Iphone purchase in canada

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brucenz

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#85815 25-Jun-2011 17:45

I want to buy a 3g or 4g iphone in canada but am not sure what to look for which will work on nz networks? Can someone tell me what I need to look for and buy which will work here?

Thanks
bruce

Ragnor

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#485826 25-Jun-2011 17:52

The iphone 4 is quad (850, 900, 1900, 2100) band UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA so will work well on any network in NZ (Vodafone. Telecom XT, 2degrees).

The iphone 3 is only 900/2100 UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA so is not a good choice if you want to use Telecom XT as that network uses 850. Will work fine on 2degrees or Vodafone.

If you are going to buy a iphone in Canada make sure that... a: It's not on term contract and b: It's not locked to a Canadian network (carrier locked)

PS: You can buy an iPhone 4 16GB from the NZ Apple store for $1123

NonprayingMantis

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#485828 25-Jun-2011 18:01

Ragnor: The iphone 4 is quad (850, 900, 1900, 2100) band UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA so will work well on any network in NZ (Vodafone. Telecom XT, 2degrees).

The iphone 3 is only 900/2100 UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA so is not a good choice if you want to use Telecom XT as that network uses 850. Will work fine on 2degrees or Vodafone.

If you are going to buy a iphone in Canada make sure that... a: It's not on term contract and b: It's not locked to a Canadian network (carrier locked)

PS: You can buy an iPhone 4 16GB from the NZ Apple store for $1123

actually you have that bolded part wrong. firstly there is no 'iphone 3' only the iphone 3G and 3GS.
The iphone 3G and 3GS use 850 NOT 900, which means they will work best on XT, and not so well on Voda or 2Degrees. (they will still work, just be 2G only outside the main centres)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone_3G

scottjpalmer

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#485830 25-Jun-2011 18:02

Ragnor: The iphone 3 is only 900/2100 UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA so is not a good choice if you want to use Telecom XT as that network uses 850. Will work fine on 2degrees or Vodafone.

Other way round, it is 850/2100 3G so works on XT everywhere but only 3G in the main centres on Vodafone.

EDIT: Yeah, what he said up there :-)

scottjpalmer

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#485832 25-Jun-2011 18:07

Your main issue will be the carrier locking, I'm pretty sure they are all locked in Canada

brucenz

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#485881 25-Jun-2011 20:06

Cool, thanks.

I have heard of people buying them on a contract then bringing them back to NZ and the overseas company cancels the contract. Is there anyway they can disable the phone and stop be using it here?

Thanks
bruce

sbiddle

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#485903 25-Jun-2011 21:04

If you can the best option is and buy one from the US Apple store. Unlocked and a lot cheaper than NZ.

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NonprayingMantis

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#485904 25-Jun-2011 21:08

tbh, buying it from NZ isn't all that much more expensive, and,IMO, is worth the extra because you get to deal with a bricks and mortar store if anything goes wrong.

Ragnor

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#486076 26-Jun-2011 14:54

NonprayingMantis:

actually you have that bolded part wrong. firstly there is no 'iphone 3' only the iphone 3G and 3GS.
The iphone 3G and 3GS use 850 NOT 900, which means they will work best on XT, and not so well on Voda or 2Degrees. (they will still work, just be 2G only outside the main centres)

Quite right iphone 3 (meaning 3g and 3gs) is 850/2100 and not 900... not sure how I mixed that one up.