vB Easy Archive - Sharp Phones in the U.S.

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Sharp Phones in the U.S.
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Posted by: KunoxS

I am simply wondering how much trouble the 903, or 904(its not unlocked yet so can you even use it here) cause users in the U.S. Sorry if this is a total noob question but I just recently became aware of the GREAT phone offerings by sharp and have to decide between a 903(I wish 904 but I have a feeling that is out of the question) or a W900i.

Posted by: scotttttttttt

Sorry, I didn't see a question mark through out that entire post, so I'm not sure what you're asking.

Posted by: echau

I think he wants to know how much trouble it costs US users.

So for no troubles for me. I've owned 2 903sh's and they have worked fine. Great reception for a non-850 phone, and top notch features. You should give it a try; probably one of, if not, the best phone out there.

Posted by: scotttttttttt

Ah ok. Yeah, I'm not personally in the US, however I'd read that there are very few problems. Although the phone doesn't have the 850Mhz band, it still has very good reception.

Posted by: maxiderm

i was actually wondering the same thing. i have a w900i now and i cant imagine any phone being better. i look around on these forums and all i see is "omg, my 903 wont play mp3s" and "****, why wont my 903 play mp3 ringtones" and things like that... so besides the camera (which isnt THAT much better), i dont see why anyone would get it over the w900i... personally i say go for the SE because of UI and features more suitable for USA use...

Posted by: sclaz21

i tried looking for 903sh in some of the cell phone shops in LA. most stores run out cause HK didnt stock enough. well id say get the 903sh if its cheap enough. but make sure its unlocked. the one i was going to buy didnt have mp3 player or anything else, basically the only thing that worked was the camera. if anything buy the phone send to TIM. he ll help you unlock everything. good luck on that.

Posted by: KunoxS

Thanks to everyone for the helpful info i have been a big fan of se Phones and liked my t610 But it seems like sharp has much more cutting edge phones now. what is a good price for the 903?

Posted by: aychseven

most are selling new between $400 and $500 USD

Posted by: john0213

maxiderm~ i don't know about you, but i find the 903 having a much improved camera over the w900i, i admit the w900i is a sweet phone and i have no offense against se, i love se, but to be honest, if you take a look at the picture quality between the 903 and k800i, generally many people agree that the 903 has better picture quality over the k800i, so i don't see a point how it is not significantly better than a w900i..

but what the heck, i am getting both~ HOoooooooo~~~

waiting for k800 to coem to my home on wedesday~

Posted by: echau

Quote:

Originally Posted by john0213

maxiderm~ i don't know about you, but i find the 903 having a much improved camera over the w900i, i admit the w900i is a sweet phone and i have no offense against se, i love se, but to be honest, if you take a look at the picture quality between the 903 and k800i, generally many people agree that the 903 has better picture quality over the k800i, so i don't see a point how it is not significantly better than a w900i..

but what the heck, i am getting both~ HOoooooooo~~~

waiting for k800 to coem to my home on wedesday~

w900i has a decent camera; you just need proper lighting.

These were taken with my w900i:

I do agree that overall, the 903sh's camera blows the w900i's. Also, I would choose the 903sh over the w900i because it looks sleeker, better screen, less people have it in the US, and it's form factor. So, for me, there were many other selling points besides the camera.

Either way though, you'd be getting a good phone, so don't stress yourself too much on a decision; just pick what's right for you.

Posted by: Eyies

After using a Sharp I don't think I'd ever use SE again unless they came with a really appealing phone (enough with the 2.0 mp, mp3 phones >__>).. The k800i isn't that appealing either. Sharp phones are just that much more unique than SE, and more ooo's and ahh's.

As for your choice of the w900i. Well, I may be biased but I had the same decision and I went for the 903sh. I just find the form factor of the w900i unappealing. Too much of a brick, and I don't really like the swivel ;p..

Personally, there really AREN'T any significant probs with the 903sh if you have a firmware you can live with [euro is the least troublesome].. Only real restriction is 1gig miniSD.

Posted by: gizmoboy

Quote:

Originally Posted by echau

w900i has a decent camera; you just need proper lighting.

the w900i cam probably only has a CMOS sensor (although I couldnt confirm this from thier website) which is rather poor in low light conditions. but the 903 cam's sensor is CCD. and the 8x digital zoom is nothing compared to the 2x optical zoom of the 903.

but hey, the w900i is a walkman phone so i dont expect much from the imaging features. after all its a music phone (which i dont really need because i got an ipod)

Posted by: sclaz21

if you want some exotic phone/camera. id say get the 903sh

Posted by: KunoxS

One last question, I live in a very metropolitan area(chicago) I know this phone is 3g and cingular is slowly rolling out their 3g GSM network. My question is will this phone work on cingulars 3g? I have heard that the european/rest of the world 3g is quite different but if this is the case I wonder how both could be considered GSM 3g?

