I'm sure there are many people who think, "I want to get a smartphone for even just 1 yen cheaper."
In this article, we will introduce to you a way to get a cheap smartphone at a bargain price, just by purchasing the device.
To get a good deal on a budget smartphone, it's important to know where to buy it cheaply and take advantage of campaigns. However, if you don't know these techniques, you may end up with a big price difference.
There are two main ways to purchase a low-cost smartphone. One is to purchase a communication contract (SIM contract) and smartphone device as a set. The other is to purchase a communication contract and smartphone device separately. The method you choose will depend on the usage situation and budget of the person looking to purchase a low-cost smartphone. Below, we will explain in detail how to purchase a communication contract and smartphone device separately.
*1: A separate SIM unlocking fee may be charged.
Due to a partial revision of the Telecommunications Business Act, communication fees and device costs have been separated, so each telecommunications carrier allows you to purchase just a smartphone without signing a communication contract. Therefore, when you want to communicate, you can purchase a low-cost smartphone yourself and sign a communication contract (SIM contract) with your preferred carrier. Also, smartphones released after October 2021 are generally not SIM-locked, so there is no need to go through the SIM unlocking process (*1).
*1: A separate SIM unlocking fee may be charged.
When purchasing a budget smartphone just the device, the key point is where to buy it. Carrier shops and electronics retailers are common places to buy budget smartphones. You can also purchase budget smartphones from second-hand shops and manufacturer direct sales websites. Below we will explain where you can purchase these budget smartphone devices.
Carrier shops and electronics retailers have a wide range of smartphone models, from budget to expensive, and you can consult with specialized staff to choose the model that's right for you. Stores sometimes have their own campaigns and services, so it's a good idea to check their advertisements and websites as well.
However, without a communications contract (SIM contract), you may not be able to receive discount benefits, so it is important to check in advance.
Many electronics retailers also offer point services. Therefore, depending on the points you have, you can purchase a budget smartphone at a bargain price. However, please note that models that have been on the market for some time may be out of stock and unavailable.
You can also purchase low-cost smartphones by themselves from the official online stores of telecommunications carriers. Online stores are available 24 hours a day, making them ideal for busy people.
In addition, you can complete the process online, eliminating the need to go to a store. There's no need to travel or wait in the store, so you can value your time.
However, there are some disadvantages, such as the time it takes for the actual device to arrive and the inability to consult directly.
Purchasing a used smartphone from a second-hand shop is also an option for purchasing a cheap smartphone just for the device. Some second-hand shops have a wide selection of used smartphones. If you are satisfied with the condition of the used smartphone, you can purchase it at a low price.
Smartphones have become more powerful and functional in recent years, so models from a few years ago are still perfectly usable. For example, a high-spec model from a few years ago may be more powerful and cheaper than the latest mid-range model.
However, when purchasing a device from a second-hand shop, you need to consider the risks of network usage restrictions and the inability to use the device unless the SIM lock is removed. Also, when purchasing a smartphone from a second-hand shop, we recommend choosing a store that has a compensation system.
Smartphone manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung, and SHARP sometimes sell their smartphones directly on their official websites. Manufacturer direct sales sites sometimes hold limited-time sales, and depending on the timing, you can purchase smartphones at a great price. Many manufacturer direct sales sites also offer services such as checking smartphone inventory and providing support for inquiries. For those who don't have time to visit a physical store, manufacturer direct sales sites are a great way to purchase a smartphone at a low price.
Carrier shops, electronics retailers, second-hand shops, and manufacturer direct sales sites all have their own advantages and disadvantages. Below we've compiled a list of the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing a budget smartphone from these locations. Please use this as a reference when purchasing a budget smartphone device.
| place | Merit | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier Shop electronics retail store |
・We handle the latest models ・Consult with specialized staff ・You may be able to use the store's own point service |
・The number of models in stock varies depending on the store, as they have been on the market for some time. ・You have to go directly to the store ・You may have to wait inside the store |
| Online Shop | ・Available for purchase 24 hours a day ・Saves time by eliminating the need to go to the store ・There may be online-only discount sales. |
・You can't check the actual smartphone directly ・It takes time for the smartphone to arrive. |
| Second-hand shops | ・If you are satisfied with the condition of the device, you can purchase it at a low price. | ・Network usage restrictions may be applied, and the phone may not be usable unless the SIM is unlocked. ・You need to check the status of your smartphone yourself. |
| Manufacturer direct sales site | ・Limited sales may be held ・You can contact us via chat support |
・You can't check the color or size of the device before purchasing |
There are various ways to buy a budget smartphone cheaply. One common way is to take advantage of campaigns to reduce the purchase cost. You can also purchase a budget smartphone at a low price by choosing a used or refurbished product. In addition, you may be able to receive special discounts by using online shops. Below, we will explain in detail the tips for getting a budget smartphone cheaply.
Many telecommunications carriers regularly run campaigns that allow you to purchase smartphones at bargain prices. Depending on the campaign, you may have the chance to get a smartphone at a significantly discounted price. Therefore, for those who want to purchase a smartphone at the lowest possible price, telecommunications carrier campaigns are one of the best ways. However, it is important to check in advance, as you may not be able to receive discounts or other benefits unless you have a telecommunications contract (SIM contract).
By purchasing a used or refurbished smartphone, you can get a great deal by replacing just your smartphone. Even used smartphones have been thoroughly tested and many are of a quality that is strong enough to withstand everyday use. Refurbished smartphones are smartphones that have been repaired after being returned due to a malfunction or other reason. These are cheaper than new ones, allowing you to purchase a smartphone at a bargain price.
