6 Most Popular Japanese Mobile Phones 2024

Not sure which smartphone to buy? We tried and tested the best selling Japanese mobile phones and reviewed them below. Check out this list of the best-selling smartphones in Japan!

If mobile phones have been the embodiment of technological evolution, Japan has been at the center of it. Japanese technology excels in every invention, including cell phones. A country that introduced 3G networks as far back as 2001, the Land of the Rising Sun proves to be the first in more than just receiving the sun rays. 

While Japan dominates the electronic industry of the world, Japanese phones have been in use not only for its top-of-the-line features but also for its durability, long-life and portability around the globe. 

Here we will be covering the best Japanese cell phones in 2022 for you to work effortlessly  throughout your day. 

   

Best Japanese Cell Phones in 2022: glance

Popular Japanese Mobile Phones	Top Features
Sony Xperia 5 III	5G connectivity 360 Reality Audio120Hz 6.1” HDR OLED display Reaches 50% battery capacity in 30 minutes
Aquos sense5G	An affordable 5G compatible option Fingerprint sensor
Fujitsu arrows RX	Fully water and dust-resistant Easy to use UI
Samsung Galaxy S21 Utra 5G	Cutting-edge design Super smooth 120Hz display with eye comfort shield Toughest Gorilla Glass High-resolution
Panasonic Eluga	Budget smartphone Expandable memory up to 256 GB Rear fingerprint sensor

Best Japanese Mobile Phones 

Sony Xperia 1 V

The Sony Xperia 1 V is an iterative update to its predecessor, the Xperia 1 IV, but it’s far from being a mere copy-paste job. 

Sony has addressed some key pain points while retaining the features that made the Xperia line unique. 

Let’s dive into the details to see if the Xperia 1 V is worth your hard-earned cash.

Design and Display

The Xperia 1 V retains the same tall and narrow 21:9 aspect ratio display, which is a love-it-or-hate-it affair. Those who prefer a more traditional phone might find it unwieldy, but for movie lovers and multitaskers, it’s a dream come true. 

The 6.5-inch 4K OLED panel is absolutely stunning, boasting vibrant colors, perfect blacks, and razor-sharp clarity. Watching movies or browsing the web on this display is a truly immersive experience.

The phone’s design is understated yet elegant. The back is made of Gorilla Glass Victus with a textured matte finish that feels grippy and fingerprint-resistant. 

The metal frame adds a touch of premiumness, and the phone feels incredibly well-built. Sony has also kept the headphone jack and expandable storage, two features that are becoming increasingly rare in flagships.

Performance and Camera:

The Xperia 1 V is powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which is paired with 8GB or 12GB of RAM. 

Performance is snappy and smooth, and the phone can handle even the most demanding tasks without breaking a sweat. The phone also comes with a vapor chamber cooling system that helps prevent overheating.

The camera system has been slightly improved over the Xperia 1 IV. The main sensor is now a 52MP unit with a multi-aspect ratio design, which means it can capture photos in both 4:3 and 21:9 aspect ratios. 

The ultrawide and telephoto sensors remain the same as the previous model, but they still produce excellent results.

One of the biggest improvements in the camera department is the addition of a dedicated Night mode. This mode significantly improves low-light performance, and you can now capture usable photos even in dimly lit environments.

The Xperia 1 V also shines in the video department. It can record 4K HDR footage at up to 60fps, and the video quality is superb. The phone also has a variety of professional-grade video features, such as Cinema Pro mode and rack focus, which will appeal to videographers and filmmakers.

Battery Life and Software:

The Xperia 1 V’s battery life is decent, but it’s not the best. You can expect to get a full day of use on a single charge with moderate usage, but you might need to top up the battery if you’re a heavy user.

The phone runs on Android 13 with Sony’s custom UI on top. The UI is clean and clutter-free, and it’s packed with features that are designed for creators and media enthusiasts.

Verdict:

The Sony Xperia 1 V is a refined flagship phone that offers a unique combination of a stunning display, powerful performance, and a versatile camera system. It’s not perfect, but it’s a great option for anyone who’s looking for a phone that can handle anything you throw at it.

Here are some of the key pros and cons of the Sony Xperia 1 V:

Pros:

• Stunning 4K OLED display
• Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
• Improved camera system with Night mode
• Excellent video recording capabilities
• Clean and feature-rich UI
• Headphone jack and expandable storage

Cons:

• Tall and narrow design might not be for everyone
• Battery life is decent, but not great
• No face unlock
• Relatively expensive

Overall, I would recommend the Sony Xperia 1 V to anyone who’s looking for a high-end phone that can handle anything you throw at it. It’s a great option for creators, media enthusiasts, and anyone who simply appreciates a beautiful and well-made phone.

Sharp Aquos R8

Sharp Aquos R8 is a very well-received phone, praised for its excellent display, powerful performance, long battery life, and versatile camera system. However, some reviewers have noted a few minor drawbacks, such as its bulky design and lack of wireless charging.

Here are some of the key points from the reviews:

• Display: The 240Hz OLED display is one of the best on the market, with reviewers praising its smooth refresh rate, vibrant colors, and excellent viewing angles.

• Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1+ processor is a powerhouse, and the phone handles even the most demanding tasks with ease.

• Battery life: The 5,000mAh battery is one of the largest in a flagship phone, and it provides excellent battery life.

• Camera: The quad-lens camera system is versatile and takes great photos in a variety of lighting conditions.

• Design: The phone is well-built, but some reviewers have found it to be a bit bulky and heavy.

