yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zoomingjapan:
Awesome!

Thanks for all the great advice!

Unfortunately I live in the boonies, so there's no Yodobashi or the likes nearby.　(There's only a Yamada Denki nearby)

Your plan sounds very cheap indeed. I doubt that b-mobile prices would be that much cheaper.

You are right that I probably don't need LTE or the 2GB RAM, but it also doesn't hurt to have them.

I have no idea about ROM-support. I'm not even sure what that means, to be honest.

As far as I can tell all the Galaxy S3 models have a micro SIM slot, even the ones back home in Germany and the international version of S3.

I don't see any major differences between the Docomo and the international model.

The question is what the cheapest option for me is.

Well obviously doing the same as you did, but like I said there is no Yodobashi or anything nearby.

Getting a shiro-rom Docomo or getting the international version costs about the same and I don't have to worry about breaking any contracts.

However, depending on the current campaigns at Docomo I might be better off going there directly?

P.S.: Well, the typhoon finally reached us and I'm not sure if it's a good idea to leave the house now anyways ... ^-^;

---------- Post added at 07:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:15 AM ----------

Because of the weather I can't leave the house anymore. Lovely typhoon ....

Hope everybody else is safe!

I called the local Docomo store instead and they confirmed that I could get a lot of good discounts, but only until today.

They said they cannot give me any detailed information (they will once I visit the shop), but he mumbled something like 7000yen per months which I find rather expensive .....

I guess the way to go is after all either an unlocked Docomo (which is difficult to find at least on Amazon and Rakuten - I want the marble white version) or go with the international version after all.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Habbit:
In my opinion, you have two choices, as these are the easiest ways to go. First, you could buy a phone off of Amazon and go to docomo and have them activate it on their Xi service, and pay an additional like... 740yen to not be on contract. This is what I'm currently doing with my American phone right now, because I don't want to be tied down to a two-year contract with anyone. You can pay an additional something like 3100yen if you want the phone unlocked before you return home, or you can try selling it on Rakuten. Second, you could purchase the international version and pick up a b-mobile SIM-card and be on your way. I bought a microSIM, data-only version of the talking 1GB card, so I'm sure you can get a microSIM version of the talking 1GB. If not, you will have to cut the SIM down.

Either way, do not go to docomo and purchase the phone, because you can only get the discounts if you sign up for a two-year contract (I believe.)
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zoomingjapan:
If I don't purchase the phone via Docomo I don't see any reason to choose Docomo as my provider as they're very expensive.

I only consider them because it might have been cheap enough with all the discounts and stuff.

If I don't purchase the phone via Docomo I'll go with b-mobile (or try to cut my Softbank SIM, change APN and see if I can get that to work).

I guess all the discounts only work out if you fulfill the 2 years, right?

I don't mind signing a 2 years contract if I get a lot of discounts and then I can cancel later and pay the 10.000yen fee.

But the discounts would be gone, too. Instead of getting the phone for free, I suppose I would have to pay the remaining installments at full price.

Considering how expensive Docomo sells the phone, that's still quite a lot of money even if I break the contract after a year or so.

Not sure if what I'm saying is correct, but that's what I suppose it must be.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

The only question left is if I should purchase the international version as opposed to an unlocked Docomo version.

I'm not sure if the LTE and 2GB RAM really make that much of a difference and on an international version I'd be free of all the Docomo app junk, right?

As for b-mobile I have absolutely no clue which SIM and which plan I should get.

The 1GB thing you mentioned seems to be very limited. I guess a tsukai-houdai / an unlimited plan would be better?

I have no idea what I need as this is going to be my first smartphone, but I guess the good thing with b-mobile is that I can experiment a bit more as there are no or at least no high cancellation fees, right?

P.S.: The typhoon is over, but I decided not to go to the Docomo shop.

From tomorrow it wouldn't make sense to go anymore, so I hope this was the right decision.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zoomingjapan:
The ones of you who are using b-mobile, how did you all go about deciding which SIM and / or plan to go with?

And where did you get your cards from? Online?

