topic Re: European Xperia P in Japan in Other/General

European Xperia P in Japan

HolySt4r — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 20:43:36 GMT

Hi,

I want to buy an european Xperia P but I will move in two months in Japan. I've a student visa for 1 year, so I will subscribe for a plan with Docomo or Softbank. Matter is that I would like to use the Xperia P with the japanese sim.

Is it possible or in there I should buy a new smartphone? Thanks

Re: European Xperia P in Japan

MarlonUk1 — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 02:11:36 GMT

japan supports

Japan

3G 1700/2100

UQ Communications 4G WiMax; NTT DoCoMo;

Xperia P has

2G Network	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - LT22i

it supports 3g network 2100. I am not sure if that means you can use the phone in Japan

Re: European Xperia P in Japan

MarlonUk1 — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 02:14:26 GMT

http://www-support-downloads.sonymobile.com/lt22/whitepaper_EN_lt22_xperia_p.pdf

Re: European Xperia P in Japan

ngtvk — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 02:53:26 GMT

Hi there. I've lived in Japan before and I think I can help you out.

If you go by the specs, it is possible to use the Xperia P in Japan (and some Japanese do import it from overseas!). But all phones sold in Japan must have a mark called the "Giteki", (http://www.tele.soumu.go.jp/j/adm/monitoring/summary/qa/giteki_mark/__icsFiles/artimage/2009/02/01/c_giteki_mar/giteki_new.jpg) which the Xperia P does not have, since it is not sold in Japan. This is determined by law.

But as I have mentioned, some people still do use overseas phones regardless. I think it is a risk using an unauthorized phone, therefore I recommend that you buy a new one in Japan. (Either from Docomo or Softbank or au, three of the largest carriers in Japan)

PS: All phones in Japan are SIM locked, so each phone is tied to a certain carrier. (I think you can unlock some of the newest Docomo phones at the shop)

Re: European Xperia P in Japan

MarlonUk1 — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 03:00:24 GMT

thanks for the info..

i think it's kinda ironic not able to use a japanese company's phone on their homeland..

Re: European Xperia P in Japan

HolySt4r — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 07:36:49 GMT

Yes, it's really ironic :smileygrin:

Well If you say this, is better to stick to my arc s for the european version and go there and buy a newer one. Just to be sure, with "it is not sold in Japan" you mean that the european version does not contain the giteki, but the japanese one has it, right ? (Or the Xperia P is just for overseas countries? )

Re: European Xperia P in Japan

FrontierGate — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 07:47:07 GMT

Xperia P hasn't released in Japan.

Japan always has its own line of cellphones.

Re: European Xperia P in Japan

MarlonUk1 — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 08:00:28 GMT

hey, well at least there is Xperia- japan only models.

Re: European Xperia P in Japan

HolySt4r — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 08:02:57 GMT

Mh wait, yesterday I saw in the docomo lineup that they're selling Xperia Acro HD (Acro S in Europe). So, this one can be purchased here (europe) and will work in japan? Or the giteki mark won't be in it?

Re: European Xperia P in Japan

HolySt4r — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 08:07:25 GMT

The Xperia Acro then, even with identical hardware specs, it's different for japan to europe... Ok I surrender and buy a new one there :smileygrin: Thank you everyone

Re: European Xperia P in Japan

MarlonUk1 — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 08:27:02 GMT

glad to help. hope it wont cost much for that japanese Xperia. anf good luck>

Re: European Xperia P in Japan

ngtvk — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 09:34:32 GMT

Looks like you have come to a conclusion.

Just to clarify, you can NOT use overseas phones because they do not have the "Giteki" mark. And I forgot to tell you this, but the Apple iPhone has the "Giteki" mark so if you buy an SIM unlocked iPhone, you can use it in Japan, no problem.

Although all of the Japanese phones are SIM locked to a certain carrier, you can get some of them unlocked at a Docomo/Softbank/au shop. Then you can use that phone even when you're back in Europe!

Good luck!

Re: European Xperia P in Japan

HolySt4r — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 10:44:08 GMT

Are you sure about iPhone? I mean, that EU and US iphone has got the giteki ? That can be quite a solution for my issues, buy just a mobile phone for every country

Re: European Xperia P in Japan

ngtvk — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:36:28 GMT

Yep. Pretty positive.

Here it is on the iPhone 4S.

http://shimajiro-mobiler.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/111026_iPhone4S.jpg

Most Japanese mobile phones have the logo where the battery is but you can display it on the screen on the iPhone.

Just another headsup, iPhones in Japan are SIM locked too!

Re: European Xperia P in Japan

HolySt4r — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:14:17 GMT

Thank you,

I saw the plans to rent a sim for iPhone but the plan is quite expensive, it won't fit if I stay there for a year (30 euros monthly + calls, messages and data fees)