• Software: The phone runs Android 13 with Sharp’s custom UI on top. The UI is clean and easy to use, but some reviewers have found it to be a bit cluttered.

Overall, the Sharp Aquos R8 is a great option for anyone looking for a high-end phone with a top-notch display, powerful performance, and long battery life. However, if you’re looking for a phone with a more compact design or wireless charging, you may want to consider other options.

Fujitsu Arrows RX

Another affordable smartphone for basic everyday use, the Fujitsu arrows RX was launched in 2019 and is one of the best options to get the job done. Like the AQUOS sense5G and other phones at this price point, it’s good for light users but might not make the cut with heavier users.

The Fujitsu arrows RX comes with a very simple and user-friendly interface making it the go-to option for smartphone beginners and the elderly who are not in touch with technology. 

Moreover, its screen is said to be bright and responsive. For the light users, this device comes at an extremely reasonable price and has a lot to offer. What’s more? It’s fully water and dust-proof, rated IPX5, IPX8, and IP6X.

However, it has a few cons attached to it. 

Pros: 

• Highly reasonable
• Android 9.0 version 
• Friendly User Interface (UI)
• Water and dust-resistant 

Cons: 

• Battery drains quickly 
• May require repair if it dysfunctions

Samsung Galaxy S21 Utra 5G

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G launched in 2021, offers some revolutionary features across segments. Though expensive, the smartphone is a treat for heavy users and has gained full marks in terms of performance. 

With the fastest ever processing chip in the Galaxy series, the phone comes with a 2x faster AI.

In terms of photography, the smartphone offers Bright Night sensor, studio-like portrait mode, and the highest resolution possible on a smartphone as per the company. 

The build is also sturdy enough with a strong Gorilla Glass and comes with a 6.8”Infinity-O Display. 

Pros: 

• Toughest Gorilla Glass a smartphone can provide as per the company
• 6.8”Infinity-O Display. 
• Super-fast performance
• Different modes for perfect photography

Cons:

• Can consume a lot of battery
• Expensive
• Bulky design, hard to handle calls and transport it wherever you go

Panasonic Eluga i7

Panasonic has been known to manufacture budget smartphones for a while now. The Panasonic Eluga i7 is a great option if you are a bit tight on spending and need a smartphone that can get the job done. This smartphone offers a lot of features for its price point. 

It comes with an expandable memory upto 256 GB, rear fingerprint sensor and is perfect for covering the basics. If you want to give it to someone who is not so tech-savvy or just keep a spare phone for yourself, the Panasonic Eluga i7 serves perfect for you. 

Panasonic Eluga series also features the X1 Pro, another good recommendation but on the expensive end. 

Pros: 

• Expandable memory up to 256 GB
• Rear fingerprint sensor
• WLAN, Bluetooth, radio and more
• Comes with a complete package of charger, back case, earphones and screen guard
• Android 9 version 
• Decent battery life 

Cons: 

• Display can get a bit weak after prolonged use
• Can lag a bit much and applications may crash from time to time
• Earphones may not be sturdy enough for a longtime use
• Cannot perform complex functions

HUAWEI P30 PRO

Huawei P30 Pro has multiple colors for you to choose from. My favorite one was the blue.

The battery life of this phone is pretty impressive with 4200mAh and you also have wireless charging option available with this phone.

The Huawei P30 Pro is capable of taking amazing pictures with a triple camera setup. It features a 40MP wide lens, 8 MP periscope telephoto lens, and 20 MP ultrawide lens.

And for selfie lovers, it features a 32MP single wide lens camera that takes amazing selfies as well.

Kyocera DuraXV

The Kyocera Dura XV is a basic phone and is very far from your usual smartphones. If you’re looking for a budget Japanese mobile phone that’s also durable then Kyocera DuraXV is an amazing option! Kyocera DuraXV is a sturdy Japanese flip phone that is super easy to use and the battery lasts long too. 

So if you’re the nostalgic type and love a good flip phone then this is definitely a good option. 

If you’re also someone that’s pretty careless or clumsy and keep dropping your phone then the Kyocera DuraXV is a good option cause it has a strong build that can take the more than occasional fall. The phone has excellent call quality as well. 

On the outside, this Japanese flip phone has a tiny screen that displays the battery levels, date, time, caller ID, and signal strength. 

It features a USB C port for charging and syncing; and a headphone jack of 3.55m. To protect it from dust, both the port and the headphone jack come with rubber plugs. 

The DuraXV’s has an Android operating system although it was created to function as closely as possible to a flip phone from the year 2004. 

The old-fashioned utilities include a calculator, calendar, alarm clock, voice recorder, flashlight, and stopwatch, as well as a browser and a simple email application. 

The phone can play music and video files that is stored on a microSD card or in internal memory. The menus and applications run quickly because to the 2GB of RAM, but there are no games or ways to download more apps.

Japanese Mobile Phones: FAQs

In Conclusion 

Japanese mobile phones have been around since time immemorial and it is a proven fact that these manufacturers have excelled in phones that are not only capable of carrying out complex commands but also in offering the best for everyday use. 

Since Japanese mobile phones offer more than what they are valued at, they are relied on by not only the Japanese citizens but also all around the world. With brands like Sony, Hitachi, Casio, Panasonic, Sharp writing history time and again, it can be assumed that they will emerge dominant and hold the major market share in the future as well. 

Also Read

• Best Japanese Camera Brands
• List of Japanese Electronic Brands