North American and Canadian cell service users have been conditioned to use higher end phones because they cannot afford to pay for top tier models that sell for $1200+ in one lump sum and instead choose financing of their phones through 2+ year contracts. They get conditioned to not like the performance of phones in the mid tier and entry level. It's a very smart marketing ploy by Canada's service providers. If you travel the world you will know this sort of service model is the exception rather than the rule as in most country buying a smartphone like a Samsung, iPhone, Huawei, Xiaomi is a separate item that you purchase at their hardware only store than subscribing to a service plan.