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MobileSyrup’s top Android accessories gift guide [2022 Edition]

The holidays are drawing near, and many of us are scrambling to find those perfect gifts. Luckily, MobileSyrup is here with another annual gift guide for great Android accessories. 2022 saw the release of some very top-notch Android phones. With them, a new lineup of phenomenal devices is used to support the device, and the user is available.

We’ve ventured into every corner of the internet to find the best Android accessories, perfect for gifting. Whether you’re looking for a more extravagant gift for under the tree, a stocking stuffer, or otherwise, we have you covered.

From chargers to mobile game controllers, headphones, and more, here is your Android accessory gift guide for 2022.

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+

The  Galaxy SmartTag+ is Samsung’s compact tracking device that can be attached to everyday items. We’ve all misplaced something, whether it’s a wallet, a set of keys, etc. The Galaxy SmartTag+ can be attached and located by using Bluetooth LE on a smartphone. Ultra-wideband technology helps users pinpoint the location of misplaced objects.

Even if an item is out of range, users can use the SmartThings Find Network on their Galaxy phone to pinpoint where they’ve lost their item. Galaxy SmartTag+ is compatible with most contemporary Galaxy phones, including the Galaxy S22 series, Galaxy S21 Plus, Galaxy S21 Ultra, and Galaxy Z Fold 4.

Buy Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+ for $49.99

Razer Kishi V2 Mobile Gaming Controller for Android

With cloud gaming technology really taking off, there’s no better time to gift a mobile gaming controller. The Razer Kishi V2 gives a console-like experience when controlling your favourite games on an Android device. This mobile controller pairs well when using services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, NVIDIA GeForce Now, etc.

The Razer Kishi V2 mimics the control layout of the Xbox Wireless controller with an asymmetrical thumbstick layout. Face buttons and a D-pad are present. Additionally, the controller supports triggers and shoulder bumpers. The controller also offers full integration with the Razer Nexus App, which consolidates all compatible games.

Buy Razer Kishi V2 Mobile Gaming Controller for Android for $129.99

Pixel Buds Pro – Charcoal

This year, Google launched its Pixel Buds Pro earbuds. The premium audio buds from the Pixel maker have gained a lot of critical approval. The Pixel Buds Pro integrates Active Noise Cancellation technology with its Silent Seal. This ensures a tighter yet comfortable fit in the user’s ear, drowning out the organic sounds of everyday life. Plus, a transparency mode can be activated if the wearer wants to hear their surroundings.

Pixel Buds Pro also supports custom 11mm speaker drivers, Volume EQ, and offers up to 11 hours of audio playback on a single charge. Though, up to 31 hours can be gained thanks to the charging case. The earbuds also feature respond-to-text commands, hands-free control of music, and more.

Buy Pixel Buds Pro for $259.99

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Overhead Headphones

We can’t forget about over-the-ear headphones. A pair that stand out are the Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones. Built with integrated noise-cancelling support, Sony utilizes Dual Noise Sensor technology to suppress distracting noises surrounding the user.

Sony Music Studios Tokyo helped co-develop the headphones’ Edge-AI, which upscales compressed digital files in real-time. In addition, Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones support speak-to-chat functionality, stopping music automatically when speaking. This enables users to continue wearing the headphones without impacting a conversation. Sony also promises up to 30 hours of playback on a charge. 10 minutes of quick charging can equate to five hours of playback.

Buy Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Overhead Headphones for $427.32

Belkin Quick Charge Wireless Charging Stand

Belkin’s Quick Charge Wireless Charging Stand is a compact charging stand, offering up to 15W of power. The charger is compatible with any Qi-certified device. This means the Belkin charger works with Samsung Galaxy phones, Pixel devices, and many more. Additionally, smartwatches can also make use of the charger.

On the front of the charger is a small LED light that indicates the device’s charging status. It can charge a phone no matter the orientation, whether it’s placed vertically or horizontally. It’s also compact enough that it can be placed on a desk, side table, or shelf.

