The CANADIAN iPhone thread.....

[Pandora01]

To all our Toronto friends out there in macrumors land...how's the anarchy treating you?? lol

Just one more day of it...and then it'll be business as usual.

I was *this close* to taking the baby to the Eaton Centre yesterday. Damn, am I glad I listened to my SO and changed my mind!

I misunderstood your question before. I'm not sure where the bumpers will be sold other than the Apple store. You could order it online, if you can't get to the store...

 

[fuzion11]

I was *this close* to taking the baby to the Eaton Centre yesterday. Damn, am I glad I listened to my SO and changed my mind!

I misunderstood your question before. I'm not sure where the bumpers will be sold other than the Apple store. You could order it online, if you can't get to the store...

Hey Pandora...Damn I got kind of excited when I thought you mentioned they'd be sold at Rogers and all the companies...

I'm probably gonna feel really silly when I read your answer but what the heck is a SO?

 

[fuzion11]

I'd like to ask all the wonderful Canadians (and in particular, Torontonians) a quick question...

I am moving from the UK to Toronto for a few months starting next week and just got a sim-free/unlocked iPhone 4, which I will be bringing with me..... can anyone suggest the best provider to use on a 'pay as you go' basis? I don't think that I will be eligible for a contract due to my short stay/non-resident status, so it has to be pre-pay. I have been in Canada before so I have a little knowledge already regarding gsm etc. and I also remember how difficult and expensive the Canadian networks can be!

And yes, I realise that micro sims will be thin on the ground in Canada right now, but I have perfected my sim-cutting techniques, so using a regular sim will be fine

Thanks in advance for any advice and personal experiences that you can share with me....

Hey Jonny!

Welcome back to Canada!

We'll you have quite a few options here to consider. There's Rogers, Fido, Bell, Telus and maybe even Virgin mobile.

Since you're going to be in Toronto all those carriers will have great coverage areas, but what you need is an affordable plan. If I were you, I'd firstly check out Virgin and see if the iPhone 4 will work on their network even though it hasn't been launched in Canada yet. If for some reason Virgin can't help you, I'd then check out Fido and if Fido, then Rogers.

I would have to say Virgin would probably have the cheapest, best options included pay as you go plans.

Hey Jonny, why don't you stuff another iPhone 4 in your suit case for me! haha

What part of Toronto you staying in?

 

[draz]

To all our Toronto friends out there in macrumors land...how's the anarchy treating you?? lol

Just one more day of it...and then it'll be business as usual.

Well that was silly what some people did yesterday... But at least today has been better and the arrests over night and today are at least something.

 

[draz]

I'd like to ask all the wonderful Canadians (and in particular, Torontonians) a quick question...

I am moving from the UK to Toronto for a few months starting next week and just got a sim-free/unlocked iPhone 4, which I will be bringing with me..... can anyone suggest the best provider to use on a 'pay as you go' basis? I don't think that I will be eligible for a contract due to my short stay/non-resident status, so it has to be pre-pay. I have been in Canada before so I have a little knowledge already regarding gsm etc. and I also remember how difficult and expensive the Canadian networks can be!

And yes, I realise that micro sims will be thin on the ground in Canada right now, but I have perfected my sim-cutting techniques, so using a regular sim will be fine

Thanks in advance for any advice and personal experiences that you can share with me....

Yea it can get quite expensive but as Jamesdamon you have several options.

The big guys: Rogers, Bell, and Telus will have a bit expensive plans.
The mid-rangers: Fido (operates on Rogers network) and Virgin Mobile (a Bell company) have more decent rate plans

There is one more carrier named Koodo (a Telus company) but they haven't stated yet if the iPhone 4 will work. But all those above have stated that they will get the phone in July(ish)

It really doesn't matter which provider you choose as the coverage is great all over Toronto and surrounding areas. Bell (including Virgin Mobile) and Telus use the same 3G UMTS only network. They also have a EvDO network

Rogers (and Fido) have their own 3G UMTS and also a EDGE/GPRS network if you want to extend the battery life on your phone by turning off 3G (which really does work!)

I don't think any providers offer pre-paid data... So just a caution on that. But you can use WiFi when you want =)

 

[trekkie604]

Steve allegedly says the Canadian iPhone 4 launch is still on-schedule for July:

http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/iphone-news/steve-jobs-no-iphone-4-delay-for-canada/

 

[draz]

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (iPhone; Opera Mini/5.0.019802/18.794; U; en) Presto/2.4.15)

Looks fake despite the header in the image.

