Softbank says iPhone 3G to start at $215, plans at $68

[AppleInsider]

Softbank Corp., Apple's exclusive iPhone carrier in Japan, announced Monday that the local version of iPhone 3G will start at 23,040 yen ($215) for the 8GB model, around the same price as the version that will be sold in the US.

The 16GB iPhone 3G will be priced at 34,560 yen, or $320. Softbank is expecting customers to pay 7,280 yen ($68) per month for their iPhone service plans, which will include unlimited data transmissions and free air time when talking to other Softbank subscribers for the better part of the day.

That's about 70 percent more than Softbank is accustomed to generating from its customers and is sure to boost the company's earnings, according chief executive Masayoshi Son. As of last quarter, the Softbank saw average revenue per subscriber each month of only 4,310 yen, or $40.

"We expect users who pay a lot to migrate from 'au' and DoCoMo," Son told a group of reporters. "There have been users who were just attracted to our low price, but the main point this time is feature attractiveness rather than price."

Both Softbank and DoCoMo had been in the running for the coveted rights to sell iPhone in Japan, with Softbank ultimately winning the contract. That hasn't stopped DoCoMo from persisting in its negotiations to bring the touch-screen handset to its more than 50 million customers, according to Reuters, which cites the carrier as saying it's still in talks with Apple.



Meanwhile, Softbank is unsure how many iPhone 3Gs it will have to offer its own 18 million+ customers come July 11th, the day the handset is due to go on sale in Japan and 20 other countries.



"We expect the first lot to evaporate instantly. We in the company will probably fight to get one as well," Son said. "Supplies will likely be scarce for a while."

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[Bageljoey]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Meanwhile, Softbank is unsure how many iPhone 3Gs it will have to offer its own 18 million+ customers come July 11th, the day the handset is due to go on sale in Japan and 20 other countries.

"We expect the first lot to evaporate instantly. We in the company will probably fight to get one as well," Son said. "Supplies will likely be scarce for a while."

Am I the only one who is worried about this? I know it is possible to keep good buzz going in the face of shortages (see the Wii) but I'm worried that the good buzz of a massive multi-continent turnout could sour if waiting lists mount.

Also, what if Apple builds massive stockpiles before July 11 to meet demand and it turns out there is a touch screen/battery/chip issue? Before the fix goes into production, there would be potentially millions that need warentee repair... (plus the resulting bad press).

I just wish they had a rolling introduction schedule over a month or two...

[quinney]

Originally Posted by Bageljoey

Am I the only one who is worried about this? I know it is possible to keep good buzz going in the face of shortages (see the Wii) but I'm worried that the good buzz of a massive multi-continent turnout could sour if waiting lists mount.

Also, what if Apple builds massive stockpiles before July 11 to meet demand and it turns out there is a touch screen/battery/chip issue? Before the fix goes into production, there would be potentially millions that need warentee repair... (plus the resulting bad press).

I just wish they had a rolling introduction schedule over a month or two...

It does appear to be something of a high-wire act. I hope their confidence
is justified. I'm guessing that they will err on the side of temporary shortages,
since they have basically gone several weeks without selling version 1 iPhones.

[Buck]

Everyone says how the japanese don't like the iPhone because of this or because of that, so I always wondered if they had some product(s) internally that worked better than the iPhone? Anyone cares to name those?

[SpamSandwich]

This should be a watershed moment for Japanese phone users... a phone they can ACTUALLY use! How will they be able to deal with it?!

[quinney]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

This should be a watershed moment for Japanese phone users... a phone they can ACTUALLY use! How will they be able to deal with it?!

A few days ago people were posting that Japanese consumers made their phone
purchasing decisions based mostly upon the specifications list, regardless of
whether they actually used all the features. I am looking forward to seeing that
theory tested by a phone whose features are useful and easy to use (but whose
specifications may be exceeded by other less friendly phones).

