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Japanese carriers start sales of iPhone SE

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18 Comments
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Got it online right from Apple, why do you need to buy from carrier?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I’ve had an iPhone SE for the past two years, and let me tell you, it works great! I don’t see the need in getting any of these new iPhones, like the iPhone 11. I mean besides, who needs three cameras on a phone anyway?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Industry rival Rakuten Inc., an e-commerce giant that launched its own cheaper full-scale wireless telecommunications service in April does not handle iPhones.

You cannot use the Rakuten Link App if you use an iPhone . however the service still works on the device.

Not too impressed with the coverage though, its still patchy in certain parts of Tokyo.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Not too impressed with the coverage though, its still patchy in certain parts of Tokyo.

Most places I see in the countryside if you're lucky you have a couple of choices, but some only have Docomo. We had only docomo for a few years, but recently AU put a tower a half kilometer away and now we get 2 choices, there is no Softbank reception where I'm at in Nara Prefecture. I've almost never seen a dropped signal in Osaka with Docomo. I use a iPhone 8+ that has a Docomo contract, everybody I know in our area uses Docomo. I also have to work once a year for a month or so in the Tokyo Ginza area, no dropped signals in that area.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Article on Tokyo and Osaka signal strength..

https://www.sakuramobile.jp/japan-wifi/data-roaming-in-japan-choosing-a-network-provider-for-your-next-trip/

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I have no need for an iPhone SE or any iPhone for that matter. We have been happy Android users for many years, ever since we ditched our iPhone 3G's.

As for provider, we use Line Mobile on the Docomo network, with its Free SNS option, and have no issues. Before that, we used IIJmio on the Docomo network. I just prefer Line Mobile's customer website compared to IIJmio's, which, like most JP websites, is a cluttered mess. The Free SNS option really stretches the data, since much of our phone data is used for Line and Facebook. They also have an unlimited calling option, or a half-price calling app, if you only make occasional voice calls.

I highly recommend using an MVNO like Line Mobile, IIJmio, etc on a major network like Docomo. It's much cheaper than signing up directly with one of the big 3. (Line Mobile gives you a choice of all 3 networks, whereas most of the other MVNO's are only Docomo and au.)

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

If it's DATA you want, buy from Apple and use a SIM for Sakuramobile or another like that.

You can do the same with a Voice SIM from any of the MVNO's, not just data.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Looking forward to the iPhone 12. From what I have read, the first truly 5G phone.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

If it's DATA you want, buy from Apple and use a SIM for Sakuramobile or another like that.

Hadn't heard of Sakuramobile before, just looked it up. If your data usage is below 3 GB it’s reasonable, otherwise you’re better off with Yahoo mobile. Free calls till 10 minutes, 7 GB data, Cancellation fee is 12,000 JPY though.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@zichi: If it's DATA you want, ... use a SIM for Sakuramobile."

Usually I agree with you in most cases but not here.

Sakura Mobile is pretty much a ripoff for subpar services. They just advertise a lot. I would recommend them only for short-term visitors who have a huge budget and don't want to shop and compare, as the prices for the service provided are too expensive, the procedures are cumbersome, and the service quite poor. Big deposit too, which they try hard to keep and not give back unless threatened.

For Data and Voice, I would go with the ¥5k/month Mobal sim for data and voice (Softbank chip--never had a dropped call in two years), 7gm data and ¥1k for an extra 1gb of data. Other plans (cheaper and more expensive) too.

For Data only (using Line or Viber for Voice), I would go with a LightPocket WiFi unit (lightpocket.jp) which works with any phone, has 150mb down speeds and unlimited usage (the unit peters out at 100gb but they send you a new unit for the rest of the month for free). Six users can login at the same time and all can stream with no problems (said from experience).

It pays to shop. Both Mobal and LightPocket are not giant companies but small businesses trying to make a living by providing great services and personal service. No deposits, no hassles, just great services.

(No, I don't get a cut nor am I friends with either). I just respect small business owners who are making it easy for NJ to get good phone services for reasonable prices).

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Yes but with the main carriers you can get unlimited calls for a mixed monthly plan. With MVNO's you pay for the calls. So I think its depends on what is important, calls or DATA.

I was just suggesting if DATA is the requirement then MVNO are better, but if calls are the important point then the main carriers are better. 

Many, if not most or all, MVNO's offer unlimited calling options. So, they are still much cheaper than the Big 3 even with voice plans.

As you suggest, people should research before choosing a mobile provider.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

i want one with five cameras ...

Five? Gee!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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