| Forum Index » Geek Chat » Is it possible to use Japanese phones outside Japan? |
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| I'm.on.turquoise |
 Posted: Feb 27, 2010 8:49 am |
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桃ノ花ビラ
Joined: 09 Feb 2010
Posts: 9
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The Japanese phones I see always look so pretty, especially the ones used in Ai's CMs (their deceptive advertisement schemes are working!). How do I get one and will it be possible to just chuck a random SIM card in there? And what about signal reception and stuff?
Thanks! <3 |
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| 1337rice |
| Posted: Feb 27, 2010 6:57 pm |
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クムリウタ
Joined: 24 Apr 2007
Posts: 872
Location: Toronto
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Yes and no.
Japanese phones are complicated and expensive. So prepare to rip your wallet open...
I'll tell you by my experience.
The cost:
Depending on where you buy it and what condition its in, you can find them around $400-$800+. This also depends on what model it is as well.
http://www.echigoya-honpo.com/
This website sells Japanese phones, along with other things.
The phone itself:
I've played with various models. P905i, SH905i, N905i, and SH-01a. So I have played the ones with swivel screens, diagonal tilt screen, 5 to 8 megapixel cameras using CMOS and CCD sensors, lotsa flashing lights on the front and more to list out.
Now the sad part...you cannot put mp3 ringtones, you cannot go on the internet, you cannot use the GPS, you cannot use the electronic wallet, you cannot use the TV...in other words, about 90% of the phone is crippled because you're not in Japan. I don't really want to go through various explanations why...
As for the signal reception, it works fine until you hit dead spots and underground tunnels (for ex. subway stations). Unlike the normal phones, it cannot reconnect back to its signal at times, so it needs to be restarted a lot...and you will find yourself carrying an extra phone in case the japanese phone fails you.
Oh by the way, you need to cut the corner of your sim card so you can fit this thin film called a Hypersim. It is used to bypass the lock on those phones or else you cannot use it.
So overall, the phone will attract a lot of people because of it's flashy lights that display time and shine like Christmas lights. The insanely good cameras are insanely good...for a cellphone camera. Other than that...it's just a normal phone if you're not in Japan. |
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| I'm.on.turquoise |
| Posted: Feb 27, 2010 8:41 pm |
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桃ノ花ビラ
Joined: 09 Feb 2010
Posts: 9
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Thanks so much, 1337rice!
I'm kinda discouraged from buying one already. I checked out the prices from YesAsia and they were way beyond my budget. $800 dollars is too much for me X(. And since most of the features that make up the price are disabled anyway, I'd be better off getting something from here instead from Japan.
But they look so pretty! I'm in love with the one from Ai's Renai Shashin CM. The green pearl-ish color and the unified look of the keys is just so awesome! Are the looks worth the giant price tag? Maybe not. But I don't care.  So I'm still on the fence for this one.
Thanks again for all the info, 1337rice! |
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| 1337rice |
| Posted: Mar 01, 2010 5:19 pm |
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クムリウタ
Joined: 24 Apr 2007
Posts: 872
Location: Toronto
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The ones you're looking at on Yesasia are different.
Using this one: http://www.yesasia.com/global/sharp-sh1810c-pink-mobile-phone-sim-free-unlocked/1021917751-0-0-0-en/info.html
as the example, these ones are not made in Japan. They are also specifically designed for the mass market and would work around the world just fine, so you do not need to cut your sim card. They also support the mp3 format.
However, there is a difference between, and this has been proven by people who have both japanese version and the chinese version (from the link), and that is in the camera. The Japanese version carry better cameras while the Chinese ones show a lower quality. |
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| Eugeniu |
| Posted: Mar 07, 2010 12:57 am |
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Happy Days
Joined: 23 May 2007
Posts: 112
Location: Minnesota, USA
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| That absolutely sucks how these phones are so incompatible outside of Japan. You'd think they would release some of these models to the US market but noooo... |
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