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by quinney

A few days ago people were posting that Japanese consumers made their phone
purchasing decisions based mostly upon the specifications list, regardless of
whether they actually used all the features. I am looking forward to seeing that
theory tested by a phone whose features are useful and easy to use (but whose
specifications may be exceeded by other less friendly phones).

I know what Japanese consumers are used to, and I'm betting they'll be pleasantly surprised with the alternative, even if they end up adding the usual kawaii chotchkes to the iPhone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otRCw...3202_3289.html



http://www.strapya-world.com/categor...068d92cfdf2846

[jcollin3k]

Originally Posted by Bageljoey

I just wish they had a rolling introduction schedule over a month or two...

Easy for someone in the U.S. to say when we've been waiting here in Japan for over a year already!

@Buck I'd say there are no phones that work here nearly as well as the iPhone presumably does. The few smartphones here large bricks, or Blackberry knockoffs that feel totally cheap in hand.

And the main factor for women under 40 when choosing a phone is (almost unanimously) PURELY how it looks. I've never met any Japanese woman whose main reason for choosing a phone wasn't how it looked. They may have had other reasons, but the main reason was if they thought it looked good.

All this said, I still won't be getting an iPhone because I'm moving back to the U.S. in January, so still I wait and continue to labor away writing messages by pushing tiny buttons three times each to get a letter on screen.

[Bergermeister]

My wife is Japanese and couldn't care less about how her phone looks. She needs it for business and demands certain functions.

I know a few others who are less concerned with looks than with photo/video quality so they can capture their kids' lives in full color and share the moments instantly with their friends. (This might be where the iPhone fails to catch on with Japanese women.)

There are plenty of them out there.


It is also that three clicks with the thumb that the Japanese are very accustomed to; they can type with only one hand, something that is impossible (almost) on the iPhone. My wife has an iPod Touch and can type three times faster on her cell phone. She doesn't even need to look at the screen as the buttons are tactile; she writes and then proof-reads.

There are also the new novels:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/20/wo...a/20japan.html

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by Bergermeister

My wife is Japanese and couldn't care less about how her phone looks. She needs it for business and demands certain functions.

I know a few others who are less concerned with looks than with photo/video quality so they can capture their kids' lives in full color and share the moments instantly with their friends. (This might be where the iPhone fails to catch on with Japanese women.)

There are plenty of them out there.


It is also that three clicks with the thumb that the Japanese are very accustomed to; they can type with only one hand, something that is impossible (almost) on the iPhone. My wife has an iPod Touch and can type three times faster on her cell phone.

There are also the new novels:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/20/wo...a/20japan.html

My original criticism of the iPhone was that it made one handed operation impossible. Of course, where cell phone use while driving is banned, the point is moot.

[success]

Again, the iPhone/Touch is not practical for Asian input.

Anyone who buys it on hype will soon realize they made a mistake and keep it as an iPod Touch with a phone they never use.

I'm not even native and I type Japanese feverishly with my mobile using both thumbs and this is simply impossible with a touch screen.

Might be good as a second phone at home where you don't have to rush replies maybe. Who knows until it debuts.

[RealityCheck]

Pretty much every single Japanese person I know here in Cali, to a person, has an iPhone. It is going to be huge in Japan.

Screw one-handed typing. The iPhone is giving them a user experience they have never had on a phone. Rather, the interesting challenges will be things like DMB-TV and paying for stuff with your phone, things becoming common in Japan that the iPhone can't do. But I'd bet money that someone is working on an add-on accessory for the universal dock connector that could easily add these features.

I say the iPhone is going to be a huge hit in Japan.

[RealityCheck]

Originally Posted by success

Again, the iPhone/Touch is not practical for Asian input.

Anyone who buys it on hype will soon realize they made a mistake and keep it as an iPod Touch with a phone they never use.

I'm not even native and I type Japanese feverishly with my mobile using both thumbs and this is simply impossible with a touch screen.

Might be good as a second phone at home where you don't have to rush replies maybe. Who knows until it debuts.

