whats the crack, and which is better?

well i mode allows for more features such as pay per use etc. 3g 'just' allows more content etc to be streamed from what i have read.

TBH i think i mode allows for more but it isnt available outside japan yet is it? if ever

O2 have it, apparently:

http://flash.o2.co.uk/imode/index.html

Yep, am am about to upgrade (just after xmas), and the choice of phones is pretty much Samsung S500(i-mode) or Z500(3G).

i-mode is expensive, and there is limited content. I assume you can browse normal WAP eek: ) sites