Which phone to choose for the holidays? Here’s a guide to help you pick the right one
The holidays are right around the corner! And so are the tech decisions! Between buying gifts and looking out for sales, there’s no time to waste. That’s why we prepared a little shopping guide to help you compare some popular mobile devices and find the one that best suits your needs. We have selected a few of the most popular device models, starting with the powerful iPhone 17 Pro Max, which we will compare to other popular models. The advertised prices in this article are for information purposes only. As part of the Black Frivember sale, there may be exclusive offers on several devices, like a discount when you trade in a device or an additional credit with purchase. Keep your eyes peeled: the Black Frivember sale is the perfect time for a good deal! iPhone 17 Pro Max: a device made for techies iPhone 17 Pro Max is Apple’s flagship model this year. The high-end device, which features impressive power, artificial intelligence, and battery life, was designed to meet the needs of the most demanding users. It’s perfect for families looking to capture high-definition photos, effectively manage their day-to-day, and enjoy a secure and fluid ecosystem. Whether for techie parents, content creators, or Apple fanatics, iPhone 17 Pro Max is a worthwhile investment. 🔍 Key features: 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR display with 120 Hz ProMotion A19 Pro chip with embedded AI and ray tracing material 48 MP camera and 8x periscope telephoto lens Up to 39 hours of video streaming battery life Water- and dust-resistant (IP68 rating), aluminum and ceramic design Apple Intelligence, for the management of everyday family life, security, and productivity 👨👩👧👦 Targets: parents, techies, content creators, Apple product fanatics 💲At Videotron: Starting at $48.25/month for 24 months. 256 GB model, offered with the Take-back Credit. Single payment: $1,752 Other options: 512 GB, 1 TB 👉 See on the Videotron website iPhone 17 Pro Max: compared to iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 17 Pro Max has evolved compared to its previous counterpart. iPhone 16 Pro Max serves as a good reference point, so you can appreciate the improvements made to iPhone 17 Pro Max. Among the most impressive changes is the titanium frame, with an aluminum unibody design. The new frame, which is in line with a strategic choice from Apple, offers improved heat dissipation. It is essential for the performance of the A19 Pro chip and to allow intense uses such as those associated with pictures, videos, or AI apps. The frame also offers a sturdier structure, more comprehensive design, and better environmental sustainability, as aluminum is easier to recycle. 🚀 Other key improvements: 8x optical zoom thanks to the periscope telephoto lens (compared to 5x for iPhone 16 Pro Max) Battery life extended by up to 39 hours (compared to 33 hours) Integrated Apple Intelligence, for the management of everyday family life, security, and productivity The improvements made to iPhone 17 Pro Max make it an ideal choice for families seeking a powerful, versatile, and durable device. How it compares to other popular models Are you sure that iPhone 17 Pro Max is the device for you? Here is a selection of some of the most popular models today. There’s something for all tastes, all budgets, and all needs. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: power and versatility 🔍 Key features: 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh frequency and 2,600 nits brightness Snapdragon 8 Elite chip with improved AI (40% faster) Quadruple lens camera: 200 MP + 50 MP ultrawide angle + 5x 50 MP zoom + 3x 10 MP zoom 5000 mAh battery with 45 W fast-charging Qi2-compatible device, for wireless magnetic charging Integrated S Pen, perfect for multitasking and creativity 👨👩👧👦 Targets: techies, content creators, advanced Android users, photography enthusiasts 💲At Videotron: Starting at $64/month for 24 months. 256 GB model, offered with the Take-back Credit. Single payment: $1,920 👉 See on the Videotron website Google Pixel 9a: smart photo, smart price 🔍 Key features: 6.3-inch OLED display; high brightness: up to 2700 nits Tensor G4 chip with Google Gemini AI Double camera: 48 MP + 13 MP ultrawide angle 5100 mAh battery: 23 W charging + 7.5 W wireless IP68 rating, minimal and durable design 7 years of Android updates, ideal for families concerned with the longevity of devices 👨👩👧👦 Targets: users with a reasonable budget, Google fans, fans of simple and effective photos, students 💲At Videotron: Starting at $21.25/month for 24 months. 128 GB model, offered with the Take-back Credit. Single payment: $678 👉 See on the Videotron website Samsung Galaxy A16 5G: affordable and connected 🔍 Key features: 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with Vision Booster Triple camera: 50 MP + ultrawide angle + macro 5000 mAh battery with 25 W fast-charging Built-in Knox security, ideal for protecting family members’ data Streamlined design, available in various colours Excellent quality/price ratio, perfect for large families 👨👩👧👦 Targets: teens, new smartphone users, people searching for an affordable device, users seeking 5G connectivity 💲At Videotron: Starting at $4/month for 24 months. 128 GB model. Single payment: $270 👉 See on the Videotron website TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G: visual comfort at a great price 🔍 Key features: 6.6-inch Nxtpaper display with glare-free technology (ideal for reading and reduced eye fatigue) 6100+ MediaTek Dimensity chip, for fluid everyday performance Double camera: 50 MPx + macro sensor 5010 mAh battery with 33 W fast-charging Advanced reading mode, perfect for teens who use it for homework or digital reading 👨👩👧👦 Targets: families concerned about visual comfort, students, users with a limited budget 💲At Videotron: Starting at $13.50/month for 24 months. 128 GB model. Single payment: $324 👉 See on the Videotron website Moto G 5G 2025: power at a low price 🔍 Key features: 6.7-inch LCD display with a 120 Hz refresh rate Snapdragon 4 Gen 3 chip for 5G connectivity and fluidity Double camera: 50 MP + ultrawide angle 5000 mAh battery with 20 W fast-charging Pure Android with regular updates, ideal for families who want a simple and reliable device 👨👩👧👦 Targets: teens, large families, users who want 5G at an affordable price 💲At Videotron: Starting at $11/month for 24 months. 128 GB model. Single payment: $264 👉 See on the Videotron website Our buying tips Thinking of getting a new device? Discover the Videotron Mobile plans. These advantageous plans are adapted to the needs of families. They are suitable for teens, parents who need to multitask, and users seeking simplicity. 👉 Learn more about our Mobile plans For peace of mind after buying a new device, consider our Mobile Device Protection Program. With this program, you get protection against unexpected events such loss, theft, and accidental damage. 👉 Learn more about the Protection Program Whatever you choose, opt for a device that suits you and your family’s day-to-day. Happy shopping, and happy holidays! 🎄🎁 👀Also read: Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra: review and features What cell phone to buy for a child? 8 signs your mobile phone is dyingTop 7 password managers