Sorry, this is just plain wrong. Having typed Japanese on the iPhone, it is a great experience that works well. Plus, Apple is adding an additional input method with the 2.0 software that is said to be even faster than the standard phonetic methods.

[success]

Originally Posted by RealityCheck

Sorry, this is just plain wrong. Having typed Japanese on the iPhone, it is a great experience that works well. Plus, Apple is adding an additional input method with the 2.0 software that is said to be even faster than the standard phonetic methods.[/IMG]

Nice pretty photo. What's that supposed to prove? I didn't say it can't be done. Of course it can be done. It's not fast enough for most. For a lot of hen pecking westerners it's fine I'm sure. Not to mention you do not want a phone like the iPhone to get soaked in all the torrential downpours here. iPhone is too pretty for practical usage. Banging it on the train, downpours, typing like mad when drinking at izakaya with co-workers etc. Good for at home use, playing around on planes, shinkansen etc.

Not ready for prime time.

I do hope for success though. I'm definitely getting an iPT.

[success]

Originally Posted by RealityCheck

Pretty much every single Japanese person I know here in Cali, to a person, has an iPhone.

That must be a lot for you to make a judgment based in Japan lol. A few buddies in Cali for Japanese market research. Great. Oh and let's see... isn't Cali the Apple capital of the world with the heaviest Apple marketing? To date there is very little iPod or any other Apple marketing here. I smell a flop. For a July 11th release only 2 weeks away there's very little mention of it here.

[dfiler]

Must. Resist. Urge. To. Argue. With. Troll.

[success]

Originally Posted by dfiler

Must. Resist. Urge. To. Argue. With. Troll.

lol Troll and STFU are my favorite internet words.

[SpamSandwich]

Originally Posted by success

lol Troll and STFU are my favorite internet words.

Mine used to be ROTFLMAO until I found out "the kids" all just say "LMAO" these days... Bloody noobs.

[cameronj]

Originally Posted by jcollin3k

All this said, I still won't be getting an iPhone because I'm moving back to the U.S. in January, so still I wait and continue to labor away writing messages by pushing tiny buttons three times each to get a letter on screen.

You should find someone to show you how T9 works....

[RealityCheck]

Originally Posted by success

That must be a lot for you to make a judgment based in Japan lol. A few buddies in Cali for Japanese market research. Great. Oh and let's see... isn't Cali the Apple capital of the world with the heaviest Apple marketing? To date there is very little iPod or any other Apple marketing here. I smell a flop. For a July 11th release only 2 weeks away there's very little mention of it here.

Yeah, imagine that...using Japanese people to gauge the popularity of the Japanese iPhone. Crazy.

If you knew about Japanese culture, you would understand that it is very faddy and trendy. Based on what I've seen of the Japanese here (who were all born and raised in Japan), I fully expect it to be a popular fad and trend among Japanese people in Japan, similar to here.

FWIW, I was at an all-Japanese meeting several days ago, and every person except one had an iPhone.

[plankton]

The new Japanese iPhone has (or soon will have) a Japanese kanji character recognition touch system. Since most e-mail only uses a 100 character subset of the standard Joyo 1945 characters, one or two finger strokes is sufficient to allow the recognition software to identify the likely candidate characters in descending order, which can then be selected by a touch. I think you'll be surprised at how fast the input system is, but it will require two hands--one to hold the phone and one to write.
Of course, the holy grail is voice recognition. For English, imagine a stripped down MacSpeech Dictate on iPhone but that's a future project.

[umijin]

First - C'mon you guys. Give the prices in yen - you know the currency that the iPhone will be sold in here in Japan. Prices in dollars are meaningless, as the currency keeps fluctuating and nobody here will be paying in dollars.

Second, Apple should discourage Softbank employees from hoarding phones for themselves if demand is actually so high. What a piss-poor PR move.

