Buying phones in Japan

Forums › Mobile handsets › Buying phones in Japan

gcam032

20 posts

Geek

#18027 23-Dec-2007 09:56

Hi everyone,

I'm lucky enough to be going for a boys trip to Japan in a couple of weeks. I was interested in buying a mobile to bring home for the vodafone network. Has anyone had experience with this? Things to look out for, be careful of etc...

Also, does anyone know what smartphones dominate the japanese market? I noticed they don't sell the Sony Ericsson W960 over there, I found that interesting...??

Thanks

Gareth

jarodcn

32 posts

Geek

#101519 23-Dec-2007 12:15

All japanese cellphones come with simlock,can not use overseas network.

nzbnw

2374 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Spark NZ

#101524 23-Dec-2007 12:23

Some Japanese carriers use a 3G standard called FOMA, which will not work in NZ. CDMA is also used in Japan, but you can not import CDMA phones as getting them to work locally is very hard. You will need a WCDMA phone using the UMTS standard, afaik.

Then there is SIM locks...

nzbnw

chiefie

I iz your trusted friend
5877 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#101556 23-Dec-2007 14:38

Don't get any cellular/mobile phone back... it will not work, or as other said, sim-lock, so save yourself that trouble and just forget about it.

If you do stop by in HK or Singapore, then you can get from there.

If you are thinking of electronic stuff from Japan, make sure you get the "Traveller" bundle/packaging or International model, usually slightly more expensive. Otherwise you'll stucked with Japan 110v.

Consider yourself been pre-warned by others, travel smart.

Internet is my backyard...

«Geekzone blog: Tech 'n Chips Takeaway» «Personal blog: And then...»

Please read the Geekzone's FUG