What do you think of Apple's iPhone?

Tuesday 09th June, 04:28 AM JST

› Login to comment

Latest 15 of 22 Total Comments Show All

TokyoHustla at 05:10 PM JST - 9th June

I would get it if Softbank wasn't the carrier. Anyone but them would be ok.
Den Den at 10:28 PM JST - 9th June

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 at 07:38 AM JST - 10th June

I wonder if Apple is aware the popularity of the iPhone suffers greatly cos of Softbank. Softbank is stopping me buying one too.
noborito at 07:54 AM JST - 10th June

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 at 10:02 AM JST - 10th June

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 at 10:53 AM JST - 10th June

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 at 10:57 AM JST - 10th June

never seen one, what's it do?
R_M_s at 05:24 PM JST - 10th June

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 at 06:29 PM JST - 10th June

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 at 08:23 PM JST - 10th June

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 at 08:32 PM JST - 10th June

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 at 10:17 PM JST - 10th June

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 at 03:56 AM JST - 11th June

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 at 03:56 PM JST - 11th June

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 at 04:26 PM JST - 11th June

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.