But im still holding out on a July release

 

[wineandcarbs]

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (iPhone; Opera Mini/5.0.019802/18.794; U; en) Presto/2.4.15)

Looks fake despite the header in the image.

But im still holding out on a July release

Yup, my fingers are crossed.

 

[mat25]

does anyone here know, if I buy my iPhone 4 commitment free from Apple, if I have to activate in store?

 

[draz]

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (iPhone; Opera Mini/5.0.019802/18.794; U; en) Presto/2.4.15)

Activation takes place on iTunes

You do need a SIM card from a carrier to activate. But it is not required when you buy the phone. Just buy the phone and walk out.

 

[mat25]

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (iPhone; Opera Mini/5.0.019802/18.794; U; en) Presto/2.4.15)

Activation takes place on iTunes

You do need a SIM card. But it is not required. Just buy the phone and walk out.

Ok thanks, I assume that it does not make a difference if I order it from apple.ca, correct? Also I don't need a SIM to activate it?

 

[draz]

I edited my reply because I didn't really give the full info...

Yes you need a SIM card to activate it. But when you buy it from the store you will not be required to have a SIM card with you.

Yes you can order it from Apple.ca or from a Retail Store same price. Not sure about a shipping charge if you order from the website.

 

[mat25]

I edited my reply because I didn't really give the full info...

Yes you need a SIM card to activate it. But when you buy it from the store you will not be required to have a SIM card with you.

Yes you can order it from Apple.ca or from a Retail Store same price. Not sure about a shipping charge if you order from the website.

thanks for the help!

 

[Macnator]

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (iPhone; Opera Mini/5.0.019802/18.794; U; en) Presto/2.4.15)

Activation takes place on iTunes

You do need a SIM card from a carrier to activate. But it is not required when you buy the phone. Just buy the phone and walk out.

I edited my reply because I didn't really give the full info...

Yes you need a SIM card to activate it. But when you buy it from the store you will not be required to have a SIM card with you.

Yes you can order it from Apple.ca or from a Retail Store same price. Not sure about a shipping charge if you order from the website.

Ok, let me see if I got this right.

If I bought an iPhone 4 from Apple.ca, I just have to go into a Rogers store and purchase a MicroSIM card, bring it home, stick the MicroSIM in the iPhone, connect it to iTunes, and it activates that way? How exactly does it activate like that though?

I thought activations had to be done at a Rogers store?

 

[acarney]

What if I happened to have a "friend" or someone buy the iphone for me and then give it to me down here in Washington state. Then I drop by my local AT&T store and say an iPhone was given to me as a gift but I broke/lost/ate my microsim and needed a new one. Anyone think they would give me one and anyone think iTunes would activate, even though I have a USA iTunes account? I'm liking the whole factory unlocked thing with no problem every time an upgrade rolls around and man I'm sure next year I could get an extra $100 or so bucks when selling so the extra price wouldn't be THAT bad...

I would even roll with having to sign a new two year contract with AT&T, or maybe sign with them getting a cheap free dumb phone and then go back tomorrow and play the lost my microsim game with them. That way I can sell a week or two before the next gen is announced for like $700

Does anyone know if this has been done for 3GS phones? Or did those not come factory unlocked?

 

[Jare]

I'm getting a factory unlocked iPhone 4, before the official release date. Think Rogers will sell me a microsim to be compatible with it? (I have a 3GS with a Rogers Sim.)

Hopefully I don't have to wait till launch just to be able to use it..

 

[Lancing]

I'm getting a factory unlocked iPhone 4, before the official release date. Think Rogers will sell me a microsim to be compatible with it? (I have a 3GS with a Rogers Sim.)

Hopefully I don't have to wait till launch just to be able to use it..

Can't say for Rogers but Bell will. If your going unlocked though I would seriously consider going with Bell/Telus/Virgin/Koodo/Solo the same phone should be compatible across all those networks. Versus Rogers you have Rogers and Fido.

 

[Lancing]

Ok, let me see if I got this right.

If I bought an iPhone 4 from Apple.ca, I just have to go into a Rogers store and purchase a MicroSIM card, bring it home, stick the MicroSIM in the iPhone, connect it to iTunes, and it activates that way? How exactly does it activate like that though?

