Globe and Mail: Apple’s monthly instalment price plan for unlocked iPhones eludes Canada

Why can't we have nice things like U.S.'s monthly instalment price plan for iPhones here in Canada? Article by Christine Dobby for The Globe and Mail  Apple Inc. revealed a new way to buy its flagship device last week – the option to pay for unlocked models of its newest iPhones through monthly instalments. But the arrangement is exclusive to U.S. customers, extending a trend in smartphone shopping that has yet to make its way to Canada.  

For the past two years, U.S. wireless carriers have been increasingly offering new smartphones through equipment instalment plans (known as EIPs). These allow customers with good credit histories to pay for their devices through monthly instalments, with no initial down payment, and separate the cost of the phone from the price of network access.

For example, a current offer from T-Mobile U.S. lets customers put no money down and pick up an iPhone 6 for $27 (U.S.) per month for 24 months and add an unlimited talk, text and data plan, plus 1 GB of LTE data, for $50 per month. If wireless service is cancelled, the remaining balance on the phone becomes due.

Apple’s leasing model will take that one step further and go directly to consumers, who will then be able to sign a service contract with one of the four national U.S. carriers.

- Read more at The Globe and Mail