Oh Verizon, why do you vex us so? Just as planned, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus is now on sale at Canadian wireless carriers Virgin Mobile and Bell, giving the Great White North a taste of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Subscribers can get the Galaxy Nexus for $159.99 from either carrier, though naturally you’ll have to sign up for a new two-year three-year contract or renew an existing one. Rogers is still planning a release for January.
The Canadian version is the same HSPA+ model that’s been on sale in the UK and circulated for press reviews – Verizon is still the only carrier confirmed to eventually receive an LTE version. On both Canadian carriers the phone is unbranded, like previous Nexus phones. Notably the Canadian Nexii are more than $140 cheaper than the leaked $299 Verizon price, and the unlocked model comes in at $649, while Verizon is probably pricing their model at $799. To be fair, both Canadian carriers are selling the 16GB version. Unless Virgin or Bell requires an activation with an unlocked model, northern US citizens should be able to make a run across the border and buy one full-price for use on AT&T or T-Mobile.
With just one day until the previously rumored launch of December 9th, it looks like Verizon has left its customers out in the cold yet again. The latest rumors indicate that indeed the December 9th date has been scrapped, with no indication of when the phone might actually go on sale. Verizon subscribers and prospective customers are growing increasingly angry at the company’s total lack of communication – aside from the signup page (which still has yet to send any sort of verification) and a short sentence in a PR message, there’s no official word from the company at all.
[device id=1740]
Before someone calls me on it, yes, I know that
Canadians are technically “North Americans.” “Citizens of the United
States of America” is hard to fit in a title.
It’s a 3 years contract, not 2 years.
Right you are, thanks. That sucks.
sure does!
One advantage thought is that even if it is a three year contract…to cancel you simply pay the balance of the phone. So the more you stay on the contract, the less you pay for the phone and if you want to leave, no sweat ; – )
I am quite tempted to just buy one from our northerly neighbor. It’d be cheaper than importing one from the UK, and I imagine I’d get it delivered sooner too.
As for this whole thing with Verizon, it’s just a complete mess. Google/Samsung should never have agreed to exclusivity with VZW. They could’ve had a very successful launch of the third flagship phone. But now it will be forever known as probably one of the worst phone launches ever.
Agree they shouldve just relevery yr they fuck up on carrierseased it for all carriers right away.
I’m very tempted as well. Right now, it’s just not logical to spend almost $800 on the phone.
I live in Toronto so I was able to pick one up yesterday (they went on sale early at select Toronto stores). Virgin required that I activate the phone with a 30 day, minimum $50 plan. Bell would likely be no better…probably much worse.
Hmmm…you did know that Virgin belongs to Bell right?
Anyone thought about the fact that it may be something screwy with the LTE? That’s the only difference, maybe the battery drains like crazy. They probably found some last minute bugs that aren’t in the HSPA versions. At least Canada isn’t that far (for some of you).
Why won’t they put this in the states? I’m also tempted to go to Nigara Falls and get a Galaxy Nexus. Is it worth making the trip?
I wonder if Android 4.1 is given to cdn versions of the Gnex or if its only for the Gnex LTE version
WTF 32GB is still not available, is it so difficult to make? Im dying to get one but not a 16G for sure
Americans out of luck? Last time I checked, Canada is in America