I read this thread again and again, but I still don't understand which version is the best to go with: http://www.japanmobiletech.com/2011/06/comparison-of-all-b-mobile-sims.html

In the thread above they also don't mention the "Smartphone SIM" which also looks promising: http://www.bmobile.ne.jp/sp/index.html

B-Mobile doesn't offer a lot of information and it also seems like a long process.

You guys say it is the "easier" way to go, but for me this doesn't sound easy at all. It might be the cheaper way, though.

I'm also still not sure if the international version will work with the international S3 version.

Couldn't find any reliable information about this yet.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zoomingjapan:
I just called Docomo to confirm whether it's possible to unlock a Docomo phone that you purchased online while you're NOT a customer of Docomo.

The reason is that the shiro-rom, but locked phones are quite cheap, but the shiro-rom and unlocked ones are hard to find and more expensive.

It would be easiest to purchase a cheap shiro-romu Docomo version of the Galaxy S3, go to Docomo and have it unlocked and then go with b-mobile.

According to them it's possible.

They said all I need to bring is the phone that needs to be unlocked (well, obviously), some sort of ID (I wonder what they need that for??) and the 3150yen in cash.

Awesome news! :)

Also, this is going to be my last question concerning the phone (hopefully) as I'm about to purchase!

Which one should I get?

1) International SIM free version: 49.308yen (incl. shipping fee)

http://www.expansys.jp/samsung-galaxy-s-iii-unlocked-marble-white-32gb-232330/

2) Shiro-Rom Docomo version: 44,500yen (+3150yen for unlocking) = 47,650yen

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/auc-mobax/docomo-sc-06d/

As you can see the price is pretty much the same.

I don't know how annoying the Docomo UI / apps are. Annoying enough to go for the international version instead?

The main question for me is:

Which version is more likely to run without any trouble in Japan as well as in Germany with carriers there and their SIMs??
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Vocalonation:
The ID for unlocking is so Docomo has someone to hold liable if the phone you bring in is a stolen item.

Since you don't care about LTE, just look at the 3G frequencies that the two phones use and then compare them with the frequencies that are used in Germany to know which phone will work. Hasn't this question been answered like a bunch of times already?
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zoomingjapan:
According to this table: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S_III

International version:

850, 900, 1,900, 2,100 MHz UMTS / HSPA+

Docomo version:

800, 1,700 (Band IX), 2,100 MHz UMTS / HSPA+

Japan b-mobile:

"Your device must support W-CDMA Band 1 (2100MHz) or Band 6 (800MHz)"

Germany (according to this: http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html)

900	1800 2100 (3G)

Japan:

3G 1700/2100

If I interpret those number correclty, then it doesn't really matter which version I get, but I might be better off with the Docomo version. Unless I really don't understand this whole frequencies thing correctly.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] NoisyBoy-:
total noob here

Hey there

can somebody help me? i just picked up my docomo S3 yesterday at a book-off store

(got it at an almost brand new price 38.000 yen, idk why.)

first question is there a way to know if it is already unlocked meaning can i use it abroad

since i've been planning to use this to the phillippines..

secondly can i use this outside of japan at all

(i've been heavily frustrated on how networks, works, cdma, gsm and that stuff.)

i know my question sounds stupid, but this is my first android phone, just got off on iphone.

and it would really mean to me if somebody can help me. TIA! :fingers-crossed:
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zoomingjapan:
B-Mobile users:

I'm thinking about getting the "Smartphone SIM" or the "Talking Fair SIM", but people have reported ridiculously slow speed with either of them.

Can anybody confirm this?

Is B-Mobile generally not as good (in terms of speed, reception / coverage) compared to the "big ones"?

If so, then I rather pay a bit more and go with a Softbank or Docomo plan.

Even B-Mobile has quite high cancellation fees, so it doesn't seem to make any difference.

Once it is unlocked you can theoretically use it outside of Japan.

