Poll: You Going to Buy an Unlocked iPhone 4 in Canada?

By Gary Ng on June 15th, 2010 174

Last night the Apple Store went down and when it came back up–some changes occurred (aside from a refreshed Mac Mini). We read about how the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 will now be sold UNLOCKED from Apple when you buy them outright. Once again, the wording goes as follows:

When you purchase your iPhone from the Apple Online Store, you’ll get it commitment-free. So you can sign up for service with the carrier of your choice and change your carrier at any time.

It works internationally.
Because this iPhone is commitment-free, you can purchase a micro-SIM or SIM card and service from a local carrier at your destination. Or check with your home carrier regarding international roaming charges.

Canadians: The Shackles Have Come Loose

This is news is huge for Canadians. No longer will we be forced to use carrier locked phones to Rogers, Telus and Bell. Previously, getting an unlocked GSM phone meant paying full price for an out of country phone, or paying extra to get it unlocked from the ‘Big 3′ (if they even acknowledged you).

The reason for Apple’s change to factory unlocked units? I place it solely on the Google Nexus One being sold factory unlocked during its launch and the fact Apple sold the iPad 3G unlocked. These two events hinted that Apple would sell their iPhones unlocked. Many predicted Apple would match Google (including myself) and this makes travelling now with an iPhone truly a dream.

Previously, the only countries where iPhones were sold unlocked were Hong Kong and Italy. Now, you can include Canada, the UK and France to that list. Oh, and our American friends? Doesn’t look like they are included in the exclusive “unlocked” club just yet.

Poll: Will You Pay Full Price for an Unlocked iPhone 4 in Canada?

The iPhone 3GS is being sold unlocked for $549. We can assume from this price the iPhone 4 will be sold outright for $649/749 for the 16GB/32GB models. This is a small price to pay for freedom. What will you do?


Founder and Editor-in-Chief of iPhoneinCanada.ca. Follow @iPhoneinCanada and on Google+. Click here to save 20% OFF at ZAGG.com with coupon 'iphoneinca'!

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  • http://www.justinluey.com Justin Luey

    I agree. You save $500 to sign the contract and I'm paying for what I need so Rogers isn't forcing me to buy anything extra. I have no plans to switch, so buying on contract is a no-brianer. However, if Rogers doesn't allow early upgrades again, then I will buy an unlocked phone and ditch Rogers as soon as possible.

    Like I said on the podcast, if Rogers makes it easy for me to get an iPhone every year at launch at a subsidized price then I'm with them for life. I think the unlocked iPhone puts more pressure on Rogers to treat early adopters right.

  • Noahattic

    dont think at&t makes the price that low. here's still north american. but if you put your eyes on the other side of the world, like china, thailand.$20 can be done with talk/text/data, of course, on edge, not 3g. that's good enough if you only stay there for short term.

    the unlocked phones definitely give a lot of freedom to those people travelling often. they have a great re-sale value, too.

  • http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/ Ex

    Apple Stores may have them for free, like they are doing with the iPad.

  • http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/ Ex

    That's true. But the dev team is very talented!

  • Doja

    I think its retarded, you should have a choice if you want it unlocked or with a contract. I don't travel enough to make it worth my while and more than likely neither is 90% of the iphone buyers. I don't have $650 to just drop on a fuckin phone, i may as well buy a blackberry. Sorry apple

  • doja

    how much money do you have to drop on fuckin cell phones bro?

  • http://www.iphoneincanada.ca Gary

    Go to Apple.ca/store and click on iPhone. Search a bit harder you'll find it. ;)

  • http://www.iphoneincanada.ca Gary

    YES

  • http://www.iphoneincanada.ca Gary

    The magic of an unlocked phone is that the carriers no longer have an iron grip on you. If one carrier decides to go with an aggressive promo (which seems pretty rare as of late) you can easily move to the new carrier.

    Also, trust me when I say that having an unlocked phone is priceless for travelling. You just wait till you go away and your iPhone is locked to Rogers/Fido/Telus. You'll want to punch yourself in the face.

    Having an unlocked iPhone while travelling is the best thing ever.

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  • Wolf

    Anyone called a carrier (Rogers,Fido,Bell,Telus…) and asked if they will sell the Iphone 4 locked or unlocked ?

    I personally don't think they need to lock it … the deal is with the contract not the Iphone 4 since we can buy it unlocked anyway !

