I explained this in another thread here yesterday.
The pricing/subsidy system on the iPhone 4 is basically the same as the 3GS. The only thing is if you cancel an existing handset contract midway you lose the subsidies on that one.
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3G iPhone in Japan?
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I explained this in another thread here yesterday.
The pricing/subsidy system on the iPhone 4 is basically the same as the 3GS. The only thing is if you cancel an existing handset contract midway you lose the subsidies on that one.
It should work. I was recently in Japan, and my friend has a 3g Iphone and she used it to call home, and an international phone someone had in Japan. So, Apple really doesn't want to sell many iPhones in Japan. They pick the smallest major carrier, one that has the worst reception coverage in the country although maybe this will push Softbank to do better.
An iphone is actually a pretty sophisticated piece of computer technology combining wifi, GPS and phone abilities. most PDA smartphones that you can buy outright cost this much. In the US the iphone is only sold on a plan and costs almost that much over the 2 year contract ( actually you pay around $1656 over 24 months). in Japan they probably sell the phone with no carrier lock.
I know you should at least be able to use docomo.. My friend uses it all the time...
I'm with KDDI and have ordered the iP4 at Softbank. Paying 8,000/month for a three year old phone on KDDI so I thought I might as well pay the same for a new iP4 on Softbank. Actually if I buy the iP4 cash I'll only be paying about 5,000/month to Softbank total.
I don't know why anyone would want to use an unlocked iPhone on KDDI or Docomo because none of them have unlimited data plans.
What about the bands? Will a KDDI or Docomo SIM work in a Softbank iP4 after you trim it down to miniSIM size?
EDIT: Btw, When I get the iP4 is it easy to transfer my contacts from KDDI phone to iP4? I know the Softbank stores have those PCs where you can plugin your phone to transfer your contacts to the iP4 but wasn't sure if that was for other Softbank phones only.
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I don't know why anyone would want to use an unlocked iPhone on KDDI or Docomo because none of them have unlimited data plans.
What about the bands? Will a KDDI or Docomo SIM work in a Softbank iP4 after you trim it down to miniSIM size?
EDIT: Btw, When I get the iP4 is it easy to transfer my contacts from KDDI phone to iP4? I know the Softbank stores have those PCs where you can plugin your phone to transfer your contacts to the iP4 but wasn't sure if that was for other Softbank phones only.
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Docomo certainly has an unlimited data plan AND their network coverage where I live i worlds better. To transfer your contacts you'll need AU to print them out and then input them into your phone.
I guess Docomo has an unlimited plan because they now have some new smart phones. For me it's not worth it though. Softbank is fine.
What do you mean they have to [PRINT] the contacts out then input them into the iPhone? AU certainly won't input anything into a Softbank phone.
I mean you take a printed list of your contacts and then fat finger them into your new iPhone.
You must be living in the 1990's.
All you do is save your address book in the Docomo/AU miniSD card then import your address book into your (my) MacBook address book. Next time you sync your iPhone with your Mac using iTunes, the iPhone automatically gets the new address book. Sometimes you have to fix some of the text data but it's pretty much smooth sailing.
That's the beauty of having a Mac. Seamless.
Docomo SIM using Internet
I'm still trying to figure out how can I use my unlocked/jailbroken iPhone 4 with a DOCOMO SIM with or without Internet plan (blackberry or galaxy or experia)???
Please I need some assistance as I've been paying $300-500 on roaming charges mostly Internet use when I go to Tokyo only for 1-week
Any suggestions will be appreciated!
I'm still trying to figure out how can I use my unlocked/jailbroken iPhone 4 with a DOCOMO SIM with or without Internet plan (blackberry or galaxy or experia)???
Please I need some assistance as I've been paying $300-500 on roaming charges mostly Internet use when I go to Tokyo only for 1-week
Any suggestions will be appreciated!
Asking a question about using unlocked iPhone 4
So, my situation is this.
1. I have an unlocked iPhone 4 bought from the states.
2. I already have an iPhone 3GS from Softbank, and I have the unlimited plan for the iPhone, and I have the iPhone sim card.
My question: Will I get charged for the famous overage since their system can see the IMEI of my unlocked iPhone that's not one of their's. I have read somewhere saying that I am okay if I have the iPhone sim instead of the normal gray sim.
Thanks!
So, my situation is this.
1. I have an unlocked iPhone 4 bought from the states.
2. I already have an iPhone 3GS from Softbank, and I have the unlimited plan for the iPhone, and I have the iPhone sim card.
My question: Will I get charged for the famous overage since their system can see the IMEI of my unlocked iPhone that's not one of their's. I have read somewhere saying that I am okay if I have the iPhone sim instead of the normal gray sim.
Thanks!
Or do the exact same thing with Windows and Outlook.
