Recent Experiences at Tokyo Apple Stores
Oct 18, 2023, 10:35 am
#76
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There are SO many things in Japan that require a local phone number -- granted most tourists would never notice it though... Almost anything you would sign up for in Japan requires it:
Is it 100% needed - no of course not I didn't have one for many years -- but trust me it makes so many things easier having it...
- Gym membership -- Need a local phone number
- Amazon deliveries -- Need a local phone number
- Shipping a package -- many (most) times need local number
- Local restaurant reservations -- many require a local phone number and won't accept international numbers
- Buying tickets online to a museum / concerts -- so many now require a local phone number as they text you a confirmation link
- Uber eats requires a local number now as well I believe
- If you want to call a Japanese toll free number (0120) you will need a Japanese phone (many businesses are like this).
Is it 100% needed - no of course not I didn't have one for many years -- but trust me it makes so many things easier having it...
Oct 18, 2023, 5:10 pm
#77
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Not Tokyo Apple specific, but as a somewhat frugal techie I'm admiring your iPhone 6 released 2014 is still in use and would say you might want to upgrade to this year/next year's model to get 5G network access if in the US as carriers phase out 3G https://swappa.com/blog/3g-network-s...0December%2031. That's just from a fundamental phone/sms emergency calling/alert tool perspective. I wouldn't go with iPhone 13 or 14 unless you have a need for a physical sim (13, as 14 US models went to an electronic sim instead of physical card) or prefer lightning cables (they'll still be around for 4+ years).
Oct 18, 2023, 7:53 pm
#78
Join Date: Oct 2003
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Yup. Price wise, though, the non-US iPhones can be a bit more expensive than US depending on sales tax or VAT back. An iPhone 6 usually has no/very low trade in value though some carriers/BestBuy will occasionally run a promotion for any working phone's trade in value.
https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphon...news-59877.php
The variant made for HK, Macau, China market has dual physical sim. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209086
iPhone 15 base model $800 USD = 119,838 JPY via current google exchange rate while the Apple JP price MSRP is 124,800 JPY. So possibly a good deal for US people if they find an unlocked variant with tax back or want a physical sim. Apple Canada's price $1,279 CAD = 139,639 JPY. Good deal for Apple DE EUR 949 = 149,768 JPY.
https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphon...news-59877.php
The variant made for HK, Macau, China market has dual physical sim. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209086
iPhone 15 base model $800 USD = 119,838 JPY via current google exchange rate while the Apple JP price MSRP is 124,800 JPY. So possibly a good deal for US people if they find an unlocked variant with tax back or want a physical sim. Apple Canada's price $1,279 CAD = 139,639 JPY. Good deal for Apple DE EUR 949 = 149,768 JPY.
Last edited by freecia; Oct 18, 2023 at 8:03 pm
Oct 18, 2023, 7:58 pm
#79
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Yup. Price wise, though, the non-US can be a bit more expensive than US depending on sales tax or VAT back. An iPhone 6 usually has no/very low trade in value though some carriers/BestBuy will occasionally run a promotion for any working phone's trade in value.
https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphon...news-59877.php
The variant made for HK, Macau, China market has dual physical sim. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209086
https://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphon...news-59877.php
The variant made for HK, Macau, China market has dual physical sim. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT209086
Oct 18, 2023, 8:28 pm
#80
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Buying and trading for the same phone in Japan will cost JPY125,800 after trade in, or USD$840
Buying in the USA from T-Mobile is highly confusing because they just canceled the $650 trade in value for legacy plans - but trying to add everything up gives me $1,172.50 as a final price.
Buying in the USA from Apple directly costs $941 after trade in.
So the winner is - Japan!
Oct 18, 2023, 10:21 pm
#81
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Looking at the IP15 Pro Max 512GB, the Canada price including my trade in and sales tax is CAN$1,600 or about USD$1,166.
Buying and trading for the same phone in Japan will cost JPY125,800 after trade in, or USD$840
Buying in the USA from T-Mobile is highly confusing because they just canceled the $650 trade in value for legacy plans - but trying to add everything up gives me $1,172.50 as a final price.
Buying in the USA from Apple directly costs $941 after trade in.
So the winner is - Japan!
Buying and trading for the same phone in Japan will cost JPY125,800 after trade in, or USD$840
Buying in the USA from T-Mobile is highly confusing because they just canceled the $650 trade in value for legacy plans - but trying to add everything up gives me $1,172.50 as a final price.
Buying in the USA from Apple directly costs $941 after trade in.
So the winner is - Japan!
Oct 18, 2023, 10:43 pm
#82
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Did we get consensus on whether or not a Japan-sold iPhone with a non-Japan region and SIM, and used outside of Japan will still give the shutter sound?
Oct 18, 2023, 10:51 pm
#83
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Tokyo
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the shutter sound has been silence-able abroad since ios 15:
https://k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp/do...w/1358307.html
Oct 18, 2023, 11:45 pm
#85
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depends what you mean by consensus - is there ever such a thing on FT? lol
the shutter sound has been silence-able abroad since ios 15:
https://k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp/do...w/1358307.html
the shutter sound has been silence-able abroad since ios 15:
https://k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp/do...w/1358307.html
Nov 4, 2023, 11:39 am
#86
Join Date: Aug 2012
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T-Mobile mentioned something about giving me $1,000 credit for a new phone? Haven't looked in to the details, but obviously I'm going to to with that, even with the extremely favorable exchange rate environment. Though, I did visit the flagship Grand Seiko & Rimowa boutiques and considering doing some serious damage to my Amex. I feel like a kid in a candy shop with everything seemingly so cheap, from a USD perspective.
Nov 4, 2023, 11:22 pm
#87
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T-Mobile mentioned something about giving me $1,000 credit for a new phone? Haven't looked in to the details, but obviously I'm going to to with that, even with the extremely favorable exchange rate environment. Though, I did visit the flagship Grand Seiko & Rimowa boutiques and considering doing some serious damage to my Amex. I feel like a kid in a candy shop with everything seemingly so cheap, from a USD perspective.
Nov 5, 2023, 1:32 am
#88
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Nov 5, 2023, 8:25 am
#89
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I have various US-issued credit cards that offer certain mobile phone-related credits but when I read the terms & conditions, they all apply to purchases made in the U.S., so I can't use them in Japan. I would assume the same for a T-Mobile credit for a new phone, you'd better check the term details before buying in Japan.
Nov 5, 2023, 5:44 pm
#90
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I'm not sure if this is the promotion referred to above about getting a $1,000 credit from T-Mobile for a new phone, but it sounds like it. According to the promotion details quoted below, to receive the credit, you would need to first buy a phone from a U.S. carrier and T-Mobile would pay off what you owe the carrier for that phone when you switch your service to T-Mobile, so a foreign mobile phone purchase would likely not qualify.
"Now, those customers can switch to T-Mobile, and well pay off what they owe the Carriers for their smartphone up to $1,000 and theyll save up to 20% on their family plan and get way more 5G coverage."
https://www.t-mobile.com/news/offers...off-your-phone
"Now, those customers can switch to T-Mobile, and well pay off what they owe the Carriers for their smartphone up to $1,000 and theyll save up to 20% on their family plan and get way more 5G coverage."
https://www.t-mobile.com/news/offers...off-your-phone