The best unlocked Android phones for Canada

If you want to buy contract free in Canada, we’ve got you covered.

Not everyone wants to be locked into a carrier contract, especially if you’re the type of buyer who changes their phone more frequently than once every couple of years. There’s a lot of positives to paying for a phone up front and leaving yourself much more flexibility when it comes to your cellular plan.

What you can buy unlocked, and what’s worth buying unlocked, varies from market to market. Here we’ll be rounding up some of your best options if you’re up in Canada. This list will continually be updated as newer, more awesome phones become available.

So let’s get to it.

Nexus 6P

Pros

• Great build quality
• Excellent camera
• Pure Google software

Cons

• It’s pretty big
• Lacks wireless charging
• A little bit slippery to hold

One of the best unlocked Android phones is also one of the most expensive. But with a top-notch spec sheet and plenty of power, the Nexus 6P is well worth the money. The good news is that you can pick up the Nexus 6P from various carriers for a heavily reduced cost on a 2-year contract, and thanks to deals with the carriers, the phone still comes unlocked.

Upon opening, you’ll find a sleek, if slightly oversized, metal frame, a great 5.7-inch display, lots of battery life, and an excellent fingerprint sensor. Huawei did the building, but it’s Google, with its always-latest Android software, that really sells the experience here.

Check out our full Nexus 6P review

See at Amazon See at Google

Nexus 5X

Pros

• Strong camera
• Great fingerprint sensor
• Clean software experience
• Quick updates

Cons

• Occasionally sluggish performance
• Weak speaker
• Uninspired hardware

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While it hasn’t aged particularly well, the Nexus 5X, like its popular predecessor, is a good choice for Canadians looking for a small handset with the best software experience on Android.

Hampered somewhat by a mediocre 1080p display and plenty of software slowdown, the Nexus 5X does benefit from the same 12.3MP rear camera sensor as the more expensive Nexus 6P, and its rear fingerprint reader is just as fast.

Read our Nexus 5X review

See at Amazon See at Google

OnePlus X

Pros

• Looks fantastic
• Simple, good looking software
• Full HD 1080p display

Cons

• Weak camera
• Lacking some important radio bands
• Below average battery life

It may not be at the top of many peoples’ lists, but the OnePlus X (or OnePlux as I always write it) is stylish, affordable and oh-so-easy to hold in one hand. The metal-and-glass finish is attractive, if fingerprint-prone, and the Snapdragon 801 chip is not quite as spritely as it once was, but OnePlus has optimized the heck out of its Oxygen OS software, which bears more than a passing resemblance to the stock Android we tend to love.

At $329 CAD, the OnePlus X more than meets its value, especially if you’re looking for a small handset with big potential.

See more in our OnePlus X review

See at OnePlus

ZTE Axon

Pros

• Great build quality
• Excellent audio performance
• Interesting dual-camera setup

Cons

• Uninspired software additions
• Aging hardware
• Design may not appeal to everyone

A surprising addition to the list, the ZTE Axon is one of the nicer devices we’ve seen from the Chinese OEM. With an emphasis on style over substance, the hardware lacks punch around the edges — the Snapdragon 801 chip isn’t as new as it used to be — but the all-metal body and excellent speakers make this $400 well worth the price.

See at Newegg

Moto E (2015)

Pros

• Great price to performance ratio
• Easily customizable with colourful bands
• No-frills Android software

Cons

• Low-resolution screen isn’t particularly bright
• Software updates not a sure thing
• Weak camera

The second-generation Moto E is one of those inexpensive devices you can safely buy for a kid or accident-prone family member and not worry about its long-term outcome. With a one hand-friendly enclosure made from rugged plastic, it is a great starter phone, and is fast and fluid enough for anyone looking for a cheap no-frills Android experience.

See more in our Moto E review

See at Staples

OnePlus 2

Pros

• Great price to performance ratio
• OxygenOS has great update track record
• Nice build quality

Cons

• Disappointing camera
• Some software gimmicks
• Poor speaker output

The OnePlus 2 is a known quantity at this point: great performance and a so-so design coupled with an intriguing, if flawed, take on Android with OxygenOS. But there is something encouraging about a small Chinese OEM providing meaningful features built atop stock Android, many of which are quite useful. Elsewhere, a whip-fast fingerprint sensor and interesting take on the iPhone’s hardware mute button make the device more compelling.

