3G iPhone in Japan?

[MacbookSwitcher]

I've decided that I am going to seriously consider going with the iPhone 3G for my next handset when my current contract ends in January '09. By then I sure hope supply issues are resolved and also any early bugs should be worked out.

Best of luck to all of you who hope to get one tomorrow and I'm looking forward to reading your reviews.

I myself am still up in the air. With a cost of 8500yen/month with the white plan, it's not cheap, and my salary once I arrive in Japan next month is certainly nothing to brag about. I won't be very far from begging on a street corner.

Contrast that with a free phone with the white plan, I'm looking at probably about 2000yen/month. What a huge difference.

But I'm using the iPhone in the states right now and absolutely love it, so I don't know if I could get used to using a "dumb" phone again.

Decisions, decisions...

 

[Podgy]

dousurebaiinoka?

Ahhhh one more daaaaaaay!!

So Softbank opens 10 but they start selling at 12?

What are ya'll gonna do?



P.

 

[keirnna]

Ahhhh one more daaaaaaay!!

So Softbank opens 10 but they start selling at 12?

What are ya'll gonna do?



P.

I am still trying to find out if any stores in Okinawa are getting the iPhone.

 

[xenohawk]

Ahhhh one more daaaaaaay!!

So Softbank opens 10 but they start selling at 12?

What are ya'll gonna do?



P.

I planned to hit Omotesando Softbank flagship early tomorrow morning but looking at the queue there right now, it doesn't look good.

Looks like I'll probably be on the second batch.

 

[Podgy]

Dont go near Omotesando dood...
People have already been queing a few days.
Get on the Sofbank site and search for shops near you...

Good luck!

Podgy

I planned to hit Omotesando Softbank flagship early tomorrow morning but looking at the queue there right now, it doesn't look good.

Looks like I'll probably be on the second batch.

 

[macdigger]

Inaka..

I've just made a few calls to the most "inaka" areas of Gifu (reachable in under 2 hours from Nagoya by car) - everywhere I asked, the basically told me that it'll be a big rush on the 11th, and some even suggested me to wait a few days (but I'm calling exactly because I CANT wait .
Also, every single shop told me they had a lot of inquiries regarding iPhone.. no pre-orders as well.. Some told they don't have any iPhone delivered to their places yet and probably won't be able to tell anything about availability till tomorrow.

So I guess I'll have to wait till 12th and make some calls again asking about stock availability.
Not holding my breath though.. Doh..

 

[WSwingley]

More Store Info

Just to add my 2 yen to the pool of information.
I just visited my local shop to find that my English speaking advisor had left My wife and I stumbled through our mediocre Japanese and hand-gestures and got some useful information.
They WILL allow a 1 year contract if you don't plan to be here for longer. The price of the phone will be subsidized normally for the 12 months, which comes to:

8GB:
Monthly Payment 5760
Monthly Discount 1920
----------------------
Total Monthly 3840
----------------------
Total Price 46,080

16GB:
Monthly Payment 6720
Monthly Discount 1920
----------------------
Total Monthly 4800
----------------------
Total Price 57,600

The bad news (for me at least) is that they now claim to require a Japanese credit card. My account has been fine for 2 years with a bank account, but unfathomably they want this. I couldn't get a better explanation (due to the language barrier) but this seems quite ridiculous and I can't imagine she was correct. Anyone else have input in this regard? Seems to smell of another jab at preventing foreigners from getting iPhones.
Anyway, there's the deal for me. YMMV. Best of luck to all out there tomorrow trying to get one. Thanks to this credit card issue I won't be amongst you!

 

[superfly3000]

I got a phone call yesterday too from a fairly inaka Softbank store at which I had put my name on a list of people interested in the iPhone. (very unofficial list)
They asked my what size and colour I wanted and if I was getting a new contract or changing models. He asked my if my visa length was "ok" and I said "yeah".

I asked him what I needed and he said, ID (Japanese drivers license ok), hanko and bank account details were enough. No mention of passport or Japanese credit card. I pay my current bill on my Japanese Amex anyway so I suppose I'll do the same with the iPhone.

So it looks like I'll be getting one tomorrow as well, but this being Softbank (which I hate) I would be disappointed but not surprised if I somehow don't get it tomorrow.

 

[udance4ever]

they now claim to require a Japanese credit card. My account has been fine for 2 years with a bank account, but unfathomably they want this. I couldn't get a better explanation (due to the language barrier) but this seems quite ridiculous and I can't imagine she was correct. Anyone else have input in this regard?

my only guess on this front is how they are doing the "installments" What often happens to me in other stores is installments are not possible unless you have a Japanese credit card

my 2 cents.

