DoCoMo's autumn/winter - the other 3

SIMPURE L1 by LG
the L1's predecessor (SIMPURE L) also from LG was DoCoMo's first ever handset from a Korean maker. this model, targeted at simple people, is 18mm thick and is noted for its ease of international roaming. it can work on W-CDMA, GSM and GPRS. it also has some good ideas like a setting that will change all the numbers in the address book to the required international dailing code for whereever you may be calling from. i wonder though if the kind of people that need a simple phone are the kind of people that are going to be taking their keitai abroad and calling home.


SIMPURE N1 by NEC
the SIMPURE N1 from NEC has the interesting sales point that it has an antibacterial coating. it doesn't have the roaming features of the L1, but it is a squarish compact design with some jewel/LEDs on the back. nice!


N902iL by NEC

To make the 14th model, this mobile based towards corporate users, won't actually be released til early spring 2007. it can use wireless LANs, has increased security functions and also will include osaifu-keitai (Felica) functionality, with the idea of being able to use it for entry to the office etc.

DoCoMo's autumn/winter - P903iX HIGH-SPEED by Panasonic

as well as the original and TV version, this is the third 'P' of this autumn/winter lineup. to make good use of the max of 3.8Mbps download speeds, this phone can playback Windows Media Videos (WMV). the internet browser also allows for viewing of streaming WMV videos. (WMV8 & 9, non-DRM)

like the other 2 models, the P903iX has Bluetooth. the only things missing from the P903i are GPS and 3G roaming and the new 'anshin key' security feature, but it seems have managed to hold on to the pre-installed Final Fantasy VII game apli.

Model	P903iX HIGH-SPEED
Maker	Panasonic
Network	DoCoMo - FOMA (HSDPA)
Display	2.4 inch QVGA TFT (240x320)
Camera	3.2 megapixels, sub=0.1 megapixels
External Memory	microSD card
Dimensions - h w d	103 x 51 x 25 mm
Weight	under 130g
Felica	YES
Other	1GB internal memory, PDF viewer
Colours	crimson, platinum

DoCoMo's autumn/winter - F903iX HIGH-SPEED by Fujitsu

based on the F903i, this HSDPA compatible phone has less of a round shape, instead going for a hexagonal shape, which is rather more based for the male market. as you can see in the photo below, it is the same 'swing style' and allows for sidewards viewing of menus and internet.

it has an FM transmitter, in what seems to be kind of a theme for DoCoMo this time round. it is also compatible with WMA and the new 'music channel' service. it has 1GB of internal memory, and it was said that this is the only phone from the whole range where you can save WMA to the internal memory.

Model	F903iX HIGH-SPEED
Maker	Fujitsu
Network	DoCoMo - FOMA (HSDPA)
Display	2.4 inch TFT (240x320)
Camera	3.2 megapixels, sub=0.11 megapixels
External Memory	microSD card
Dimensions - h w d	102 x 50 x 24 mm
Weight	135g
Felica	YES
Other	HSDPA, FM Transmitter, WMA, 1GB internal memory
Colours	ash silver, dark wine

DoCoMo's autumn/winter - SH903iTV by Sharp

Sharps first AQUOS keitai for Vodafone (the 905SH) drew quite a lot of attention when it came out. now the first AQUOS keitai for DoCoMo is due to appear in early 2007. like Vodafone model it is a cycloid style phone (see below for those who have forgotten what cycloid looks like) and it has a bad boy 3.0inch ASV screen, with what they are calling SV (Super Vivid) Engine, for nice crisp pictures and colours.

again the 'multi-window', where you can watch TV and do all other things you might want to do on your phone. an FM Transmitter will allow the transmition of music and sound from One-seg to nearby radios. I mentioned about how DoCoMo went one better than both au and SoftBank with regards to the number of new models, but when it comes to the higher-end function models, a lot of them seem to be coming out later rather than sooner.