Third, I don't think we can guarantee a high adoption rate just yet. Except for Mac otaku (nerds), the general public is not as thrilled by the carrier (SoftBank) or the iPhone in general. The monthly cost for service is rather outrageous, compared to what many folks currently have. My wife and I get by with ~¥5300 per month for both of our phones with a family plan from AU. At ¥7000+, this contract is a budget breaker for many. The unlimited data part is nice (if it's actually true), but still quite high.

[modz]

Originally Posted by umijin

First - C'mon you guys. Give the prices in yen - you know the currency that the iPhone will be sold in here in Japan. Prices in dollars are meaningless, as the currency keeps fluctuating and nobody here will be paying in dollars.

Second, Apple should discourage Softbank employees from hoarding phones for themselves if demand is actually so high. What a piss-poor PR move.

Third, I don't think we can guarantee a high adoption rate just yet. Except for Mac otaku (nerds), the general public is not as thrilled by the carrier (SoftBank) or the iPhone in general. The monthly cost for service is rather outrageous, compared to what many folks currently have. My wife and I get by with ~¥5300 per month for both of our phones with a family plan from AU. At ¥7000+, this contract is a budget breaker for many. The unlimited data part is nice (if it's actually true), but still quite high.

iPhone 8GB is ¥23000. They mentioned the White Plan (¥980 - free calls to any Softbank phone etc) and ¥6000 unlimited data plan - that's 40% cheaper than their current data plans. I don't know of any DoCoMo plans that are cheaper but I've never even looked at AU. Do they have cheaper plans?

I have an eMobile 3G USB modem for my iBook - unlimited data/7.2Mbs speeds for ¥5000 - that's cheaper but Softbank's is still slightly less than I thought they'd charge. I think they'll fly out the door at these prices.

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/...6_FORTUNE5.htm

There's no guarantees of anything but with some marketing, they'd have to expect it to be reasonably popular. Softbank is already the fastest growing of the Big Three carriers, they'd be looking for iPhone to add to that momentum.

[umijin]

Originally Posted by modz

iPhone 8GB is ¥23000. They mentioned the White Plan (¥980 - free calls to any Softbank phone etc) and ¥6000 unlimited data plan - that's 40% cheaper than their current data plans. I don't know of any DoCoMo plans that are cheaper but I've never even looked at AU. Do they have cheaper plans?

I have an eMobile 3G USB modem for my iBook - unlimited data/7.2Mbs speeds for ¥5000 - that's cheaper but Softbank's is still slightly less than I thought they'd charge. I think they'll fly out the door at these prices.

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/...6_FORTUNE5.htm

There's no guarantees of anything but with some marketing, they'd have to expect it to be reasonably popular. Softbank is already the fastest growing of the Big Three carriers, they'd be looking for iPhone to add to that momentum.

1. Thanks - I got the yen prices from another site. Apple Insider should get with the program and stop being so US centric.

2. I don't know unlimited data plans from other providers. Most current keitai users in Japan don't have unlimited plans - they deal with per use packet charges. The iPhone is a moblie phone (not computer or 3g modem), so we should compare phone contracts. A typical phone user would balk at these costs, though I see your point.

3. SoftBank is the fastest growing b/c they have the most to gain. They are a desperate company that was on the verge of collapsing a couple years ago before SoftBank acquired the mobile phone busines from VodaPhone. They offer attractive incentives to switchers and first time users. But my colleagues tell me it ain't so great monthly. Given their infrastructure is way behind the big 2 in many places here - this might be a huge issue for an influx of many iPhone users. If you remember, when SoftBank started its huge sign-up campaign a couple years ago, their signup system couldn't handle the influx and crashed. People had to way a few days to get their accounts set up and phones activated - unbelievable here in Japan.

I'm happy if the iPhone does well here and SoftBank gets its act together to provide decent service. But for widespread adoptions across Japan, where the cell phones are superior to 99% of what's available in the US - I would be surprised. And despite what people are saying about the improved iPhone 2.0 text input system, the touch screen system really isn't that wonderful for quick entries. Try typing a response to an email with your iPhone/iPod Touch and see why.

