tri-band keitai

[Hana_Mizu]

Does anyone know of a keitai that'll work in the U.S? What I'm specifically looking for is an unlocked dual/tri-band keitai, so I can change the SIM card when I'm in the U.S. Vodafone has a couple of tri-band models, but they only use USIM and are hard locked.

[FG Lurker]

Does anyone know of a keitai that'll work in the U.S? What I'm specifically looking for is an unlocked dual/tri-band keitai, so I can change the SIM card when I'm in the U.S. Vodafone has a couple of tri-band models, but they only use USIM and are hard locked.

I've never heard of an unlocked phone in Japan. Assuming you were able to find one it would be just as expensive as buying an unlocked phone in the US.

Why? The locked ones have major subsidies that make them cheap. Unlocked ones won't.

[Hana_Mizu]

Firstly, from what I've seen, the phones in the States suck! And second, unlocked phones start at more than US$400.

[ketchupkatsu]

There were some shops in Akihabara that sold unlocked phones that they said would work in the U.S. and did use a SIM chip. I think the prices were about $250 to $400.

Don't know where in the U.S. you are going to use your phone, but in Honolulu your DoCoMo service should work.

[Hana_Mizu]

Actually it's for a friend of mine living in the States. I'm off to the States in a few weeks and she wants me to buy one for her. Would you happen to know where those shops are in Akihabara?

[ketchupkatsu]

Can't remeber the name of the store.

I was heading to Softmap on the main drag of Akihabara, when it started raining so I ducked into this store. I know that they had a tall British salesperson who speaks both English and Japanese.

I have walked past the store several times and he is always there.

I don't know if this will help, but good luck.

[devicenull]

What's the status of being able to get these phones unlocked by a 3rd party?

[FG Lurker]

What's the status of being able to get these phones unlocked by a 3rd party?

There are lots of sites that claim to "unlock" phones sold in the US etc.

I don't think there would be as much demand in Japan though because the different companies here all use different frequencies. Even if Japanese unlocked their phones they would still be unable to use them on a different carrier.

[ketchupkatsu]

The store claims the phones they sell are unlocked and all you have to do is place your SIM chip in them.

I have never bought one from them, so I don't know how true thier statements are.

They don't carry many model from what I have seen, just about 10 or so different ones.

[devicenull]

What's the status of being able to get these phones unlocked by a 3rd party?

There are lots of sites that claim to "unlock" phones sold in the US etc.

I don't think there would be as much demand in Japan though because the different companies here all use different frequencies. Even if Japanese unlocked their phones they would still be unable to use them on a different carrier.

Yea, was remembering this too... dear god this place is fucked up