 

[MacbookSwitcher]

Just to add my 2 yen to the pool of information.
I just visited my local shop to find that my English speaking advisor had left My wife and I stumbled through our mediocre Japanese and hand-gestures and got some useful information.
They WILL allow a 1 year contract if you don't plan to be here for longer. The price of the phone will be subsidized normally for the 12 months, which comes to:

8GB:
Monthly Payment 5760
Monthly Discount 1920
----------------------
Total Monthly 3840
----------------------
Total Price 46,080

16GB:
Monthly Payment 6720
Monthly Discount 1920
----------------------
Total Monthly 4800
----------------------
Total Price 57,600

The bad news (for me at least) is that they now claim to require a Japanese credit card. My account has been fine for 2 years with a bank account, but unfathomably they want this. I couldn't get a better explanation (due to the language barrier) but this seems quite ridiculous and I can't imagine she was correct. Anyone else have input in this regard? Seems to smell of another jab at preventing foreigners from getting iPhones.
Anyway, there's the deal for me. YMMV. Best of luck to all out there tomorrow trying to get one. Thanks to this credit card issue I won't be amongst you!

I don't believe the prices you are quoting include a voice plan or unlimited data plan. The two of those combined will add at least 6000 yen to your total listed above.

Also, pardon the basic question, but why can't you apply for a Japanese credit card?

 

[WSwingley]

I don't believe the prices you are quoting include a voice plan or unlimited data plan. The two of those combined will add at least 6000 yen to your total listed above.

Also, pardon the basic question, but why can't you apply for a Japanese credit card?

Yes, I forgot to say that the price listed is JUST the phone price... dataplan will be as listed previously.

As for the credit card... I did apply for one after a year here and was rejected. Keep in mind I am working in science, have my PhD, and am listed as "Professor" for my occupation (though I am only a PostDoc). Still I was rejected, sheesh! I can try again, and my wife can try through her health club (Konami), but of course that will take a while to get the card.

Thanks Superfly3000 for the info, I'll probably get a student to call one of the stores and ask. But, same as you, there was no mention of Passport for me. They DID look at my dates on the back of my gaijin card, though.

 

[Porcinet]

I went to my local Yodobashi store this morning at 8:00am and there were already 40 people lining up. Fortunately, I got a reservation ticket for this afternoon. However, I confirm they require foreigners to have at least 27 months remaining on their visa. When coming back to office, I called Softbank phone line and asked them to confirm this policy. I officially complained about this obvious discrimination and the operator told me it will be transfered to the relevant service (if I was cynical, I would say it will directly go into the trashcan...).
So I suggest everybody to call Softbank and complain (always politely) about this. If enough people complain, we might get a commercial offer (special discount or other)... (yes, I should stop dreaming).
I will also write a letter to Apple Inc. when I have some time.

 

[mavis]

I went to my local Yodobashi store this morning at 8:00am and there were already 40 people lining up. Fortunately, I got a reservation ticket for this afternoon. However, I confirm they require foreigners to have at least 27 months remaining on their visa. When coming back to office, I called Softbank phone line and asked them to confirm this policy. I officially complained about this obvious discrimination and the operator told me it will be transfered to the relevant service (if I was cynical, I would say it will directly go into the trashcan...).
So I suggest everybody to call Softbank and complain (always politely) about this. If enough people complain, we might get a commercial offer (special discount or other)... (yes, I should stop dreaming).
I will also write a letter to Apple Inc. when I have some time.

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, there are ways around this policy. Softbank will accept other forms of identification, for example: Japanese drivers' licenses, national health insurance cards, etc - which do not indicate visa status. My visa expires in two months, but apparently it doesn't matter as I will not be presenting either my gaijin card or my passport, so they will not be able to check the visa expiration.

edit: here is a link to Softbank's page detailing acceptable forms of identification: http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/en/support/application/personal/index.html ... I will be using method "B" which is Health insurance card + "printed matter issued by government or public office" (tax statements from my city) ... No visa, no credit card required.

 

[Podgy]

The quest is almost over...

Well guys n gals,
I went to the Softbank shop at 8:30 this morn.
Not a soul there!
8:45 the staff came and said there were 15 iphones coming in but 12 were already reserved!
I waited till almost 10(after seeing the iphones arrive!) and two other people came.
Bummer was that the one 16GB was in WHITE so I got my ticket for the 8GB black!

I'll go back at 12 and pick up my very first iPhone and say goodbye to my ****** ketai!

WOOT!
Podgy

 

[WSwingley]

Little update from Sapporo...

My buddy called a few stores and it seems only my stupid local shop was trying to stick me with the credit card thing. All the others said it wasn't necessary if I already had bank transfer set up with them.