At $449 CAD, the OnePlus 2 is about as cheap a device as you’re going to get for its spec sheet, but the disappointing camera may push some people towards more expensive options like the Nexus 6P.

See more in our OnePlus 2 review

See at OnePlus

HTC 10

Pros

• Beautiful QHD display and excellent build quality
• Nice effort to de-bloat Sense
• Lovely sound and camera

Cons

• Expensive
• Some software gimmicks
• Battery issues

The HTC 10 is, at $999 CAD, expensive when purchased unlocked, but you get one of the best Android phones currently available. Featuring a stunning all-metal chassis, the device improves in every way over its predecessor, especially in the camera. Elsewhere, smaller changes, like a custom DAC that puts it heads and tails above its Android competitors in the sound output department, will appeal to audiophiles.

See more in our HTC 10 review

See at HTC

Best accessories for your Galaxy S7 or Galaxy S7 edge

From car mounts, to screen protectors, to wireless chargers, here are the best accessories for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge.

Every year without fail, more accessories come out for the latest Samsung devices, and this year is no different. There are cases, car mounts, and new and sparkly things you can use with your new phone . Here’s a roundup of some of the best add-ons for your new Galaxy S7 or S7 edge.

• Samsung Gear VR
• iOttie Easy One Touch XL car mount holder
• Samsung Gear S2
• Samsung S-View Clear Flip Cover for S7 edge
• Samsung Galaxy S7 Wireless Charging Battery Pack Cover
• Samsung Fast Charge Battery Pack
• Samsung LED View Cover for S7 edge
• Samsung Fast Charging Qi Stand
• UAG Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge feather light composite ICE military drop-tested phone case

Samsung Gear VR

Samsung has teamed up with Oculus to bring the world of virtual reality to Galaxy owners with the Gear VR.

If you like to be on top of the latest technogy, then this virtual reality headset is a must-have.

Pair your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge with the Gear VR and enjoy the media on your phone or from your favorite streaming service as if you were in it.

See at Samsung

iOttie Easy One Touch XL car mount holder

With those hands-free laws about phone use while driving, it’s worthwhile getting a car mount for your new Galaxy S7 or S7 edge.

iOttie’s Easy One Touch XL features a simple lock and release system that holds your device firmly in place while allowing you to release it with an easy one-finger push. Its powerful suction cup can attach to a dashboard, windshield, or any other surface that is flat and smooth. Additionally, it can turn a full 360 degrees, so that you can change your phone’s orientation from portrait to landscape and back again quickly and easily.

Another great thing about this car mount is that if you need to re-locate it, you can return the suction cup to mint-condition by rinsing it in warm water and letting it air dry.

See at Amazon

Samsung Gear S2

The Samsung Gear S2 is a smartwatch that works especially well with the Galaxy S7 or S7 edge. It lets you view text alerts, calendar alerts, and much more right from your wrist.

Choose between the elegant classic flavor, or the futuristic regular edition. With its genuine leather band and fancy watch faces, the Classic edition looks like a high-end watch. On the other hand, the regular edition looks like a watch of the future, all sleek and clean-lined. Both flavors have the same functions, so choosing between them is a matter of aesthetic appeal.

Samsung Gear S2

Samsung Gear S2 Classic

Samsung S-View Cover

The innovative S-View Cover case gives you access to the most-used features of your phone right through the front cover.

Using the Samsung ID chip, the case relays information to the front cover from your phone’s screen. This lets you to cool things like answer calls without having to flip the front cover open. All of the important notifications, like text message and calendar alerts are just a swipe away, too. You can even access the camera from the front cover.

Finally, this case installs with a snap and protects the vulnerable corners of your device with hard plastic bumpers.

See at ShopAndroid

Galaxy S7 Wireless Charging Battery Pack

If you frequently find that your GS7 runs out of juice too early in the day, you’ll benefit from this battery case from Samsung.

