Plucky little iPhone 3GS confounds expectations, tops Japanese sales for July
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted August 17th 2009 8:19PM
posted August 17th 2009 8:19PM
Well, look at that: The iPhone 3GS 32GB was the best-selling phone in Japan for the month of July, according to a survey being reported by a number of sites, including Electronista and Mainichi Daily News. Not bad for a handset that doesn't even support 1seg TV, huh? Trailing behind the aforementioned handset at number nine (and the only other American model to make the top ten) is a little something called the iPhone 3GS 16GB. Of course, the mobile market in Japan features plenty of virtually identical phones that manufacturers assign different model numbers to, depending on carrier -- so we're going to take this with a grain of salt. But still, we have to wonder what, exactly, to attribute Apple's new found Japanese popularity to. Maybe it's because they got the phone a mere month after the Stateside 3GS launch, while the hype machine was still in motion? Or maybe someone juked the stats? We can't be sure just yet, but we do have the top ten for you -- in handy list form -- after the break.
[Via Electronista]
[Via Electronista]
Japan's top 10 cell phones (with carrier) for July, 2009:
- Apple iPhone 3GS 32GB (Softbank)
- Sharp SH-06A (Docomo)
- Panasonic 830P (Softbank)
- Sharp SH-05A (Docomo)
- NEC N-08A (Docomo)
- Sony-Ericsson Premier3 (au)
- Sharp SH-02A (Docomo)
- Casio W63CA (au)
- Apple iPhone 3GS 16 GB (Softbank)
- Sharp SH001 (au)
Actually they're not. iPhone is topping the charts because it's the best phone out there, right now. These "better" phones from Korea and Japan that you're talking about have a crappy UI, crappy tv on them, they look like they came from over a decade ago, and the internet looks like it may as well be displayed in binary. We don't get most of the crap they duct tape together and if you've ever been to an asian mall, you'd know why. Maybe you'd consider a laptop with a flashlight in it to have "more features". Maybe you'd like a combo DVD, Laserdisc player shaped like a starship because it "does more". Perhaps you should eat with a fork/knife/spoon/spatula combo because my seperate fork and knife are missing features.
It's about time they got something besides cobbled-together stat whore phones. I'll give you one thing: they have faster internet there; we'd have it in North America except that North America is about the size of a thousand Japans.
You must be kidding. I've lived in Korea and have visited in Japan. The iPhone is better than what they have there, believe me. Korea and Japan know hardware well, but know nothing of software of hardware optimization.
Korea limits their consumers to the same old phones with little to no innovation. The iPhone will be a success in Korea once their government and extremely large telecom companies allow it into the country.
My iPhone can do much more than any Korean phone can. My iPhone can make professional quality music, paintings, or be a competitor to a Nintendo DS. There is no Korean phone that can do that.
or maybe they like the phone... because there is more to a good phone than tech specs. Engadget's confoundedness is telling....
I'm not surprised. The 3GS is an amazing phone, although there are lots of haters on here.
Just picked up the 3GS the other day, and it has also exceeded my expectations, along with my families. It's so cool to be able to stream internet radio while playing chess with my family, or use it as a GPS + compass when lost downtown in the city. Or to even use it to read text books for grad school. Plus the reliability and battery life are also beyond my expectations, it's pretty much the best tech device I've bought since my first desktop computer, and it's a lot more fun than a desktop computer for sure.
Well you are a TechNewb
I may be a newb, but I am knowledgeable consumer, and am aware that there is nothing else on the market that comes close to what the iPhone has to offer. Plus I had a ipod touch for over a year and was able to transfer over all my apps very easily and now they run even better than ever.
So I now have my ipod and cell phone in one device, plus a camera, video camera, gps, compass, plus a ton more. If that's not the best tech device I don't know what is. Also the speakers are great for just playing some music in the back ground. And always finding a cool new app is great.
"that there is nothing else on the market that comes close to what the iPhone has to offer".
^Either you haven't seen any other phone, you're an iFan, or you were payed by Apple to come here and go on on how oh great it is. The iPhone is in no way the best phone. Just because its popular doesn't make it good. I admit, the UI is some serious eye candy and the App store is pretty big, but it has plenty of flaws. Most(90~98%) of the Apps are pretty much never used after the first. The music quality, although beating many other phones, is no different than previous iPods. And if you ever compared it to quality underrated PMPs, you can tell the sound quality on the iPhone is nothing to write a book for. And the build quality is terrible. Besides, now that most of the basic features iPhone has lacked are there, the next iPhone will most likely be nothing but a boost of memory or connection speed.
"Either you haven't seen any other phone, you're an iFan, or you were payed by Apple to come here and go on on how oh great it is"
^^^ ...coming from a self proclaimed Android fanboy.
Build quality terrible? WTF are you talking about. 90-98% worthless apps? WTF are you talking about. I think you are an extremely uninformed person with a bottle of unsubstantiated iphone hate. Of course if you want to get into flaws there are plenty to be had in android and that Lovely currently out of room and unable to get more updates G1, talk about quality issues.
There goes my theory of iPhones not selling in Japan because it lacks a hole for a cellphone strap. LOL
Or maybe it's because of the dog: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVj53Kj_kis
Did I miss a joke around the word "counfounds?" Something with a noun confounding? iPhone is a nooun...and it confounds? Therefore, by their powers combined, we get "counfounds"? Or did engadget just make up a word for fun?
Good to hear. The iPhone 3GS is amazing... too bad I already have a 3G, but I will most likely upgrade next year =D
Can anyone confirm if Softbank is still giving them away free with subscription? They were doing that for the 3G, and that may (apart from awesomeness) partially explain the success (Japan's in a recession, too!).
