Koodo Changes = Suggestions/Exp's with Upgrades prior to 24 months?

Question after background:

So after being with Koodo for 5+ years and breaking a phone within four months of my last upgrade, I am now faced with the additional charge of paying off the phone activation (which never used to be a policy) in addition to my tab balance.... What would have been a simple 280ish tab balance pay off to get a new phone is now a 450+tax adventure and I am STILL being forced out of my great plan.

After calling customer care, Koodo has thrown me their bone of keeping my plan ONLY if I lock into a medium tab again....

Has anyone had any experience dealing with upgrades prior to 24 months? I'm starting to research the competitors, but I used to be a die hard Koodo fan, ported over 3 family members.... and I'm pretty amazed that they have really made it this difficult for those who unfortunately have their phones physically broken, or die outside of warranty prior to 24 months.

I'd welcome suggestions to other providers, as well as experiences from people in same position.

(I do recognize that I simply missed the fact that I'd have to pay off the phone activation in my last agreement - I'll certainly be reading everything a lot more clearly now. Feel like a total bait and switch after being a loyal customer and having their plans and fine print change so significantly).