Cellphone, Iphone related question

[tyler.kagoshima.pa]

I'd rather not have to pay out $500 for a phone before I get a paycheck, but I still want to be able to use google and whatnot for all those good things people say smartphones offer.

Don't worry about paying up front. There are payment plans, so you can pay in installments (usually over a period of 2 years).

[R0ninX3ph]

I am currently using my Australian iPhone 4 that I brought over with me. Docomo* will allow you to use an unlocked iPhone 4 in their "Sim Free" system. Basically, you go into a Docomo store, tell them you want to use your unlocked iphone. They sign you up for a voice plan and a data plan (bear in mind the data plan for the iPhone is more expensive than their branded smart phones) and away you go.

They will promptly tell you that they cannot provide support in case your phone doesn't work, but just smile and nod. I have been successfully using my iPhone since I arrived, and have even taken it to Korea and back to Australia on roaming with Docomo.




*Bear in mind, Docomo is the most expensive carrier in Japan. Though, they do generally have better reception than that of Softbank and AU. I have been to English camps in the middle of nowhere, where other ALT's have no reception and I have full bars.

[skenshi]

Hey OkayamaPA_Chris,

I wanted to know which plan you are using and how much it ends up costing. I've looked at the Docomo website, but their breakdown is very confusing. Since my japanese is limited I'm hoping to just tell them specifically what I need.

I am currently using my Australian iPhone 4 that I brought over with me. Docomo* will allow you to use an unlocked iPhone 4 in their "Sim Free" system. Basically, you go into a Docomo store, tell them you want to use your unlocked iphone. They sign you up for a voice plan and a data plan (bear in mind the data plan for the iPhone is more expensive than their branded smart phones) and away you go.

They will promptly tell you that they cannot provide support in case your phone doesn't work, but just smile and nod. I have been successfully using my iPhone since I arrived, and have even taken it to Korea and back to Australia on roaming with Docomo.




*Bear in mind, Docomo is the most expensive carrier in Japan. Though, they do generally have better reception than that of Softbank and AU. I have been to English camps in the middle of nowhere, where other ALT's have no reception and I have full bars.

[R0ninX3ph]

Hey OkayamaPA_Chris,

I wanted to know which plan you are using and how much it ends up costing. I've looked at the Docomo website, but their breakdown is very confusing. Since my japanese is limited I'm hoping to just tell them specifically what I need.

I do not 100% remember what plan I am on. I ~think~ I pay around 2000 yen a month for my basic service, which includes a certain amount of minutes in calls (Sorry xD) I know that the unlimited data with Mopera (the data service required for the iPhone with Docomo) is around 10,000 yen a month. Their normal smartphone data plan is half that cost, but you can only get it with their android devices they sell.

If I can find a copy of my bill at home, I will come back and give a proper detailed post about my costs... But I don't know if I have any laying around xD

[losdutchmen]

Different question. Do any of the carriers offer international calling/texting. Basically, can you dial a number in your home country and talk to someone? Or can you text someone? That might be a stupid question, but I have Tmobile in the States. My wife swears that you can call from the States to Japan, using Tmobile, no problem. Has anyone done that? I was kind of under the impression that our home country phones wouldn't work in Japan. Even so, using them to call others in Japan wouldn't work at all would it?

[jojionmymind]

Maybe this is a silly question, but I have an iPhone here in the US and I'm wondering if I'll be able to use the apps I've downloaded and/or purchased here if I get another iPhone in Japan? (they all show up in iTunes so I assume I'd be able to transfer them?)

[hanafubuki]

Different question. Do any of the carriers offer international calling/texting. Basically, can you dial a number in your home country and talk to someone? Or can you text someone? That might be a stupid question, but I have Tmobile in the States. My wife swears that you can call from the States to Japan, using Tmobile, no problem. Has anyone done that? I was kind of under the impression that our home country phones wouldn't work in Japan. Even so, using them to call others in Japan wouldn't work at all would it?

When I was in Japan last year studying abroad, I had a prepaid Softbank phone, and I was able to 'text' my parents' emails without any extra cost, since I was paying for the unlimited mail package (300 yen a month). I also called home to the States once or twice and then right before I left to use up the last of my minutes before getting on the plane, but it cost a lot per minute (I don't remember how much off the top of my head), so it's kind of a waste unless it's an emergency. You'd also have to program in the full country code, etc. when putting the number into your phone to make sure the call gets out of the country.

