Recently, I have received a $100 voucher from Starhub, so I decided to take a look at some of the handphones available. After all, my current handphone, a Toshiba 803t, has just passed the one year mark, so I figured that I might as well get a new phone.
After a short visit to a Starhub retail shop and a quick browse through the phones available, I came to a swift decision. I would be sticking with my current phone. Now, I’m rather sure some people might be wondering why on earth I gave up a chance to get a new handphone. The answer’s simple, they don’t suit my taste and liking.
Ever since I used my 803t, I’ve found myself not having the desire to possess a non-Japanese phone. Despite the 803t not being one of the best unlocked Japanese phones out there, I find that it still trashes many other non-Japanese phones in various aspects.
One unique and irreplaceable aspect would be Japanese input. With Japanese input also comes an English-Japanese dictionary, which proves to be extremely helpful in certain situations. I’m one of those lazy and stingy bastards who can’t be bothered to buy an electronic dictionary and lug it all around. Hence, having one packed together into my mobile phone would be a great convenience to me, especially since I’m currently learning Japanese.
Typing on the 803t was quick difficult at first. With no T9 dictionary, I had to manually type in every single alphabet. Despite it being tedious at the start, I soon got used to it. In fact, I got so used to it that I am finding it difficult to input text using the T9 function. Of course, I could easily switch back if I was required to.
Design. One thing I’ve started looking for in phones ever since I was first exposed to Japanese handphones. I have taken a huge liking to clamshell phones. If I was living in Japan, this would be no problem and I would find a phone with a design to my liking immediately. However, in Singapore, candybar phones rule the market, and flip phones are rather uncommon. Even for mobile phones with a flip design, half would have fugly designs. So far, I have not come across any phone on this sunny little island which has truly caught my eye.
I’m not saying that using a Japanese handphone is 100% awesome. I’ve had my fair share of problems too. Firstly, no MP3 ringtones since mine contains the original Japanese firmware. Another problem is the camera. Japanese cameras are supposed to be top-notch, but it seems that my 803t is an exception. The camera has a slow respond time, and I am unable to focus before taking any pictures. A slight movement while taking a photo would result in a blur end product. One last problem is the media player. I can’t just drag and drop MP3 files into my phone and expect it to play. I would have to convert the files to some other weird format before I can use them, and that is one hell of a pain in the ass. Being lazy, I shall just stick to my MP4 player.
I really want to get a new phone with the following features:
- Clamshell phone with a design to my liking
- Decent camera
- MP3 ringtones
- Japanese input and dictionary (optional)
My options are rather limited with point 1, and if I render point 4 as mandatory, the only few phones which I can consider are the 707SC and the 903SH. Those are the only software-unlocked phones, but the latter costs a bomb.
This is why Japanese phones rock
There are some other Japanese phones that can be unlocked with something named “Hypersimcard”, but I’m not too sure how it exactly works. If a thing really works in unlocking, I wouldn’t mind getting a p905i. The design’s rather kickass.
Japanese telecommunication companies such as DoCoMo should expand their business out of Japan and begin building similar networks overseas. FOMA is something of Japan’s communication network that I really admire. Your phone’s messaging is basically email, and there are a few other cool functions too. Singapore would be a good place to start , since it’s small and easy to manage =3 Although I doubt it will happen anytime soon. Chances are, by the time a technology similar to FOMA gets integrated into Singapore’s communication network, I would have probably left the country. Or not.
Holy crap yes. But I have a penchant for Softbank phones - their designs seem to be on the whole, more appealing than most of the other telecompanies.
Your 803t seems to be one of the older models? Hence the slow response time and stuff…
But have no fear! If you don’t mind waiting, Sony Ericsson has some rather beautiful phones (especially when you compare them to Nokia designs) coming out in Q3, so all of us who’ve been poisoned by Japan’s handphone aesthetic can look forward to something!
I wanted to get a Japanese phone after I left the army, but I find it too much of a hassle. I heard rumors about them, saying this cannot work, that cannot work…
I settled for a Motorola K3M. Not exceptional, but not too shabby either.
I might need a phone that can work and autoroam to Japan. Anything but Nokia. Any recommendations?
Yeah, there’s the whole thing about software unlock and multimedia unlock - it’s a bit of a gamble. But HWZ does have some really promising threads about more or less fully unlocked phones! :DDDDDD
@0ne:
(hahahha double I’m totally hijacking your post lah)
When do you need the phone? Any preference for clamshell/candybar/slider? I’m a total keitai junkie so haahha I love to search/collect info on keitai. :D()
Um, if price and timing is not a factor I’d suggest the SE X1, Z7701, G900 or the W980i (which I’m lusting after XD). The thing about SE is that they’re not really consistent with having 3G enabled phones so some of the really drool-worthy phones can’t be used for roaming in Japan vs Nokia who despite having er questionable designs, are quite 3G-centric for their phones…
Soshi > LOL, I don’t mind the post hijacking. Anyway, thanks for the recommendations. Time isn’t really a factor, since I can wait about another year or so with my 803t. I’m rather attached to it, but the battery keeps giving up on me =(
Actually, what I really hope for is Singapore’s telecommunication infrastructure to start evolving towards where Japan current is.
§oL > Still 2 years before I head into the army, so I don’t really need to worry about having a phone without camera.
Software unlocked phones have everything functional, while hardware unlocked phones lack GPRS and MMS.
One > If you want something which looks rather trendy, you can try Samsung or Sony Ericsson. Some of their designs are rather OK, but I guess the current models don’t suit my taste.
For phones to be able to be used in Japan, you just have to get a 3G one fitted with a 3G SIM card. If you have not upgraded your SIM card, you can do so for free at any Singnet/Starhub branch, I think.
that is one pretty awesome cellphone you have there
I’m currently using a white 707sc; have never turned back to local phones since then =P
If I were to change phone, I would choose SE W910i at least it has 2.4″ screen, and some good features… I like sliding phones better than clamshell or candybar. My current phone is SE W850i which is a slider too… I like big screens which would look like a real japanese phone.. and SE is my choice of hp brand.. It’s the closest brand to jp phones as Sony is the part owner of it.
otaku dan > Thanks
cyo > I might have to turn back to local phones if I can’t get a new import phone by say… the end of this year.
samejima > I don’t really like slider phones as I had a couple of friends who faced some problems with slider phones.
does the have in english language since I can`t speak chinese. does it have it.
I really want it
umm, hey ((:
how do you get them pretty japanese phones unlocked after the hassle of importing them over? do you like go to a store, say in sim lim, and ask a guy to unlock? or..
and i couldn’t get autoroam in japan with my nokia when i should be able to, right?
hitsuzen > There’s both Japanese and English.
nana > My set was unlocked when I bought it in Chinatown. As for usability in Japan, I think any 3G-enabled mobile phone will do.
OHh… i wished i got a japanese phone…!! oMG!! i love softbank 831T its so nice XDD i wonder how to get it
erm..HI
Can I ask if I want to buy a Japanese handphone, where can I buy it in Singapore? Is it very expensive too? How much does it usually cost?
thx :]
keep all this stuff up guys…
hi
Would appreciate if any1 tell mi where to gt japanese phone??
Really dying to gt 1 cos their design is superb plus is good for mi to learn jap as well.