Bell has put up its Black Friday deals page, but a quick look at the math shows most offers aren’t great value. If you plan to grab a new phone or a new plan on Black Friday, in-store options often beat online promos because local shops compete hard. This is especially true in malls.
Smart shopping in stores beats online hype
In this market, you’ll typically find clearer savings by visiting a store. Local competition can push staff to offer extra perks or better pricing than what you see on a page. If a deal looks strong online, a quick store stop can reveal a better option.
Pixel 10 Pro: the math doesn’t add up
Bell lists the Pixel 10 Pro for $1 per month when you sign a two-year contract with a plan at $115 per month. The math here stacks up to about $2,784 over two years for both phone and service. You won’t own the phone at the end of the term.
The Samsung S26 deal follows the same pattern. The total cost mirrors the Pixel example, making it hard to justify the package.
Another path is to buy the Pixel 10 Pro outright for $1,349. Then pair it with a $50 plan from Virgin Plus, which shares Bell’s coverage area. The two-year spend drops to roughly $2,549, but ownership remains missing after the term ends.
Buying the device outright and shopping around with other providers often pays off. Public Mobile and Freedom Mobile are known for cheaper options in some cases.
Bell does offer perks with the plan, like HD video streaming and a hefty 250GB data cap. Yet most people don’t hit that much data in a month. The average Canadian uses around 9GB in 30 days, even for power users that hover around 15GB.
Google has a habit of discounting the Pixel on Black Friday, so you’ll probably see a better deal if you can wait. There’s a good chance a Pixel 10 Pro drops by a few hundred dollars in the days after the holiday.
iPhone 16 deal: trade-ins and fees reveal the same pattern
Bell’s Black Friday push centers on the iPhone 16 from last year. To qualify, you must trade in an iPhone 14 and keep the device on the plan for two years. The deal is in-store only and tied to Bell’s $115 Ultimate plan. This setup runs you about $2,820 over two years, and you still don’t own the phone when the term ends.
There’s also a connection fee of $80, whether you shop in-store or online. In past years, Bell would waive the fee for online orders, but this time you get only a $55 credit to apply within 60 days.
If you’d rather buy the iPhone 16 from Apple, you can get it for $999 and use zero-percent financing. Pair that with the same $50 Virgin Plus plan, and your two-year total comes to around $2,200. Apple rarely discounts, but they often throw in a $50 gift card on Black Friday.
Waiting a bit longer can pay off here, too. The Black Friday window is tight, and better prices sometimes pop up as the week goes on.
Two main paths: stay with Bell or shop around
If you want the best value on a phone and plan, look beyond Bell. Public Mobile and Freedom Mobile can offer more affordable options, especially when you consider the total two-year cost and ownership.
Practical tips for smart shoppers
– Focus on total two-year costs, not just monthly prices.
– Compare outright phone prices plus a cheaper plan to a bundled deal.
– Check ownership at the end of the term; some promos leave you with no phone.
– Consider in-store deals where local competition can push extra savings.
– Watch for gifts or credits, not just the sticker price.
Waiting for stronger Black Friday bargains
We’re still a couple of weeks out from the big day. It’s worth waiting to see if prices drop further or if newer promos surface. If you crave a Pixel or iPhone, keeping an eye on price changes is wise.
For more tech deals and ongoing Black Friday coverage, keep an eye on our round-up as the season unfolds.
Source: Bell
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