Sharp SH-10C or...to work with AT&T in North America

[jirubin]

Hello!

I'm new in the world of Keitai Denwa. Japanese phones that is. I'm looking for something to replace my iPhone with. I did a little browsing around and first came upon a Panasonic viera keitai 932P offered by Softbank. Then I realized that it was a release from 2 years ago. So delving a little bit more onto what is new in the Japanese phone market, I found out that they have the Vieara 942P coming out (or was it out already). But reading a little bit more about keitais along the way, I found out that Softbank's handsets are much more harder to crack compared to others if you want to use it outside Japan.

So without prolonging this post further, I now stumbled upon Sharp's SH-10C that is now out on eBay and Amazon through various sellers. I was just wondering if there is anyone out there who have a SH-10C that they use in North America or if anyone else has a different suggestion for an alternative keitai that is similar to Sharp's SH-10C. It does not have to be confined to Sharp line up only.

Anyone's thoughts, please.

Thank you!

[aw614]

it works on att 3g for me and Im getting 3-5 days of battery life on it. Depends if you area has 850 3g though, but should be ok with 850 3g/1900 gsm.

[yamanote]

Coming from an iPhone, you might want to know that internet/data access and MMS won't work on the SH-10C (or any other keitai, even soft-unlocked, unless it's an Android based keitai).

[jirubin]

Thanks!

Well, as for me, I rarely use MMS nor receive one. Internet on 3G network as well. So in a way, I can actually save by not paying data plan. I looked into AT&T's WiFi hotspots and it seems like I can use that if need be. A 20$ fee for service which is 10$ less than a 3G data fee. Plus, I always liked my WiFi at home.

Since I don't have keitai yet, I was wondering what other phone features are on keitai that would not work. It seems like the phone (SH-10C) has a lot of capabilities.

Also, if you want to view email, is there a way other than the web browser on the phone to do it since iMode is a Japan only service by Docomo. Basing my question from iPhone's way of email access.

[yamanote]

Nothing related to the internet will work except for the web browser when connected to WiFi is my understanding. ie, GPS, the email client, app store, etc <- none of those will work.

Not sure how the browser on the SH-10C is, but on my 940SH it isn't great. Its UA emulates a desktop browser and thus it loads all the desktop pages, so it lags the phone and the pages are hard to read.

[Draexin]

Yea, the browser on the SH-10C isn't great.. it's a bit laggy and epically fails the Acid3 test :P

[jirubin]

Any other flip phone out there that is better in comparison to SH-10C?

[jirubin]

Any of you guys know if you get the MiFi from AT&T and use it as a mobile hotspot that you can connect to with WiFi enabled ketai, would it work? Or is it way too much to pay for just for internet on the go for your keitai...

[yamanote]

I've got a Huawei E5838 which was free from PCCW HK with a new 2 year subscription. It works fine with my 940SH and various laptops, smartphones etc

Doesn't cost too much here (2xx HKD, 2 year contract, free MiFi and netbook) and since it works with basically everything yeah I think it's worth it. Not sure how much it costs with ATT but knowing the US's data fees it'll probably be extraordinate.

[jirubin]

I was given a quote for ATT 3G MiFi: 304=3gb and 50$=5gb monthly with up to only 4 devices connected at a time. Its a little harsh.

Anyway, thank you all for all the input! I might get the SH-10C now. Hopefully my first attempt in Keitai will be enjoyable and fun.

[yamanote]

You won't experience CPR issues with a soft unlocked one, so that's one of the major worries for first timers eliminated

[AsilayHasteOath]

Yeah, honestly i only use my android for FB. It's worth sacrificing for a phone like a keitai. Working on getting mine soft unlocked.