  • Xaroc

    Yes they are. I have no doubt it will only take a few weeks to a month or 2.
    Providing there is a new bootrom that is.

  • Xaroc

    It is hard at first to get started, but that's why you sell your old
    phones on craigslist or eBay or something. 500 becomes 150 if your
    smart about it. But I hear what you are saying.

  • Xaroc

    Agreed, been there, done that. Yeah my cheek still hurts lol

  • Xaroc

    Carriers always lock their phones. I have personally tried back with
    my blackberries. No chance

  • Lee

    If you enjoy calling in non stop trying to fight for better rates be my guest. I'm just over 2 years on my contract, Telus's account site says my offer is $300 off a new iPhone, wow big deal I'm not signing a 3 year agreement again just to save a little $300. On the other side, someone who's only 8 months into their contract, try to see what you'll get for renewing, you can't! They're not going to resign you for a 3 year and give you another deal on a phone. Maybe if you're the type to keep a cell phone for the 3 years then fine but I change mine constantly, only had the 3GS for 8 months.

  • Lee

    And by the way I do, that's how I got the $15 plan for free by working with retentions. My friend works at Telus so I have tie number. They're the ones that said too bad about the lower rates when it changed, and who said I can't get the $300 off the iPhone. I only deal with retentions but thanks.

  • Xaroc

    With my experience. I have done this multiple times with Rogers and
    telus, as I use both carriers. It's not about calling over n over,
    it's knowing who to talk to, and how you represent yourself.
    Quite a few people take “no” for an answer, you just need to be
    president. There is deals to be had outside of the paper that sits in
    front of operator, but they are not going to just hand them out like
    candy on halloween.

  • Codeblue009

    fido always says they dont deal with unlocking…is there a way to get them to unlock the device at the end of my contract (cuz they seem to not do anything with unlocking)?? anyways im going to renew my contract, my plan is good

  • http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/ Ex

    Fido will not unlock your device.

  • mackman6151

    i know but in the article they quoted an Apple source as saying “Because this iPhone is commitment-free, you can purchase a micro-SIM or SIM card and service from a local carrier at your destination. Or check with your home carrier regarding international roaming charges.”……that imples it accepts both sim and micro-sim…..unless they made a mistake in their post in which case having an unlocked phone using microsim is useless because theres not many international carriers that accept it.

  • Dustedballs

    I hate the subsidized ATT ponzi scheme of tying customers up for 2 years, hence paying the full sales tax on the phone .. this is daylight robbery !

  • http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/ Ex

    “or” is because Apple still supports the 3GS, which is not MicroSIM.

  • mackman6151

    didn't think of that….my bad thanks! :)

  • rye

    I just made this very point to a friend over lunch. I agree with you completely. Even if I do decide to switch, the ETF is equal to what I’ll be shelling out for the phone up front, so where’s the benefit?

    Unlocked makes it easy to travel, sure, but unlocking a phone is pretty simple, and with apps like Redsn0w and Ultrasn0w, it’s literally a one-click, on-the-phone function (i.e. no computer required.)

    3 year contract, here I come.

  • rye

    I just made this very point to a friend over lunch. I agree with you completely. Even if I do decide to switch, the ETF is equal to what I’ll be shelling out for the phone up front, so where’s the benefit?

    Unlocked makes it easy to travel, sure, but unlocking a phone is pretty simple, and with apps like Redsn0w and Ultrasn0w, it’s literally a one-click, on-the-phone function (i.e. no computer required.)

    3 year contract, here I come.

  • rye

    I just made this very point to a friend over lunch. I agree with you completely. Even if I do decide to switch, the ETF is equal to what I’ll be shelling out for the phone up front, so where’s the benefit?

    Unlocked makes it easy to travel, sure, but unlocking a phone is pretty simple, and with apps like Redsn0w and Ultrasn0w, it’s literally a one-click, on-the-phone function (i.e. no computer required.)

    3 year contract, here I come.

  • rye

    I just made this very point to a friend over lunch. I agree with you completely. Even if I do decide to switch, the ETF is equal to what I’ll be shelling out for the phone up front, so where’s the benefit?

    Unlocked makes it easy to travel, sure, but unlocking a phone is pretty simple, and with apps like Redsn0w and Ultrasn0w, it’s literally a one-click, on-the-phone function (i.e. no computer required.)

    3 year contract, here I come.