Buy Belkin Quick Charge Wireless Charging Stand for $37.57

Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker

Pivoting from headsets to speakers, Anker’s Soundcore is a great gifting option. It’s fairly compact, making it a great travel companion. It’s able to provide deep bass levels with clarity and low distortion. This is thanks to two high-sensitivity drivers. The speaker can withstand drops and has a waterproof rating of IPX5.

Pairing via Bluetooth 5.0, users can connect their Android device to the speaker and play their favourite tracks. Anker ensures that connectivity is maintained in up to 66ft distances. Plus, the Soundcore speaker offers up to 24 hours of audio playback on a single charge.

Buy Anker Soundcore Bluetooth Speaker for $49.99

Power-7 Adaptive Fast Charging Wall Charger Block

For those that prefer a hardwired charging experience, Power-7 has an efficient set of wall charging units. This pack comes with two USB-C cables and fast-charging wall blocks. The charging cables are compatible with any USB-C device, including Samsung Galaxy S22 series, S21, and models since the S8. Pixel devices are also supported alongside LG, Moto, and other brands.

Power-7 claims that devices can charge from zero percent to 60 in only 40 minutes. The USB-C cords are designed with an aluminum housing and nylon braided design. This typically helps avoid faster wear and tear of silicon cables and other products experience. Finally, the chargers ensure protection from over-current, over-voltage, over-heat and short-circuit issues.

Buy Power-7 Adaptive Fast Charging Wall Charger Block for $24.99

Gikwbc Power Bank 38800mAh LCD Display Portable Charger

Of course, we can’t forget about the on-the-go charging solutions. The Gikwbc Power Bank is very slick and compact. It supports charging with four USB output ports and Dual USB-C inputs. Once again, this charger is comparable with Galaxy phones, Pixel, LG, and other Android devices.

What notably stands out is the inclusion of the small LED screen. This helps the user track the charging status of their device. It’s a rather novel addition that sets it apart from other portable chargers on the market. Gikwbc also provides a three-year warranty for the power bank.

Buy Gikwbc Power Bank 38800mAh LCD Display Portable Charger for $43.95

USB Type-C to USB-A 2.0 Cable

A perfect accessory for a stocking stuffer is a USB-C cable. There’s always a use for one, and it’s a cost-effective gift to give. The Amazon Basics USB-C to USB-A 2.0 cable is compatible with a large array of Android phones and devices. It has a power output of up to 15W. Plus, transfer speeds clock in at 480Mbps.

Buy USB Type-C to USB-A 2.0 Cable for $12.18

Zhiyun Smooth 5 Gimbal Stabilizer Tripod

For content creators, photo nuts, or travellers, this stabilizer tripod can be a perfect gift. This stabilizing rig can help improve videos captured using its anti-shake structure. The tripod offers a three-axis stabilizer and can support even larger phones at high and low angles.

The tripod utilizes an easy-to-use adjustment wheel to adjust the parameter value in both selfie and standard shooting modes. Thanks to its onboard buttons, users can swap modes, use its fill light controls, and access the joystick for more controls while filming and taking photos. The tripod offers up to 25 hours of battery life and only requires two hours to charge.

Buy Zhiyun Smooth 5 Gimbal Stabilizer Tripod for $209.00

PopSockets: PopGrip with Swappable Top

It’s not an Android accessory gift guide without a nod to the PopSocket. We’ve all seen them and likely know their benefits. For the uninitiated, PopSockets have become a go-to for those that want a one-handed smartphone experience. Users simply apply the PopSocket to the back of their phone using the adhesive socket and reposition as needed.

PopSockets enable users to hold larger phones with one hand without straining their wrists as much. PopSockets can also prop a phone up like a stand when watching videos. When not in use, users can press down on the PopSocket to have it flat against the phone and/or its case.

Buy PopSockets: PopGrip with Swappable Top for $14.99

MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though MobileSyrup may earn a commission on purchases made via these links that helps fund the journalism provided free on our website.

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Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is ranked number 1 on Netflix

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is ranked number one on the platform since its release on December 9th.

