Upgrading to an iPhone 3GS

Three new capabilities of the iPhone 3GS are a compass for orientation, voice commands, and a new and improved video camera as shown below.

There is also a faster processor, more memory, and more storage which supposedly makes the whole operation of the phone more responsive.

Rogers has posted some new pricing plans on their web site.
It is not easy to determine what combination of plans is best but I would recommend getting the 6GB/month data plan so you don’t have to worry (as much) about extra data charges. Strangely this data plan which was recently announced as being re-available is not listed.

Some iPhone 3GS questions and answers have also been posted.

David Pogue has a blog post about the AT&T 3GS upgrade policies which may or may not be something Rogers emulates. AT&T is offering the new iPhone prices now for customers who will have paid for 12 monthes service and be eligible for an upgrade in July, August, or September. The upgrade price is $199 for 16GB and $299 for the 32GB in US Dollars (USD) which convert to $225.59 and $338.95 in Canadian dollars at current exchange rates. It will be a point of comparison between iPhone service in the US and Canada. So far Canada has done better for the MMS and tethering features which are slow to become available from AT&T.

Rogers announces iPhone 3GS pricing for Canada

Rogers announces iPhone 3GS pricing for Canada

(Via Vancouver Sun.)

This pricing for new iPhone 3GS under contracts is pretty much to be expected from what Apple announced. The interesting part is that the $30/month 6GB data plan promotion has been reintroduced. The article isn’t clear but this seems to be permanent for the iPhone and only temporarily until July 1 on Rogers Android phone to encourage early sales. Tethering is no extra charge for those with data plans until the end of the year but what then?

The price of the iPhones without a contract (FAQ#2) has been forecast to be released on or before June 19 by Keith McArthur, Rogers social media contact on Twitter. This will set a benchmark for those looking to upgrade right away. The news indicates that the full renewal subsidy for iPhone 3G users under contract will be available only after 2 years. Hopefully there will be at least partial (prorated?) subsidies for early renewals (FAQ#1) as this will be desired by many existing users. Product upgrade intervals are much shorter than contract intervals so there needs to be a reasonable plan for this. Keith McArthur suggests contacting customer support to discuss this so that seems to indicate that early renewals can be done at a price less than outright (no contract) purchase of the iPhone.

For further information on Rogers iPhone plans try following keithmcarthur on twitter and his web site.

Update: iPhone 3GS FAQs are now starting to be posted on the Rogers site but still nothing there about upgrade pricing.