Posted by: ame-otoko

"3G GSM", just like all those other promotional titles, is probably the same as any UMTS network standard.
In Europe they clearly label it UMTS, in Japan 3G... Well, I guess VFone Japan's so-called "3G" cellphones can be used on any North American or European UMTS network (either through roaming with a VFone Japan USIM-card or using a SIM-card by the respective local carrier, given the fact the phone is unlocked if neccessary

).
Thus I don't think there's a problem with the States' 3G network because European providers and VFone Japan for example both support roaming in the States (where UMTS network is available, e.g. Cingular in North America as stated on VFone Japan's HP).
I have once read that DoCoMo's FOMA standard is different from UMTS in some respect... but I bet there's some people over here with the skills to explain this much better...

Posted by: blue_days

Cingular 3G -> 1900MHz, 850MHz coming soon
I think the other carriers are similar as 2100Mhz is currently not available. I keep hearing that there is a spectrum auction soon and 2100 is up for sale as well. Wether or not mobile companies will pick up that freq or can even use it, who knows...

All the other phones in Europe and Japan are on 2100Mhz so...No 3G through Sharps in the US (most likely North America)

Posted by: blue_days

Personally, I have a SE phone now. I wanted the Sharp 904 for the VGA Screen & Japanese Language Support. My V802 is great except the slow interface and the crappy screen. FYI...I'm in the SF Bay area and get excellent 1900MHZ reception

Posted by: ame-otoko

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue_days

All the other phones in Europe and Japan are on 2100Mhz so...No 3G through Sharps in the US (most likely North America)

You mean, you cannot get connected to an existing 3G network in North America using your Sharp?

Posted by: blue_days

Quote:

Originally Posted by ame-otoko

You mean, you cannot get connected to an existing 3G network in North America using your Sharp?

To answer your question, Yes, I cannot connect to an american 3G Network. Currently I am using my V802SE which is triband (900/1800/1900) plus UTMS (2100 3G). When I am roaming in Japan, I am on the UTMS Network and it is faster on the data side. When I am in the US, its back to slowness. Even though I have a cingular 3G SIM. The basic problem is that my phone is not supported on the 1900 3G network in NA. Sharp phones would have to be the same.

Posted by: ame-otoko

Perhaps the North American network really differs from Europe then... I have learned the UMTS standard/network over here is 19xxMHz (uplink) - 21xxMHz (downlink)... my European Sharp is thus working perfectly fine. I didn't have the chance to try roaming in NA yet.

Posted by: blue_days

Quote:

Originally Posted by ame-otoko

Perhaps the North American network really differs from Europe then... I have learned the UMTS standard/network over here is 19xxMHz (uplink) - 21xxMHz (downlink)... my European Sharp is thus working perfectly fine. I didn't have the chance to try roaming in NA yet.

Where are you? From what I have checked here in the states through wirelessadvisor.com & various other forums, 2100 is not used by any US carrier, and is reserved for other satellite up/downlink, maybe military. The Eruo/JP phones that roam in the states are most likely on 1900 thru a US Carrier.

Posted by: scotttttttttt

Yeah ame-otoko no 3G for you in the USA, 2100 is strictly military stuff.

Posted by: aychseven

until august at least...

Posted by: ame-otoko

blue_days, I am from Germany actually... using VFone over here, I assume their UMTS network is most likely the same allover Europe. I was curious, because roaming in the States (nowadays through 3G) has seen a lot of promotion from VFone.
And speaking of Japanese 3G cellphones, by Sharp to be specific, VFone Japan have their roaming ad with Cingular marked as 1900MHz and lists Sharp handsets as compatible. Thus I've been wondering what that's all about.

Posted by: scotttttttttt

yes, you can roam. but 1900 is the GSM band, not the UMTS band, afaik.

Posted by: ame-otoko

He, he... must have kinda mixed up. So the VFone Japan 3G models will roam on GSM with 1900MHz actually (just like my Euro 703SH would) in NA, i.e. unless a UMTS network with supported frequency is found.
Not sure about the other 3G models by Sharp, but that means you can at least use the Sharp phones on any of the GSM frequencies (900/1800/1900MHz) in NA (in case they are available).

Posted by: aychseven

but not the 850mhz band which is what some providers have moved towards in rural areas. you should be fine roaming in the US if you stick to big cities and major highways