Del Toro tweeted this with the website FlixPatrol, which monitors the rankings of movies and TV shows on different streaming platforms,

The site indicates that Del Toro’s Pinocchio beats other new films like Troll, Lady Chatterley’s Lover and more. According to GamesRadar, the Netflix movie is number one worldwide in the UK, Mexico, the Phillippines, South Africa and Belgium. In Canada, it’s ranked number two.

Pinocchio is the story of a father who magically wished to bring a wooden boy to life in Italy.

The voice cast includes Gregory Mann, Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Cate Blanchett, and Finn Wolfhard.

Source: Guillermo del Toro,

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MobileSyrup’s EV Gift Guide [2022 Edition]

Electric vehicle (EV) sales have been on the rise for some time now, with a global spike in gas prices. In my home province of Nova Scotia, EV adaption has seen exponential growth. With nearly every car manufacturer entering the EV space, we will only continue to see EV adoption climb. However, perhaps you or someone in your life already has an EV or will be taking ownership of one soon. In that case, as always, MobileSyrup has your back with a holiday gift guide!

Although Teslas currently make up the majority of electric vehicles on the road, this gift guide aims to provide you with ideas for an EV owner of any brand. I also avoided including large purchases like Tesla charging adapters and EV home chargers. While these do too make great gifts, I want this guide to have reasonably affordable items that people will rationally give.

Here’s MobileSyrup’s 2022 EV gift guide:

Safety Gear

While no one ever wants to be stranded on the side of the road, accidents and emergencies happen. Although there are some excellent premade emergency kits, I recommend using the Federal Government’s “Get Prepared” emergency car kit website as a guide to making your own.

Safety is something many of us often either ignore or forget about. So, giving someone the gift of safety is a wonderful idea. Three specific callouts: a car emergency escape tool, LED road flares and a first aid kit. In the event of an emergency, a car emergency escape tool is used to cut your seat belt and shatter your windshield when you need to escape the vehicle.

For the possibility that you may be broken down on the side of the road at night, LED road flares help to keep your vehicle noticeable until help can arrive. A first aid kit is meant to be there, ready and waiting to address a cut or injury. Amazon has lots of options for all three of these items.

Order a car emergency escape tool two-pack for $14.99 or a four-pack for $21.99

Order the HOKENA five-pack of LED road flares for $50.99

Order the Oziral compact first aid kit for $35.99

De-Icer

Canadian winters can really suck. During my first winter owning a Tesla Model 3, I discovered the pains of stuck door handles and frozen windows. It’s almost like these cars were designed in California…Regardless, I also discovered a magical product called de-icer.

Many EVs and premium vehicles have fancy door handles or frameless windows. So, grabbing a can or two of de-icer is an excellent stocking stuffer. Spraying a little (or a lot) of de-icer thaws these components quickly, making the winter slightly less inconvenient.

Order a 500g container of Rain-X windshield de-icer for $11.99 on Amazon

MagSafe Car Mount

This next one is exclusively for iPhone users. Specifically iPhone 12 and above models that support MagSafe. While many excellent regular car mounts are available, MagSafe is really in a league of its own in terms of functionality, style and convenience.

For Tesla and Ford Mustang Mach-E drivers, Spigen makes a stylish iPhone mount that adheres to the rear of your vehicle’s display. Spigen sells two versions of their iPhone mount; a charging variant capable of charging up to 7.5W and a non-charging version.

For all other EV owners, take a look at Belkin’s MagSafe car mounts that attach to the vehicle’s AC vents. Belkin also makes two versions of their mount; a charging variant that supports charging up to 15W and a non-charging version.

Order Spigen’s non-charging MagSafe car mount for $44.99 or their charging mount for $49.99, both on Amazon

Buy Belkin’s non-charging MagSafe car mount for $49.95 or its charging mount for $139.95, both from Apple

Hand Vacuum

Our vehicles have a habit of becoming a gathering place for dirt. Before buying an EV, I didn’t care much about my car’s appearance. But now, I like it to be presentable at all times. A hand vacuum is an excellent item to help keep your EV clear year-round. It makes for a small accessory to quickly suck up crumbs and dirt without needing to haul out a larger vacuum.