While it does add some bulk to the phone, it doesn’t add as much as other battery cases thanks to Qi wireless charging — all of the phones ports and jacks remain unobstructed.

The case will get your phone up to about 50% charge in 2 hours, which isn’t as fast as plugging it into an outlet but you still have the ability to use the phone just as you would normally while it’s charging up this way.

See at Amazon

Samsung Fast Charge Battery Pack

With its 5700mAh capacity, this battery pack is ideal for charging your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge quickly on the go.

It comes in gold and silver and is capable of charging your phone to 50% in half an hour — that’s pretty fast.

And because it has a standard USB port on it, you can connect any length of cable you want, as well as charge any other phone — not just a Galaxy S7.

See at ShopAndroid

Galaxy S7 edge LED View Cover

Are you looking for a cool case for your Galaxy S7 edge? Then look no further than this neat case from Samsung.

You don’t have to flip open the cover in order to check your phone’s status. LED lights on the cover give you information about missed calls, incoming calls, and even the music that’s currently playing on your device. Furthermore, you can see text notifications and find out the status of your battery, too.

Another useful feature of this case is that inside the cover is a pocket where you can store up to three credit cards and some cash.

See at ShopAndroid

Samsung Fast Charging Qi Stand

Over time, micro-USB cables can wear out from consistent use. Give them a rest by wirelessly charging your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge on a wireless charging stand.

With this stand, charging your Galaxy S7 or S7 edge is as simple as placing it on the stand. That’s it. No more fumbling around trying to connect your charger to your phone in the middle of the night. No more messing around with wires (except the one supplying power to the charging stand, of course). Neat, huh?

Now the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge can use any wireless charger, but Samsung’s Qi charging stand offers even faster charging speeds. This Fast Charge wireless charger will fill up the phone about 40% faster than a standard wireless charger — that’s a big deal.

See at Amazon

UAG ICE S7 Edge Case

If you want a case that can take a beating while maintaining the GS7 edge’s sleek profile, UAG’s composite ICE case is a great choice.

As its name implies, this case is very light, but extremely durable. It features an armored shell combined with a soft internal sleeve to protect your expensive phone from impacts. In addition to this, the case is quite grippy, which is helpful given the fact that the S7 edge’s curves make it prone to slipping out of your hands.

For even more recommendations on great cases, check out our best clear cases article over here.

See at Amazon

Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge

• Galaxy S7 review
• Galaxy S7 edge review
• Here are all four Galaxy S7 colors
• Should you upgrade to the Galaxy S7?
• Learn about the Galaxy S7’s SD card slot
• Join our Galaxy S7 forums

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Google’s enterprise apps chief moves to run its VR business

Google for Work president Amit Singh announced today he will be leaving that gig to lead the business and operations for Google’s recently formed VR unit.

Singh use his Twitter feed (via Recode), to make the announcement:

Thrilled to be joining Google VR team to lead biz and ops. Incredibly proud of @googleforwork and where they are headed

— Amit Singh (@aksingh77) May 13, 2016

Singh has been president of Google for Work for the past six years. His move over to Google’s recently-launched VR unit may show that the company is becoming more serious about entering the virtual reality space. We should learn a lot more about Google’s VR plans at its 2016 I/O developer conference next week. There’s no word yet on who will replace Singh at Google for Work.

Amazon Echo adds Kayak integration to help you plan your next trip

In its latest round of weekly improvements, the Amazon Echo can now help you plan your next trip with Kayak integration. With support for Kayak’s trip-planning service, you can quickly search for flight, hotel and car rental information using just your voice.

To start things off, you’ll have to enable the new Kayak skill in the Alexa app in your phone. Once that’s done, however, you can simply ask the Echo’s digital assistant, Alexa, for any trip planning info you may need. You can also get real-time flight status updates using a flight number.

It’s also worth mentioning that, earlier this week, the Amazon Echo also finally added support for tracking your Amazon packages as well.

Will you be giving the new Kayak integration a shot? Let us know how it works out for you in the comments!

Amazon Echo

• Read our updated review
• Get the latest news
• Join the discussion
• Download the Echo app

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Where to buy LG G5 modules

You’ve heard about modules for the G5, now where can you get them?