  • rye

    I just made this very point to a friend over lunch. I agree with you completely. Even if I do decide to switch, the ETF is equal to what I’ll be shelling out for the phone up front, so where’s the benefit?

    Unlocked makes it easy to travel, sure, but unlocking a phone is pretty simple, and with apps like Redsn0w and Ultrasn0w, it’s literally a one-click, on-the-phone function (i.e. no computer required.)

    3 year contract, here I come.

  • rye

    I just made this very point to a friend over lunch. I agree with you completely. Even if I do decide to switch, the ETF is equal to what I’ll be shelling out for the phone up front, so where’s the benefit?

    Unlocked makes it easy to travel, sure, but unlocking a phone is pretty simple, and with apps like Redsn0w and Ultrasn0w, it’s literally a one-click, on-the-phone function (i.e. no computer required.)

    3 year contract, here I come.

  • Juca

    Here in Brazil Iphones where sold unlocked too since two months ago.

  • xxJDxx

    i have to wonder if this is why we get a 'delayed' launch in Canada. Dont want americans buying unlocked devices instead of phones locked to AT&T. Or perhaps is a bit of a 'screw you' by apple because of the big three perhaps NOT offering an early upgrade option for those that got the 3GS last year?

  • Large2990

    would somebody please buy the phone for me and i will pay you for the phone i live in newyork and cant get an unlocked iphone i need somebody that lives in canada too buy iphone???

  • Lee

    I completely agree, 2 years is pushing it but more than acceptable but 3 is SO long. I signed mine 2.5 years ago with Telus, I got the BlackBerry 8703e! Imagine using that today still, no camera, scroll wheel on the side, it’s ridiculous.

  • Lee

    I completely agree, 2 years is pushing it but more than acceptable but 3 is SO long. I signed mine 2.5 years ago with Telus, I got the BlackBerry 8703e! Imagine using that today still, no camera, scroll wheel on the side, it’s ridiculous.

  • Lee

    I completely agree, 2 years is pushing it but more than acceptable but 3 is SO long. I signed mine 2.5 years ago with Telus, I got the BlackBerry 8703e! Imagine using that today still, no camera, scroll wheel on the side, it’s ridiculous.

  • Lee

    I completely agree, 2 years is pushing it but more than acceptable but 3 is SO long. I signed mine 2.5 years ago with Telus, I got the BlackBerry 8703e! Imagine using that today still, no camera, scroll wheel on the side, it’s ridiculous.

  • Pingback: Apple Sold 600,000 iPhone 4 Pre-Orders Yesterday | iPhone in Canada Blog - Tips, Tricks, News, and Tutorials for Canadian iPhone Users

  • http://www.justinluey.com Justin Luey

    You're half right. Our monthly fees do have the cost of the phones built in, but the problem is, you pay the same monthly fees even if you have your own phone. So if you plan to live in Canada for the length of the contract, and you don't spend significant time out of the country, it can actually work out cheaper to get the contract. If unsubsidized phones become more popular, then the carriers will be forced to lower the monthly fees.

    I don't like contracts and I'm not encouraging everyone to sign them, but in my case, its cheaper to renew the contract and take the phone at the heavily subsidized price.

  • http://www.justinluey.com Justin Luey

    This works in both cases. You can buy an unlocked iPhone 4 for $699 and sell your 3GS for $300-$500, which will help offset the high cost of the phone. Or, you can renew your contract, get the iPhone 4 for $199, sell your 3GS for $300 – $500, and be ahead of the game.

    People are arguing about this, as if there is a right answer. Both ways have advantages, and the total cost of using an iPhone ( phone + service) depends on what you need.

  • http://www.justinluey.com Justin Luey

    In that case you’re right. It’s different for everyone. I need the data plan and I can’t get data cheaper anywhere else if I had a contract free phone. So I’m actually saving $500 – $600 by getting the iPhone on contract.

    There are so many Rogers users out there, that I was able to get top dollar when I sold my 3G. International use and resale value are significant advantages to an unlocked phone, but they don’t outweigh the savings in my specific case.

    There is no right or wrong answer here, everyone has to evaluate the costs associated with their particular use case and see which way works out better. I’m glad people actually have the choice now.

  • http://www.justinluey.com Justin Luey

    In that case you’re right. It’s different for everyone. I need the data plan and I can’t get data cheaper anywhere else if I had a contract free phone. So I’m actually saving $500 – $600 by getting the iPhone on contract.