Order a cordless hand vacuum on Amazon for $35.99

Microfibre Cloths

Microfibre cloths are a staple in the tech community, and now that many EVs have touchscreens, it makes sense to keep one or two in the car. Touch screens and glossy interiors, like what my Model 3 has, get smudged so quickly. Keeping a microfibre cloth on hand is nice to promptly wipe those prints away.

Order a two-pack of 12 x 24-inch microfibre clothes on Amazon for $14.49

Repair Tools

In many respects, EVs are giant electronics. These following two items are great gifts if the person you’re buying for is a do-it-yourself-er. First is the 64-bit iFixit Driver Kit. IFixit is best known for its smartphone repair tools. However, these tools are also great for working on your EV. Over the summer, I swapped out my Model 3’s air filters and unexpectedly needed a unique screw bit. Thankfully, My iFixit tool kit was there to help me out.

The 64-bit iFixit tool kit features sixty-four unique screwdriver bits, a metal screwdriver handle, and a flexible bit extender.

Second, we have automotive trim removal tools. This five-tool kit is used to remove and pry parts and trim off of your vehicle to conduct repairs or parts swaps. Included in the kit are four plastic pry tools and a metal one.

Order the 64-bit iFixit driver kit for $59.99 and the automotive trim removal tool for $11.34

EV T-shirt

Who doesn’t enjoy showing off their personal style through clothing? So, of course, you can purchase t-shirts to express your love for electric vehicles! A seller on Etsy sells t-shirts and hoodies with an icon of the J-1772 plug. Colours include black, navy and dark heather. Tesla sells a wide range of apparel on their website, including t-shirts and sweaters.

The J-1772 t-shirt is available on Etsy starting at $34.21, and Tesla t-shirts are available on its website starting at $40

Car Trash Bag

Whether from fast food packaging or empty drink bottles, our cars sometimes become mini landfills. A small gift you can give this holiday is a car trash bag. Femuar’s car trash bag is leakproof and is available in six different colours and patterns. This bag attaches one of the front seats and measures 9.25 by 5.25 by 10.75 inches.

Order Femuar’s car trash bag on Amazon starting at $19.99

Pet Liner

We all love our pets. However, you probably don’t love their fur. As a loving dog owner, I can say that my dog sheds like a monster. That’s why I recommend a pet liner for the back seat of your EV. Avoid the EV from being covered in drool and fur by grabbing a pet liner.

Order a pet liner on Amazon in either black or grey for $39.99

Tesla Charger Lock

Most EV owners agree that it is just poor EV etiquette to unplug another driver while they’re charging at a public station. Yet, sometimes this still does happen. Sadly, this is a more significant challenge for non-Tesla EVs. While Tesla has a built-in locking mechanism to prevent unauthorized detachment while charging, this is still an issue while using an adapter. A nice small gift to give a Tesla owner this holiday season is a charger lock for charging at a J1772 charger to prevent unauthorized unplugging.

Order a charger lock on Amazon for $11.99

MobileSyrup utilizes affiliate partnerships. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content, though MobileSyrup may earn a commission on purchases made via these links that helps fund the journalism provided free on our website.

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MrBeast is coming to Fortnite and bringing his $1 million Extreme Survival Challenge with him

YouTube content creator and known philanthropist Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson is coming to Fortnite. This week, players can purchase a MrBeast and MrBeast6000 skin and jump into the new Season 3 Chapter 4 update. With the arrival of his skin, MrBeast is also hosting the Extreme Survival Challenge.

In collaborating with creator Atlas Creative, MrBeast’s Extreme Survival Challenge island can be found in-game. Starting on December 17th at 12pm ET/9am PT, players can try their hand had this MrBeast-inspired challenge. Players must “avoid hazards, collect coins, and survive extreme challenges.” Doing so will earn them “Score.” Players must rack in as much Score as possible before time runs out in the match.

MrBeast’s Extreme Survival Challenge will run for a total of three hours, concluding at 3pm ET/12pm PT on December 17th. Once the allotted time has concluded, the player with the highest Score will earn $1 million USD (roughly $1.3 million CAD). However, the top 100,000 players of the tournament will be awarded the Beast Brella Umbrella cosmetic.