Check the frequences for the Phillippines to make sure, though.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] spaceindaver:
I'm paying 7,000yen a month for JUST a contract. I already had my phone (S2 LTE). WTF? Should I be kicking off about this? I've already signed the contract (and my cancellation fee is way lower, so that's one difference I suppose) - but that seems insane.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jutaro:
I am paying 5890¥ just for the contract! Why you pay so much?
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] Vocalonation:
How are you paying so little?
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jutaro:
All my friends pay 5980! Xi lite ,provider and some random ****!
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] society mike:
I pay only 4000¥ a month.

I have Xi/LTE, unlimited data, etc. 2yr contract.

(phone was paid for at time of purchase using in-store credit from Nojima)
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jutaro:
That sounds almosy unbelievable! Xi lite is alone already 4900¥!!! Do you get a super discount?

I have Xi lite to! I want to change to your plan!
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] society mike:
ok, here is a break down, my wife works at Nojima in the cell phone section, so she sells Docomo, AU, Softbank, E-mobile, etc....

Docomo Galaxy S3 Xi(LTE)

+ 2975¥ /month (cost of phone divided into 24 months)

+ 780¥ /month (calling)

+ 315¥ /month (sp-mode services)

+ 5985¥ /month (data plan)

--------------------------------------------

10055¥ /month (total so far)

now come the discounts..

- 2310¥ /month (2yr Xi/LTE contract for existing Docomo customers)

OR

- 3400¥ /month (2yr Xi/LTE contract for MNP customers who switched from Softbank or AU)

-----------------------------------------

7745¥ (existing customers)

6655¥ (MNP customers)

This is for BASIC plan, so if you needed other stuff like insurance, add another 399¥/month, or other services..

For MY CASE...

I am an MNP customer, so I would have the 6655¥ monthly bill, BUT... remember, my phone was paid for at the beginning using in-store credit given to me by Nojima for going through them.

So, I pay 3680¥ + 399¥ insurance for a total of 4079¥ /month

SO, obviously, it is WAY BETTER to go to a big store like NOJIMA, KOJIMA, YODOBASHI, BIC Camera, YAMADA DENKI, etc, etc, who can give you in-store credits or futher discounts. They always do campaigns too, in order to bring in customers to see their other products, just pay attention.

We got in on a Holiday sale in the summer where if TWO people get an S3 at the same time, we each get 50,000¥ in store credits. We applied it to my phone and partly to a DSLR camera I bought.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zoomingjapan:
My Docomo S3 will be delivered tomorrow.

I just have to get it unlocked and I'm ready to go.

After a lot of research I decided to do the following.

I'll get the 1 GB Flat Rate SIM (data only) from b-mobile for 3100yen to test the speed and to see how much data I'm actually using in one month.

This seems to be the safest way, because all the other SIMs I'm interested in require a 1 year contract with a 10.500yen cancellation fee.

In the meantime I keep my normal phone with Softbank where I have only the basic plan anyways and my bill is usually under 2000yen.

If I'm not satisfied with b-mobile, I'll try the following:

I get the SIM from my current phone and try to cut it to micro size.

I compared it to the size of a friend's micro size SIM. The chip of mine is so big that it's exactly the size of a micro SIM .... that's gonna be some tough cutting. It's very likely that I destroy the SIM card.

I'm also not sure if the SIM card will work in my Galasy S3 as it's not a "smartphone SIM" (or does that not matter?)

If I manage to cut it properly and get it to work in my Galaxy S3, I'll change to the unlimited date plan S (which is cheaper than Docomo as far as I can tell) and see what happens.

I'm aware of the issue that many reported super high bills by doing so.

Nowadays Softbank lets you check the bill every day, so you'll notice immediately.

What I want to know is what am I supposed to do / change when I notice the bill is far too high?

What could be wrong? Apart from the unlimited plan not being active yet, could it be the wrong APN or something?

Anybody any experience with this?

Yes, Softbank offers a "bring your handset and we give you a SIM", but they don't hand out micro SIMs yet :/ ......

So, if that also doesn't work out, my last resort is going to be Docomo.

Anything else but Softbank will cost me a lot of money, though.

a) cancellation of my contract = 10.000yen

b) cancellation of the new carrier's contract = another 10.000yen (I have less than a year in Japan left ....)

c) fees for MNP

PLEASE share your thoughts on this!