Model	SH903iTV
Maker	Sharp
Network	DoCoMo - FOMA
Display	3.0 inch Wide QVGA ASV (240x400)
Camera	2 megapixels, sub = 0.11 megapixels
External Memory	microSD card
Dimensions - h w d	111 x 50 x 24 mm
Weight	under 140g
Felica	YES
Other	One-seg, FM Transmitter
Colours	brown, black, white

DoCoMo's autumn/winter - P903iTV by Panasonic

with Panasonic's second attempt at a one-seg handset for DoCoMo, out in early 2007, the P903iTV is again closely based on the regular P model, but with less obvious trade-offs than seen in Mitsubishi's TV model. this double-hinged style phone keeps the strong audio-visual functions of the P903i.

you can watch tv and mail your friends at the same time on the split screen. also pretty nifty is the ability to transmit the sound from one-seg broadcasts via the Bluetooth, and it is also able to connect to your car navigation screen to watch one-seg on it.

Model	P903iTV
Maker	Panasonic
Network	DoCoMo - FOMA
Display	2.8 inch Wide QVGA TFT (240x400)
Camera	3.2 megapixels, sub=0.1 megapixels
External Memory	microSD card
Dimensions - h w d	110 x 50 x 22 mm
Weight	155g
Felica	YES
Other	One-seg, Bluetooth
Colours	blue, silver, red

DoCoMo's autumn/winter - D903iTV by Mitsubishi

the D903iTV is based on the D903i with the following differences. add One-seg digital terestrial television and 512MB of internal memory for up to 160 minutes of TV recording. unfortunately in exchange you must drop GPS, 3G roaming, FM tuner and transmitter, and finally downgrade the 3.2 megapixel camera for a 1.3 megapixel camera.

it won't be out to 2007, but at 19.8mm thin, it is quite impressive for a one-seg model. the antenna can be an attachable strap or the included earphones. like the D903i, it supports WMA, sidewards full internet browser and also document viewer.

Model	D903iTV
Maker	Mitsubishi
Network	DoCoMo - FOMA
Display	2.8 inch Wide QVGA TFT (240x400)
Camera	1.3 megapixels, sub=0.1 megapixels
External Memory	microSD card
Dimensions - h w d	110 x 48 x 19.8 mm
Weight	125g
Felica	YES
Other	One-seg, WMA, Document Viewer
Colours	orange, white, light blue

DoCoMo's autumn/winter - SO903i by Sony Ericsson

if Sharp can use some brands originally from outside of the mobile world, then so can Sony Ericsson. the SO903i borrows both the Walkman and BRAVIA brands. as far as the music goes, it can playback 45 hours worth of a variety of formats including MP3 (nice to see Sony turning away from it's proprietary days). as you can see in the photo, it has quite a large music control console on the front of the phone.

the phone also features 1GB of internal memory, contrast correction from the BRAVIA screen, but one unfortunate point is the absence of a full browser. i was almost at the stage where i thought i no longer had to input 'full browser' into the table below as it is now almost taken for granted, but like Panasonic's P903i, the SO903i also lacks an internet browser. for some reason it also lacks a document viewer, but can view PDF's only.

Model	SO903i
Maker	Sony Ericsson
Network	DoCoMo - FOMA
Display	3.0 inch Wide QVGA TFT (240x432)
Camera	3.2 megapixels, sub=0.11 megapixels
External Memory	miniSD card, memory stick (PRO) DUO
Dimensions - h w d	106 x 50 x 20 mm
Weight	125g
Felica	YES
Other	1GB internal memory, PDF viewer
Colours	sonic yellow, rush orange, black, white

DoCoMo's autumn/winter - SH903i by Sharp

this SH903i apparently goes back to the thin, two-hinged model of the generation before last. (ie. SH902i) as seen with Softbank, Sharp have started to use the AQUOS brand to describe the screen. kind of understandable when they have the reputation for the best screens around.

this particular screen has a brightness sensor and will adjust so you can see clearly should it be indoors or out in the sun. other mentionables are 50 hours of music playback, WMA support and the ability to set it so that it is difficult for others to read from the side.

