iPhone 4 Shortages in Canada: Are You Still Suffering?

It’s been well over a month since the iPhone 4 (read our full review here) launched in Canada. People waited in line overnight for the launch (and apparently still are waiting!) and shortages appear to be still existent from coast to coast. Locating an iPhone 4 seems to be quite the Easter egg hunt. Shipments arrives sporadically to both Apple Stores and the ‘Big 3’ carriers. Bell and Telus have had stock online and Rogers continues to have nonstop shortages.

Here are a couple tips to located that precious iPhone 4:

  • Use the iPhoneinCanada.ca Forums. Check out this thread for helpful tips. We also have a dedicated section to Location Stock/Availability. They are updated by fellow Canadians that are trying to find an iPhone 4 just like you.
  • Check twitter and search for the latest updates in your area. Don’t forget to follow @iphoneincanada
  • Call the “retention lines” of Rogers/Fido/Bell/Telus. Some people have been able to “demand” an iPhone 4 by threatening to switch to another carrier.
  • Wait in line if you’ve got the free time. One of my friends took a half day off work to wait in line at an Apple Store! What a world we live in. A company creates a must have product and people will do anything to get one! 😉
  • Buy off Craigslist/eBay if you’re desperate and can’t wait–but use your due diligence.
  • Forget the iPhone 4–wait for the iPhone 5!
  • Buy from the Apple Online Store for an unlocked device.


When will you finally get your hands on the iPhone 4? Are you still waiting?

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Parsa Sarraf
15 years ago

or you can just buy from the apple online store.

David Ranson
David Ranson
15 years ago

I have looked all over for the last month, couldn’t find a Rogers phone anywhere, can find lots of Telus, no Bell either. Talking to the numerous authorised locations, the issue is not even really demand, they just aren’t getting any product. They say when they do get them it is one or two units a week, they would sell more than that of the 3GS in a normal week. I am starting to question why launch a product when you don’t have adequate supply levels. Local Rogers store indicated a lot of people have started buying other handsets as they are just fed up with waiting for the IPhone 4, I am thinking of doing the same….

U96178
U96178
15 years ago

Yeah, I think they’ve started catching up with their stock! I ordered online via apple.ca on August 20th. It says that it will be shipped on September 13th and expect to be delivered by September 20th. Guess what? It’s finally shipped on September 3rd and it should arrive tomorrow, September 8th. I’m so excited!

Melanie
Melanie
15 years ago

have been waiting almost a month for a 32G iPhone4 to arrive at my local Bell Aliant store. Not interested in paying full unlocked price from Apple so I guess I’m stuck waiting…

Anonymous
Anonymous
15 years ago

Savour the wait. You may find after a time time that having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting.

I, unfortunately, HAVE received my iPhone 4. If it isn’t better by Thursday I’m leaning towards returning it.

Griz
Griz
15 years ago

Why if this problem dosn’t exist in the US, dosnt Apple divert more to Canada?
I want an unlocked 32 and have a $330 apple gift card so I have to wait until there is regular stock at the apple Vancouver stores.

JfromK
JfromK
15 years ago

I waited in line for about 4 hours on release day at the apple store in Ottawa. It was relatively painless; we were all handed little cards that guaranteed us a phone. They handed out free water and sport drinks all morning to those in the line-up and apple even gave us high 5s! heh. I don’t know why you seem to dislike the iPhone 4. I really enjoy it after coming from a Blackberry Storm… But I’m on Bell with no GSM or Edge to drop back too and HSPDA+ in my home is low, 2 or 3 bars. This causes me to experience the antenna issue the Americans cried bloody murder over, but I am happy they did because my free bumper really does solve the issue. If it’s dropping calls, try the free Bumper.

Tired_
Tired_
15 years ago

Hire someone to camp out for you. Way cheaper than buying an unlocked one from Apple, or using ebay or craigslist at the inflated prices.

Drewgo
Drewgo
15 years ago

I’ve abandoned my desire for one now…it’s taken too long….now I’m just counting down my contract with Rogers so I can dump that too…next July can’t come soon enough for me…..

My hopes are now on the new ipod and of course no contract…..

realist
realist
15 years ago

in victoria its mostly only an issue for rogers customers, some stores have literally only gotten a handful of rogers phones in one month period. But ive frequently come across telus and bell phones sitting around waiting for someone to come buy them.

BM
BM
15 years ago

Bell updated their website from 30 days to 15. I to think Apple has more stock now.

Mike
Mike
15 years ago

Stock for Rogers in Saskatchewan is painful. For the most part, 5 phones per week at some kiosks. 0 at others.

Maybe it’s a sign that I should let my Rogers contract run its cycle (August 2012) and switch to SaskTel (again) or Telus.

