Fido Offers Canada's Best Price on the Google Pixel 3a

By Stephen Clark

Last updated 10 May 2019

Article Summary

Bargain-hunting consumers love the new Google Pixel 3a. It's got flagship-level features, an industry leading camera, and costs as little as $549. If you want it for even cheaper then get to a Fido store where it can cost as little as $360 over two years with qualifying trade-in.

When Google's newest flagship Pixel 3 hit the market last year, it surprised a lot of experts who thought they had the inside track on the newest features. While the one-lens camera appeared to be underwhelming, the AI software that ran on it offered industry-leading image quality.

This week at the Google I/O developer conference, two new Pixel models were announced; the Pixel 3a and the Pixel 3a XL.

The selling feature for both is the price tag—starting at $549, it's almost half the price of the Pixel 3 phones that start at $999. While compromised components like a slower processor, plastic casing and lack of wireless charging help reduce the price, what really counts is the camera. The Pixel 3a models keep the same 12.2 MP back camera and brilliant AI software. This makes it the cheapest way to get an industry-leading camera on a smartphone in 2019.

WhistleOut already covered all the Pixel 3a details and how to buy it from every Canadian carrier, but if you're looking to buy this phone you probably want to know the very best deal.

For the cheapest deal on the cheapest industry-leading smartphone camera, go to a Fido store. Right now they have both the Pixel 3a and larger Pixel 3a XL for $0 down on a Tab XL plan. While that sounds good, Tab XL plans costs about $60/month more than buying the phone outright and putting it on Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) plan. You'll wind up spending well over $1,000 if you take that deal.

However, take an old smartphone into a Fido dealer and you can get up to $250 trade-in credit. The phone's value must at least $25 (Fido Trade Quote will let you know the value of your device). For example, an LG G5 in good condition is worth $30. A Samsung Galaxy S6 is worth $50 trade-in value. Either phone qualifies with trade-in to get you a $250 credit on a new Google Pixel 3a.

With $250 credit you can buy the Pixel 3a for $0 down on a Tab Medium plan - that is only $15/month more than a BYOP plan. The total cost after two years is $360.

Prices above are available for most of Canada. If you live in Quebec the deal gets you a 6GB two year Tab Medium plan for only $64/month. Saskatchewan and Manitoba residents can get the Pixel 3a with a 5GB plan for $63/month for 24 months.

Customer care reps in the store will help you move all your data over to the new device. Sadly this deal isn't available for the larger (and more expensive) Google Pixel 3a XL, but Fido does have some good deals right now offering up to 5GB of bonus data on most smartphone plans.

If you don't have a qualifying phone for trade-in, the folks at Freedom Mobile also have the Google Pixel 3a for only $0 down on a $15 MyTab with plans $50/month and up. You need to live in a Freedom Network zone, but that covers most urban areas of Ontario, BC and Alberta.

The Google Pixel 3a XL offers much of the same hardware as the smaller Pixel 3a, but features a larger 6.0" screen and huge 3,700 mAh battery to last you all day. While Fido doesn't offer the $250 trade-in credit deal for the Pixel 3a XL, the device is available at almost every carrier in Canada.

For the best deal, buy it all upfront from the Google Store. It's $649, but when you put it on a Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) plan then you can save hundreds of dollars every year. If $649 plus tax is too much, your best option is to go with Koodo or Fido.

While you don't get the $250 trade-in credit, paying $350 upfront gets you a Google Pixel 3a XL on a Tab Medium plan. You'll only play $15/month more than a BYOP plan and your total cost over 24 months is $710. Not bad for a mid-range smartphone that behaves like a premium flagship. You can get a similar deal on Virgin Mobile, but you need to pay $399 upfront.

Switch Carriers and Keep Your Number

In Canada it's easier than you think to switch wireless carriers. You can even keep your phone number when changing companies, and even when moving to a new mobile phone. If you have a contract with another carrier that is less than two years old then you may have cancellation fees, but they won't be higher than the discount you got on that smartphone deal. If you still have a phone you love, you may even be able to bring it to another carrier.

Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP) plans are often the cheapest way to get a good deal in Canada, but you have to make your phone is unlocked. "How do I unlock my phone?", read our popular guide to making sure you can use that smartphone on whatever network gives you the best coverage in Canada.