Model	SH903i
Maker	Sharp
Network	DoCoMo - FOMA
Display	2.8 inch Wide QVGA ASV (240x400)
Camera	3.2 megapixels, sub=0.11 megapixels
External Memory	microSD card
Dimensions - h w d	108 x 50 x 20 mm
Weight	129g
Felica	YES
Other	WMA, face recognition, brightness sensor
Colours	saphire blue, onyx black, opal white, ruby red

DoCoMo's autumn/winter - P903i by Panasonic

i have said it before, and i will say it again, i have always liked Panasonic's mobiles. i am actually really looking forward to the forthcoming au 'W??P'. the 903i continues in the tradition of strong music capabilities, this time round lasting for 70 hours of music playback. the custmizable jacket and illuminations are still there as is the bluetooth to enjoy wireless music.

one new function is the 'anshin key' which uses something called SPC technology. SPC stands for Secure PrivateCosm (whatever that means). Basically, the wireless device pictured below acts as a key, and when seperated by a certain distance from your mobile, your mobile will automatically lock. with the increase of use of mobile wallet functions, i realize the need for increased security, but i personally don't think i would carry this key around.
though i did find some presentation material used at CEATEC the company behind it. they actually suggest some good ideas for uses of this technology. For example: at work when you go to the toilet your computer locks, things you printed won't print until you go to the printer to pick them up, no one can start your computer when you forget it on the train, you drop your credit card but no one will be able to use it, you dont need to look for your key in the dark when you get home, etc. etc. these are all great ideas, but something i would rather see incorporated into the phone rather than a seperate 'key'.

Model	P903i
Maker	Panasonic
Network	DoCoMo - FOMA
Display	2.4 inch QVGA TFT (240x320)
Camera	3.2 megapixels, sub=0.11 megapixels
External Memory	microSD card
Dimensions - h w d	103 x 50 x 23 mm
Weight	125g
Felica	YES
Other	Bluetooth,
Colours	white X pearl stripe, brown X silver, orange X orange

DoCoMo's autumn/winter - N903i by NEC

like the previous post, i also like the face recognition on this N903i from NEC. but one thing i don't get though is the IC card unlock function. a new function to the 903i series is the ability for the Felica to swap data with other Felica chips. and with this phone you can register, for example, a SUICA card that once you swipe against the phone, will unlock it. however, isn't the point of mobile wallet to get rid of all your other Felica cards?

unusually, the Felica chip is positioned at the front of the phone and not round by the battery, which has been pretty much taken as given up till now. this phone has a nice VGA+ plus screen that will show 4 times the amount of goodness as a QVGA. it also has a fairly decent camera with reinforced image stabilizing.
above is a totally unrelated picture i found on some Toshiba-Matsushita website, just to show the difference between VGA on the left and QVGA on the right.

Model	N903i
Maker	NEC
Network	DoCoMo - FOMA
Display	2.5 inch VGA+ TFT (480x690)
Camera	3.2 megapixels, sub=0.33 megapixels
External Memory	microSD card
Dimensions - h w d	105 x 49 x 24 mm
Weight	112g
Felica	YES
Other	Document Viewer, face recognition
Colours	jet black, sparkle white, vermillion orange, surf blue

DoCoMo's autumn/winter - F903i by Fujitsu

since starting to use mobile wallet functions on my phone several times a day, typing in the 4 digit pin every time before coming to the register is a bit of a pain. thats why i really like the idea of Fujitsu's finger print sensor that they always put on their mobiles. another nifty function of this swing style phone is that you can set any function to automatically start upon swinging the screen.

the sideways screen is ofcourse also convenient for surfing using the full browser. this handset also supports WMA and comes preinstalled with a 'DS Style' Brain Training apli.

Model	F903i
Maker	Fujitsu
Network	DoCoMo - FOMA
Display	2.4inch QVGA TFT (240x320)
Camera	3.2 megapixels, sub=0.1 megapixels
External Memory	microSD card
Dimensions - h w d	102 x 50 x 24 mm
Weight	131g
Felica	YES
Other	fingerprint security, brain training, WMA
Colours	Rosso, Nero, Bianco, Colbalt (in other words: red, black, white, blue)