Canadians: What you should know about iPhone 3GS

OK, so I thought I'd do all the Canadians on this forum a service.

Here is what I know about the iPhone 3GS Launch in Canada, with some inside information... I'll tell you what I know as a Best Buy employee from our Best Buy Mobile department.
When referred to as xxx/yyy, it refers to the 16GB/32GB models respectively.

Stuff Most People Know:

• $199/$299 Pricing for the 16GB/32GB Models on both Rogers and Fido
• Both 16GB and 32GB Models are available in Black and White from both Carriers
• MMS and Tethering will be available from both carriers on launch day.
• Tethering will require a minimum of 1GB/month data plan to be enabled.
• All other features should be similar, if not exactly the same as AT&T in the USA

Stuff Not All May Know

• The 6GB for $30 plan is back and can be applied to any iPhone owner, new or old, but requires a 3 year commitment.
• For Launch Day, All Rogers Authorized Dealers will have the phone for launch day, including Best Buy Mobile, Future Shop Connect. The only retailer we are unsure of is Wal-Mart.
• If you are in a 3 year contract, and have completed 2 years already (1 year if you do not own a smartphone), you can upgrade your phone to an iPhone 3GS for $199/$299 + up to $135. It's "up to" because the $135 figure decreases the closer you are to the end of your contract.
• If you are in a 3 year contract but have not yet reached your 2 year anniversary, you can purchase the device on a non-contract price (See Below). This also applies if you would like to buy the phone without a commitment.

Stuff You Probably Don't Know or Are Still Rumors:

• Non-Contract pricing has still to be announced, but it looks to be $699/$799, according to Best Buy Mobile's inventory.
• There are rumors that Rogers/Fido may even subsidize the above $699/$799 price, but that is unconfirmed.
• History dictates that non-contract pricing will be released Thursday evening to all dealers.
• Supply is expected to meet demand, unlike the iPhone 3G launch. Rogers "doesn't expect supply to be an issue, but it depends on demand", says a Rogers Corporate PR Rep.
• Rogers seems to be banking on more people going for the $99 3G vs the more expensive 3GS.
• Specifically Best Buy Mobile will have anywhere between 5-7 of each combination of ROGERS iPhone 3GS (16GB Black, 16GB White, 32GB Black, 32GB White) per location. Bigger Best Buys will have closer to 7, smaller stores closer to 5.
• Specifically Best Buy Mobile will have ample supply of the $99 8GB ROGERS iPhone 3G model (about 15-20 per store) on launch day. With more coming next week.
• As of today, Best Buy Mobile has received only 1-2 FIDO iPhone 3GS models (16GB or 32GB). White Fido iPhone 3GS' have yet to be seen.
• Inventory shows that Best Buy Mobile will receive an additional 5-7 ROGERS iPhone 3GS' twice a week for the foreseeable future. FIDO supply has yet to be determined.
• From a Friend who works at a Fido Dealer, They have 17 TOTAL iPhone 3GS' for launch at that locaiton. Size and colour couldn't be determined as of yet.
• Dedicated Rogers Dealers (unlike Best Buy Mobile which carries multiple carriers) should have more supply for the phone than multi-carrier companies (like Best Buy Mobile or Wirelesswave). Estimates peg their supplies to be about double.
• According to some speed tests, it appears Rogers' 3G network is totally open, versus Fido's 3G network seems to have capped speeds. So if you want the fastest experience and have the chance to choose a carrier, choose Rogers.
• Best Buy Mobile stores will open at regular store hours on 3GS launch day.

Sources:
Twitter - Rogers PR Rep - Kenith McArthur
Best Buy Mobile

Please note that this is not secret information, but it is more detailed than what most Best Buy Mobile specialists know, unless they are really following it closely. I do not confirm that this information is 100% correct, nor do I take responsibility of any of this information. Any information not found on Rogers/Fido's website but found here must be taken as a rumor until it is proven or disproven by official announcement. I am just posting this information so that it may help fellow iPhone buyers to be aware of what the situation around Launch will be like.

I hope this helps some people. If anyone has any questions or comments, post up.

ROGERS information regarding iPhone

Some additional information if you are with ROGERS. Some of this may apply to FIDO customers, but I can't say with certainty that it does.

If you are ..... of your three year contract and want an iPhone 3GS:


Less than one year... and you DO NOT have a subsidized smartphone or just a regular phone): You can upgrade to the iPhone 3GS for the price of $699(16GB)/$799(32GB), but it does not require a contract renewal.

Less than TWO years... and you DO have a subsidized smartphone: You can upgrade to the iPhone 3GS for the price of $699(16GB)/$799(32GB), but it does not require a contract renewal.

Over one year... and you DO NOT have a subsidized smartphone, just a regular phone: You can upgrade to the iPhone 3GS for $199(16GB)/$299(32GB) + up to $135. That $135 decreases the closer you are to the end of your contract.

Over TWO years... and you DO have a subsidized smartphone: You can upgrade to the iPhone 3GS for $199(16GB)/$299(32GB) + up to $135. That $135 decreases the closer you are to the end of your contract.

Over three years, or are a new customer: You can get the iPhone 3GS for the advertised price of $199 for 16GB or $299 for 32GB.

In all cases but the $699/$799 pricing, it requires a three year commitment on Rogers. Combined voice and data must exceed $30/month without taxes or fees to be eligible for subsidized pricing.