[umijin]

Originally Posted by RealityCheck

Sorry, this is just plain wrong. Having typed Japanese on the iPhone, it is a great experience that works well. Plus, Apple is adding an additional input method with the 2.0 software that is said to be even faster than the standard phonetic methods.

Two problems:

1- It's not what people are used to here and that really counts for something. You know that if you live in Japan. Or you should.

2- You just can't type as accurately/quickly with the touch pad as on a tactile phone keypad. I wish it weren't so - but it is.

[sennen]

Originally Posted by umijin

1- It's not what people are used to here and that really counts for something.

That's very true. Japanese thumb-speed on keypads is quite amazing. Although a previous poster's anecdotal evidence of Japanese iPhone users in the US shouldn't be ignored either.

I think it will be interesting to see if the iPhone - with touchscreen and fewer built-in features - will be able to break through from being just a fad to being a big seller in Japan. I'm not going to make any all-knowing statements on that - as I said, it will be interesting to see how it pans out.

As far as softbank goes, the plan for the iPhone sounds fairly attractive.... I haven't had to worry about it so much, but a friend of mine was also on softbank and was continually frustrated by additional items outside of the plan bumping up his bill every month to much more than Y6k.

[modz]

Originally Posted by sennen

That's very true. Japanese thumb-speed on keypads is quite amazing. Although a previous poster's anecdotal evidence of Japanese iPhone users in the US shouldn't be ignored either.

Actually - I have to say - *I'M* looking forward to QWERTY input 'cause thumbing english on the Jap phone keypads is dire for me but the times I've switched to Hiragana/Katakana, messaging has been faster. So maybe Japanese may not be so enamoured. We'll see with vers 2.0 software how much it improves. Certainly I've played with the iPod touch enough times to be personally satisfied with the touch screen input.

[cjlacz]

@cameronj - few phones (under 5-10%) in Japan have T9 input. I had to look hard for one that supported it, but it has been a lifesaver as far as english input. It was worth the effort to find one I liked.

@RealityCheck - that input method really isn't anything new. It's new to the iPhone yes, but not new to Japan at all. Everyone types on their phones that way. It does have an issue that you press the same key several times to get to the character you want. Fast with a button, but if you have to lift your finger all the way it might be slower on the iPhone. The older beeper input method (almost like coordinate input) might be better suited.

The standard phonetic method doesn't exist here at all and I'd almost like to see T9 input done on the iPhone. Even though some phones here have it, the implementation isn't great.

I'm guessing umijin is probably right. Unless Apple manages to tweak their multitouch input, and I do believe it's possible, input is likely to be slower then a keypad. Japanese may be awkward in some ways, but it's surprising well suited to input from a keypad.

What will really make or break the iPhone will be the software and games available for it and that won't be available right away. People tend to use their phone a lot more here then in the US so battery life is going to be important, especially with music and video functions in the phone. Other things I don't care much about, like the camera, are big things to a lot of users here too.

[NeedAnewMac]

Been following this thread, looks like everyone is right. The iPhone will probably not sell to the younger Japanese because they can type as fast with their thumbs as I do on a computer (35 to 40 WPM) so the iPhone is not made for thumb typing speed. The plus point is the iPhone could become a fad. Also, for business people a connection to the new MobileMe could enable them to have access to all important data. So plus points are 1. Trendy fad. 2. Access Data. Minus points are 1. iPhone is not fast for thumb typing. Last but not least Softbanks plan for the iPhone is 2. Too Expensive.

It just started to sell here so it is all unknown.

Apple should not overlook the business man in Japan, they could be marketing targets, however they do have a price problem. Have to give it 6 months are so before we really know if the iPhone will sell in Japan or not. For me personally it is a waste of cash, present phone is cheap, however wish I had it, do not really need it though. I also live in the countryside and Softbanks coverage here is non existent, forced to use DoCoMo. If you drive from one end of Japan to the other you will find less dead spots with DoCoMo, other carriers cannot cut it in that regard. The above is just my opinion.

