Device Purchased In Japan For Use In Canada

[jturner901]

Hello Samsung Folks: 

TL;DR → If I invest in two Samsung S23 Ultra devices in Japan, will they function normally on Canadian SIM bands when I return home. 

This is my first post here, as I have recently started to consider two Samsung S23 Ultras for my bride and I. 

We are One Plus users since the OP1 so we are fully engrained in the Android architecture. We are considering moving away from OP and the natural place for us seems like Samsung. 

My OP10Pro is starting to gack over here in Japan. It's suffering from a fat battery. It's working, but I think it's only a matter of time. She's angry with her OP9Pro all athe time, although that's more user error, than phone error. 

We are here for 3 months and have 1 month remaining. I came across a Samsung display yesterday at Edion and before I go into a long conversation with a Japanese salesman (which will be a struggle at best), I though I would enquire of the experts here. 

So my question is: If I invest in two Samsung S23 Ultra devices in Japan, will they function normally on Canadian SIM bands when I return home. Thank you for taking the time to read and respond. 

PS: This is our 8th trip to Japan. Japan is awesome. 

[RedDogRabbit]

While the phone may work for you, there's a few things to consider. 

• No international warranty. 
• Samsung Pay / Wallet will not work in Canada on the Japanese devices with a Canadian bank. You would have to keep  Japanese bank Credit / Debit cards. 
• You MAY have issues with RCS Chat.

Yes, Japan is amazing! 

[Helenna]

Hi, if you purchase the device in Japan the features will be different from Canadian device and the SIM bands also varies from country network providers.

Yes, as said by RedDogRabbit Samsung Wallet is country specific and will not work in Canada.

Have a safe trip!

Thank you.

[TBone]

What if they where to use Google wallet instead of samsung wallet?

[RedDogRabbit]

Google Wallet should work just fine.

Samsung Wallet will work internationally, but using the Bank cards from the country that the device was first registered in. 

ie: Contrary to what Samsung's Moderators keep saying, I can use Samsung Wallet anywhere in the world, that my Canadian Bank cards are accepted.

BUT, if I moved to Japan, and tried to Register Samsung Wallet with  Japanese Bank cards, it wouldn't work with a Japanese Carrier.

https://www.samsung.com/levant/support/mobile-devices/can-i-use-samsung-pay-in-foreign-countries/

[Tallman]

If your base is in Canada, I would buy the phone in Canada instead. Like what RDR said there are few things that have restrictions. So, if all those restrictions are not your concerns and you have a specific reason to buy S23U from Japan, that's fine. But I would choose my home country for my phone. Also, S23U has esim function, maybe you can add a Japan numbers and data plan when you travel Japan next time without swapping sim.

[jturner901]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply and educate me. I appreciate the effort.

Although we do frequently travel to Japan for extended periods of time, Southern Ontario is our home base.

Just to touch on a few points brought up by you all:

1. I had to look up RSC Chat as that meant nothing to me. Not having that functionality would not be an issue for me. I get nothing but spam in text messaging. If I got nothing at all, all the better.

2. I use Google Wallet, so Samsung Wallet would not likely be an issue either.

3. I tend to be fairly gentle with my devices and have never had to have one fixed, although that does not save me from a manufacturing anomaly. Of course, because I said I'm gentle with my devices, I would likely drop a new one on day one (commentator's curse).

4. Finally, there is just the general unknowns. I could take the device home and it works like a charm, or it could be a really great camera and not much else for a few thousand dollars.

Based on all of your comments, I think I'll wait to get home unless I see an epic deal here. I doubt that though, because I assume the market internationally is probably quite stable and controlled as such. 

Thank again. Cheers!

[RedDogRabbit]

Sure, I understand what you are saying. 

Just an FYI, RCS (Rich Communication Services) does have a Spam filter available, you just have to Toggle it On. 

I'm certainly not trying to convince you to use Text Messaging, just wanted to let you know. 🙂