The challenge island goes live on December 13th, allowing players time to get a feel for what’s to come on the 17th. The island can be found on the ‘Discover’ screen or from the island code 7990-6907-8565.

Additionally, there are a series of MrBeast’s Extreme Survival Quests going live on December 13th. Coinciding with the island’s arrival in Fortnite at 9am ET/6am PT, completion of these Quests will earn players the MrBeast Gaming Spray and MrBeast Survival Games Loading Screen.

Fortnite Chapter 4 Season 1 debuted earlier this month. It notably brought the new Trail Thrasher mini-bikes, hurdle moveset and several weapon balances.

Additionally, Epic Games and Fornite have been caught in a bit of legal trouble as a class action lawsuit accusing Fortnite of being addictive has been authorized by the Quebec court. Epic Games has states that the case is “meritless” and that the company plans to fight it in court.

Image credit: Epic Games

Source: Epic Games

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12-month PS Plus memberships are $35 off for new customers

PlayStation is offering $35 off 12-month PS Plus memberships for new members. You’ll be able to check the PlayStation Store online or the PlayStation Store app on consoles.

  • PS Essential 12-month – $34.99 ($69.99)
  • PS Plus Extra 12-month – $79.99 ($114.99)
  • PS Plus Premium 12-month – $104.99 ($139.99)

Weirdly, I can’t see the deals on my end, it can be because I was once a PS Plus member though. RedFlagDeals indicates that some returning members have seen the offer on their PlayStation consoles, and the deal is not available for current members to extend their memberships.

The deal is available until December 20th.

Source: PS Store, RedFlagDeals

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Twitter relaunches Blue, won’t review accounts for authenticity

After various delays, Twitter officially relaunched its Blue subscription on Monday, December 12th. As before, Blue offers up a checkmark that appears next to the name of subscribers, although now there are different colours depending on what type of account you have.

When Twitter’s new owner and dude who got booed at a Chapelle show Elon Musk rolled out the first Twitter Blue revamp earlier this year, it cost $9.99/mo and was only available on iOS. This time around, Musk has changed up the pricing for Blue (likely after realizing Apple was taking a chunk and angrily tweeting about it). The service is now available on the web and iOS with different prices. However, at least for the MobileSyrup team, it doesn’t seem to be available on iOS in Canada.

Twitter Blue subscription in Canada

Twitter’s ‘About Blue‘ page says it will cost $8/mo on the web and $11/mo on iOS in the U.S. For me, Twitter Blue is listed at $10/mo CAD on the web, and it doesn’t appear at all in the iOS app. Checking the Android app reveals a message that Blue is only available on the web and iOS “for now.” If Blue on iOS follows the same pricing pattern as Blue on the web, it should cost around $13/mo in Canada once it becomes available.

Beyond the pricing and availability changes, Blue notes that subscribers with a verified phone number will get a checkmark “once approved.” There’s a 90-day delay on new accounts subscribing to Blue, but beyond that, there doesn’t seem to be any other measures in place to prevent abuse of the blue checkmark like what happened the first time the feature rolled out. Twitter’ Blue FAQ page even notes that “accounts that receive the blue checkmark as part of a Twitter Blue subscription will not undergo review to confirm that they meet the active, notable and authentic criteria that was used in the previous [verification] process” (emphasis ours).

Musk also reiterated plans to remove the legacy checkmarks from Twitter accounts, calling the old process to get them “corrupt and nonsensical.” While there were certainly problems with the old system, at least it took the time to establish a baseline of authenticity for verified accounts. I also find the corruption argument funny, given Musk’s plan to prioritize tweets from those who pay for Blue, effectively forcing pay-to-play rules on the whole platform.

Moreover, a Twitter support page spotted by TechCrunch details the new checkmark colours. Blue checkmarks will be for those subscribed to Blue (or legacy verified accounts until Musk gets around to removing those). The support page also notes that Twitter won’t review accounts with the Blue checkmark to make sure they’re authentic.

The new gold checkmark showing up for some people indicates that the account is “an official business account through Twitter Blue for Business.” The page also references grey labels applied to state-affiliated media and government accounts.