Forgot one thing, Softbank is the No. 3 carrier in Japan, large sale of the iPhone maybe impossible within Japan.

[anantksundaram]

I am glad that the iPhone is being released in Japan. And, I hope it does well there.

But frankly, I don't think iPhone's fortunes depend much on whether Japanese consumers like it or not - just as a declining Japan market for Macs have not mattered a whit to Apple's resurgence both as a technology leader and as a stock. The same will be true of iPhones.

[winterspan]

Originally Posted by umijin

First - C'mon you guys. Give the prices in yen - you know the currency that the iPhone will be sold in here in Japan. Prices in dollars are meaningless, as the currency keeps fluctuating and nobody here will be paying in dollars.

Second, Apple should discourage Softbank employees from hoarding phones for themselves if demand is actually so high. What a piss-poor PR move.

Third, I don't think we can guarantee a high adoption rate just yet. Except for Mac otaku (nerds), the general public is not as thrilled by the carrier (SoftBank) or the iPhone in general. The monthly cost for service is rather outrageous, compared to what many folks currently have. My wife and I get by with ~¥5300 per month for both of our phones with a family plan from AU. At ¥7000+, this contract is a budget breaker for many. The unlimited data part is nice (if it's actually true), but still quite high.

Exactly, It drives me nuts when people directly convert "foreign" currencies to US Dollars (or any other currency) to decide who is getting a "better" deal. Obviously, they do not understand the intrinsic problem with doing so. Is there not a legitimate way of comparing prices that actually takes into account relative costs of goods, mean income per capita, and other economic indicators? Are we non-economists stuck with the Big Mac Index or whatever it is called? lol

[NeedAnewMac]

Originally Posted by winterspan

Exactly, It drives me nuts when people directly convert "foreign" currencies to US Dollars (or any other currency) to decide who is getting a "better" deal. Obviously, they do not understand the intrinsic problem with doing so. Is there not a legitimate way of comparing prices that actually takes into account relative costs of goods, mean income per capita, and other economic indicators? Are we non-economists stuck with the Big Mac Index or whatever it is called? lol

Agreed, it's usually USA People living in the USA that request the conversion and nobody else.
Not putting down my countrymen or anything, but that's usually the way it is. It's stupid to convert in some respects, however if the yen is super strong against the dollar there is always that chance that Apple products may become cheaper here in Japan, of course I've never seen it actually happen, it's always expensive here for an Apple product.

[DPUkyle]

All discussions about user interface aside, I am really worried about the iPhone 3G's battery life in Japan.

Apple is claiming up to 5 hours talk time on 3G and 300 hours standby. They also claim up to 10 hours talk time on 2G.

But here's the problem... there is no 2G in Japan. Or should I say, in Japan 2G does not equate to GSM, which is the iPhone 3G's low power mode.

So this means that the phone will only run on 3G while in Japan. Based on two coworkers who have windows mobile phones, this can be a major battery drain. With activestink enabled, my coworkers' SoftBank X02HT lasts only 3 hours until it is completely dead. When my boss visits from Australia, his HTC TYTN also dies within 3 hours. When in Australia, it lasts a few days without recharging.

I really am looking forward to buying an iPhone, but this makes me think twice. Am I being overly paranoid about this?

[winterspan]

Originally Posted by DPUkyle

All discussions about user interface aside, I am really worried about the iPhone 3G's battery life in Japan.

Apple is claiming up to 5 hours talk time on 3G and 300 hours standby. They also claim up to 10 hours talk time on 2G.

But here's the problem... there is no 2G in Japan. Or should I say, in Japan 2G does not equate to GSM, which is the iPhone 3G's low power mode.

