3G iPhone in Japan?

[WSwingley]

Have any current Softbank users been able to upgrade to an iPhone? I am willing to pay off the remainder of my current phone, however the nearest Softbank store said that they were only selling the iPhone to new customers (or people switching from docomo or au).
I have a feeling that this isn't store policy, and just a manager trying to up his new sign-ups, but I would like to be armed with some more info before I try again.

Hey Sirus, I did exactly this. Mostly because without a Japanese CC or long Visa status (although mine was fine) you can't get a new contract... although from what Mavis says there are many ways around this.

Anyway... As a current customer you can either cancel your current contract (and pay for the remained of your bill and phone) or upgrade your phone to an iPhone. I upgraded and under the new Super Bonus plan you can do this with no penalty to your old plan... except!

Except... they will cut your Super Bonus and increase the phone cost to account for the upgrade. This essentially a "new contracts get a bigger bonus" situation, but if anyone knows a way around this let me know and I would love to go harass Softbank to fix mine.

So, in my case I pay 3660 (instead of 3360) yen a month for my 16GB and I get a discount of 1720 (instead of 1920). However, I would have had to pay 10,500 (remaining phone cost plus current month bill) to cancel my old one and start a new one... or let my old one run out (two months of fees), so the upgrade was worthwile.

Hope that helps!

 

[joshmentzer]

Japanese vs Gaijin pricing?

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@funkdis:
I think that visa might hurt you. Softbank requires gaijin to have at least 26 months remaining on our visa to qualify for the 'Japanese people' pricing. Of course, there are ways around this - for example you don't have to use forms of ID which show your visa status. Please see my earlier posts in this thread for details (or just call 157, press 8 and then 9, 9) ...

My visa expires in two months, but I paid the same as a Japanese person, and I didn't have to give them my CC number. Loopholes FTW!

@Mavis: So, you're fairly confident that we can adhere to the rules outlined on the webpage?(http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/en/support/application/personal/index.html)

I've got a Japanese driver's license, and that's "D" on the list so should I be OK - right?

What worries me is:

Wow, what a day!
Oh and I avoided the passport thing then when she insisted(she was following the requirements leaflet) out came my passport. She opened a blank page then went on to setting up my phone! Obviously she didnt know what she was supposed to check in there...

Podgy

Any gaijin getting the Japanese price without having to show your visa etc?

 

[crayonshin]

Any gaijin getting the Japanese price without having to show your visa etc?

I keep hearing about this "Japanese Pricing". In the end, the price is the same is it not? Please correct me if I'm wrong. The difference is that they won't spread the cost of the phone over the 2 years. You would have to pay the 80,640 yen up front.

 

[zentraedi]

Anyone know if stores are currently getting more in stock? Everytime I call a store, I seem to get a catty attitude about how they have none and they have no idea when they'll get more.

I can wait, but it's kinda nuts not knowing how long I have to wait.

 

[macboy62]

Anyone know if stores are currently getting more in stock? Everytime I call a store, I seem to get a catty attitude about how they have none and they have no idea when they'll get more.

I can wait, but it's kinda nuts not knowing how long I have to wait.

I'd like to know this too. I was hoping there would be more available this weekend.

 

[zentraedi]

Well, I stopped by my local Softbank store here in Nagoya and the guy said 8GB handsets were available for new contracts. I told him I'd rather wait for a 16GB and he took my contact info. According to him it might be a week or 2 weeks at most before they get more in.

 

[Noonzio]

So I've talked to a few Softbank stores (and to Softbank in Bic Camera) and it seems that for CURRENT Softbank customers (i.e. people that currently use Softbank, not necessarily people that are in a current contract) they are not looking for the whole Japanese visa / credit card requirement . . just proof of identity (i.e. a passport).

For NEW customers they are looking for the Japanese visa at a minimum, and, if they're being really awkward, a Japanese credit card too.

So it seems to me to be safe to say that if you're currently on the Softbank network, although you may not get an iPhone in the first batch, you will eventually.

I've given up looking for a store that has them in stock (as I have sh*t Japanese and its a pain in the a*hole) and am off to the US of A for 3 weeks on Thursday so will pop into Softbank Roppongi when I get back in August and get my 16GB White!!!

