In my case, it's an economic reason.
The monthly discount that Canadian carriers offer for bringing your own phone is generally lower than the value of the phone. So why would I pay upfront if the model I want is available from the carrier?
The monthly discount that Canadian carriers offer for bringing your own phone is generally lower than the value of the phone. So why would I pay upfront if the model I want is available from the carrier?
It's also nice to have an unlocked retail phone. Much cheaper to get a SIM from a vending machine at the airport anywhere outside North America than to suffer Canadian carriers' insane roaming charges.