Anonymous
Anonymous
15 years ago

I walk by a Rogers store everyday and ask when more phones are coming in, and usually check with at least one other store as well. I’ll tell you what bugs me the most – the wishy-washy answers. As a huge multi-million dollar enterprise, and Apple’s largest partner in Canada, Rogers obviously know what the the hold up is. I feel by not properly communicating with its customers, and potential customers, they are hurting their business in the long run. Honestly, I’m more pissed at Rogers than Apple.

Jbohn
Jbohn
15 years ago

On release day I left my name on a list at the only store that was keeping a list, a Rogers store nearby. I kept calling almost everyday in my city and come nearby towns. Nothing.

I had given up and decided that if I ordered directly from Apple.ca that it would get to me sooner than trying a store in town, so I ordered one. About a week later the Rogers store called and told me my 32 GB phone was in!! That was last Thursday, so I had the long weekend to play with it. Apparently the wait list for 32 GB ones is shorter.

AndrewBC
AndrewBC
15 years ago

I live on a small island on the BC Coast, so standing in line at the nearest Apple Store (Vancouver) is more than a tad inconvenient. I am on several wait-lists with telus dealers (the only one here on Saltspring Island, plus others in Victoria and Duncan on Vancouver Island). The Duncan store called a few days ago that they had a 16 gig model for me, but I am waiting for the 32 gig (in order to handle the plethora of apps that I have been downloading in eager anticipation!).

I just got a call from my partner who is in Vancouver for a few days, telling me that there are many store there with signs in front saying they now have iphones available. I’m hoping that means I will be able to get one here or in Victoria this week.

Because the Rogers signal coverage on Saltspring Island is very, very bad, we have always had to deal with Telus, whose signal coverage here is poor and spotty, but way better than Rogers. Therefore, I had to bide my time (with great envy) for the first 2 and a half years of iPhone availability until telus did their network upgrade. When it was finally possible to get one, late last year, I decided to wait until this year’s model came out, as I was anticipating some significant feature upgrades (and I was correct). It boggles my mind, after all that waiting, that I am still waiting, well over a month after the phone that I have decided to buy was released. …..very frustrating.

Jbohn
Jbohn
15 years ago

Another thing… at the Rogers Store in Orchard Park Mall they have had a sign up for weeks saying “Out of iPhone 4” and then they added “STILL” to the front of it, and then “We don’t know when stock is coming in” and below it “Blackberrys are still cool though…”

Anonymous
Anonymous
15 years ago

Question: Is Rogers only offering the upgrade price until September 30th? Several posts in the forums imply this, but I can’t find that anywhere on Rogers’ website.

Rainkaze
Rainkaze
15 years ago

At my local Rogers store, they have a waiting list of 2000+ people. Most are corporate users though.
Crazy nonesense

Visawin Honda
15 years ago

went to Yorkdale in toronto today, saw about 15-20 ppl lining for iphone, its been like this everyday in yorkdale- one guy told me(he works in a phone shop nearby)…
I want to buy unlock as soon as possible, im sending a gift for my brother! jeez!!

Un Lapin
Un Lapin
15 years ago

Yes, I ordered from Bell last week and they said 14 days. (business days that is)

K33N3R
K33N3R
15 years ago

You know what bugs me.. all those dang iPhone 4 adds everywhere by all the carriers. On TV, print, billboards, etc. They are all touting the iPhone 4 as the greatest thing since sliced bread and that everyone should get one! Well, that’s great but it would sure help if they actually had any in stock! False advertising! They are all advertising something that they don’t have.

Sly
Sly
15 years ago

I got mine a few weeks ago thanks to @iphoneincanada but my wife is holding put for the white one. What patience she has.

JJ Wong
JJ Wong
15 years ago

I am getting very tired of searching for the iPhone 4. If you work weekdays 9-5 like me, there is no way you could get one. It is getting ridiculous. Apple Canada should have done a better job handling the shortage. I don’t see how come they cannot let me order one on line (with contracts) even if I have to wait for few more weeks; at least I know I will get one. Apple should at least announce the number of iPhone available at their locations the day before. I just can’t take a day off work and wait in line without knowing if I can get one or not. I think they have created enough hype already; it is time to start caring for your customer APPLE! It is too bad we don’t get any cool Android phone in Canada. As for Rogers, this company sucks, I have no expectation form Rogers, but Apple supposed to be good with their customer service!!!

Gary
15 years ago

Glad we could help 🙂

V987
V987
15 years ago

i said fuck it about a month ago… got me a bold, it aint an iphone but it’ll do for now

Tournesol2000
Tournesol2000
15 years ago

I ended with the 16GB since that is all that I was able to get. It bothered me that I “settled” with the16GB model, but then again, my time lost waiting in line, day after day, was too much!
But I did have to wait in line for an hour and a half every day for a week! But that was only after I got fed up going to Rogers stores around me asking the question and getting rejected every day for a month!

Gary
15 years ago

They’ll do anything to sell a phone eh?

