hi! firstly, sorry if this post is formed oddly, i’ve never used reddit before i think
been interested in japanese flip phones for some time and i know they basically won’t work outside japan (can call and text if bought unlocked, not sure if all?) but im a bit confused about a couple of things:
1. would it still be possible to connect the cellphone to wifi outside japan? or does it have something to do with the BAND connections etc.?
2. if the answer is yes to the 1st question, could a cellphone without 4G compatibility connect to the “modern” wifi?
i mean in this case, wouldn’t the phone be perfectly working outside japan if i just kept it connected to wifi all the time?
sorry if these questions are obvious and stupid, im not very good with this kinda stuff in general. thank you!
https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/ythbyw/using_a_japanese_flip_phone_outside_japan_wifi/
2 comments
I think that depends on the presence of a Wifi modem in the phone. If it has one, it’ll work anywhere. Most of the dumb phones I’ve seen don’t have it though.
it depends on the phone afaik, some pre-4g phones used a japan only web service called i-mode. i have 1 docomo phone that uses it and i think its only available rn to customers IN japan with existing contracts (i dont know if you are able to get it for a phone now) itll stop working in 2026. correct me if im wrong on any of this im not an expert