Buy a Phone in Japan
New or used, from a carrier or unlocked — how buying a smartphone works, and how it connects to your contract.
Menus, labels and guide explanations are available in the selected language. Carrier names, plan names and other proper nouns may remain in their official form.
Where phones are sold
- Carrier & sub-brand shops — sell devices tied to a contract, often with installment plans and campaigns.
- Carrier online stores — same devices, shipped to you or set up as an eSIM.
- Electronics retailers — sell both carrier devices and SIM-free (unlocked) phones.
- Manufacturer & unlocked — buy the phone outright, then choose any compatible plan or SIM.
- Used / refurbished — check the network bands, battery, and that it is not payment-locked (赤ロム).
Phone cost and service cost are separate
Costo del telefono
- Prezzo del dispositivo
- Pagato una volta o suddiviso in rate
- Ancora dovuto se annulli il servizio
Costo del servizio mobile
- Data
- Chiamate e SMS
- Opzioni
- Si ferma quando annulli
Paying in installments
Prezzo del dispositivo di esempio¥120,000
Diviso in rate24 months
Aggiunto alla fattura mensile¥5,000 / month
A device bought on installments is a separate agreement from your mobile service. If you cancel the service, the remaining device balance is usually still owed.
Bands & compatibility
A phone works best if it supports the frequency bands of the network you choose. Devices sold by a Japanese carrier are tuned for that carrier. An unlocked phone bought abroad may work but can miss some bands — check before you rely on it.
Related guides
Related guides
Sources
- Device manufacturer specifications
- Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (総務省)