Nowadays, having too many accounts and too many passwords to keep track of is a universal problem. As a result, people have adopted a poor habit: using the same password every time to make it easier to remember. Using a password manager is a far better option. The idea is to enter all your identifiers into a highly secure database (think a digital safe). There are two password manager categories: local and cloud based. Local managers Local password managers like KeePassXC and PasswordSafe offer you complete control over your data. They are free, open source, and don’t require an Internet connection. A modern, multiplatform version of KeePass, KeePassXC is recommended for its compatibility with Windows, macOS, and Linux. These tools are ideal for advanced users who want to store their passwords locally, without having to rely on the cloud. Reliability and security of the source code KeePassXC, like KeePass, from which it is derived, is an open-source software. Its source code is accessible publicly, and security experts can audit it. In fact, the KeePass manager for Windows was audited by the European Commission EU-FOSSA project in 2016, and no critical vulnerabilities were detected. This helps guarantee that the source code is exempt of any major faults or backdoors. There are several KeePass clones and derivatives on Windows, Linus, iOS, and Android platforms. Using only official versions, such as KeePassXC, is crucial, as they are actively monitored and regularly updated. This provides better security and greater compatibility. Cloud-based managers Cloud-based password managers keep your password database on the cloud. These managers constitute an interesting compromise between user-friendliness and security. When properly implemented, they are considered safe and offer many benefits: Compatibility with all modern browsers Synchronization of your passwords on all your devices, accessible at all times Possibility of sharing certain passwords with other users (spouse, children, colleagues, etc.) Monitoring of accesses to your account, defining of trusted devices and, occasionally, an emergency contact should an unexpected situation arise Advanced features, such as detection of compromised passwords or dark-web monitoring in the case of certain managers Of all the recommended options, some should, however, be avoided. To avoid: LastPass Although LastPass has long been a key player in the password manager sector, several security incidents that occurred in 2022 have compromised the trust of users and experts alike. Despite efforts to reinforce the security of LastPass, some breaches have had significant repercussions, such as hacking of encrypted data and digital assets. For this reason, we recommend choosing more robust and transparent solutions, like Bitwarden, 1Password, Dashlane, or NordPass. Can the provider access my passwords? The provider cannot read your database, as it is encrypted and unreadable without your master password–whether stored locally or in the cloud. All encryption and decryption operations are carried out locally on your device, and your master password is in no way transmitted to the provider. If the technology is properly implemented according to the best industry-standard encryption and security practices, it is impossible for the provider—and a potential hacker—to decrypt your passwords without your master password. That’s why it’s crucial that you choose a reputable, transparent, and independently audited manager. Essential tips Here are a few habits to adopt to maximize the security of your passwords: Use a long (15-character-or-more), unique master password : A robust master password is the cornerstone of your security. A passphrase: a memorable sequence of at least four words (with or without spaces). A complex password: composed of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) : This provides added security, even if your password is compromised. Never reuse your passwords : If a password is compromised on one site, all other accounts using the same password are at risk. Keep an eye out for data leaks and change any password that has been compromised : Certain managers automatically alert you if one of your passwords appears in a data leak. Use a reputable, transparent manager : Check the provider’s security audits, confidentiality policy, and reputation. Keep your master password in a safe place : If you lose it, you could lose access to all your passwords. Avoid saving your passwords in your browser : The security offered by specialized managers is far more superior than that of browsers. Comparison charts Here is a comparison chart of the main solutions, to help you choose the one that best suits your needs. Note that some free password managers may limit the number of passwords you can store. We divided the managers into two categories: local solutions, for complete control of your data, and cloud-based solutions, for simplified synching. Comparison of local password managers Manager Cost Platforms Encryption Secure sharing User friendliness KeePassXC $0 Windows, macOS, Linux AES-256 Via third parties Average to good PasswordSafe $0 Windows Blowfish/Twofish Not integrated Basic Comparison of cloud-based password managers Manager Cost Platforms Encryption Secure sharing User friendliness Bitwarden Free to $56/year Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS AES-256 Yes Good 1Password $3.75 – $5.99/month All platforms AES-256 Yes Excellent Dashlane $0 – $10/month All platforms AES-256 Yes Very good NordPass $0 – $4.59/month All platforms XChaCha20 Yes Good Proton Pass $0 – $12.49/month All platforms XChaCha20 Yes Good