Thanks so much!!

EDIT:

I fear those discounts might not be available anymore as most of the special discount campaigns were available until September 30th.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

If I'm not wrong, then changing to Docomo from Softbank via MNP might be a good way to go for me.

I already have the phone.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] society mike:
These discounts are still in place and will be for some time.

Starting now at Nojima, they're offering a 40000￥ points for customers doing MNP to Docomo. Then if you get someone else to switch with you, you get another 10500￥. Apply that to the cost of the phone and you have a cheap monthly bill.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] jutaro:
Strange, I came from Softbank ( MNP ) and my monthly bill is exactly ( I checked right now ) 6007¥ incl. Insurance!

So I pay actually less than you, if you subtract the phone! It would be without the phone 3032¥ a month!
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] society mike:
The prices I posted are for the BASIC/STANDARD system. Every persons plan in able to be modified in a number of ways.

It's a very complicated system, and my wife says the best thing to do is actually go into a store and talk to them about it.

The 5985¥ is for the unlimited data packet plan, you can get the lesser one and pay less per month.

Also, calling plans differ.

Also, Xi/LTE contract plans may be less if you do "LITE", etc.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zoomingjapan:
I had an extremely long and stressful day.

My shiro-rom Docomo phone was delivered today. I went to the Docomo store and got it unlocked.

After checking out prices, campaigns and options at the Docomo shop, Softbank shop and a bigger electronic store I was sooooo tired of it all that I decided to go with Docomo after all.

I was able to leave Softbank via MNP. I didn't even have to pay any cancellation fee!

Now I'm signed up for a Docomo plan that doesn't come with any cancellation fee. This is great, because I can cancel anytime if I don't like it.

The only thing I don't like about it is obviously the high price.

The minimum fee per month is going to be 6810yen:

Type Xi: 1560yen (this would be only 780yen if I agreed on a 2 year contract with cancellation fee)

Pake Hodai Lite: 4935yen

sp mode: 315yen
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zoomingjapan:
I really hope somebody can help me, I'm completely freaking out right now.

Earlier today I could still use my phone normally and just right now, when I wanted to use it again, it is suddenly asking me for a password.

I have never set up any password.

I tried EVERYTHIGN. All the numbers I got from Docomo, all the passwords I ever use.

NOTHING works.

On the screen I see a blue "IC" with a key below it.

If I reset my phone, I will lose all of my data .... and I probably have to go to the Docomo Store again because I remember they changed a few settings before they gave me the phone.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] EvilPickle:
Are you still on the stock ROM? If you are, I would say just go to docomo and see if they can help you.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zoomingjapan:
Yes. Like I said I haven't done anything to the phone.

Just added tons of contacts, downloaded apps and stuff.

If I have to do all of that YET AGAIN, I'm gonna freak out.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] EvilPickle:
Strange, only password I had to enter was my Google account when I started the phone up.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zoomingjapan:
Trust me. I tried it with everything that came to my mind.

All numbers I could find anywhere.

All passwords I know.

My Google Account that is connected with the Play Store ...

I have no idea what kind of password it is and where it's coming from ....

I can't go to the Docomo Store today.

I'm super busy and they have a grand reopening so hundreds of people will come and I'll have to wait forever.

Just can't do it today.

Meanwhile I can't use my phone at all.

And I don't even know if they can help me there or not :(
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] EvilPickle:
Can you take a picture of it?
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zoomingjapan:
Yes, here's a photo of it.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] EvilPickle:
Can you take a picture when it asks you for a password?

Also, if you just got this phone in the last couple of days, why are you afraid of resetting it? All your contacts should be saved via your Google Gmail account. You can go to your Gmail account and check.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zoomingjapan:
Sure, here you go.

There's no hint as to what kind of password it is.

And earlier today I still could my phone without any problem.

Since then I haven't done anything to it!!!!

That's why it is so strange.

