- 01iPhone Duo Pricing at Rakuten Mobile
- 02Preorder and Release Schedule
- 03Breaking Down the Official “Effective 176,504 Yen”
- 04Breaking Down the Up-to-40,000 Points
- 05Effective Total When Returning After 2 Years
- 06Effective Total by Storage Size
- 07What If You Pay Outright or Pay It Off?
- 08Comparison With Other Carriers and Apple
- 09Things to Watch When Receiving Points
- 10New Line, Switching, or Upgrading
- 112-Year Total Including Phone Plan
- 12Conditions for Returning the Device
- 13Who It Suits and Who It Doesn’t
- 14Checklist Before You Preorder
- 15FAQ
- 16Official Sources I Used
- 17Summary
Good morning, this is まさきん.
Rakuten Mobile has announced its price for the iPhone Duo. The price list went up on the official site in time for preorders opening on Friday, October 16 at 21:00.
The numbers are big, so I broke down how much you actually end up paying. I also go through the official “effective price” one piece at a time.
*This information is current as of publication. Please check the official site for the latest conditions.
- The 256GB model is priced at 433,000 yen. On 48 installments, it starts from 9,021 yen a month
- If you return it in month 25 under the Rakuten Mobile Upgrade Program, you only pay 216,504 yen in total
- The official “effective 176,504 yen” subtracts up to 40,000 points, which includes rewards for referring 5 people
- Without referrals, you get 20,000 points back. Add the 3,300 yen return fee, and the effective 2-year cost comes to 199,804 yen
- If you plan to return it after 2 years, it is cheaper than other carriers based on reported prices. If you buy outright, Apple’s own store is cheaper
iPhone Duo Pricing at Rakuten Mobile
First, here is Rakuten Mobile’s official price list. These are tax-inclusive prices as of October 16.
| Storage | Device price | Monthly (payments 1–24) | Paid if returned in month 25 | Official effective cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 256GB | 433,000 yen | 9,021 yen | 216,504 yen | 176,504 yen |
| 512GB | 474,800 yen | 9,892 yen | 237,408 yen | 197,408 yen |
| 1TB | 547,400 yen | 11,404 yen | 273,696 yen | 233,696 yen |
| 2TB | 659,600 yen | 13,742 yen | 329,808 yen | 289,808 yen |
The monthly amounts are for 48 installments. Installments are available only with Rakuten Card, and the stated annual interest rate is 0%. Payments from month 25 on are almost the same as months 1–24. For the 256GB model, payments 25–47 are 9,020 yen and payment 48 is 9,036 yen.
Adding up all 48 payments gives exactly the device price. That confirmed there are no fees tacked on.
Preorder and Release Schedule
Preorder and release times differ slightly depending on where you buy.
| Channel | Preorders open | Release |
|---|---|---|
| Rakuten Mobile official site | Fri, Oct 16, 21:00 | Fri, Oct 23, 8:00 |
| Rakuten Mobile official Rakuten Ichiba store | Fri, Oct 16, 21:00 | Fri, Oct 23, 8:00 |
| Rakuten Mobile shops | Sat, Oct 17, at opening | Fri, Oct 23, at opening |
Shop visit reservations have been open on the official site since October 16 at 21:00. Some shops apparently won’t carry every product. If you plan to buy in store, it may be worth checking stock and availability first.
Breaking Down the Official “Effective 176,504 Yen”
The figure that stands out most in the price list is the “effective” price. For the 256GB model, it says 176,504 yen.
This combines two numbers. One is the 216,504 yen you pay if you return the device in month 25. The other is the campaign’s maximum of 40,000 points.
216,504 yen − 40,000 points = 176,504 yen
The math checks out. But those 40,000 points come with conditions. I think this is the most important part when figuring out what you will really pay.
Breaking Down the Up-to-40,000 Points
The iPhone Duo was added to a campaign as soon as preorders opened: “Get the Latest iPhone at a Great Deal! Up to 40,000 Points Campaign.”
The points come in two tiers.
| Reward | Points | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Base reward | 20,000 points | Register for the campaign, sign up for a plan, buy an eligible iPhone, use Rakuten Link, etc. |
| Referral reward | 4,000 points per person (up to 20,000 points for 5 people) | Send your referral URL and have the other person log in with their Rakuten ID |
In other words, what you can reliably get on your own is 20,000 points. The other 20,000 points is the cap you hit only if you refer 5 people and all of them log in.
The referral reward counts once the other person logs in, even if they don’t sign up. Still, getting 5 people may not be easy for everyone. So in this article, I calculate both “no referrals” and “5 referrals.”
Effective Total When Returning After 2 Years
Now for the main part. Let’s say you buy the 256GB model under the Rakuten Mobile Upgrade Program and return it in month 25.
