Japanese Vodaphones/Phones - Page 2

Soluzar · July 8th, 2006, 03:18 PM

You didn't think to maybe add this question to the other thread that's already going on about Japanese phones? You might get more answers there...

http://animenation.net/forums/showthread.php?t=193660

HSaabedra · July 8th, 2006, 03:23 PM

There are various places on the net to buy these handsets, provided you are prepared to live with no direct customer support from your carrier and high prices.

HSaabedra · July 8th, 2006, 03:27 PM

If anyone has anymore questions, go ahead and PM me, I run a cellphone shop and would be happy to answer questions relating to Japanese handsets in the US.

GokuMew2 · July 9th, 2006, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axl X

To answer questions, you could buy a Vodaphone handset and use it here. The only catch is, the phone needs to be unlocked and reflashed for certain features to work. Are you willing to pay $~600 for a phone that has a ton of features that are network dependent and cant be used here? I own a 903SH and its a great phone, when I feel like using it, but most of the featureset is network dependent. -->

It surprisingly doesn't cost too much. An unlocked Japanese handset from the Vodafone carrier is around $300, including shipping. Of course, if you want higher end stuff, it can be much more. True you can't use all the cool features that are only available from Vodafone Live!, but hey, it costs around $300 for a decent phone over here so why not spend that same amount for a higher end phone that not many people have? .^^

(I'm on a prepaid plan from T-Mobile, btw, so no discounted upgrades for me.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zash

ARe these cell phones capable of working in Japan and America?

These particular ones I'm looking at are. They work with any U.S. carrier that uses a SIM card. The handsets from the 3G line from Vodafone are all dual-mode and tri-band.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zash

I was thinking of buying a cell phone that works in America and In Japan..does anyone know where i can find such phones?

Check out auctions.

Oh, and right now, I'm leaning more towards the Toshiba 803T since the 804T is HUGE (almost 4.5" in height!), the 804SS only has a 1.3MP camera compared to the 803T's 2.26MP, and the 904T's height is almost the same as the 804T's (= big).

Actually, a friend of mine living in Japan just so happens to use an 803T and she was telling me how much she loves it.

HSaabedra · July 9th, 2006, 11:45 AM

Sorry to burst your bubble, but those prices you mentioned are not accurate. Vodaphone Japan does not sell handsets outright and are hardware/software locked to the network. Go to howardforums.com and the other manufacturers board for info.

Zash · July 9th, 2006, 04:00 PM

...so now I'm confussed..maybe I'll just not buy a cell for Japan since there's soo much confusion...

HSaabedra · July 9th, 2006, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zash

...so now I'm confussed..maybe I'll just not buy a cell for Japan since there's soo much confusion...

What is confusing?

Zash · July 9th, 2006, 04:21 PM

Lol I'm not even sure what kind of a cell I should be buying anymore..should it be a triband? or?..idk

HSaabedra · July 9th, 2006, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zash

Lol I'm not even sure what kind of a cell I should be buying anymore..should it be a triband? or?..idk

In the US, GSM is deployed on the 850/1900 Mhz bands. Japanese phones with support for GSM roaming support 900/1800/1900 Mhz bands. Both Cingular and T-Mobile use the GSM 1900 band but Cingulars deployment relies heavily on GSM 850 for rural areas and additional coverage.

Haro! · July 10th, 2006, 04:47 PM

But why would someone get vodafone in Japan? I hear it sucks over there.

KuroiKenshi · July 10th, 2006, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haro!

But why would someone get vodafone in Japan? I hear it sucks over there.

i had it. it wasnt bad. i got it because for my situation at the time it was the cheapest option (all my friends had it so it made things easier. plus NTT is soooo expensive). will i get it again when i go to japan at the end of the month? maybe, maybe not.

