Job Discussion Forums

mushroomyakuza · Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 140

First of all, I'm aware there other threads about this very topic but none of them really covers what I want to ask about. Basically I've just got my ARC and bank account sorted and want to look into getting a decent contract phone.

When I asked Softbank (to my knowledge the only provider with Iphones?) how much an iPhone would cost, they told me 42 thousand yen to buy it outright - which you have to do, unless you have a three year visa. Then you sign up for the "white plan", which is somewhere between 5 and 6 thousand yen a month, giving you unlimited internet access, including email, and free calls to other Softbank phones only, excluding a window between 9PM and 1AM. Maybe it's just me, but that sounds like a pretty shitty deal.

I would of course love to have an iPhone here - I'm accustomed to it, as I have one back in England and have brought it with me but they insist it "will not work unless it's a Japanese iphone". They are of course, talking out of their arse, but there's just no persuading them. If you have the phone unlocked, it should work, no problem. (judging by what I've seen on the internet), but to my knowledge, they won't offer you a SIM only contract.

Basically I want this thread to ascertain whether there are easier ways of getting an iPhone (there must be, because a new friend of mine recently got hers for about ten thousand yen. Plus Softbank keep promoting some deal where you pay NOTHING for your iPhone - unfortunately I didn't get far enough into a conversation with someone who could speak English to discover more on this) and if not, what the best alternatives are.

Lovely as iPhones are, I'd realistically be very content with a phone that can call people, use email, and allow me to browse the web, possibly with some "application" style programs - eg for things like facebook, and a phone that is in English (no kanji!). Oh, and for a reasonable price - both monthly for the contract and for the buyout price of the phone itself. Can anyone make a reccomendation? A lot of people seem to be hating on Softbank for poor customer service and bad reception, while AU seem to have "ugly" phones and Docomo come away relatively unscathed.

I'm sure there are many people on the forums wanting similar questions answered, and any help would be great. Thanks.

wayne432 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255

Honestly, it's entirely preference.
The best choice for everyone would be to shop around themselves and see what they want. If you can't make it to one of the English rep stores (like in Tokyo), then find someone who can/will translate.

Yes, there is (or was?) a deal where if you signed up with Softbank, you could get an iphone for "free". I think it worked out that you paid for it upfront and the price was deducted each month so it worked out to your contract length.

Anyhow, with any of the stores, pick a phone you like (or ask them which phones have English)... then you just have to tell them what you want and make them show you a list of prices/plans.

If you customize to your usage, all companies would work out to be very similar. If you let the companies choose for you, you're going to overpay.

yangyoseop · Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 1:13 am Post subject:

I hate iPhones, so that makes no difference for me. I'm pretty sure Docomo's rates would be better suited for me, so that's what I voted for.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Basically they all offer the same thing. Docomo has the cooler looking phones, but most people on Docomo seem to be paying over 8,000 yen a month, whereas most people on AU are closer to 4,000 yen a month. My usual bill with AU is just under 4,000 yen for quite a lot of speaking time, emails and internet connection. Softbank seems to be somewhere between the two.

seklarwia · Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 1:36 am Post subject:

I'm never normally paying more than 2500/month and softbank has the best coverage where I am. I paid 4000 last month because I was calling UK and HK mobiles, but considering how many calls I made (10+), I'm not complaining about a measley 1500Y extra.

AU isn't so popular here though and the few I know with AU phones complain about the signal; they'll have a full signal then suddenly nothing even though they are still in the same place.

Basically, it's best to see who has the best coverage where you are and deals for your type of usage. Everybody is going to have a different opinion on who is best and in a sense, they're all right.

One of our ALTs has one and it costs them less than 4000/month to run. I bet the price you are quoting is with the unneccessary extras. I know that the accident insurance alone is about 1900/month.
EDIT: Oops! By one, I mean an iphone with Softbank.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

In more rural areas different providers will have better coverage than others in some places. We were in the mountains of Gunma last year and my AU phone was getting a signal in places where my husband's Softbank phone wasn't, so it's worth checking out the situation in your particular area.

flyer · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 539 Location: Sapporo Japan

Yes, same here in Hokaido. Many people use AU here because of better coverage. The main cities is no problem but .......

OneJoelFifty · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 463

I'm still waiting for my ARC so I can get a phone, but I went to the big YAMADA the other day and spoke to an AU girl about Softbank as she was the only one that spoke English well.

According to her, the selling points for Softbank are that you don't have to pay a cancellation fee on the contract (although I was looking at free phones - same problem with having a one year visa not wanting to shell out loads of money to buy anything straight out). Regarding the White Plan, I was told that you must sign up for all the extras for the first month (which totalled around 6,000 Yen as you said) but after that you are free to cancel everything and stick with the basic plan and perhaps one other thing, which came to less than 2,000 Yen.

seklarwia · Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 7:05 am Post subject:

I didn't have to sign up for any extras. They wanted me to and really went for the hard sell, but the Japanese IC I was with told them politely but firmly that I wasn't signing up to any extras that I didn't want. The first bill was still a bit higher though because it includes an initial connection fee.

But yes, you can make changes to your contract and any extras at any time.

wayne432 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255

seklarwia · Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2010 12:15 pm Post subject:

projectrook · Joined: 08 Jan 2010 Posts: 45

This is just me personally maybe, but part of the fun of living in a different country is using devices that you cannot use in your home country. It gives you a chance to try something you have never tried before and not be able to use when you go back to your home country if you are not staying in Japan for good.

I can understand the comfort one would feel for using something you are familiar with, however keitais are not that complex and take little to no time to get used to.

Also, I dont know if things have changed since last year when I was there, but there are some things that an iPhone cannot do that a basic keitai can. For example, infrared data exchange (can't remember the Japanese word for that). Perhaps someone can say for sure if that is a feature that has been added or not. Most keitais also come with much better cameras IMO with better focusing.

But again, it is all about what you really want in a phone while in Japan. The same 'ol thing you are used to, or something different.

wayne432 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255

Pitarou · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1116 Location: Narita, Japan

seklarwia · Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2010 8:53 am Post subject: