The iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air pre-orders have launched in Canada and besides pre-orders from Apple, you can also pre-order from places like Best Buy and Costco.
Our major wireless carriers Rogers, Telus, Bell and Freedom Mobile also have iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air pre-orders available. But again, they are pushing hard financing and bring-it-back leasing plans over 24 months. These two year contracts essentially have you finance device prices with a minimum required plan that’s higher-priced than bring your own phone pricing. You either give back the phone or keep it and pay back the upfront savings, which will be in the $500-600 range or higher. That’s a sticker shock after two years if you forgot you signed up for this type of plan.
Typically, going through a wireless carrier with a financing or bring-it-back plan is for people who don’t want to pay the full amount up front for an iPhone in 2025, which starts at $1,129. What makes it worse most of the ‘Big 3’ telecoms will again mark up MSRP by $30 to $40 or so, making extra profit.
Rogers, Telus, Bell and Freedom Mobile Bring-it-Back Contracts are Expensive
Looking at Rogers and an iPhone 17 Pro, you’re financing a 256GB for $52.63 per month on a bring-it-back plan over two years, on an Essentials Lite plan that’s at least $90 per month. Then on top of that, you’re being charged $25 for shipping and also an $80 connection fee if you activate with a human. These extra charges all add up. That’s at least $142.63/month for a new iPhone 17 Pro just for two years, then you need to either return the phone or pay the upfront bring-it-back savings.
With Telus, their bring-it-back minimum pricing is a $75 per month plan, while paying 46.83 per month for the iPhone 17 Pro 256GB for 24 months. You then need to return the phone or pay back the upfront savings.
Bell is no different. For the same 256GB iPhone 17 Pro Max, it’s $47.58/month on a 2-year bring-it-back option, plus a $75/month plan ($65/month after autopay). After two years, you need to repay the upfront savings of $503 or return the phone. Bell has a new Flex option to pay back the remaining amount with 0% interest over 12 months.
As for Freedom Mobile, it is advertising its bring-it-back pricing at $25/month, no trade in required. After 24 months you need to give back the phone or keep it and repay the $639 TradeUp amount. You save $360 off your iPhone but you need to pay a $69/month plan for 24 months. This works out to $94/month.
Regular financing on MyTab means paying $51.62/month for a 256GB iPhone 17 Pro and a minimum $69/month plan. Either way, your phone bill is going to be $120/month or higher for an iPhone 17 Pro.
What’s the Best Alternative for a Launch Day iPhone?
Your best bet? Take up Apple’s offer on 0% financing for a new iPhone and stick to a bring your own device plan with a carrier like Freedom Mobile or even Public Mobile. This gives you the flexibility to jump to the best plan deal available and we know something is always brewing for Black Friday, which is set for November at American Thanksgiving.
A new iPhone at launch is always going to be expensive upfront or by paying a pricey monthly phone bill for both your plan and financing. Your best bet is to either wait for refurbished older iPhones to hit Apple.ca, or for clearance pricing on older models on Costco.ca which are usually a deal. Black Friday may bring some deals on older iPhone models, such as an iPhone 13 or 14 on contract, but don’t expect huge savings on the latest iPhone 17 series or iPhone Air at launch.
Want to see more of our stories on Google?
P.S. Want to keep this site truly independent? Support us by buying us a beer, treating us to a coffee, or shopping through Amazon here. Links in this post are affiliate links, so we earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent Canadian media!
Totally agree! Subsides have lost their lustre.
I checked with Telus EPP today. Right now I have a $45 a month plus tax. For Iphone 17 Pro 256GB you have to change to $60 a month plan 150GB data, unlimited Canada, USA, Mexico. They'll give you a $650 bill credit for giving them your Iphone 16 Pro 128GB. Then pay $27.08 a month for the new phone for two years and then give it back. If you want to give it back after one year and get the iphone 18 you have to pay a penalty/remaining balance of the phone even if giving it back to them? I dunno seems scammy if you plan to upgrade every year
Freedom isnt a trade in. It's a device leasing like everyone else. $25 a month plus the plan. Do better research.