vB Easy Archive - Help me make a decision on my next phone please..

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Help me make a decision on my next phone please..
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Posted by: scotttttttttt

Hey guys,

Well, I'm at a point now where I need to make a decision on what phone to get. I'm stuck between the 903SH, the 904SH, and the 904T.

Basically, my requirements are:
-3.2mp camera.
-JP input
-Eng T9 input
-No repro

Now, price is not an issue at all. My friend in Japan is willing to do all the contract business for me, so whichever way I go, the phone won't be uber-expensive. However, the 904T isn't the most attractive phone IMO, and the Sharp's are much nicer looking. The 904T does fit the requirements though.

So, can you guys please post your opinions on which way I should go. I'm obviously hesitant about the 904SH as unlocking is taking a while and I would hate to spend my money on something if we find out down the track it can't be unlocked or we can't get rid of repro.

I'm also interested in the vodafone JP signup process. I've read they now have a blacklisting system where if you leave within the first month they won't let you sign up for a while. Is this true? I obviously don't want to screw with my friends reputation, so if there is truth to this, how many months do you suggest I keep the contract running, and if I cancel within the first month, what is the actual penalty?

My friend isn't the most technologically-aware person, and she doesn't know where the cheapest shops are for phones within Tokyo. She suggested Akibhabara, but last time I was in Akibhabara I found some things for the same price as some stores in Shibuya. I suspect this is because every foreigner who visits Tokyo goes to Akihabara now for its reputation, and prices have inflated. So, where the is best place? The closer to Ikebukuro, the better.

If I'm to get a Sharp, I suspect I'll be sending it to *the person we aren't allow to talk about* as I've talked with him previously and it seems he has a lot of experience with them. With the Toshiba though, I assume all it needs is an unlock, and not a total reflash? So, as much as I'd like to give *him* the business, I'd also like to save on postage. For the Toshiba, does anyone know of a good place within Tokyo or Sydney to get it unlocked?

Sorry for asking so much, and thank you in advance,

Scott

Posted by: asmok

You can take 904sh out of the list since it doesn't have T9 and will mostly have re-pro when it becomes unlocked.

Posted by: scotttttttttt

Thanks for that. What are the chances though of someone being able to add T9 in?

Posted by: scotttttttttt

Well, after much deliberation, it looks like I'll be going with the Toshiba unless someone can persuade me otherwise. I did forget to mention I need a POP3 client, but I am almost 99% the Toshiba will have one.

Now, what colour should I get? =D

Posted by: sketch143

let's not be hasty my friend.. give this thread a few more days to cook.. =)

Posted by: AL9999

Chances of adding T9 Eng to a JP firmware Sharp are almost zilch. The fact that no-one's done it for a 903 yet says much about how difficult it is to do that.

Having said that, the 904T fits your requirements, and the others don't. Just go with the 904T

Posted by: asmok

If you want T9 on a Japanese firmware phone, there are only two phones 902T and 904T. 902T have 2mp with AF and 904T have 3mp without AF.

Posted by: Timsta

scott i thought you said ui weren't even gonna consider a toshiba

Posted by: scotttttttttt

Quote:

Originally Posted by AL9999

Chances of adding T9 Eng to a JP firmware Sharp are almost zilch. The fact that no-one's done it for a 903 yet says much about how difficult it is to do that

Exactly the reason I decided on the 904T. I figured, by the time someone does it, something newer and better will be out anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by asmok

If you want T9 on a Japanese firmware phone, there are only two phones 902T and 904T. 902T have 2mp with AF and 904T have 3mp without AF.

Thanks for confirming that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timsta

scott i thought you said ui weren't even gonna consider a toshiba

I wasn't until I realised they're the only ones with T9.

Can anyone confirm that the Toshiba does have a POP3 client? and, does it support push-mail via any method except from Vodafone JP? If it doesn't support push, can i set intervals to poll the server for new messages?

Posted by: AL9999

No and no unfortunately. It's really design for Voda Japan, and they don't seem to like POP email clients...

Posted by: scotttttttttt

Ahh are you serious? What are my options then if I want Jap input + Mail client? T9 is no longer an issue then, and I suppose I could live with repro..

