Don't have an iphone for the main reason that I don't like Softbank. I am interested in the product, but not Softbank as the local exclusive agent.
Actually, my dislike goes back to when they were still Vodafone. I just don't understand how a mobile phone company can stay in business when it is impossible to pick up a signal when standing in the middle of Shinjuku.
I have an iPhone, and am registered with Softbank, which I dont like.
I think they are rip-off merchants. But then, the mobile phone system in Japan sucks anyway.Its generally cut off from the rest of the world, the way the Japanese like to be....
Like the iPhone, hate the fact that SOFTBANK has it wrapped up in an extortionist exclusive deal. I'd have one but for the fact that unlike any other phone in Japan, emails to the iPhone count as data transfer (SO THEY CAN CHARGE YOU FOR IT) I still have my 4 year old VODAFONE on a mail-hodai plan and pay less than ¥4500 a month. My friend's minimum iPhone bill is ¥9500 a month with minimal talk time and only moderate email use.
Gimme an R!
I!
P!
O!
F!
F!
Whatch got?
I like it. Its different, like the Wii compared with the PS3. The new interface change how we use it. And that is good, because it bring innovation to the market. Did you saw the video of the Project Natal? That some amazing stuff. Is like the next step is all about the user interface, just like the mouse, the wii-mote and the multi-touch screen.
jail break it and you can use skype over the 3g network. i give softbank nothing in calling fees. skype to landlines 2 yen per minute / skype to keitai 20 yen per minute. 1/2 the rate of any other carrier. So for under 5,0000 yen you can have your iPhone. (And, the new 3Gs will come out here at the same time, according to the SPAM Apple email I got this morning)
You use your iPhone as a phone? I use almost every other feature except the phone!
I must admit I think that it is the most useful phone I have ever had. My favorite feature is the maps. Type in an address that I don't know and track myself to get there. Then I go to street view to recognize what I'm looking for. The camera (on the 3G) sucks, but I have managed to get some good pics. Also, there are a lot of great apps out there.
I got mine two months ago on their special promotion (free phone - 2 year contract) and have had nothing but great service from Softbank. A few weeks ago my phone stopped working and after a few attempts to reset it my local Softbank shop just handed me a brand new iPhone and apologized for the inconvenience. I haven't had a bill over 6000 yen and the unlimited packet/internet is a real saver. I use Skype for all international calls and it works great on the iPhone. I've had Japanese mobiles for the last 12 years and will never go back!
overpriced, poor functionality, few features when compared to other phones. I'm still happy to carry my iPod Touch in the briefcase and mobile phone in the pocket.
The features I find missing are: 1. No IR port for exchanging contacts, 2. Lack of vibe/sound for an incoming mail (third-party apps can give this though). No felica - don't care. No one-seg - don't care.
Left Softbank because they charged 70000 yen 1month when my kid (7) downloaded manga on my phone. When I spoke to the Softbank shop the shop assistant said something like 'most Japanese opt for the downloadhodai pack' meaning 'you are gaijin so shoganai!' I then realised the shop was just a franchise with really bad staff....but left anyway. Which means I would have upgraded to an iphone but now I can't.Thought about the ipod touch but heard wifi connections aren't great either.
New ones have video. But you know, Japanese phones have done all the iphone does for some time except sync with the Mac. The iphone has the Wow factor and itunes. Talk about paying to shop at one store. Crazy.
If you think softbank service sucks, try to rent a phone from au when going on holiday, cause most of their phones only work in Japan. Just spent 24 min on the phone being treated like a small kid, despite the fact that they know that its not my first time... and au shop is very useless for infos, just gets you an "please phone this number..."
I'm sorry, but Japanese phones don't come close to offering the functionality of the iPhone. Show me a Japanese phone that has GPS activated Google Maps with directions (including train times etc.) and street view. Or a remote to wirelessly control your iTunes. Or a web browser that can display 90% of the web pages out there. This goes on.
2020hindsight, i think many hi-end j-phone got it long before iphone even come here. i saw my friend GPS j-phone 4-5 years ago.
but you will have to pay extra for those service.
it isn't like you can download it or use it for free like google map.
22 Comments
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noborito
I love my jailbroken iphone. Hate softbank. Hate it that the price is 3 times the USA for the exact phone. But love iphone.
cnc
hasnt convinced me enough to trade in my e61's real world keyboard with real keys, with an iphone with soft keys.
jackfish
Nice. And the competition is getting better too, which is good for the consumer.
timorborder
Don't have an iphone for the main reason that I don't like Softbank. I am interested in the product, but not Softbank as the local exclusive agent.