The official fine print mentions a 3,300 yen administrative fee on return. I add that in too.
| Item | No referrals | 5 referrals |
|---|---|---|
| Payments 1–24 | 216,504 yen | 216,504 yen |
| Administrative fee on return | 3,300 yen | 3,300 yen |
| Campaign points | −20,000 points | −40,000 points |
| Effective cost | 199,804 yen | 179,804 yen |
The gap from the official 176,504 yen is the 3,300 yen fee. Without referrals, a good rule of thumb is just under 200,000 yen over 2 years.
Per month, that works out to about 8,300 yen without referrals. Whether that feels expensive will depend on the person. For a big foldable screen, some people may think it is about right.
Clicking this opens the Rakuten login page. Once you log in, you’ll see the campaign details.
Effective Total by Storage Size
I lined up the same calculation for all four storage sizes. Every figure assumes a return in month 25 and includes the 3,300 yen fee.
| Storage | Return + fee | No referrals (−20,000pt) | 5 referrals (−40,000pt) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 256GB | 219,804 yen | 199,804 yen | 179,804 yen |
| 512GB | 240,708 yen | 220,708 yen | 200,708 yen |
| 1TB | 276,996 yen | 256,996 yen | 236,996 yen |
| 2TB | 333,108 yen | 313,108 yen | 293,108 yen |
Each step up in storage adds roughly 20,000 to 60,000 yen to the 2-year cost. Going from 256GB to 512GB, the difference was 20,904 yen.
If you take lots of photos and videos, 512GB might be worth considering. But if you plan to return it, that changes things. Picking a size you can actually fill within 2 years seems like the realistic choice.
What If You Pay Outright or Pay It Off?
I also ran the numbers for keeping the device instead of returning it.
Whether you pay in one lump sum or pay off all 48 installments, the total is the same as the device price. For 256GB that is 433,000 yen, and without referrals you get 20,000 points back.
| How you buy (256GB) | Total paid | Effective, no referrals | Effective, 5 referrals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lump sum | 433,000 yen | 413,000 yen | 393,000 yen |
| Pay off all 48 installments | 433,000 yen | 413,000 yen | 393,000 yen |
| Return in month 25 | 219,804 yen | 199,804 yen | 179,804 yen |
If you pay it off, you keep the device. If you sell it or pass it to a family member after 2 years, your cost goes down by that much. However, trade-in and used prices for a foldable model are still hard to predict, so I have left them out of the calculation.
Comparison With Other Carriers and Apple
According to news reports, each company’s price for the 256GB model is as follows. Note that conditions and how fees are treated are not consistent across companies.
| Seller | Lump-sum price | Cost if returned after about 2 years |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Store | 364,800 yen | No program |
| Rakuten Mobile | 433,000 yen | 216,504 yen (month 25) |
| au | 419,800 yen | 230,300 yen (switching carriers / new line) |
| SoftBank | 419,760 yen | 239,760 yen (month 25) |
| docomo | 436,370 yen | 239,690 yen (month 23, with perks applied) |
If you return it after about 2 years, Rakuten Mobile came out with the lowest payment. Point rewards come on top of that.
On the other hand, if you buy outright, Apple’s own store is the cheapest. The gap from Rakuten Mobile’s lump-sum price was 68,200 yen. This is a model where the answer depends on whether you return it or keep it.
Things to Watch When Receiving Points
The “effective” price is after subtracting points. You do not get cash back. There are a few things worth knowing here.
- Points are awarded in installments over 5 months. They start arriving about 2–3 months after you meet the conditions
- The points are limited-time points, valid for 6 months from the date awarded
- When buying under the Rakuten Mobile Upgrade Program, you cannot use Rakuten Points to pay for the device
- It cannot be combined with other campaigns (only the Apple Watch coupon for device upgrades can be combined)
Since the points can’t go toward the device, you will end up spending them on everyday shopping or your phone bill. Because they are limited-time points, deciding how to use them in advance may help you avoid letting any expire.
New Line, Switching, or Upgrading
The campaign splits into two tracks depending on your contract situation. The cap of up to 40,000 points is the same.
| Situation | Main conditions |
|---|---|
| Switching from another carrier / new number | Buy at the same time as signing up for a plan. Rakuten Link use required |
| Device only / device upgrade | Already using the Rakuten Saikyo Plan or similar by the end of the month before purchase |
If you already use Rakuten Mobile, you fall under the device upgrade track. Points apparently start being awarded around the last day of the third month after the month of purchase.
In both cases, you need to register for the campaign before buying. Registering after purchase does not count, so this is one thing not to overlook.
2-Year Total Including Phone Plan
Let’s add 2 years of phone plan fees on top of the device cost. The Rakuten Saikyo Plan’s monthly fee changes with how much data you use.
| Data used | Monthly (tax incl.) | 24 months |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 3GB | 1,078 yen | 25,872 yen |
| Up to 20GB | 2,178 yen | 52,272 yen |
| Unlimited | 3,278 yen | 78,672 yen |
With the Saikyo Family Discount, each tier is 110 yen cheaper.
