Why are new k-tais so expensive?

[canman]

Gomi-girl, this may be up your alley or not I'm not sure, but can anyone explain to me why if I want to change my current Docomo mova to a new foma it will cost me almost Y30 000. But if I ditch my current phone and number and start over the same phone will only run me Y10 000. What gives. The other thing is, in November number portability(sp) will come into effect, will this have any effect on these costs. I know I will be able to move to AU for example and keep my current number but any other benefits to this new system?

[FG Lurker]

It's because the phone is subsidized by your subscription (monthly payments).

If you wait 1 to 1.5 years after buying a phone to buy another you usually get quite a good deal. The longer you wait the cheaper a replacement gets. I just bought the new Samsung 804SS (super slim, looks like a Motorola Razr but with a better UI) and it cost me all of 5,000yen.

[Big Booger]

I am with FGL on this one. I have a 5 year old "Jphone" from Nokia... I have racked up quite a few points with Vodafone and when I buy my new ketai, it'll be this one:

http://www.esato.com/news/article.php/id=832

I hope to get it for less than 6000 yen.

[FG Lurker]

I am with FGL on this one. I have a 5 year old "Jphone" from Nokia... I have racked up quite a few points with Vodafone and when I buy my new ketai, it'll be this one:

http://www.esato.com/news/article.php/id=832

I hope to get it for less than 6000 yen.

Man, those things are HUGE! Will you use it to watch TV?

I waited for the Samsung to come out because I wanted a slim phone. At under 1.5cm thick it is the first slim 3G phone available on Voda Japan. It has quirks but overall I am happy with it.

[Big Booger]

Man, those things are HUGE! Will you use it to watch TV?

I waited for the Samsung to come out because I wanted a slim phone. At under 1.5cm thick it is the first slim 3G phone available on Voda Japan. It has quirks but overall I am happy with it.

The beast that I have now is larger than that TV model phone. I will use the TV, especially at work (hehehe).

I am wondering if the TV will work abroad?

[FG Lurker]

The beast that I have now is larger than that TV model phone. I will use the TV, especially at work (hehehe).

I so rarely watch TV that the extra bulk makes no sense for me. I just want a phone that works as a phone and the ability to take occasional photos, usually of product descriptions or prices in stores to avoid having to write it all down.

I am wondering if the TV will work abroad?

Nope.

[canman]

I thought it was the same thing, wait for a year or two, but according to the Docomo store, when changing from mova to foma, it doesn't matter how long you've had the phone, since you are changing from 2G to 3G. Or maybe they thought, " he dumb gaijin lets make him pay three times the price".

[FG Lurker]

I thought it was the same thing, wait for a year or two, but according to the Docomo store, when changing from mova to foma, it doesn't matter how long you've had the phone, since you are changing from 2G to 3G.

Could be, I left Docomo quite some time ago. Basically I do my best to avoid giving money to NTT since they scammed me out of 200,000yen or so. Bastards.

Or maybe they they they could rip me off.

I think you better cut down on the coffee!

[GomiGirl]

yep the mova to foma thing is a high cost. But different phones are different prices depending on the features. The new DoCoMo ones do everything except pour your coffee (felica etc) but these snazzy new features come at a cost. The R&D costs of these phones are HUGE plus all the smart chips etc.

There are low end phones out there that are heaps cheaper but it is hard to go back to lesser quality if you are a tech-head or early adopter.

I do not know what sort of effect number portability will have on prices. But if you don't want to change your number, they kinda have you over a barrell at the moment.

But I have nothing to do with billing or costs or anything like that - me a humble content provider.

[canman]

You caught that did you? I tried to edit it right away, but you are too fast.
As for Docomo, we joined when they were the first company offering a family package, and as GG said if we all don't want to change out numbers they do have us over a barrel.
I did see an article hyping these new lost cost foma phones, but I'm sure again as GG said they will have far less functions etc. But the truth be told, I hardly use most of the functions on my phone. Call me old fashioned but if I want to change the channel on my tv, its a lot easier to pick up the remote control than my k-tei and start to go through the menu buttons and everything.
Also GG I know that you are a content provider, and damn good content at that. But I also knew that you probably had a little more insight into how the phone companies work.

[GomiGirl]

Well I am most disappointed in the latest range of international roaming handsets from DoCoMo.. mostly as the Nokia cannot send photos via email!!! I was horrified. Now I know the phone really well and I KNOW it can be done on this phone so it is obviously a DoCoMo limitation rather than a handset software one. I was soooo disappointed.

I have just upgraded to a very crappy LG phone which I will be getting rid of very soon. It is pretty buggy. But as I travel so much, I need a roaming phone.. am wanting some of the Japanese handset makers (eg Panasonic, NEC etc) to put in the extra arial for roaming and then I would be a happy bunny.

[tidbits]

I am wondering if the TV will work abroad?

Do work in some countries, AFAIK it work in Brazil and Malaysia (V402SH)

[Caustic Saint]

I just upgraded (and changed providers) this past Sunday. My old 2G Vodafone handset was still trooping along, but the reception in my apartment was nonexistant.

I made the move to Docomo and picked up this 902i model (in white). I'm loving the new features, the ginormous screen and the fantastic reception.

The phone cost a bit more than my original did over a year and a half ago, but I don't care. It's fantastic and should last me at least as long as the old one did.



(Oh yeah, so if anybody needs the new number or email, just PM. )

[oyajikun]

Thats the same phone I have. Make sure to turn the screen brightness down to the lowest setting if you plan to be away from your charger for more than 16 hours.

[Big Booger]

Do work in some countries, AFAIK it work in Brazil and Malaysia (V402SH)

Great news! I am still planning to get it even if it doesn't work in the US... I will use it only in Japan anyway.

[canman]

I was at the all new and improved Yamada Denki today(they did a wholesale rennovation.) For me to move to a Foma from a mova and having had my phone for more than 18 months would still cost me Y16 000. I just find that really expensive. So I will wait until November and see what happens when you can change carriers but keep the same number.