I thought activations had to be done at a Rogers store?

Theres usually also an activation charge with most carriers. Not sure what Rogers charges but its usually $30-40.

 

[attanasi0]

I'm wondering if Telus is going to give me an offer for me to get an iPhone 4...
I have a 3GS right now which I paid 199$ for when I signed up for a 3 year contract in December.
Thing is I don't have a regular contract. Since I work at Futureshop, I paid 55$ a month for 500 min/3GB/Text/nights/etc. Bell and Rogers have similar offers for us but nothing amazing.
Thing is the iPhone is (from what I heard) going to coast 699$ unlocked at the Apple Store. I have a colleague who's willing to buy my 3GS for 300$, meaning I would pay 400$ for the iPhone 4. However, If I cancelled my contract (which I'm assuming would coast me around 300$) and got the iPhone with another company (I'm assuming 199$), it would cost me 500$(minus the 300 for my 3GS) instead of 700$ for the IP4.
Do you guys think Telus will make me an offer ?

I have been running this scenario in my head ever since they announced it. It's pointless but it numbs the pain of not having an iPhone 4 lol. Where the hell is it already? I want my iPhone 4 NOW!

 

[attanasi0]

What if I happened to have a "friend" or someone buy the iphone for me and then give it to me down here in Washington state. Then I drop by my local AT&T store and say an iPhone was given to me as a gift but I broke/lost/ate my microsim and needed a new one. Anyone think they would give me one and anyone think iTunes would activate, even though I have a USA iTunes account? I'm liking the whole factory unlocked thing with no problem every time an upgrade rolls around and man I'm sure next year I could get an extra $100 or so bucks when selling so the extra price wouldn't be THAT bad...

I would even roll with having to sign a new two year contract with AT&T, or maybe sign with them getting a cheap free dumb phone and then go back tomorrow and play the lost my microsim game with them. That way I can sell a week or two before the next gen is announced for like $700

Does anyone know if this has been done for 3GS phones? Or did those not come factory unlocked?

I'm pretty sure you could just tell them "I bought it in Canada, now give me a MicroSIM cause I WANT TO PAY YOU EVERY MONTH" If they don't they're just the worst company ever .... You should also be able to get month-to-month

 

[attanasi0]

I'm getting a factory unlocked iPhone 4, before the official release date. Think Rogers will sell me a microsim to be compatible with it? (I have a 3GS with a Rogers Sim.)

Hopefully I don't have to wait till launch just to be able to use it..

No you're not

 

[Jare]

No you're not

Will post pix when delivered, kthanx. Also I meant before the official Canadian release date.

 

[Punker]

I'm getting a factory unlocked iPhone 4, before the official release date. Think Rogers will sell me a microsim to be compatible with it? (I have a 3GS with a Rogers Sim.)

Hopefully I don't have to wait till launch just to be able to use it..

can you tell me where you can order a factory unlocked phone ?

 

[Jare]

can you tell me where you can order a factory unlocked phone ?

Apple.ca/store when it's released.

I'm getting mine from CR, can't really say why but I'm stuck waiting till they have model numbers for the unlocked models till mine ships.

 

[acarney]

I'm pretty sure you could just tell them "I bought it in Canada, now give me a MicroSIM cause I WANT TO PAY YOU EVERY MONTH" If they don't they're just the worst company ever .... You should also be able to get month-to-month

They are pretty crappy... I already have an iphone data plan so they really shouldn't need to reset anything but I can see them trying to lock me in and using the microsim as the way of doing it...

I guess I'm more worried about Apple saying I have to have a Canada address or something but maybe I'll call Apple and say I'm going to be spending a month or two in Canada and want to buy the new phone there but normally live in the USA

I can just picture these unlocked ones going for so much more then the locked or hacked unlocked... plus I might keep this phone for more then a year like all the rest and between myself and my girlfriend there is now a real chance of going to Japan within the next year for an extended time and it would be nice to be able to get just a SoftBank sim. Think the 32Gig will be more then $700 USD? I think I'm able to get $300 for my 3GS so that's only $400 for a higher valued phone and being out of my AT&T contract free and clear this time next year for maybe a Verizon phone?

(at least hope it'll drive prices down, I probably would stay with AT&T since they at least have good service in my city and I've got a microcell now too, lol)