buying outright vs contract
 

was talking to a friend and he said how buying phone outright is cheaper than going on a contract.
what do you guys think of this? I think either way you have to pay for the phone The contract way you pay it little by little over 2 years .
I always went with the contract way as paying 800 outright is just too much to shallow

All depends on the plan really. If you get into a good plan why not have a contract and get a free or highly discounted phone? I've always had contracts for about 20 years. One time mine ran out and I just kept on the same month to month, when I needed a new phone I just renewed the contract and they gave me a phone.
I see nothing wrong with contracts if you plan on actually having a phone for a long time. In fact they reward you over time with loyalty bonuses.

Berz out.

If you're paying for a subsidized phone, your plan's likely higher than one with no contract. So in a way, it comes down to whether your device can outlive the length of your contract and by how much.

For myself, I take care of my phone's pretty well and they usually last around 3 years for me. Which is why I buy out the phone and go on no contract plans ($40/month - 4GB data). But if you can stay on a good plan and still get subsidies, by all means, take that route. The subsidy's like free money.

I would only go on contract if you can get a corporate plan - even then some corporate plans are still shit.

Basically if you're on contract for $70+ per month, your plan is shit. (average user)

i'm on a BYOD plan with Fido that is <$50/mo. I just wait until new phones are about a year old then buy one outright that is lightly used. Just picked up an S8+ this way.

i dont know why people have such a hard time understanding that you'll still be paying for your new plan even after the 2 year contract ends... they don't call you up at the end of the 2 years and say, hey we're going to lower your bill now because the contract is over.

the only time taking the contract is ever in your favor is if the plan costs LESS than what your current plan is (assuming it provides the same features or better). But, let's face it... the plans that keep coming out are complete rip offs.

Has anyone found a store that would allow HUP and resign on the corp 350 plan still?


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That would be awesome but I doubt. I'm on the Crop 350 and have bought my own device for years now.

If you have a good plan that allows contracts, your basically owning yourself by not going on contract. Look at it this way, if you like your current phone and plan, go on contract to get a free or discounted phone, then sell the phone on craigslist, then dump the cash into your account, you basically get several months paid off depending on the phone you get. Reuse, reduce, recycle.

If you have to change to a shittier plan aka more expensive plan, do the math. Add 48 months of new plan, and the discounted phone, compared to your current plan *48 months and buying a new phone. That will show you the way of the samurai. Peanut brain activate.

:facepalm: it's "logic" like that, that's why carriers can keep coming up with ridiculous plans and people still sign up.

You're still paying the new plan rate after 48 months.

Is it more expensive to sign up on a contract or to buy the phone outright? The answer really depends on the carrier and how they implement their device costs.

On Bell, if you bring your own device, 4GB of data and unlimited local-calling is $95. Two years of service is $2280. iPhone X outright is $1319. Everything totals up to $3599.

Same plan on contract is $120 per month. Two years of service is $2880. iPhone X has an upfront cost of $599. Everything totals up to $3479.

In this situation, you're right, it's cheaper to sign up on a contract.

On Koodo, if you bring your own device, 4GB of data and unlimited Canada-wide calling is $85. Two years of service is $2040. iPhone X outright is $1319. Everything totals up to $3359.

Same plan on contract is $116 per month with the device on tab. Two years of service is $2784. iPhone X has an upfront cost of $800. Everything totals up to $3584.

In this situation, it's cheaper to buy the phone outright.

Or if you have a grandfathered/corporate plan going on contract makes no sense. $65 per month at Bell 6GB Data a month with unlimited call/text and caller id/voicemail Canada Wide calling etc. VS going on a 2 year contract for what I currently have ($65) to get a subsidized phone is around $145-150 per month.

Yes, that's a no brainer so that's why I was answering OP's question subjectively by comparing different carriers with current in-market plans.