I just set up the Gmail account when I got the phone. Doubt there'd be any contacts there.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] EvilPickle:
Mmm.. Never seen that lock before. Strange. Can you use the phone? Or does that pop up when you try to do anything?

And it's easy to see if your contacts have been uploaded.. Just log into your Gmail from a computer and go to the contacts page. Should see all your contacts there.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zoomingjapan:
No, I can't use the phone at all.

It's completely locked.

No, there are no contacts.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] society mike:
IC icon looks like a app icon, I think there is a Docomo app called IC like Edy or Suica for paying with phone.

Did you try 0000 or 1234 as the password? Default unset password is almost always 0000 for Docomo.

Also, have you tried pulling the battery then restart?
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zoomingjapan:
Well, at least that means that Docomo should be able to help.

I tried 0000, 1234, and several other things.

Nothing helps.

Yes, I tried to pull out and put back the battery.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] EvilPickle:
welll if you get back into the phone, make sure you turn "Sync Contacts" on under Accounts and Sync in the setting menu.. this is one of the best things about having an Android phone and using Gmail.. any contacts I add to my phone get synced up to my Gmail account and vise versa. Add in Titanium Backup and I could destroy my phone right now, get a new one and other then my ROM.. I would have all my contacts and apps/data loaded back onto my phone within minutes.

As for your issue, im sorry I cant help you.. like Mike said, it's probably a Docomo app and I have no idea where you would find that PIN.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] society mike:
hmm, i'm doing a google search, it MIGHT be some sort of SIM lock thing

also, yeah, from your earlier answer regarding contacts, it sounds as if you haven't imported any contacts from your previous phone yet. Do you need help with that? You CAN do it btw, rather easily. Even from iphone.

---------- Post added at 02:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:52 PM ----------

I just asked my wife and she doesn't know either, she said "just go to Docomo, that's the fastest way, that's what they are there for".
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] EvilPickle:
He should be able to goto any docomo store right? not just the one that he got the phone from?
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] society mike:
yes, any Docomo shop.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zoomingjapan:
I also think it's a SIM issue, so I need to go to a Docomo store which I'll do now.

Btw. he is a she, actually *g*

Thanks for your help.

I hope Docomo can help me.

Let you know about it once I'm back.
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] EvilPickle:
haha.. the cat picture makes sense now. =)
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] society mike:
Haha, I was typing the same thing!
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zoomingjapan:
Many hours and a few nervous breakdowns later .....

Docomo people also didn't know what is going on, so they suggested resetting the device.

I agreed knowing that I'd lose all my data.

Even after that the problem persisted, though.

After many calls they decided that something must be wrong with the device itself (I doubt it though ...) and gave me a new one.

Apparently the IC lock belongs to the "Osaifu Keitai" Docomo app, but it also didn't have to do with that according to Docomo.

(I never touched that app anyways).

I saw many people next to me come and go as I sat in my chair for many hours .... waiting.

And now, 5h after the problem ocurred, I'm sitting in front of a blank phone.

Before I start reinstalling everything and typing in all my contacts again (took me many hours last time), any advice for me?

I'm sooooo afraid that this will happen again! :(
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] EvilPickle:
When you log into your phone for the first time.. make sure you go to Accounts and Sync and make sure Sync contacts is turned ON.. if you had this on before, your contacts should download. If it is on, and it doesnt download.. then go to Gmail on a computer and enter your contacts that way..

How do you have your contacts info saved right now? old phone? writen down?
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zoomingjapan:
I think that already happened at the Docomo shop. I don't know what they did.

They just handed the phone over to me once to type in my Google account and password. I don't know what they did.

How can I see if the sync thing is turned on?

Woudl it be easier to type the contacts into my Google account and later sync it with my phone?

Typing on the phone takes longer ....

I have the info in my old phone.

Old Softbank phone with normal sized SIM and no way to connect it to the computer.

What shoud I do about backing up my data?
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] EvilPickle:
Ok.. first off.. is your old phone an Android??
[Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] zoomingjapan:
My old phone is veeeeeery old. Like ... it was released in 2006 or so.

I doubt that it is Android. Is probably some Softbank OS??!!