 17 $1,159.99, Galaxy S25 $659.99, Pixel 10 $679.99.
Read this first: these monthly prices use the device return option. At the end of the 24 months you either return the phone in good working condition, or pay the remaining balance and keep it. If you want to own the phone outright, ask for the keep price on your call.
What the table does not show
You own the refurbished phone
After two years it is yours to keep or sell. A financed phone on the return option goes back, or you pay the balance.
Resale value
Sell the refurbished phone when you upgrade and get part of your money back. Get an instant trade-in quote any time.
New vs used condition
Financed phones are brand new. Refurbished phones are tested and graded, and the grade changes how it looks, not how it works.
Plan freedom
Refurbished works on any plan, even prepaid plans. Financing ties you to a postpaid plan for the phone term.
Which should you pick?
| If you... | Pick |
|---|---|
| Want the newest model and use lots of data | New, on 0% financing |
| Want a Galaxy or Pixel and a big plan anyway | New on financing. The deals are hard to beat |
| Want an iPhone for the lowest 2-year total | Refurbished + bring your own phone |
| Use under 20 GB a month | Refurbished + 20 GB plan or prepaid |
| Have no Canadian credit history | Refurbished + prepaid plans |
| Might move or switch plans soon | Refurbished. Nothing owed to leave |
iPhone 17
From $1,159.99Shop pre-owned →
Samsung Galaxy S25
From $659.99New: $859.00Shop pre-owned →
Google Pixel 10
From $679.99Shop pre-owned →
Questions people ask
Is it cheaper to finance a phone or buy it outright?
Buying outright is usually cheaper over two years for iPhones, and you own the phone. For Galaxy and Pixel phones with big carrier promotions, financing can cost less if you want a large plan anyway.
Is 0% financing really free money?
There is no interest on the phone, but you are tied to a postpaid plan, and the lowest prices use the return option.
Does buying refurbished need a credit check?
No. You pay once and pick any plan, including prepaid.
What plan do I need with a refurbished phone?
Any plan that works with an unlocked phone. Ours: 20 GB for $45 a month or 100 GB on 5G+ for $75 with auto-pay on our postpaid plans, or prepaid plans from $22 per 30 days.
Can I trade in my old phone either way?
Yes. Sell it to us with an instant trade-in quote and put the money toward either option.
Prices: our phones on 0% financing and postpaid plans pages, last checked with the carrier October 23, 2026. 0% over 24 months on approved credit, $0 down, taxes due upfront, before tax. Monthly phone prices use the device return option. Rules: the CRTC Wireless Code.
Next: the cheapest phones on financing, or refurbished unlocked phones.
Want a quick answer? Take our phone finder quiz. Five questions, then we match you with phones you can order today.
Skip the new-phone price
Get the iPhone 17 pre-owned from $1,159.99, tested by real technicians with up to a 1-year warranty and 14-day returns.