Gary
15 years ago

Ouch. You should’ve waited for…the Torch! 😉

Gary
15 years ago

But…but…isn’t that what their Social Media team is for? To relay news to consumers and let us provide them with feedback? :p

V987
V987
15 years ago

i got sick of waiting man

Tidus
Tidus
15 years ago

I have an unlocked 32GB if you want it.

Simon
Simon
15 years ago

I gave up. My 3GS will do just fine for another year. Also, this shortage got me looking at the Android ones, they aren’t that far behind now.. We’ll see how Apple steps up for iPhone 5!

Anonymous
Anonymous
15 years ago

LOL! Their team must have taken an extended summer vacation.

Ih8reno
Ih8reno
15 years ago

I got mine the day it came out with Virgin Mobile, called them first they said they were getting it soon by ups, went in and 30 min later walked out with mine

Mike LaPlante
15 years ago

I have spent so much time trying to hunt down an iPhone 4 that at this point I can’t give up. I was in line on launch day and have visited all the Rogers stores in Windsor several times since then. I must have around 15 hours of time that I’ll never get back into trying to secure a 32GB model.

Most of the stores in this area have received between 25 and 40 phones since the launch. That’s just dumb. It’s not a launch, it’s just a tease. If I don’t get one by the end of the month, when the Hardware Upgrade deal expires, I’ll order an unlocked one from Apple.

Anonymous
Anonymous
15 years ago

From china

Mister_totoro
Mister_totoro
15 years ago

Fido NEVER has any when I call any stores. Bell and Telus yes, Fido and Rogers, never. Did Fido pee on Apple’s carpet or something?

Flashover
Flashover
15 years ago

Ordered a 32GB and 16GB iP4 last week in Saskatchewan via Telus Online store, should get them tomorrrow!! They still appear to have stock, and it’s been a week now.

Gerry18
Gerry18
15 years ago

Grand opening Apple Store in Newmaket’s Upper Canada Mall this saturday. I’m sure they will have some in stock. I know I will be up bright and early lol.

rPat
rPat
15 years ago

I put my name on my local Bell Store’s waiting list on August 12 and picked my 16gb on August 27. My jealous friend decided to take some action in securing hers, so she lined up at the Apple Store in Rideau on August 31 at about 9am and was able to get a 16gb with rogers…overall, not a very stressful process for either of us.

John Piercy
15 years ago

Bought a Black 16 gig from Red Flag Deals about 3 weeks ago .. brand new in a box , love it .. Id still be waiting if I was waiting for Rogers ..

Danno
Danno
15 years ago

Here’s my story…Ordered unlocked 32GB online from Apple Store – two days later (Thursday), I go to Rogers Kiosk in Erin Mills Town Center (Mississauga), guy nice enough to tell me that shipment coming in at 300 (unsure if any iphone 4), only 3 people ahead of me at 245 so I wait…15 minutes later shipment arrives with DOZENS OF IPHONE 4’s!!! SO I get two…and happy…but loaded with 4.0.2 OOB

ward09
ward09
15 years ago

Where did you see the details of the hardware upgrade? When I go through the Rogers website, the only deadline I can find is September 30th for the free bumper case. I see nothing about a hardware upgrade deadline.

socrdiva11
socrdiva11
15 years ago

sept.30 is also the deadline to sign up for the 6GB for $30 promo….

Anonymous
Anonymous
15 years ago

Samsung Galaxy S… Pretty much an iPhone running Android!

Anonymous
Anonymous
15 years ago

Samsung Galaxy S… Pretty much an iPhone running Android!

ward09
ward09
15 years ago

I was in Future Shop tonight in Ajax, ON. As everyone else has found, they had lots of Bell and Telus phones, but none from Rogers. The rep said that just about everyone who has come in for a Rogers phone is looking to upgrade as an existing customer. Just confirms what everyone has been saying here.

ward09
ward09
15 years ago

True, and that’s a big deal – much bigger than the bumper case. I wonder if Rogers will show some some understanding at the end of the month for those who want the 6GB plan, but haven’t been able to get a phone yet?

gybe
gybe
15 years ago

This is just BS. I can’t get an iPhone with Fido unless I wait outside the Apple Store from 9 until late in the afternoon. And that’s just days they’ll receive shipments. I work all those days! I would buy Nexus one in a second if I could get it from a carrier here. We’re just screwed really. And the most annoying thing is that I’ll end up getting an iPhone 4.. probably 5 months before they release the next model :S

Hellplop
Hellplop
15 years ago

Yes I was there last Friday morning (albeit not early enough), and the couple of guys first in line were there the night before, around 12-1am!! Everyone just gets there to take a chance if Apple gets a delivery of enough iPhones. People are pretty orderly though – once you arrive and put your name down on the list, you can chill and come back. Someone then calls out each name in order and the actual lineup happens just before the store opens. The one major benefit is you can do a HUP with any carrier, or choose to buy the unlocked iPhone. I simply got my micro-Sim and left, because I finally decided to order online, which beats waiting in line, and delivery seems to be just less than 3 weeks now. 🙂

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