I added it up for the 256GB model, returned after 2 years, with no referrals. With unlimited data, the 2-year total is 278,476 yen. If you stay within 3GB, it is 225,676 yen.
If you watch videos on the big screen, you will probably lean toward using more data. Looking at the device and plan together should make it easier to set a household budget for it.
Conditions for Returning the Device
The Rakuten Mobile Upgrade Program is built around returning the device. There are conditions on how you return it, too.
- You return the exact device you bought. If you return it from month 25 on, the remaining payments are waived
- A 3,300 yen administrative fee applies on return
- If the device is broken or damaged, a repair fee of 22,000 yen (not subject to tax) may apply
- Foldable screens show scratches easily, so it is worth deciding how to protect it in advance
The terms note that repair fees can be even higher for some products. For an expensive device like the iPhone Duo, it may be reassuring to consider a protection plan as well.
Who It Suits and Who It Doesn’t
Based on the numbers so far, here is who this seems to fit.
Likely a good fit
- People who plan to switch to the next model after about 2 years
- People who have a Rakuten Card and can choose 48 installments
- People who can use up limited-time points on everyday shopping
Maybe not a good fit
- People who want to keep the same device for 4 years or more. In that case, buying outright from Apple is cheaper
- People who tend to be rough on their phones and aren’t confident about its condition at return
- People who want savings in cash rather than points
Checklist Before You Preorder
- I registered for the campaign before buying
- I checked the 2-year cost for my storage size using the no-referral numbers
- I have a Rakuten Card ready for the installments
- I talked with my family and decided whether to return it or pay it off
- I have thought about how to use the 20,000 points
FAQ
Q. Can I buy it for the official “effective 176,504 yen”?
You won’t actually pay 176,504 yen. What you pay before returning it in month 25 is 216,504 yen. Subtract the maximum 40,000 points from that and you get 176,504 yen. Without referrals, you get 20,000 points back, so the effective cost is 196,504 yen. The 3,300 yen return fee is also charged separately.
Q. Do I only get the 4,000 referral points if the other person signs up?
The campaign rules say it counts when the other person logs in with their Rakuten ID through your referral URL. Signing up is not a condition. However, it does not count if the other person already has a Rakuten Mobile contract. The deadline is 23:59 on the last day of the month after your purchase month.
Q. Can I pay for the device with points?
When buying under the Rakuten Mobile Upgrade Program, you cannot use Rakuten Points to pay for the device. With a lump-sum payment, you can use up to 30,000 points per transaction (up to 500,000 points for Diamond members). Also note that points cannot be used for the second or later installment payments.
Q. Can I return it later than month 25?
You can return it any time from month 25 onward. Once you return it, the remaining payments are waived. However, every additional payment you make before then adds to your cost.
Q. Does the campaign apply to device upgrades?
Yes. For device-only purchases and upgrades, the cap of up to 40,000 points is the same. You need to have started using the Rakuten Saikyo Plan or similar by the end of the month before your purchase month.
Q. Can I pay in installments with a card other than Rakuten Card?
The 48-installment option is Rakuten Card only. According to the terms, choosing 24 installments with another credit card incurs installment fees.
Q. Can I get it on release day?
Sales on the official site and the Rakuten Ichiba store start Friday, October 23 at 8:00. They note that popular colors and storage sizes may take longer to deliver.
Q. Should I choose Rakuten Mobile or Apple’s own store?
If you plan to return it, Rakuten Mobile tends to be cheaper; if you plan to keep it a long time, Apple’s own store does. For 256GB bought outright, Apple’s store came out 68,200 yen cheaper. Deciding first how many years you will use it should make the choice easier.
Official Sources I Used
- Rakuten Mobile iPhone Duo product page
- Rakuten Mobile announcement of iPhone Duo pricing and preorders
- Get the Latest iPhone at a Great Deal! Up to 40,000 Points Campaign
- Rakuten Mobile Upgrade Program
- Rakuten Saikyo Plan pricing
- Buy iPhone Duo at Apple
- K-tai Watch: iPhone Duo Apple and carrier price roundup (source for each company’s prices)
Summary
Rakuten Mobile’s pricing for the iPhone Duo brings the cost down quite a bit if you return it after 2 years. The official effective 176,504 yen includes points for 5 referrals. Without referrals and with the fee included, a good rule of thumb for 256GB is 199,804 yen.
Before you preorder, try running the numbers once to see which figure is closer to your situation. I covered the pre-announcement information in this article. If you are unsure how much data you need, the comparison with the big three carriers’ unlimited plans may also help.
Clicking this opens the Rakuten login page. Once you log in, you’ll see the campaign details.
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