 

[JapanScott]

＠i.softbank.jp

I'm a bit unclear about the ＠i.softbank.jp email address. Is this just an additional address? You still can access any other regular mail through the mail app, right?!?

 

[keirnna]

I'm a bit unclear about the ＠i.softbank.jp email address. Is this just an additional address? You still can access any other regular mail through the mail app, right?!?

Yes, these stupid softbank email address are all but worthless on the iPhone. I do need to set my data fetch settings to 5 minutes instead of 15 which is the current minimum. I hope they fix this soon. This phone was unbelievably handy today. It saved me several extra trips to the bank, etc.

 

[sushi]

Anyone here plan to talk a lot with their iPhone to folks who do not have Softbank cell phones?

If so, how much do you expect your monthly cost will be?

 

[mavis]

Yes, these stupid softbank email address are all but worthless on the iPhone. I do need to set my data fetch settings to 5 minutes instead of 15 which is the current minimum. I hope they fix this soon. This phone was unbelievably handy today. It saved me several extra trips to the bank, etc.

I assume you're using an external mail account (Gmail, MobileMe, etc) ... ? If possible, why not set up that account to forward copies of incoming mail to the Softbank account? That way you'll at least get a visual notification of mail whenever new messages arrive, without actually having to use the account to check your mail. I think it might be a good way to use the system ...

 

[mavis]

Anyone here plan to talk a lot with their iPhone to folks who do not have Softbank cell phones?

If so, how much do you expect your monthly cost will be?

Email. And they can call me.

Having used Softbank's White Plan (Double White, actually) for the past year, I already know that if I make a lot of off-network calls, my bills will be astronomical. Which is actually part of the reason I was able to get the iPhone without any flak from the wife - my iPhone will actually cost less than I've been paying for years, as long as I don't use it for voice calls. And that's fine with me.

 

[sushi]

Email. And they can call me.

Having used Softbank's White Plan (Double White, actually) for the past year, I already know that if I make a lot of off-network calls, my bills will be astronomical. Which is actually part of the reason I was able to get the iPhone without any flak from the wife - my iPhone will actually cost less than I've been paying for years, as long as I don't use it for voice calls. And that's fine with me.

Appreciate the info.

I was looking at the cost of calls, with both the White and Double White, plans. As you say, if you make many off-network calls, the bill will be very high.

You comment about "they can call me" gave me a chuckle. I purchased a cell phone (DoCoMo) when they first came out here in Japan. Many of my American friends were calling me all the time from their home and office phones. They assumed that billing worked like in the states. After about a month or so, some started asking how I could afford all of the cell phone calls they were making. I broke the news to them that they were paying for the call. Almost immediately, the calls stopped. Then about 2-3 weeks later when the phone bills came out, they started to complain since they had some rather high phone bills.

Back then simple cell phone plans were close to 10,000 yen per month. And if you talked just a few minutes you would see 14,000-16,000 yen monthly bills.

With Softbank's phone plans (White & Double White) it would be easy to spend that much a month if you make calls.

Guess e-mail is king!

That, or have all your friends get Softbank accounts.

Oh, and don't have many late night (2100-0100) conversations.

 

[joshmentzer]

So I've talked to a few Softbank stores (and to Softbank in Bic Camera) and it seems that for CURRENT Softbank customers (i.e. people that currently use Softbank, not necessarily people that are in a current contract) they are not looking for the whole Japanese visa / credit card requirement . . just proof of identity (i.e. a passport).

For NEW customers they are looking for the Japanese visa at a minimum, and, if they're being really awkward, a Japanese credit card too.

Thanks for the info.

 

[mavis]

Thanks for the info.

So a Japanese person has to show valid ID (drivers license or health insurance card with utility bill), but a person with the same valid ID (who doesn't 'look' or 'speak' Japanese) needs to also present a passport with visa? sounds familiar

How exactly does one differentate a Japanese customer from a non-Japanese customer??

I'm sorry, but Softbank's website clearly states their policy regarding acceptable forms of identification (for both Japanese and non-Japanese, it doesn't matter!) ... If some shops are disregarding their own company policies, all you have to do is get customer service on the phone. Or print that page from their site and take it with you. Foreigners DO NOT need to show their visa as long as they have one of the other forms of ID. PERIOD.