So this means that the phone will only run on 3G while in Japan. Based on two coworkers who have windows mobile phones, this can be a major battery drain. With activestink enabled, my coworkers' SoftBank X02HT lasts only 3 hours until it is completely dead. When my boss visits from Australia, his HTC TYTN also dies within 3 hours. When in Australia, it lasts a few days without recharging.

I really am looking forward to buying an iPhone, but this makes me think twice. Am I being overly paranoid about this?

Many 3G phones have really terrible battery life, consistent with your anecdotal reports, but I think the iPhone will be much better. Heck, if it can really get 5 hours of UMTS talktime and/or data, that would be really good. Unfortunately, a dramatic reduction in power consumption of HSPA chips probably won't happen for another 2-3 years. I'm also unsure of whether LTE/HSOPA cellphones will get better or worse batter life than UMTS/HSPA phones..

[sennen]

Originally Posted by DPUkyle

Based on two coworkers who have windows mobile phones, this can be a major battery drain. With activestink enabled, my coworkers' SoftBank X02HT lasts only 3 hours until it is completely dead. When my boss visits from Australia, his HTC TYTN also dies within 3 hours. When in Australia, it lasts a few days without recharging.

I really am looking forward to buying an iPhone, but this makes me think twice. Am I being overly paranoid about this?

if it is already such a problem with existing phones, why would it be perceived as any more of an issue with the iPhone?

[badmigraine]

I don't need the 6000 yen/mo. data plan at all. Is there anything special about Softbank's iPhone that would prevent me from getting an unlocked 3G iPhone elsewhere, then just inserting my current Softbank SIM card?

Does the Softbank 3G iPhone have some special firmware for Japanese input that is different from just selecting Japanese as the system language on any other iPhone/iPod Touch? If not, then it doesn't matter where the handset comes from. All existing Japanese input/language options should be there.

A simpler option would be to sign up for the Softbank iPhone, then just cancel the contract and continue to use the handset with my existing Softbank SIM card. The cancellation fee should be close to the unsubsidized handset price. That's got to be less than the 175,000 yen (24 mo. x monthly data+handset fees) that you'd pay over the 2-year contract, even without having made a single phone call.

[samab]

When you cancel your softbank contract, they ask you to return the SIM card.

Also, you won't get the special pricing for the 6000 yen data plan. You are going to pay 10000 yen for the regular price data plan.

[badmigraine]

I already have a live Softbank SIM card that I would transfer to the iPhone after returning the iPhone SIM. I wouldn't sign up for any data plan. The curret SIM card's cheaparse White Plan is enough for my 2-3 calls per month and maybe 4-5 short texts.

I'm blessed with WiFi and landlines, 24/7. I want the handset, I don't need the service except for emergencies or receiving calls (free in Japan).

[winterspan]

Originally Posted by badmigraine

I already have a live Softbank SIM card that I would transfer to the iPhone after returning the iPhone SIM. I wouldn't sign up for any data plan. The curret SIM card's cheaparse White Plan is enough for my 2-3 calls per month and maybe 4-5 short texts.

I'm blessed with WiFi and landlines, 24/7. I want the handset, I don't need the service except for emergencies or receiving calls (free in Japan).

It's *very* unlikely that there would be much of ANY difference to the iPhones provided in different countries, other than related to the baseband for locking to certain networks. All the higher-level OS and application stuff, including language input, should be common among all devices. There is no reason for it to be otherwise, and would only add complexity and hassle for distribution...

[stevemcgee99]

Originally Posted by RealityCheck

Sorry, this is just plain wrong. Having typed Japanese on the iPhone, it is a great experience that works well. Plus, Apple is adding an additional input method with the 2.0 software that is said to be even faster than the standard phonetic methods.

THAT is the layout I prefer for Japanese. It's very fast. I hope it has intelligent kanji/word completion like other phones.

My question is, if I plan to leave Japan before my 2-years is up, what will I face when trying to switch from Softbank to AT&T?