    There are so many Rogers users out there, that I was able to get top dollar when I sold my 3G. International use and resale value are significant advantages to an unlocked phone, but they don’t outweigh the savings in my specific case.

    There is no right or wrong answer here, everyone has to evaluate the costs associated with their particular use case and see which way works out better. I’m glad people actually have the choice now.

  • http://www.justinluey.com Justin Luey

    In that case you’re right. It’s different for everyone. I need the data plan and I can’t get data cheaper anywhere else if I had a contract free phone. So I’m actually saving $500 – $600 by getting the iPhone on contract.

    There are so many Rogers users out there, that I was able to get top dollar when I sold my 3G. International use and resale value are significant advantages to an unlocked phone, but they don’t outweigh the savings in my specific case.

    There is no right or wrong answer here, everyone has to evaluate the costs associated with their particular use case and see which way works out better. I’m glad people actually have the choice now.

  • http://www.justinluey.com Justin Luey

    In that case you’re right. It’s different for everyone. I need the data plan and I can’t get data cheaper anywhere else if I had a contract free phone. So I’m actually saving $500 – $600 by getting the iPhone on contract.

    There are so many Rogers users out there, that I was able to get top dollar when I sold my 3G. International use and resale value are significant advantages to an unlocked phone, but they don’t outweigh the savings in my specific case.

    There is no right or wrong answer here, everyone has to evaluate the costs associated with their particular use case and see which way works out better. I’m glad people actually have the choice now.

  • http://www.justinluey.com Justin Luey

    In that case you’re right. It’s different for everyone. I need the data plan and I can’t get data cheaper anywhere else if I had a contract free phone. So I’m actually saving $500 – $600 by getting the iPhone on contract.

    There are so many Rogers users out there, that I was able to get top dollar when I sold my 3G. International use and resale value are significant advantages to an unlocked phone, but they don’t outweigh the savings in my specific case.

    There is no right or wrong answer here, everyone has to evaluate the costs associated with their particular use case and see which way works out better. I’m glad people actually have the choice now.

  • Anonymous

    The unlocks for the 3G and 3GS are software injection based, which have not proven to be stable in many cases (long carrier detection times, wifi issues, etc…).

    Also Apple has been pretty responsive to close down these injection methods, leading to have to use utilities like pwnagetool to create an ipsw that does not update the baseband. So you don’t get any of the benefits of the improvements made to the baseband firmware.

    Although jailbreaking will probably remain to be a one click process, phone unlocking will probably continue to be convoluted.

  • Anonymous

    The unlocks for the 3G and 3GS are software injection based, which have not proven to be stable in many cases (long carrier detection times, wifi issues, etc…).

    Also Apple has been pretty responsive to close down these injection methods, leading to have to use utilities like pwnagetool to create an ipsw that does not update the baseband. So you don’t get any of the benefits of the improvements made to the baseband firmware.

    Although jailbreaking will probably remain to be a one click process, phone unlocking will probably continue to be convoluted.

  • Anonymous

    The unlocks for the 3G and 3GS are software injection based, which have not proven to be stable in many cases (long carrier detection times, wifi issues, etc…).

    Also Apple has been pretty responsive to close down these injection methods, leading to have to use utilities like pwnagetool to create an ipsw that does not update the baseband. So you don’t get any of the benefits of the improvements made to the baseband firmware.

    Although jailbreaking will probably remain to be a one click process, phone unlocking will probably continue to be convoluted.

  • Anonymous

    The unlocks for the 3G and 3GS are software injection based, which have not proven to be stable in many cases (long carrier detection times, wifi issues, etc…).

    Also Apple has been pretty responsive to close down these injection methods, leading to have to use utilities like pwnagetool to create an ipsw that does not update the baseband. So you don’t get any of the benefits of the improvements made to the baseband firmware.

    Although jailbreaking will probably remain to be a one click process, phone unlocking will probably continue to be convoluted.

  • Anonymous

    The unlocks for the 3G and 3GS are software injection based, which have not proven to be stable in many cases (long carrier detection times, wifi issues, etc…).

    Also Apple has been pretty responsive to close down these injection methods, leading to have to use utilities like pwnagetool to create an ipsw that does not update the baseband. So you don’t get any of the benefits of the improvements made to the baseband firmware.

    Although jailbreaking will probably remain to be a one click process, phone unlocking will probably continue to be convoluted.

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