[2010-07-26] CBC News: Apple to sell iPhone 4 unlocked in Canada

Interesting that the price is apparently slightly higher than even the "no contract" price kicking around in the Telus forums for the Telus iPhone 4 models (I haven't seen Bell or Rogers pricing yet)

Still, for the "privlege" of being able to swap microSIMs & carriers at will, a small price to pay IMO.

I was in South America recently for vacation. Our tour guide saw my iPhone and was in awe. He said they sell for around $1000, but the minute plans are peanuts there. I wish we had that option to buy the phone outright in the US and pay a lower rate.

Originally Posted by wellduh11

I was in South America recently for vacation. Our tour guide saw my iPhone and was in awe. He said they sell for around $1000, but the minute plans are peanuts there. I wish we had that option to buy the phone outright in the US and pay a lower rate.

Their minutes are peanuts because their GDP per capita is peanuts and their costs of living are peanuts.

US has the second cheapest iphone plans in the G7 industrialized country (UK is the cheapest).

I applause Apple for doing this. (And Google for their Nexus 1.) Mobile network carriers like Rogers or Telus should be in the business of providing voice and data network. Mobile phones should never be locked if you buy it outright. Even subsidized phones should be unlocked at the end of the contract term.

Originally Posted by samab

Their minutes are peanuts because their GDP per capita is peanuts and their costs of living are peanuts.

US has the second cheapest iphone plans in the G7 industrialized country (UK is the cheapest).

I understand that. What our guide meant is, the minute plans are cheap and the phone is expensive. In the end it all works out, but I hate contracts. It'd be nice to have a choice. Buy a cheap phone, your minute plan is more expensive. Buy the phone outright, your minute plan is less and you can leave when you want. If we had that choice, maybe the cell companies would treat you better knowing you can leave without an ETF.

With that being said, I'm pretty happy with ATT. Their service does stink in parts of the Chicago burbs, and in Ohio and NC where I have family. So if their were other carriers, I'd try them out.

Originally Posted by DerekToronto

I applause Apple for doing this. (And Google for their Nexus 1.) Mobile network carriers like Rogers or Telus should be in the business of providing voice and data network. Mobile phones should never be locked if you buy it outright. Even subsidized phones should be unlocked at the end of the contract term.

the thing is tho nobody ever honors their ENTIRE CONTRACT length when they have smartphones now.. they are always begging for more credits 18 months in theire 36 month contract

Originally Posted by MikieCGY

the thing is tho nobody ever honors their ENTIRE CONTRACT length when they have smartphones now.. they are always begging for more credits 18 months in theire 36 month contract

The problem is that smartphones become obselete much easier than dumbphones do. I still have a KRZR K1M for example that still dials calls and does what its supposed to do.

With the new breed of smartphone, esp. the Android OS ones, if the phone has bugs in the core OS that can't be fixed with an update that hinder its most basic functions people are left no choice but to get a newer handset (with hopefully fewer bugs)

Ain't progress grand?

NefCanuck