However, there isn’t actually a Blue for Business feature available on Twitter yet. As noted by TechCrunch, the gold checkmark is showing up on business accounts that previously had relationships with Twitter and the platform plans to open Blue for Business up to more companies in the future.

Anyway, it’ll be exciting to see how this rollout of Blue blows up in Musk’s face. The last one went over so smoothly. You can read all about the latest Twitter turmoil here.

Source: Twitter, (2) Via: TechCrunch

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Apple reportedly going all-in with OLED for 2024 MacBook Air and iPad Pro

Apple will reportedly bring OLED display technology to its 13-inch MacBook Air, 11-inch iPad Pro and 12.9-inch iPad Pro in 2024, according to often-reliable display industry consultant Ross Young and first reported by MacRumors.

In a recent tweet, Young said that he expects all three devices to feature OLED displays with support for ProMotion 120Hz refresh rate. Apple’s iPad Pro line has offered Pro Motion since 2017, but this would be the first time the increased refresh rate tech would make its way to the MacBook Air.

Apple’s MacBook Pro and its Liquid Retina XDR already support 120Hz despite not featuring OLED technology. It’s unclear if OLED will also make its way to Apple’s next MacBook Pro, which is expected to feature upgraded versions of its M2 chip.

It’s believed that OLED tech will offer the iPad and MacBook Air improved battery life and a greater contrast ratio. That said, the technology is prone to display burn-in, though the issue isn’t very common with Apple’s iPhone OLED displays.

Source: @DSCCROSS Via: MacRumors

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Elon Musk gets booed at Dave Chappelle show, denies it on Twitter

Surprisingly, Dave Chappelle fans don’t seem to like Elon Musk very much.

You’d think that the two controversial men would have at least a bit of crossover, but when the eccentric billionaire came out on stage at Chappelle’s recent San Francisco, California comedy show, he was booed so much that he stopped talking (if only he would do the same thing on Twitter).

Musk later went back to his home court of Twitter to say “technically, it was 90% cheers & 10% boos (except during quiet periods), but, still, that’s a lot of boos.”

Videos spread across internet telling a very different story, with most people at the show being unanimously unhappy with Musk appearing on stage. Eventually, Chapelle intervened with a lame joke about Elon buying him a jetpack for Christmas.

“but, still, that’s a lot of boos.”

In the back half of his tweet, Musk mentioned that he likely offended San Francisco leftists, which is an interesting and very public coping mechanism. It’s also worth noting that the video was initially posted by Twitter user @CleoPat48937885 and that account seems to be gone now, though others have reposted the content.

Both Musk and Chapelle have come under fire for transphobic remarks, it seems like Musk’s extraordinarily messy and public takeover of Twitter has spurred at least some peoples’ hatred for the richest man on earth.

Source: @CleoPat48937885 Via: The Verge

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OnePlus finally brings OxygenOS 13 to the OnePlus 10T

OnePlus 10T users can now download the controversial Android 13 update.

Branded as OxygenOS 13, this update brings the OnePlus software in-line with Oppo’s well-regarded ColorOS. This update changes the visual design of the software and adds some new features, like a handy quick-access shelf.

You can learn more about the update and how it compares to OxygenOS 12 you can read our previous review of the software.

The update has been rolling out for at least the last two days, but OnePlus updates typically take around a week or more to fully roll out to all users.

It’s nice that OnePlus is finally pushing out the update to the 10T, but I wish the company would stop feeding us lies regarding its updates. OnePlus even made a big show about being more consistent with its updates in November, claiming that select phones in 2023 will get four years of OxygenOS updates and five years of security updates.

Judging how inconsistent OnePlus has been in the past with software, it’s hard to believe this claim. There’s reason to believe that the more substantial hand of Oppo might help, but considering OnePlus launched OxygenOS 13 in August, released it on the 10 Pro in September and then the 10T in December doesn’t give me a lot of hope for the company to improve its speed in 2023.

Beyond that, the software still feels half-baked with critical features like the extra-large folders not working correctly and poor Material You colour accenting. There’s no denying enough new design here to modernize OnePlus’ operating system, but it’s still a subpar implementation compared to others.