However, you may not receive the same warranty as you would for a new product, so it's important to check the warranty details before purchasing. Also, used products have limited stock, so if you're interested, be sure to buy early.
Using online shops operated by telecommunications carriers and smartphone manufacturers increases your chances of purchasing a smartphone device at a bargain price. Online shops also sometimes offer special discounts that can be found only at these stores, so if you use them wisely, you can save a lot of money.
There are several points to keep in mind when choosing a budget smartphone. First, it's important to check the smartphone's CPU performance. When choosing a budget smartphone, it's best not to prioritize camera performance. Those who primarily enjoy gaming should also pay attention to the quality of the display. Also, when choosing a used budget smartphone, you need to be aware of the risk of "red ROM" devices, which have usage restrictions. Furthermore, you can save money not only on the smartphone itself but also by keeping your monthly communication fees low. Below, we'll explain the points to consider when choosing these budget smartphones.
When purchasing a budget smartphone, we recommend paying attention to the CPU's performance. The CPU is the device's central processing unit, and its performance has a significant impact on the device's overall operating speed. In the case of Android smartphones, differences in CPUs tend to have a significant impact on the device's performance, so it's important to choose the appropriate model based on the apps you use and your purpose.
To keep the cost of purchasing a smartphone down, don't be too concerned about the camera's performance. Smartphones with high camera performance tend to be more expensive. Camera performance is determined by many factors, such as the number of lenses, pixel count, and F-stop. Therefore, it is important to determine the necessary specifications depending on the functions you will be using. By compromising on camera performance, you can find a more affordable smartphone.
When enjoying serious games on a smartphone, not only image quality but also the "refresh rate" plays a major role. The refresh rate is a value that indicates the number of times the screen is updated per second, and is expressed in Hz (Hertz). A refresh rate of 60Hz is common, but recently smartphones with 90Hz and 120Hz have also appeared.
The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the screen will appear, so if you play games frequently, you should pay attention to the refresh rate of your monitor.
When purchasing a used smartphone, you need to be aware of the risk of a "red ROM." A red ROM is a device whose communication functions have been restricted due to non-fees, loss, or theft. If the device is SIM-unlocked, it can be used with carriers other than the one that restricted it, but convenience will be affected.
You can check if a device is a red ROM by checking the device's IMEI number, but this information is not always provided before purchase. To buy a used device with peace of mind, choose a shop that offers a "lifetime warranty in case it becomes a red ROM" or a shop with a long warranty validity.
If you want to save money on your smartphone, it's effective not only to look at the cost of purchasing a smartphone device, but also to review your communication fees. Smartphone communication fees are incurred every month, so reviewing them can lead to significant savings. If you feel your monthly communication fees are high, we recommend au 's online-only fees brand, "povo2.0" (*2).
povo2.0 has a monthly basic fees of 0 yen (*3) (*4) (*5), and you can purchase as much data as you need. If you want to enjoy games and videos, we recommend povo2.0 's "Unlimited data (24 hours) 330 yen/time tax included included)" (*6) or the large-capacity Topping" Data Top-up 150GB (180 days) 12,980 yen/time tax included included)."
So far, we've explained how and where to purchase a low-cost smartphone, but there are both advantages and disadvantages to purchasing just the device. One of the main advantages is the freedom to choose your preferred carrier. One disadvantage is that you won't be able to receive the perks and discounts that you would get if you purchased a device and a communication contract as a set. Below, we'll explain the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing just the device.
If you purchase a low-cost smartphone device only and then sign a contract, you can choose your preferred carrier. You can choose the carrier that suits you without having to give up on a contract just because the smartphone you like is not available.
Also, if you purchase a low-cost smartphone device from a company other than a telecommunications carrier, you may be able to purchase a smartphone that is not sold by the carrier or that is out of stock.
Carrier shops and electronics retailers sometimes offer special offers that make smartphones cheaper if you purchase a smartphone at the same time as signing a communication contract. However, if you purchase only the device, the special offers that require simultaneous purchase with a communication contract will not apply. Therefore, when considering purchasing a low-cost smartphone, it is a good idea to check the details of these special offers in advance.
In this article, we've explained how to purchase a budget smartphone just the device, where to buy it, how to buy it cheaply, and what to look for when choosing a budget smartphone. To buy a smartphone cheaply, you have the option of buying a set or just the device, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. There are various places to buy budget smartphones, including carrier shops, electronics retailers, second-hand shops, and manufacturer direct sales sites, and each has its own unique features, so it's important to choose the method that best suits your needs.
You can also save money on your smartphone purchase by taking advantage of campaigns and buying second-hand products. It's also important to save money not only on the smartphone itself, but also on your monthly communication fees. To save on communication fees, we recommend au 's online-only brand, "povo2.0."
*2: All procedures and support are online for online-only plans. povo2.0 Please contact us through the application or the official website. 3: Calling charges and SMS sending charges are not included.
Sending domestic SMS: tax included 3.3 yen/text (up to 70 characters) Receiving: free
Depending on the model, a maximum of 670 double-byte characters can be sent; up to 134 characters will be charged for two transmissions, and each additional 67 characters will be charged for one transmission. *4: 5 lines under the same name (*) For the cumulative 6th line and thereafter, a contract administration fee of tax included 3,850 yen/line will be charged.
*Includes lines that have been terminated or cancelled by the Company within the past year. *5: When 0 yen and 0 GB, the maximum sending/receiving speed is 128 kbps. *6: Communication speed may be limited during network congestion or when using videos, cloud games, etc.