The LG G5 has been designed so you can swap in and out component modules to add extra function or utility to your phone. This is a cool option for people who hope to customize their phones for enhanced photo-taking abilities, improved audio playback, or functions yet to be imagined. But when talking about the G5, what exactly is a module?

• What are modules?
• What modules are available?
• Where do you buy modules for the LG G5?
• Should you buy a module?

What are modules?

Modules are attachments which add new or expanded capabilities to your LG G5. LG has created an accessories category for the G5 called “Friends.” This means every module is a Friend; however, not every Friend is a module. Make sense? Sorry.

The generic term LG is using to classify its tech accessories for the LG G5 is “friends.” These Friends include modular devices that can be swapped on and off of the phone, but among the Friends there are non-modular accessories like the LG Rolling Bot, LG 360 Cam and LG 360 VR headset.

If you’re looking for current, first-party modules available for your LG G5, your options are limited at this point.

What modules are available?

At this point there are only a few available modules, but LG and third party manufacturers will presumably be creating new ones to add to your phone in the future:

• LG Cam Plus — Makes your LG G5 feel and function like a professional camera. It includes physical buttons for shooting and focusing, as well as a zoom wheel, for added convenience when taking photos or video.
• LG Hi-Fi Plus with B&O Play — Designed in collaboration with Bang and Olufsen (B&O), this module is for true audiophiles who want the best audio quality from their smartphone. Currently unavailable in North America. Learn more about the LG Hi-Fi Plus here..
• LG Tone Platinum Wireless Stereo Headset — These futuristic, wireless headphones feature a stylish design with retractable earbuds, and provide you with quick access to all sorts of features and controls via Bluetooth.
• LG 360 VR — Experience the world in glorious 360 VR with these visor goggles build specifically for the LG G5. Learn more about how the VR headset and the 360 cam work together.
• LG 360 Cam — The perfect pair for your 360 VR headset, this LG Friend lets you take epic 360 degree pictures and video — including directional sound — so you can share exactly what you’re seeing and hearing are with friends, family and the rest of the world.

Right now you can purchase the LG Cam Plus which is a camera grip accessory for your phone to make it feel and function more like a traditional digital camera.

Where do you buy modules for the LG G5?

The LG Cam Plus is the only module that is available right now in the U.S. for the LG G5. It’s available through certain carriers and online retailers. LG allows you to search for a retailer near you on their website.

If you don’t want to go that route, you can also put in an order through Amazon for this handy camera accessory.

See at Amazon

The Hi-Fi Plus with B&O Play module is only available in Europe for the time being, and until the U.S. models of the phones receive software updates the module won’t work with devices stateside anyway. So unless you have a European LG G5, you’re going to have to wait for the B&O Play module.

See at Amazon

Folks in the U.S. can also buy the LG 360 Cam, LG 360 VR and LG Cam Plus directly from ShopAndroid.

Should you buy a module?

The LG G5 is already an excellent phone right out of the box with its 5.3 inch Quad HD display, lightweight body, and versatile camera. If you have specific areas you want to improve your G5 in, then adding a module might be advantageous. Overall, modules for the G5 are a nice-to-have but not a need-to-have.

LG G5

• LG G5 review
• LG 360 CAM review
• LG G5 complete specs
• LG’s G5 Friends modules are a neat idea, but they won’t matter
• LG G5 Hi-Fi Plus w/ B&O
• Join the LG G5 discussion

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You can get the Moto X 2014 for just $149 until May 17

Motorola is currently offering a deal on the 2014 version of the Moto X. While the phone is currently on sale for $199.99, until Tuesday, May 17, you can get an extra $50 off with the use of the coupon code SPRINGISHERE. This brings the starting price of the phone down to $149.99.

Motorola is also offering free shipping on orders over $75 during the weekend as well. You can choose the 32GB model, or pay $50 more for the 64GB Moto X. You’ll also be able to customize the phones in Moto Maker.

Again, note that you’ll have to use the code SPRINGISHERE to get the full discount.

