European Xperia P in Japan

[HolySt4r]

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

[MarlonUk1]

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

[MarlonUk1]

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

[ngtvk · Accepted solution]

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...) 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)

[MarlonUk1]

thanks for the info..

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

[HolySt4r]

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? )

[FrontierGate]

Xperia P hasn't released in Japan.

Japan always has its own line of cellphones.

[MarlonUk1]

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

[HolySt4r]

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?

[HolySt4r]

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