With the introduction of the iPhone 4 last year, Apple Canada sold phones factory unlocked. This allowed Canada to join other parts of the world such as Italy, Hong Kong and parts of Europe, to have factory unlocked iPhones. As of today, our fellow neighbours down South have joined this exclusive club.
An unlocked iPhone means any carrier SIM card can be used, therefore allowing consumers freedom instead of being locked down to a particular carrier. It’s especially helpful when traveling. Popping in a local carrier SIM card can result in huge savings, as opposed to racking up expensive roaming charges. Although it’s interesting to note the only other GSM network in the USA is T-Mobile, but data is limited to EDGE since their 3G data network operates on a different frequency.
Price comparison of an unlocked iPhone 4
Canada
16GB/32GB: $659/779
USA
16GB/32GB: $649/749
With the strength of the Canadian dollar, buying an unlocked iPhone from the US could save you a few dollars. There biggest saving would be $30 for 32GB models from the US.
Why is this such a big story? Horace Dediu believes this will open up the market for the iPhone to parts of the world that don’t have access. We’ve heard stories of people lining up to buy iPads to sell overseas–we can expect a similar situation for the unlocked iPhone market now. During my time in the line up for the iPhone 4, I ran into a few Americans that made the trip to Vancouver to nab an unlocked iPhone. Clearly, the demand is there.
Are you using a factory unlocked iPhone?
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I have an factory unlocked IP4. Just went to Jamaica bought a prepaid sim , trimmed it and put it my phone and I was good. No extra charges to line Ma Bells pockets with!
You used a regular sized jamaican sim card??
I use an unlocked iPhone 4 – bought it from Apple Store this year – last year, when I was in Italy and used my locked 3 GS, just to see google maps, I was dinged by Rogers for $12.83. After that experience, I will NEVER buy a subsidized phone from a carrier…
Doesn’t ATT work on GSM as well as T-Mobile?
Doesn’t ATT work on GSM as well as T-Mobile?
I thought all the bitching on MacRumors about how expensive it was to buy it outright was funny. Particularily after years of whining about AT&T and locked phones.
I thought all the bitching on MacRumors about how expensive it was to buy it outright was funny. Particularily after years of whining about AT&T and locked phones.
I thought all the bitching on MacRumors about how expensive it was to buy it outright was funny. Particularily after years of whining about AT&T and locked phones.
I thought all the bitching on MacRumors about how expensive it was to buy it outright was funny. Particularily after years of whining about AT&T and locked phones.
I bought a regular sized Sim card then trimmed it to the size of the micro-sim.
i did the same in bermuda, although i have a cutter that comes with me on all my travels 🙂
i did the same in bermuda, although i have a cutter that comes with me on all my travels 🙂