Right now I'm actually thinking of just reactivating my phone in Japan, but I do want to have a phone that has the earthquake warning on it...and I'm pretty sure there's no way to get that on a prepaid, lol.

[Gizmotech]

Maybe this is a silly question, but I have an iPhone here in the US and I'm wondering if I'll be able to use the apps I've downloaded and/or purchased here if I get another iPhone in Japan? (they all show up in iTunes so I assume I'd be able to transfer them?)

Your apps are connected to your itunes account. So long as you are using the same log in information you will be just fine. I use my Canadian CC and Itunes acount no problem here in Japan on my Japanese iPhone.

[jojionmymind]

Maybe this is a silly question, but I have an iPhone here in the US and I'm wondering if I'll be able to use the apps I've downloaded and/or purchased here if I get another iPhone in Japan? (they all show up in iTunes so I assume I'd be able to transfer them?)

Your apps are connected to your itunes account. So long as you are using the same log in information you will be just fine. I use my Canadian CC and Itunes acount no problem here in Japan on my Japanese iPhone.

Sweet, that's what I figured! Thanks for the response

[BeeQC]

Once my contract is over, I'd like to bring my iPhone back to Canada, can I use it here?

[Gizmotech]

No, Japanese iPhones are carrier locked and you cannot buy unlocks for them like you can back in North America. Unlocks are currently very difficult on updated iPhone 4's and 4s.

[emily]

I have a semi-related question. I am about to leave after completing a one year contract. My wonderful iphone, I have heard, cannot be used back in Australia as Softbank refuses to unlock it. Is this right? So I though I would try and sell it to my successor thinking what a great deal it is for them to get it half price. Will they be getting a worse deal though because someone mentioned that the deals when you buy the phone are better than walking in with the phone and setting up a contract?? OOh what to do with this phone, that I would have dearly loved to have kept for myself!

[scarreddragon]

I would like to go the 'used' route, if possible, to save myself some money. Musashi mentioned recycle stores (second-hand shops, I presume?), and I've heard that phones can be bought via Yahoo Auctions. Are there disadvantages to doing this?

When my original phone from softbank got water damage outside of warranty, I bought the same model off of yahoo! auctions Japan. First off, if your Japanese is poor or non-existent, yaj can be hard to navigate, especially for payment options. If you have someone to help, though, then it is a good way to go. You can go into the store of the company you want to get a phone from, check out the different models, than hit yaj and find whichever one you like (including older model iphones), usually in mint condition for a little cheaper, or used for a lot. One thing that is awesome is that the sellers on yaj I've come into contact with are EXTREMELY honest about every little scratch and problem, which is really nice.

As others have said, you can also get them at used stores. Off the top of my head, stores I've seen phones at are the mega-store Mandai Shouten, at Hard Off/Off Houses (Book Off chains, but not Book Offs themselves), and any place that sells used electronics. If you are super inaka you might not have a place like this, but even decently sized towns usually have at least once recycle shop somewhere.

However doing things this way means that if something happens to the phone, you aren't going to get any kind of warranty for it. Personally, if you are getting a cheap phone like the 0 yen models many stores have, or older versions, I feel it doesn't matter at all, but if you want a shiny new smartphone like an iPhone, I would get it new through whatever company your contract is through. That way even small issues should be handled no problem, whereas if you buy it used and it breaks the first day, there isn't anything you can do.

Your apps are connected to your itunes account. So long as you are using the same log in information you will be just fine. I use my Canadian CC and Itunes acount no problem here in Japan on my Japanese iPhone.

A little off topic but continuing in that thread, you can have more than one itunes account, you just have to use a different email. So you can make a new account if you want to get apps from the Japanese store. iTunes credit cards are sold even in combinis, so it is easy to buy one of those and get credit toward apps. Your iphone will be fine with apps from two different stores no problem, but you do have to be logged into the specific account in order to update, which can be a hassle. Also, since my iTunes on my computer is my US name, the Japanese apps don't show up on the computer.

just a little extra info if anyone needs it...