Vyse The Legend said:
I'm already researching the best, most cost-efficient way to import it; I'm convinced Best Buy and Samsung won't offer a way to get the GSM version online in the US. It appears that Canada is the best way; hopefully, Best Buy CA carries it on day 1.
Best Buy Canada is pretty awful at carrying phones on Day 1, if at all. Their choice of off-contract phones is extremely limited and outdated. I always thought you guys in the US had it better off when it came to Best Buy...
2 of the 3 big carriers here (Telus and Rogers) actually let you buy the phone off-contract WITHOUT needing to sign up for a plan of any kind. Bell on the other hand forces you to sign up for a plan (and pay the activation fee), then cancel your plan within the first month. You'd also have to pay the first month so obviously that sucks. Bell is awful but they tend to get the big smartphones first.
As far as Telus and Rogers though, you're basically just buying from them as if you would from Best Buy. Obviously they won't ship to the US, but neither would bestbuy.ca anyway, so I'm assuming you have a different way of importing it into the US.