Softbank Mobile to release Apple's new iPhone in Japan on June 26

Wednesday 10th June, 04:27 AM JST

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11 Comments

Badsey at 08:15 AM JST - 10th June

Don't understand how the installment plan works -but it is way cheaper than buying it.
franz75 at 08:36 AM JST - 10th June

Bought an iPhone last year in August.

Half the screen turned blank yesterday... I hope they'll replace it with a new one then...
spiderman at 10:07 AM JST - 10th June

Any info about upgrading existing iPHone 3G plan to the new 3GS?
soldave at 11:09 AM JST - 10th June

Will it let me call people quicker? And it would be nice if Softbank could actually improve their coverage to something above "shocking" in Okinawa...
bibumixi at 11:44 AM JST - 10th June

I called Softbank today. I just bought an iPhone 3G 2 months ago. Can I upgrade to 3Gs?

No. You wait 6 months and pay around Y48,000 + Y9,000. OR Get another phone with a new number and new contract.

No way to get a new 3Gs phone unless you pay the big bucks! You have to cancel your present contract and nothing more they will offer you.
MrDarwin at 05:15 PM JST - 10th June

"No way to get a new 3Gs phone unless you pay the big bucks! You have to cancel your present contract and nothing more they will offer you."

Makes sense. Wouldnt it be a massive waste of money and resources if all people who bought their iphone 3g just a few months ago want to get a new phone already? I knew the new phone was coming in the summer along with the 3.0 update, and still went ahead and got the 3g. The update will be enough for me as it gives us copy/paste among other things.
buddha4brains at 06:52 PM JST - 10th June

I was hoping Softbank would be releasing Apple from its contract and allowing other carriers to sell the iPhone... well, I can always dream.
Badsey at 02:54 AM JST - 11th June

When they went to 3G there were issues = I am sure the 3Gs will have issues also. Buy an iPhone and hack it = that way you can have the carrier you need and the programs you want.

So an older used iPhone is worth less than $100 now. =That will make a great hack phone.

Paid $400 new for mine +2yrs. But I will pull the sim for notebook aircard (cell) use.
movieguy at 08:57 AM JST - 11th June

Franz75... Sorry to hear about your screen going blank. I got mine on August 1st and now I'm worried. Any hint that it was gonna do that???

MrDarwin... Thanks for the info on the 3.0 update having copy/paste. I'm good with my 3G and will wait for the next version that has video. I'm sure there will be complaints about the 3GS first version of video and by the time I'm ready to update it'll have improved video and hopefully even more memory than the 32GB. I still use my 60GB iPod w/ video but would prefer to use my iPhone all the time.
ThonTaddeo at 10:27 PM JST - 11th June

That's an amazing deal. Y23,040 spread over 24 months for a phone that's just as good as the ones that other carriers charge triple that price for, plus the iPhone can actually be used overseas if you should move out of Japan!

Where do I sign?
wibble at 12:43 PM JST - 16th June

iphone can be used overseas - providing you are prepared to pay Softbank roaming charges whilst doing it. iPhones (and all retailed Japanese phones) are SIM locked...