Canadians get iPhone 4 today, get better deals than us

What we U.S. iPhone users go through just to have an unlocked phone… Some of us deny ourselves the latest software to stick with a jailbroken and unlocked older version, as we wait for a hack to debut for the current software. Others will get devices from other countries, which will be readily available unlocked, tapping every friend they know abroad to buy and ship the handsets to them.

Yessirree, it’s not an easy sitch. And items like this just pour salt in the wound.

Today is Canada’s iPhone 4 launch day, and they’re getting the option of unlocked devices.* Sure, without a carrier subsidy, they’re more expensive, but at least these consumers can nab the devices and then choose from three different carriers for it (Bell, Rogers and Telus). That’s it — no fuss, jumping through hoops or waiting for hacks. And that’s not all.

As another option, for budget-conscious users, customers who don’t mind contracts can even pick a three-year term that drops the handset down to super cheapo levels: $159/$269 for the 16GB and 32GB models, respectively. There’s also good news with data plans, as the $30 for 6GB option has been restored. (On AT&T, it’s $25 for 2GB.)

Jealous yet? Check this out: No less than TWO Canadian carriers are allowing dual iDevice subscribers to share their data plans between the iPad 3G and iPhone 4 for a small fee. On Rogers, customers can add the iPad for $20. On Bell, it’s even less: just a mere $10.

The bottom line is our neighbors to the north have way better options: An unlocked phone without hassle, a standard two-year plan and subsidy, or a three-year contract with huge phone discount. And unlike American iPhone users — who either pay twice for data on their two iDevices or pay $45 for data plus tethering, with a 2GB cap — Canadian users can share a whopping 6GB data between the phone and the iPad for as little as $40.

(See, this is what happens when carriers compete for your business. Better terms, better service, and more options.)

Congrats, Canadian users. Enjoy your launch day, you lucky dogs.

Via: CBC news

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UPDATE: If Canadian users get an iPhone 4 from a carrier, it’s actually locked to the carrier. Looks like the activation process is what locks it. Full-priced devices gotten directly from Apple, however, are sold unlocked. Via: Engadget

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