Just as seamless as with a Mac. Syncing from an address book isn't only for OS X y'know.
EDIT: Whoops, didn't realize his/her post was from half a year ago. Disregard this.
I was told by Softbank that the sim card for the iPhone 3GS is different than the sim for the iPhone 4 and will not work in it.
Yes the 3G/3GS uses a mini SIM and the 4G uses a micro. I remember reading somewhere that it's possible to cut it down to size but I don't know how practical this really is...
Will not work? I mean, I've put the sim card in the iPhone 4 and it was able to make calls and access the internet. What I wanted to ask was about the data package. I've read so much about SB overcharging unauthorized phones. So...that was my question, not so much about whether or not it can be used, but more about if SB will see the iPhone as unauthorized and charge the crap outta me?
Thanks for your reply btw
Thanks for your reply btw
That I can't answer for you, sorry, having never tried it. I know I can check the current status of my bill online with Softbank. Have you tried that and checked whether it is charging your iPhone 4 usage as if it were the 3GS? My guess is that you can probably get away with it if so although I'd be nervous doing that. I use the flat-rate packet plan at 4400 yen/month or whatever it is but i notice that in terms of my actual data usage each month it's in the thousands of dollars, LOL. I would NOT want to give them any excuse to actually bill me for any small percentage of it. Be careful. Incidentally, how did you put the 3GS sim in the iPhone 4's micro-SIM slot anyway? Did you cut the card down to micro-SIM size?
Will not work? I mean, I've put the sim card in the iPhone 4 and it was able to make calls and access the internet. What I wanted to ask was about the data package. I've read so much about SB overcharging unauthorized phones. So...that was my question, not so much about whether or not it can be used, but more about if SB will see the iPhone as unauthorized and charge the crap outta me?
Thanks for your reply btw
Well, after I upgraded from the 3G to the iPhone 4, I've been able to swap the sim card between them (I purchased a micro sim to mini sim adaptor). My 3G is jailbroken and when I want to tether with my lap top, I swap the sim card. I've never been charged for unauthorized data.
Keep in mind that my original 3G was also from softbank, so maybe they don't mind so much.
I would restrict your usage until your first billing ones through. That's what I did. Best to play it safe.
Oh yeah, did you know that you can just cut the sim card? Some cell stores do that for you. You just need to keep the rest of the sim card if you want to put it back into a 3GS.
Well, I guess I could try that...Use it for a few days and monitor it on softbank.
Well, I guess I could try that...Use it for a few days and monitor it on softbank.
Hey, Are you saying that when you want to tether it to your computer, you change it back to the 3GS? Pretty tricky stuff.
So you use the sim card they gave you for your iphone 3G in your iphone 4. Also, so you have the unlimited data package?
So you're saying that you use your iphone 3G sim card in an unlocked iphone 4 that is NOT from softbank. And you also have the unlimited data package. And you use a **** load of data and they don't charge you extra?
How much is your data package?
So you use the sim card they gave you for your iphone 3G in your iphone 4. Also, so you have the unlimited data package?
So you're saying that you use your iphone 3G sim card in an unlocked iphone 4 that is NOT from softbank. And you also have the unlimited data package. And you use a **** load of data and they don't charge you extra?
How much is your data package?
Haha. Just to be clear, both my phones are from Softbank. When I upgraded to the iPhone 4, they gave me a new micro sim to go with it. They removed the mini sim from the old iPhone 3G and returned the phone to me.
When I want to use the micro sim in the 3G, I need to use the adapter so the micro sim will fit into the mini sim slot (basically making a smaller sim bigger).
You won't be able monitor your data charges until the bullish is completed because Softbank won't show your discounts until then. My usuages usually are about 40万円 (400000 yen), before my unlimited plan discount kicks in! So be careful!!
Same here, which is why I would be VERY wary of swapping sim cards. They may not detect the swap and thus never give you any grief but if they DO, they would be within their rights to refuse any data plans (e.g. Unlimited Packet Flat) and require you to pay in full.
From the iPhone contract for Softbank:
The USIM Card exchange handling fee (￥1,995 including tax) will be
required to reissue the USIM/microUSIM Cards or to change the device to
other Softbank models.
So, as AJ said, be very careful, indeed.
That ¥1,995 would be the least of your worries.'they would be in their rights' = they're guarenteed to to hit you. Haha. I've seen some horror stories right on this thread.
I wish there were more options for you... The Japanese mobile market still hasn't acknowledged the need for this yet. We should start our own business!! Haha. Offer sim rentals with voice and data plans at ¥1500-¥2000 a day. We could be rich! Haha.
I wish there were more options for you... The Japanese mobile market still hasn't acknowledged the need for this yet. We should start our own business!! Haha. Offer sim rentals with voice and data plans at ¥1500-¥2000 a day.
We could be rich! Haha.