See at Motorola

Moto X — 2nd generation

• Read our review
• Get the latest news
• Moto X 2014 specs
• Join the discussion
• Shop for accessories

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Amazon’s latest Dash Button can be programmed for any task you want

While Amazon’s Dash Buttons are certainly a cool way to re-order commonly used products, the online retailer apparently also sees a use for the clever little buttons in the larger “Internet of Things” space. That’s why Amazon’s latest Dash Button has nothing to do with ordering everyday items at all (that is, unless you want it to). Instead, this new Dash Button can be programmed to do practically anything you can think of.

For a cool $20, the Dash Button offers an easy platform for developers to get started in toying around in the IoT space, Amazon says (via GeekWire). Example use cases the retailer offers up include things like counting items, tracking usage, sending alerts and more. However, the real potential for this programmable Dash Button lies in its integration with third-party services. From Amazon:

The button can be used as a remote control for Netflix, a switch for your Philips Hue light bulb, a check-in/check-out device for Airbnb guests, or a way to order your favorite pizza for delivery. You can integrate it with third-party APIs like Twitter, Facebook, Twilio, Slack or even your own company’s applications. Connect it to things we haven’t even thought of yet.

It’s certainly a really cool concept for enterprising developers to toy around with, and it’ll be interesting to see what uses people come up with for the button. Unfortunately, however, the button is currently listed as out of stock, and it isn’t clear when it will be available to order.

What types of tasks would you program the Dash Button to do? Let us know in the comments!

Hungry Shark World goes viral [Hot Game!]

Become the apex predator in Ubisoft’s latest trending game for Android — Hungry Shark World.

Hungry Shark World dropped into Android and iOS app stores on May 7, amassing over 10 million downloads in less than a week. Developed by Ubisoft Entertainment, it has quickly risen to the top of the free app charts — and for good reason!

The game is incredibly fun to dive into. You play a free-roaming shark with an insatiable appetite in an colorful, cartoony ocean full of delectable fish, swimmers, deep-sea divers, and other goodies. The goal is to eat as much as you can while surviving for as long as you can, which means avoiding bigger, meaner sharks when you’re just starting out and learning which things are good to eat and which will hurt you. Here’s a quick tip for rookies: avoid jellyfish, floating garbage, and especially naval mines.

The controls are pretty simple: swipe with one thumb to use the floating digital d-pad and tap with your other thumb to use boost. You’re able to switch the controls between thumbs on the fly as needed.

There’s a plethora of challenges available to you, including daily chests, golden fish, and letters. Spell out H-U-N-G-R-Y and go on an absolute feeding frenzy. Explore shipwrecks and underground volcanos and sneak into swimming pools and much more as you eat your way to the top of the food chain.

You start out as a Black-Tipped Reef Shark, the smallest shark in the game. As you progress, you’ll be able to upgrade your shark’s speed, bite, and boost, as well as buy and equip all sorts of funky accessories to personalize your shark. There are 15 sharks to unlock — with the Great White being the granddaddy of them all — and a total of three ocean worlds to unlock and explore.

As mentioned above, this game is free to download and play, with a bunch of in-app purchases available for gold and gems (if you’re the type who likes to pay their way to the top). You also have the option to sync the game with your Facebook account, which gives you free gems for every friend who starts playing and allows you to save your game data to the cloud.

We’re set to dive right in! If you’ve been one of the millions of early adopters, tell us how far you’ve progressed in the comments below and share some tips! They might appear in a future Hungry Shark World game guide.

• Free – Download for Android here
• Free – Download for iOS here

Android Pay could be headed to the UK soon

Android Pay could be on its way to the UK quite soon, at least according to one fast food chain. Pret A Manger is now advertising that it accepts the contactless payment service on its payment terminals at its London locations, suggesting that Android Pay will arrive in the country shortly.

From The Telegraph:

According to employees at this particular Pret store, the “We now accept Android Pay” tags arrived overnight and have been displayed in stores from this morning, suggesting Android Pay will be imminently available to UK customers.

Google had previously announced its intention to launch Android Pay in the UK back in March.

Android Pay launched in the United States last fall, and is Google’s latest attempt at building a mobile payment solution. It allows you to connect your credit and debit cards to your Android phone and pay for items securely with just a tap at an NFC-equipped payment terminal.