Via: GSMArena

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Canadian carriers end the year with plans a little pricier than before

At the beginning of this year, I wrote about the cost of plans offered by Canada’s Big Three carriers, Rogers, Bell and Telus. Now that we’re approaching the end of 2022, I thought it’d be worth looking at where plans are roughly one year later.

Barring any crazy Boxing Day offers, the current prices are likely what we’ll have to close out the year. That said, the carriers’ Black Friday offers surprised me with some excellent deals — like $45/50GB — so who knows what to expect on Boxing Day. Whatever happens, it’ll likely be the last reprieve from high prices until later in the new year.

We’ll also look at the flanker brands, although they weren’t included in the January 2022 coverage cited above. Regional carriers, on the other hand, won’t be included.

One significant change that happened this year is the introduction of speed caps. All of the Big Three carriers added speed caps to their primary and flanker brands, although the speeds vary from provider to provider.

Additionally, while not new, it’s worth noting that Rogers, Bell, and Telus all offer “unlimited” data. However, what that actually means is once customers use up their allotted monthly data, additional usage will be throttled at a maximum speed of up to 512Kbps.

Finally, before we get into it, all these prices are accurate as of December 12th, 2022. They may change after publication (and as mentioned above, likely will with temporary Boxing Day deals).

Rogers

Rogers started 2022 by offering the following plans:

  • $80/mo 20GB
  • $90/mo 40GB
  • $100/mo 60GB
  • $175/mo 100GB

Since then, the carrier added speed caps of 250Mbps or 1Gbps, depending on the plan (it was actually the last of the Big Three to do so), alongside the rollout of 5G+ branding for areas of its network running on 3,500MHz spectrum. It also changed up some of its plans and now offers:

Click/tap to enlarge

  • Infinite Essential – $85/mo 25GB (250Mbps)
  • Infinite Extra – $95/mo 40GB (1Gbps)
  • Infinite Lite (additional lines only) – $55/mo 5GB 25GB (250Mbps)
  • Infinite Advanced – $105/mo 60GB (1Gbps and Unlimited Canada-U.S. calling, texting, and data)
  • Infinite Premium (listed as a limited-time offer) – $125/mo 100GB (1Gbps and Unlimited Canada-U.S. calling, texting, and data)

Rogers also added two 4G LTE plans with non-shareable data: $50/mo 5GB (150Mbps) and $60/mo 15GB (150Mbps). Both those plans have an overage rate of $20 per gigabyte, and they’re listed as limited-time offers, so it’s not clear how long they’ll stick around.

For most of Rogers’ plans, it looks like the monthly cost went up by $5 with minimal changes, although the $85/mo plan does come with an extra 5GB of data compared to the earlier version of the plan. The 100GB plan did go down in price from $175/mo to $125/mo, but I feel like most Canadian are looking for better value on the lower end.

You can check out Rogers’ plans here.

Bell

Next up, Bell. The Montreal-based national telecom started 2022 with the following plans:

  • $90/mo 40GB
  • $100/mo 50GB (includes Canada-U.S. roaming)
  • $175/mo 100GB

Throughout the year, it added speed caps in April and launched 5G+ branding for its 3,500MHz network in June. As of December 12th, 2022, Bell’s plans are:

  • Essential 20 (Exclusive for internet and TV customers) – $55/mo 20GB (250Mbps)
  • Essential – $85/mo 25GB (250Mbps)
  • Ultimate 45 – $95/mo 45GB (at “fastest available 5G+ speeds”)
  • Ultimate 60 – $105/mo 60GB (at “fastest available 5G+ speeds”) plus unlimited Canada-U.S. calling, texting, and data
  • Ultimate 100 – $125/mo 100GB (at “fastest available 5G+ speeds”) plus unlimited Canada-U.S. calling, texting, and data
  • Lite (only available for additional lines) – $55/mo 25GB (4G at 150Mbps)

Again, Bell’s plans are generally $5 more per month than they were at the beginning of the year but offer additional data as well. The exception, again, is the 100GB plan, which now costs $125/mo instead of $175. I also find the trend of adding slightly lower-cost plans with other limitations, like lower speeds or 4G-only access, interesting.