Actually, my dislike goes back to when they were still Vodafone. I just don't understand how a mobile phone company can stay in business when it is impossible to pick up a signal when standing in the middle of Shinjuku.
realist
I have an iPhone, and am registered with Softbank, which I dont like. I think they are rip-off merchants. But then, the mobile phone system in Japan sucks anyway.Its generally cut off from the rest of the world, the way the Japanese like to be....
kanadamanada
Like the iPhone, hate the fact that SOFTBANK has it wrapped up in an extortionist exclusive deal. I'd have one but for the fact that unlike any other phone in Japan, emails to the iPhone count as data transfer (SO THEY CAN CHARGE YOU FOR IT) I still have my 4 year old VODAFONE on a mail-hodai plan and pay less than ¥4500 a month. My friend's minimum iPhone bill is ¥9500 a month with minimal talk time and only moderate email use. Gimme an R! I! P! O! F! F! Whatch got?
mareo2
I like it. Its different, like the Wii compared with the PS3. The new interface change how we use it. And that is good, because it bring innovation to the market. Did you saw the video of the Project Natal? That some amazing stuff. Is like the next step is all about the user interface, just like the mouse, the wii-mote and the multi-touch screen.
TokyoHustla
I would get it if Softbank wasn't the carrier. Anyone but them would be ok.
Den Den
Battery sux. Softbank receptiion sux. New 3GS is available now, but you won't get it here. Positive side, GPS and internet on the go.
Disillusioned
I wonder if Apple is aware the popularity of the iPhone suffers greatly cos of Softbank. Softbank is stopping me buying one too.
noborito
jail break it and you can use skype over the 3g network. i give softbank nothing in calling fees. skype to landlines 2 yen per minute / skype to keitai 20 yen per minute. 1/2 the rate of any other carrier. So for under 5,0000 yen you can have your iPhone. (And, the new 3Gs will come out here at the same time, according to the SPAM Apple email I got this morning)
2020hindsight
noborito
You use your iPhone as a phone? I use almost every other feature except the phone!
I must admit I think that it is the most useful phone I have ever had. My favorite feature is the maps. Type in an address that I don't know and track myself to get there. Then I go to street view to recognize what I'm looking for. The camera (on the 3G) sucks, but I have managed to get some good pics. Also, there are a lot of great apps out there.
NuckinFutz
I got mine two months ago on their special promotion (free phone - 2 year contract) and have had nothing but great service from Softbank. A few weeks ago my phone stopped working and after a few attempts to reset it my local Softbank shop just handed me a brand new iPhone and apologized for the inconvenience. I haven't had a bill over 6000 yen and the unlimited packet/internet is a real saver. I use Skype for all international calls and it works great on the iPhone. I've had Japanese mobiles for the last 12 years and will never go back!
fatfrenchfool
never seen one, what's it do?
R_M_s
overpriced, poor functionality, few features when compared to other phones. I'm still happy to carry my iPod Touch in the briefcase and mobile phone in the pocket.
evildave
The features I find missing are: 1. No IR port for exchanging contacts, 2. Lack of vibe/sound for an incoming mail (third-party apps can give this though). No felica - don't care. No one-seg - don't care.
hereandthere
finally a phone that outstrips available service... now we can wait for the networks to catch up...
the real fun will be if they add some of this coolness to the Touch.
dokachin
Left Softbank because they charged 70000 yen 1month when my kid (7) downloaded manga on my phone. When I spoke to the Softbank shop the shop assistant said something like 'most Japanese opt for the downloadhodai pack' meaning 'you are gaijin so shoganai!' I then realised the shop was just a franchise with really bad staff....but left anyway. Which means I would have upgraded to an iphone but now I can't.Thought about the ipod touch but heard wifi connections aren't great either.
OneForAll
New ones have video. But you know, Japanese phones have done all the iphone does for some time except sync with the Mac. The iphone has the Wow factor and itunes. Talk about paying to shop at one store. Crazy.
Seawolf
If you think softbank service sucks, try to rent a phone from au when going on holiday, cause most of their phones only work in Japan. Just spent 24 min on the phone being treated like a small kid, despite the fact that they know that its not my first time... and au shop is very useless for infos, just gets you an "please phone this number..."
2020hindsight
OneForAll
I'm sorry, but Japanese phones don't come close to offering the functionality of the iPhone. Show me a Japanese phone that has GPS activated Google Maps with directions (including train times etc.) and street view. Or a remote to wirelessly control your iTunes. Or a web browser that can display 90% of the web pages out there. This goes on.
thedeath
2020hindsight, i think many hi-end j-phone got it long before iphone even come here. i saw my friend GPS j-phone 4-5 years ago. but you will have to pay extra for those service. it isn't like you can download it or use it for free like google map.