Android phones, updates and carriers in Canada
A reference for Canadians who use Android. Browse guides by phone model or carrier, follow how software updates rolled out across the country, and read the archive of news that shaped the Canadian Android scene.
Start with a topic
Each topic guide pulls together what the archive has on one phone line, carrier or subject, and points to the original articles.
Samsung
- Samsung Galaxy Carrier Pricing, Promotions and Contests in Canada
- Galaxy S3 Updates, Mini and Accessories
- Best Buy, Future Shop and Expansys Samsung Galaxy Deals
Google and Nexus
- Android Jelly Bean, KitKat and Lollipop rollouts and Nexus updates
- Android Marshmallow, Nougat and O previews and security patches
- Android Wear smartwatches and Google Glass
HTC
- HTC One (M7) Leaks, Launch and Reviews
- HTC One (M7) Canadian Carriers and Software Updates
- HTC One (M8) Leaks, Teasers and Launch
Motorola
- Motorola X Phone Rumours and Moto X Leaks
- Moto X (2nd Gen), X+1, X Play and Pure Edition
- Moto X in Canada: Launch, Pricing, Moto Maker and Ads
Sony, LG and others
- Sony Honami, Xperia Z1 and Z1 Compact
- Sony Xperia Gingerbread, ICS and Jelly Bean updates
- Sony Xperia Z and ZL in Canada
Good places to begin
Best Phone Plans in Canada
Find the best cell phone plans from Rogers, Telus, Fido, Bell, Videotron, Eastlink, Freedom. Best plans, new phone, prepay unlimited data plan awaits...
Topic guideAndroid Updates from Canadian Carriers: Rogers, Bell, Telus and More
In Canada, an Android update reached a phone only after the manufacturer prepared it and the carrier approved it, so the same phone could update...
Topic guideGoogle Play in Canada: Music, Gift Cards, Games and Smart Updates
Google rebuilt its Android services under the Google Play name, and Canadians gained new features over time: Google Play Music with All Access, gift...
Topic guideAndroid Marshmallow, Nougat and Oreo: Previews and Releases
Android 6.0 Marshmallow, 7.0 Nougat, 7.1 and 8.0 Oreo each arrived first on Nexus and Pixel devices through developer previews, factory images and...
FeaturedCyanogenMod 9 and Ice Cream Sandwich: What the Team Said About Timing
After Google released the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich source code, the lead of CyanogenMod said the team had started work on CyanogenMod 9. Fans...
FeaturedMobilicity Sets February 6th for the Galaxy Nexus
Mobilicity set February 6th as the official release date of the Galaxy Nexus. Wind Mobile still showed it as coming soon. The date fell one day after...
FeaturedComplete List of Android Phones Sold in Canada
This post introduced a spreadsheet listing Android phones sold in Canada, sorted by provider and price, with a second sheet of specifications. The...
FeaturedGalaxy Nexus vs Galaxy S II LTE: A Week-Long Comparison
After a week with the Galaxy Nexus, the reviewer went back to the Rogers Galaxy S II LTE. The Nexus won on Ice Cream Sandwich and camera speed. The S...
FeaturedAndroid 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich Rolls Out: Galaxy Note Waits
Google said it had started rolling out Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich to the UMTS/GSM Nexus S, the Xoom Wi-Fi and the HSPA+ Galaxy Nexus, with more...
FeaturedPatent Fun Weekly Roundup: Apple v. Samsung Goes to the Jury
This weekly roundup covered the Apple v. Samsung trial as both sides finished their cases and the jury took over. It also noted Motorola suing Apple,...
What this site is
Android in Canada follows the Android platform from a Canadian point of view. That means more than the phones themselves. A phone that is easy to buy in another country can arrive in Canada months later, with a different model number, different radio bands and a price set by a carrier. This site keeps track of those differences and explains them in plain language.
The archive covers handsets and tablets from Samsung, Google, HTC, Motorola, Sony, LG and others, the carriers that sold them, the software updates that followed, and the apps and accessories around them. Newer material sits next to older coverage so you can see how a platform changed over time.
How to use it
If you know the phone, open its brand guide and look for the model. If you know the carrier, open the carrier guides. If you only have a question, such as why an update has not arrived, start with the updates guides and follow the links to the original reports.
Reading older coverage
A large part of the archive was written when the devices it describes were new. Specifications, prices and plan terms in those articles belong to their time. We keep them because they show how the market moved, which carriers led on which devices and how long Canadians waited for releases.
When you need something current, such as a price or a plan, use the archive to understand the background and then confirm the details with the carrier or manufacturer. The phone plans guideis a good starting point for that comparison.
Editorial approach
Every page is published by the Android in Canada Editorial Team. We rewrite and organize material to keep it readable, and we say plainly when something is a record of the past. The editorial policyexplains how pages are written and corrected, and the about page describes the site.
Frequently asked questions
What is Android in Canada?
It is an independent information site about Android phones, tablets, software updates and mobile carriers as they relate to Canada. Older coverage is grouped into topic guides by phone model, carrier and subject, so one page can answer many questions at once.
Is the information up to date?
Much of the archive describes devices and plans as they were at the time of writing. Prices, availability and carrier terms change often, so treat dates and figures as a record of that moment and confirm current details with the carrier or manufacturer before you buy.
Do you sell phones or give personal advice?
No. The site has no registration, sells nothing and offers no services, consultations or personal advice. It is a reference for reading. The disclaimer page explains this in full.
How do I find coverage of one specific phone?
Use the search page, or open the topic guide for the brand and look for the model by name. Each guide links to related articles and to neighbouring topics, such as the carrier that sold the phone in Canada.
How can I reach the editorial team?
Use the contact form on the contact page. The site does not publish an email address, and messages sent through the form are used only to answer you.