News
SoftBank offers free 8GB iPhone 3G in new promo
By Charles Starrett
Senior Editor, iLounge
Published: Wednesday, February 25, 2009
News Category: iPhone
SoftBank Mobile has announced (Translated Link) its new “iPhone for everybody” campaign, in which it is offering new customers a free 8GB iPhone 3G with a two year contract. The free handset is available with three different plans, including standard, premium, and student, which range in price from 490 Yen (roughly $5) to 1,960 Yen (~$20) a month. The carrier is also dropping the price on its standard monthly data plan from 5985 Yen (~$61) to 4410 Yen (~$45). In addition, it is offering customers who choose the 16GB model a payment plan of 480 Yen (~$4.93) a month over the course of the 24 month contract, for a total of 11,520 Yen (~$118). The promotion is scheduled to run from Friday, February 27 through May 31. [via AppleInsider]
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1
Hearing these prices, I am really hating living in the US right now.
Posted by theblindman2 on February 25, 2009 at 11:47 AM (PDT)
2
There is important missing information in your article. It’s not free, you just don’t have to pay upfront. You still have to pay in monthly installments at 0% interest if you don’t pay upfront (the 8GB iPhone actually costs 30720 yen or roughly $300 US). If you use an iPhone, you also have to subscribe to their “S! Basic pack” (315 yen/month) + a packet/data plan (at least 1029 yen/month). You also have to add the basic monthly usage plan in there.
So really, the only “deal” here is that you can make monthly payments on the handset at 0% interest.
Posted by Kent on February 25, 2009 at 1:41 PM (PDT)
3
Not true!!! in addition, you need to pay Y1,580 yen monthly for using the same softbank number… but for new subscriber, there’s still an additional monthly payment of Y1,280 for 8gb iphone. it’s not free!!! Let’s say for a new subscriber of 8gb>> Y1,280 monthly for the unit + Y4,410 unlimited packethodai or data plan + Y980 white plan + Y315( I forgot this Y315+ monthly). This means you still have to pay a total monthly bill of Y6,985 plus taxes… or (Y1,580+4,410+315+980)Y7,285 monthly if you use the same softbank cellphone number.
Posted by divine on March 10, 2009 at 2:03 AM (PDT)
4
So there… the handset is not actually free. A fixed monthly payments for 2 years contract of Y1,280 for new customers or Y1,580 x 24 months for using same number. I am just alarmed about how posters said that 8gb iphone is free… because this will only confused customers. All other charges should be clearly stated. But in fairness, I still plan to change my softbank unit to iphone during the campaign period.
Posted by divine on March 10, 2009 at 2:19 AM (PDT)