Buying phones in another country

[Zibeoh]

I'm traveling to Korea and Japan this summer, and I was considering getting an Asian phone. Face it their phones kick ASS, and I really hate any and all North American phones. We suck

But I don't know exactly if you can do that, or how to go about doing it. I'm on a Telus plan at the moment, but I'm also considering switching to Rogers. Does anyone have any clue about this or done this before? I don't plan to get one that will watch tv or anything, just something wayyy cuter wayy more practical and more unique. Hellllp!

[pinkhaireddreamboy]

I know that in Japan it's virtually impossible to buy a cell phone without buying the service as well which you can only do if you have a Japanese address, bank account, etc. Getting an *unlocked* Japanese cell phone on ebay is the only possibility I know of..

I dont know about Korea, but it seems that it'd be the same..

[Zibeoh]

That's what I anticipated. I would also like to know more about buying cellies on ebay, if someone knows about that..

[zi-hong]

I think Japanese phones are different; they have they're own system, sort of, that only works in Japan. My cousins in asia can use their nokias in almost anywhere they travel within asia though, but when i brought my phone to asia i couldn't use it at all (except for "emergency calls").
I think you're pretty much going to have to get an unlocked phone. My cousin (in the philippines) got a phone from hong kong and just needed a SIM card though. I dunno if this'll help you:
http://euc.jp/misc/cellphones.en.html
"Japanese Cellular Phone FAQ"

But i do agree with you, our phones are the pits LOL it's getting better though.

[pinkhaireddreamboy]

Originally Posted by Zibeoh

That's what I anticipated. I would also like to know more about buying cellies on ebay, if someone knows about that..

On ebay you can use the search term "Japan" in the Cell Phone section and you will come up with a list: http://cell-phones.search.ebay.com/j...Z1QQsofocusZbs

Sometimes it is better to look up the specific Japanese brands though, like Vodafone... I think most of them should work with your service if it is "Unlocked", you just have to insert your SIM card. It should give more specifics in the auction about compatibility, etc.

[yiin]

my family has a lot of asian cell phones. and she used the for 2 weeks at the most? she's a phone waster. lol i wanted to use it but yeah i've had the same problem. i want to know if i can use them here with the plans in america.