You can view Bell’s plans here.

Telus

Back in January, Telus offered the following plans:

  • $80/mo 20GB (limit of two connected devices)
  • $90/mo 40GB (includes unlimited international messaging and ‘visual voicemail 25’)
  • $100/mo 50GB (includes everything in the $90 plan plus Canada-U.S. roaming)

Telus led the way in adding speed caps, which it did back in February 2022. It also rolled out 3,500MHz spectrum but already used 5G+ branding in its plans. Now, on December 12th, 2022, the company offers the following plans:

  • Unlimited 25 5G – $85/mo 25GB (250Mbps)
  • Unlimited 50 5G+ – $95/mo 50GB (1Gbps)
  • Unlimited CAN-US 60 5G+ – $105/mo 60GB (1Gbps)
  • Unlimited CAN-US 100 5G+ $125/mo 100GB (1Gbps)

As indicated by the plan names, the Unlimited CAN-US plans include access to data, talk, and text in the U.S. as well as Canada.

Telus also bucks the trend with some plans that are a little cheaper than before. Sure, the base plan is $5 more and comes with an extra 5GB of data, but those who want 50GB actually save $5/mo compared to last year. For $5 more per month, you get an extra 10GB of data.

You can check out Telus’ plans here.

Flanker brands

Unfortunately for the flanker brands, they were not included in the original January 2022 plan round-up. That said, coverage from around that time suggests that most offered the following options:

  • $30 talk and text
    $52/mo 8GB
  • $58/mo 15GB (promo)

It’s a little tricky to nail down exactly what was on offer since in January, the three flanker brands were dancing around the $58/15GB promo plan.

Moreover, keep in mind that all the flankers offer ‘Starter’ plans as mandated by the CRTC. These plans don’t change often and are mostly the same across the flanker brands, so I’ll leave them out of this analysis.

Below are the current offerings from each:

Fido

Rogers flanker brand Fido added speed caps of 150Mbps to its plans in June, so all of the following max out at that speed:

  • $32/mo talk and text
  • $55/mo 8GB
  • $60/mo 10GB
  • $65/mo 20GB

Notably, Fido’s talk and text plan has gone up in price by $2/mo. Doubly frustrating about this is that Fido, Virgin, and Koodo lowered the talk and text plan to $27/mo in August. Beyond that, prices are up slightly — the 8GB plan has increased by $3/mo over 2022. While there currently isn’t a 15GB plan to compare to the $58/mo one available in January 2022, both the 10GB and 20GB options currently available are more expensive.

Check out Fido’s plans here.

Virgin Plus

Virgin Plus added speed caps of 150Mbps to its plans at the same time that parent company Bell added speed caps to its plans. The plans are as follows:

  • $32/mo talk and text
  • $55/mo 8GB
  • $60/mo 10GB
  • $65/mo 20GB

Much of the analysis that can be said here mirror’s what was said about Fido given the similar pricing between it and Virgin.

Check out Virgin’s plans here.

Koodo

Finally, Telus flanker brand Koodo was the first to add speed caps to its plans. In February 2022, Koodo capped speeds at 100Mbps, notably slower than Virgin and Fido. However, Koodo has since launched ‘Pick Your Perk’ plans that let customers select a free add-on perk. Options include things like international texting (which used to be included in several Koodo plans), rollover data and a speed boost that increases Koodo’s speed cap to 200Mbps. Koodo’s current plans are:

  • $32/mo talk and text
  • $45/mo 6GB (promo)
  • $55/mo 8GB
  • $60/mo 10GB
  • $65/mo 20GB

On the surface, Koodo’s $45/mo 6GB plan stands out as a notable stopgap between the $32/mo talk and text and $55/8GB plan. However, both Fido and Virgin offer a similar plan under the ‘Starter plan’ banner. It’s not entirely clear why Koodo chose to offer the $45/6GB as a promotional plan rather than as a Starter option.

You can view Koodo’s plans here.