 

[SaSaSushi]

Thanks for the info.

So a Japanese person has to show valid ID (drivers license or health insurance card with utility bill), but a person with the same valid ID (who doesn't 'look' or 'speak' Japanese) needs to also present a passport with visa? sounds familiar

Where was it said that a non-Japanese customer could not use a valid Japanese drivers license as proof of identity?

I have permanent resident status here in Japan but Softbank doesn't know from that. I showed them my Japanese drivers license last time they asked me for ID.

How exactly does one differentate a Japanese customer from a non-Japanese customer??

I guess they would ask if they really wanted to know.

 

[joshmentzer]

Thanks ya'll this is just what I was after...

I'm sorry, but Softbank's website clearly states their policy regarding acceptable forms of identification (for both Japanese and non-Japanese, it doesn't matter!) ... Foreigners DO NOT need to show their visa as long as they have one of the other forms of ID. PERIOD.

I showed them my Japanese drivers license last time they asked me for ID.

Now I just need to locate a phone . Went to Bic in Yurakucho yesterday and they're just hanging around - no iphones to sell, no news on re-stocking and no one wants the other stuff now that the genuine article has arrived

 

[joshmentzer]

Well, I stopped by my local Softbank store here in Nagoya and the guy said 8GB handsets were available for new contracts. I told him I'd rather wait for a 16GB and he took my contact info. According to him it might be a week or 2 weeks at most before they get more in.

Folks interested in 16's will have to wait I guess. Anyone else getting reports on the next wave?

 

[zentraedi]

Not sure how you guys are faring at the stores, but from my experiences I'd recommend speaking to a male sales associate. It seems as if females working at Softbank stores are ditzy, incompetent and rather catty. More of the male associates tend to be enthusiastic tech people.

 

[tony-in-japan]

Tried the iPhone 3G today...

Popped over to BicCamera in Ikebukuro where they had 8-10 iPhones on display to play with.

Must say, I am impressed! Bigger than other Japanese Keitais but then I prefer the bigger screen, especially when I am browsing in landscape orientation. It does seem to be a excessive finger-mark magnet though!

Just wondering, what is the difference between subscribing to an iPhone 3G via somewhere like BicCamera and through the official Softbank stores? Is pricing and plans different or exactly the same?

Regards,
Tony

 

[zentraedi]

Checked a few places today. Seems like there's no problem getting an 8GB. Still have to wait for the 16 GB models though.

 

[oftheheavens]

Checked a few places today. Seems like there's no problem getting an 8GB. Still have to wait for the 16 GB models though.

very true, broke down today and bought an 8gb and i really wanted a 16gb white but o well the have white silicone skin tight cases for them here at Yamada dinki

 

[MacbookSwitcher]

For all those who've gotten your iPhones (in Japan)..

Is it possible to get an iPhone with neither a Japanese credit card NOR bank account? (i.e. cash, or a US bank account?)

 

[WSwingley]

Just wondering, what is the difference between subscribing to an iPhone 3G via somewhere like BicCamera and through the official Softbank stores? Is pricing and plans different or exactly the same?

Exactly the same... except in my case, the Yodobashi guys knew WTF was going on and all the local shops were clueless. YMMV. Funny that it's the opposite of the US, where the local shops know everything and the big chain stores are full of morons.

For all those who've gotten your iPhones (in Japan)..

Is it possible to get an iPhone with neither a Japanese credit card NOR bank account? (i.e. cash, or a US bank account?)

Only way I've found to do this is with a current Softbank account. Otherwise, the credit card issue is corporate policy. You MAY find an employee that doesn't do this, but it's a crapshoot.

 

[Porcinet]

I went to Yodobashi shop last Friday and didn't even have to show my Alien Registration Card. I showed my Driver's Licence and that was all! I could get the 24 month contract without any problem and didn't have to pay upfront for the phone.
So far, everything works well. MobileMe is good (but still buggy for web apps) and the push me.com e-mail can replace the softbank e-mail without any problem. So I didn't even try to configure my softbank e-mail and gave my new xxx@me.com e-mail to my colleagues and friends (but I will still keep my gmail address for newsletters and other non urgent mails, in order not to be bothered continuously by mail notifications on the phone).