EDIT: Well, what about the 904? I know there's only one FW version, and it can input Japanese. GSMArena says it has email.. so.. what the go there? http://www.gsmarena.com/sharp_904-1490.php

Posted by: Timsta

yah.. they can get email scott... but not pop way.

and.. gsm arena.. isn't that reliable at times

Posted by: scotttttttttt

I see I see.. well, AL and I are trying something out atm which could be the trick to pop3 + jp input.. we'll see how it goes.

Posted by: john0213

i thought T9 is avalible for 903? should i say that 903 should fit your choice the most... i mean i dont' like the toshiba in the first place.....

so for me, i would either wait for 904 if i can live with all the trouble or just get a white or black 904~

Posted by: Frost C S

Scott,
I am kind of looking around also..
Email client, and basic pda functions (not big in japan) on the 3G network..
The 904T and 904SH are fine, but text input can be an annoyance.. I don't care much for the 904T personally.. I tend to keep spinning the lcd (pivoting) when I am not trying to.
I was looking into the E61 and E70 to see if I could get a jap firmware issued from Nokia, But no response yet.
But if your looking for a good camera phone etc.. sharp is pretty much what you have to deal with.
But if you want to know some good shops, or what prices to look for in Japan. PM me. I am in Tokyo now, but there are very FEW shops in tokyo with good deals. Oddly enough, they aren't ones you would expect either.
I know this because I memorized almost all the shops and pricing in Akihabara, as well as Shinjuku and Shibuya.. then a few sparatic ones as we head Hokkaido bound.
Also.. some days i have a lot of free time.. So I do a bit of research.
Regards,
Frost

Posted by: AL9999

FYI Nokia have confirmed they are developing JP versions of the E series phones, so stay tuned. They'll probably be sold SIM-free in Nokia stores in Japan when they're ready.

Posted by: Frost C S

Yea AL :-) I read the Press release on it etc.. which in on vodafone's site.
I posted yesterday asking if anyone knew of the jp firmware for the e61 available in the nokia forum...
But being available sim free in a nokia store is slim.. since Vodafone is plaining on obtaining the jp version first.. meaning will have to pay like 90,000 w/o a contract, oh sorry thats like $880usd.
meanwhile getting a chinese e61 or euro e61 and swapping keypad later, might be a more cost effective way to obtaining one.
Oh, and sorry for going offtopic.. unless of course you were interested in the E61/70 too Scott!

Frost

Posted by: AL9999

Yeah slightly off topic, but I'll just leave it by saying that I'm pretty sure Nokia said they don't want to make the E series carrier specific in Japan because it's supposed to be a corporate thing. Who knows...

Posted by: Timsta

i odn't think e series will be sim free

it'll be a bb5 based phone most likely.. and no unlock for it... just like the n-series right now.. if tis locked.. it locked forever pretty much unless u have carrier code

Posted by: john0213

tim, actually i have a question, how is it possible that nokia is able to design a lock that locks the phone so people can't use it with other carrier? for example, like the nokia 6682, it is indeed gsm, but it is locked to the way that it cannot be unlock at all....what is the reason? is it like software stuff or hardware stuff?

i know for some phone you have an additional chip harness to the board which gives the lock, once it is take off the lock will be gone, but what about this nokia one? why is it so difficult?

Posted by: Timsta

it sjust impossible to unlock the 6682.. unless u have carrier code.. ther'es no hardware that can get rid of it. no tool.

Posted by: scotttttttttt

Yeah lol.. anyway, i'm never going to get a Nokia.

The Sharp cameras are better than the Nokias anyway aren't they?

Posted by: AL9999

Yeah by miles, hehe

(Excepting the N90 which is close, and N93 which probably beats it)

Posted by: Timsta

but the n93 is a nokia.. and just because of that.. it loses to sharp already

Posted by: AL9999

Well said

Seriously the two things about the Nokia I don't like:

1. S60 = Ewwww
2. Form factor = 903's digital camera style is soooo much more comfortable to use than the N90/93's camcorder style.

Posted by: scotttttttttt

hahah yeah i'm not too keen on nokias either.

as much support as symbian has, i find it extremely displeasing to the eye...

Posted by: Timsta

symbian = slow for me. i dislike it alot...