Nope, Japan's economy has already been in better shape since July.
Please read the news.
I hope you're right - here's what I get when I "read the news:"
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aEoI0GUP57kw
http://www.financemarkets.co.uk/2009/08/17/japans-false-economic-recovery/
Maybe the headline for optimists like you should be "iPhone Sales Leads Japanese Recovery."
If memory serves, didn't the iPhone also initially sell well in Japan before tapering off? Judging the iPhone 3GS' success may be a bit premature in just a month.
As expected. The Japanese knows that the iPhone is just an awesome device. Look at all the wannabe iPhones being released since the iPhone. Look at Microsoft desperately trying to catch up! LOL
As a military person stationed over here, the on-base Softbank company had a promotion for a FREE iPhone with subscription. It did "cost" you upfront, but there was a montly rebate that would have you paid back for the iPhone in 24 months.
Military members and family members were LINED UP to buy them at the on-base sales centers.
The locals prefer DoCoMo because it has a reputation of better wireless coverage vice Au or Softbank. Whether that is true, I have not found that to be the case here on Okinawa. Whatever you get, you better make it match your family and friends for free calls. If you don't match companies, it gets very expensive (in some cases, 40c per minute...)
The subscriptions cost less per month here ($10 a month for some accounts), but you pay per minute to the person you're calling, and SMS is expensive, too, unless you get the higher-end all-included packages. What's nice is that the subsciptions have variable charging with caps. So you won't be surprised by a $2000 phone bill.
Cheers,
Doc
US Navy
The reciever of the call pays nothing. And there are no "minutes" you use for receiving a call.
This is most constant whinge but I'm not surprised about this simply because I have been unable to buy a 32GB White version here in Belgium for the past 2-months since there is never any stock. I've been sat on a waiting list for about 6-weeks now and I'm beginning to wonder if I will get one before the next iPhone is released. Why this is the case in Belgium is quite beyond me as most other markets don't seem to have much of a problem.
Probably because the eBay importers are buying up all the unlocked Belgium iPhone stocks to sell for a fortune to the rest of Europe.
Oh, I have no doubt about that but where the heck are they finding them in the first place? I wouldn't mind but Italy has the same gig but they're not really having shortages, plus you can actually order from Apple's web site. Why we have to buy them via scummy Mobistar is quite beyond me when we don't have to take a contract with the carrier.
I'm Japanese and bought one last month, because
1) Softbank, the carrier, offered "loan purchasing assistance" (so called "iPhone for everyone campaign") so that people can get iPhone at 23040 yen (for 32GB)
-by paying 69210 yen ($700) first and receive 1920 yen ($20) discount from monthly payment for two years
(so monthly minimum cost will eventually be 400 yen, or $5)
or
-by paying 960 yen for iPhone for two years and monthly minimum cost 2324 yen
(so we can get it by paying about $33/month)
2) It also cut the maximum payment for the data plan from 5985 yen ($60) to 4410 yen ($45).
(the plan even includes Softbank's WiFi access)
3) It has student discount so the minimum charge for the voice plan is now 490 yen, $5.
(Originally 980 yen, which does not include free minutes but no charge within Softbank users.)
So, for those who don't talk so much, it is quite affordable.
(If I don't speak with other carriers and use data one within its minimum limit, 1029 yen, I virtually won't pay anything because I've already purchased the phone and could receive those discounts.)
http://mb.softbank.jp/mb/iphone_en/everybody/
Maybe it sells well in Japan because they are conscious enough to see clearly that the iPhone is a very nice product? Duh? Never crossed Engadget's mind the iPhone is a sweet phone and that's the reason it's selling well? Hate much?
It's expensive the Japanese love expensive things.
Okay look, it might not be a surprise to top sales... WHY?
My friend just came back to visit from Japan and he's got a new iPhone. I asked him why... Well...
Softbank gave him a FREAKIN' $5 MONTHLY PLAN to go with the phone that includes decent amount of air time, unlimited messaging...etc etc.
Who wouldn't get a freakin iPhone with a $5 monthly plan?
As a person who just got their iPhone 3GS in Japan yesterday, there is a bit of misinformation on the site.
1: the 480Y/mo for 24month price for the iPhone is only if you have a visa that lasts for the entire period of the contract, or are a permanent resident/national. If you don't have a visa that lasts that timeframe, you get the phone for 57,600Y but you get a monthly discount of 1960Y for 24months. Turns out to be the same price, but a higher upfront cost.
2: Softbank's plans are HEAVILY focused on the data, not so much on the voice. Their monthly data cap was brought down to 4400Y, so if you use less than that you won't pay it (minimum is 1550Y I think). The cap was brought down from 5500Y+. Basically means that unlimited data is 4400Y, but you could use less (which is unlikely)
3: Voice plans are pretty much pay as you go, no pre-set minutes available. White plan is 980Y/mo but all calls are 21Y for 30s (with free calls to other Softbank phones between 1AM and 9PM). Double White plan is 1960Y/mo and the calls are 10.5Y per 30s. Incoming calls are free.
4: Gotta get their monthly S! package, which is basically their SMS/dataplan fee. 500Y or thereabouts.
5: First month you need to sign up for their options package as well (voicemail, caller id, call waiting). 500Y or so. You can cancel it afterwards.
Other little intricacies I'm working out. Your softbank email looks to only be available through a webapp. No pulling it down via pop/imap. They will send you a (free) SMS when you get mail to it though.
The second phone on the list is the much popular Evangelion phone. It is not much of any ugly phone considering it has a Nerv Logo in the front of it.
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