As for getting a phone, looks like all the shops around me are sold out already (whether with tickets or reservations). I'm gonna try to track down an English speaking salesperson and put in a reservation for a 16GB whenever the next batch comes in.

As for the next batch, all three shops we called had no idea. One said to give them a call tomorrow or the next day and they would know. But the whole 10-15 per shop seems to be more true than Softbank's official "we don't take reservations" policy... It's mayhem I tells ya!

 

[Podgy]

Yeah apparently shops were taking reservations then Softbank HQ told them not to...

Just about an hour to go before I go back with my precious ticket and pick up an iPhone!

Good luck on your questy!

P.

Little update from Sapporo...

My buddy called a few stores and it seems only my stupid local shop was trying to stick me with the credit card thing. All the others said it wasn't necessary if I already had bank transfer set up with them.

As for getting a phone, looks like all the shops around me are sold out already (whether with tickets or reservations). I'm gonna try to track down an English speaking salesperson and put in a reservation for a 16GB whenever the next batch comes in.

As for the next batch, all three shops we called had no idea. One said to give them a call tomorrow or the next day and they would know. But the whole 10-15 per shop seems to be more true than Softbank's official "we don't take reservations" policy... It's mayhem I tells ya!

 

[mavis]

Well, I'm off. Let's see if my reservation did me any good (and if not, how many heads are gonna roll) ...

I'll post back in about 30 minutes unless I can actually get my iPhone, otherwise I imagine sometime this afternoon. Wish me luck!

 

[Noonzio]

Softbank Roppongi had 150 iPhones, though very few 16 gigs. There were approx 160 in the queue at 9.30am and maybe 220 when I left at 10.45am. Would have had to wait at least another 2 hours to get a ticket . . and some of us have jobs to go to so I couldn't

 

[Podgy]

Im off back to the shop with my ticky...

Good luck Mavis.

P.

QUOTE=mavis;5767690]Well, I'm off. Let's see if my reservation did me any good (and if not, how many heads are gonna roll) ...

I'll post back in about 30 minutes unless I can actually get my iPhone, otherwise I imagine sometime this afternoon. Wish me luck! [/QUOTE]

 

[macdigger]

Got one in Nagoya!

Well actually my wife got one for me because I'm at work right now.

I have called my local Softbank shop at about 11:30 in the morning and they "had a few" and "nobody" was queuing. What a miracle! So I called my wife and she went to the shop and fetched one 16Gb model for me

She was second in queue, and iPhones got sold out 2-3 persons behind her, so they seemingly had only 4-5 units. I just got bloody lucky!! Though Softbank staff told it might take until evening (and probably till tomorrow) for the iPhone to actually get activated (Softbank is ALWAYS slow with activation.. wtf)

Can't wait to get back home today....

 

[mavis]

YAY!!!!!

I got it!!!!!!!! I was their first iPhone customer; I got a white 16GB ...

I'm syncing my apps now (BTW, I downloaded apps from both my U.S. iTMS account as well as my Japanese account and they all transfered!) ...

 

[macdigger]

YAY!!!!!

I got it!!!!!!!! I was their first iPhone customer; I got a white 16GB ...

I'm syncing my apps now (BTW, I downloaded apps from both my U.S. iTMS account as well as my Japanese account and they all transfered!) ...

gratz mavis! I got black 16G for myself. Can't wait to get back home..

 

[mavis]

gratz mavis! I got black 16G for myself. Can't wait to get back home..

Excellent, mate!!!!! Congrats to you too.

I can't wait to try out some of these apps. And I'm really anxious to give MobileMe a spin - I'll finally be able to use the account I bought last month.

 

[liquidh2o]

How long did the activation progress end up taking?

 

[zentraedi]

Well actually my wife got one for me because I'm at work right now.

I have called my local Softbank shop at about 11:30 in the morning and they "had a few" and "nobody" was queuing. What a miracle! So I called my wife and she went to the shop and fetched one 16Gb model for me

She was second in queue, and iPhones got sold out 2-3 persons behind her, so they seemingly had only 4-5 units. I just got bloody lucky!! Though Softbank staff told it might take until evening (and probably till tomorrow) for the iPhone to actually get activated (Softbank is ALWAYS slow with activation.. wtf)

Can't wait to get back home today....

Congrats. Aren't you lucky!

Just out of curiosity, what part of Nagoya are talking about? I'm wondering if everyone's already sold out in my area.

Anyway, be sure to thank your wife. I asked my girlfriend to do that and she was down right offended that I had the temerity to ask. On top of that, she's even free all day as she's on a 7 month sabbatical from work.