HSaabedra · July 10th, 2006, 06:29 PM

They are transitioning to Softbank Mobile, but are keeping all infrastructure in place. Vodaphone sold off to Softbank early this year and are slowly easing away from models with intl. roaming until they figure out what to do. It looks like the end of the line for unlocked Japanese handsets for now.

GokuMew2 · July 11th, 2006, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axl X

Sorry to burst your bubble, but those prices you mentioned are not accurate. Vodaphone Japan does not sell handsets outright and are hardware/software locked to the network. Go to howardforums.com and the other manufacturers board for info.

Of course it's not direct from Vodafone. They're just Vodafone branded and unlocked by someone else. I believe the bulk of Japanese phones put on eBay are shipped from Hong Kong.

Anyway, I just bought the 803T yesterday. Hopefully I'll get it next week.

fujyoshi · July 12th, 2006, 06:53 AM

hmm....that's rather interesting. I wonder if you can get Japanese installed in your phone if you don't already.

GokuMew2 · July 12th, 2006, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebekah1-anime

hmm....that's rather interesting. I wonder if you can get Japanese installed in your phone if you don't already.

I think it depends on what version firmware your phone has. If it's got Japanese firmware then it will support Japanese. The phone I bought has Japanese firmware so I should be able to read and write Japanese on it. Yay!

July 8th, 2006, 03:18 PM	#16
Soluzar Double rainbow! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: All the way across the sky... Posts: 13,580 Blog Entries: 45	You didn't think to maybe add this question to the other thread that's already going on about Japanese phones? You might get more answers there... http://animenation.net/forums/showthread.php?t=193660 __________________ One day men will ask... "Where did it start?" We shall tell them it started here. Join the ranks of Team Soluzar! Protect the forum against the threat of unexpected Prons incursions. Your forum needs YOU.

July 10th, 2006, 04:47 PM	#25
Haro! is for the ladies Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NY Posts: 4,006 Blog Entries: 7	But why would someone get vodafone in Japan? I hear it sucks over there. __________________ I invented the friggin' iPhone. Have you heard of it? - Steve Jobs When it's us it's 'abortion', when its a chicken it's an omelet. - George Carlin

July 8th, 2006, 03:23 PM	#17
HSaabedra Angryman Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Home Posts: 4,873 Blog Entries: 13	There are various places on the net to buy these handsets, provided you are prepared to live with no direct customer support from your carrier and high prices.

July 8th, 2006, 03:27 PM	#18
HSaabedra Angryman Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Home Posts: 4,873 Blog Entries: 13	If anyone has anymore questions, go ahead and PM me, I run a cellphone shop and would be happy to answer questions relating to Japanese handsets in the US.

July 9th, 2006, 11:45 AM	#20
HSaabedra Angryman Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Home Posts: 4,873 Blog Entries: 13	Sorry to burst your bubble, but those prices you mentioned are not accurate. Vodaphone Japan does not sell handsets outright and are hardware/software locked to the network. Go to howardforums.com and the other manufacturers board for info.

July 9th, 2006, 04:00 PM	#21
Zash Von the Swordsman Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Gaea Posts: 419	...so now I'm confussed..maybe I'll just not buy a cell for Japan since there's soo much confusion...

July 9th, 2006, 04:21 PM	#23
Zash Von the Swordsman Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Gaea Posts: 419	Lol I'm not even sure what kind of a cell I should be buying anymore..should it be a triband? or?..idk

July 10th, 2006, 06:29 PM	#27
HSaabedra Angryman Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Home Posts: 4,873 Blog Entries: 13	They are transitioning to Softbank Mobile, but are keeping all infrastructure in place. Vodaphone sold off to Softbank early this year and are slowly easing away from models with intl. roaming until they figure out what to do. It looks like the end of the line for unlocked Japanese handsets for now.

July 12th, 2006, 06:53 AM	#29
fujyoshi Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 11,205 Blog Entries: 4	hmm....that's rather interesting. I wonder if you can get Japanese installed in your phone if you don't already.