Can I buy a Smartphone in the US and Get Service in Canada?

[AC Question]

Can I buy a Smartphone in the US and Get Service in Canada

I live in the USA (near Atlanta, GA) and I am moving to Ontario, Canada. I need a new smartphone and was considering buying one here in the US before I leave and then get my service from a Canadian provider.

Can I do it? Are there any drawbacks?

Which phones would be best?

 

[B. Diddy]

Re: Can I buy a Smartphone in the US and Get Service in Canada

Welcome to Android Central! You just have to make sure the phone is carrier unlocked, and that it supports the network bands for the Canadian carrier.

Most carriers sell phones that are already unlocked, but some carriers have certain criteria that have to be fulfilled. You can find their policies by searching for "[carrier name] unlock policy." Or you could just buy an unlocked phone directly from the manufacturer or other sellers (like Nexus phones, the ASUS ZenFone 2, or the Honor 5X).

You can figure out which network bands the device supports by searching for its specs online. GSMArena.com typically has that info. Then cross-reference it with the Canadian carrier's bands (which you can find by searching for "[carrier name] network bands").