About 1 months later than originally expected, the UPQ Phone A01 arrived.
This is how it looks when the box is opened. It comes in a translucent bag, which feels slightly disappointing compared with an iPhone, but it cannot be helped.
This is how it looks when taken out.
The battery, adapter, and USB cable are packed somewhat haphazardly beneath the divider.
The battery is made in China. Rather than “Made in China,” it is labeled Made in PRC. I learned this time that PRC stands for People’s Republic of China. I also read that manufacturers began using PRC because products labeled Made in China do not sell, but I wonder whether that is really true.
Now, let us open the handset to insert the battery.
Oh, it is the type you pry open with a fingernail. The tabs are quite stiff, and the panel flexes when they are released, making me a little afraid it might crack.
This is what the back looks like. It accepts 2 SIM cards. Both apparently support 4G, but the left slot takes priority, and the right slot apparently switches to GSM at that time.
One noteworthy point is the Japanese technical conformity mark. Certification was obtained from the Certification Technology Support Center (018), but the area circled in red below it reads D15-0035018. The initial letter indicates the type of certified terminal. [1]
This “D” means “terminal equipment connected to dedicated communications-line facilities or digital data-transmission facilities”—in short, a data-only terminal. It indicates that approval for voice communications was not obtained.
Unlike an iPhone, then, the A01 can only perform data communications in Japan as it stands. Will every unit be recalled, or will this be avoided through a software display like Apple’s?
Just as I had written this much of the post, the MyDMM Support Center contacted me.
So it appears every unit will be recalled.
It may be a while before the replacement arrives.
Another thing I noticed in connection with this is that it has not obtained overseas equivalents of the technical conformity certification [2]. I suppose using it while traveling is acceptable, though.
I therefore started it without inserting a SIM. The screen is rather stylish, and “Designed in Tokyo” is a nice touch. It starts in black and progresses through various colors.
After startup, I expected an initial-setup screen and various configuration steps, but it simply started immediately without incident. After configuring a Google Account and an email account, it can at least be used as a data terminal. That is all for today. The continuation with a SIM inserted will presumably come after the recalled handset is returned.
[1] Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Certification Association, “About the Technical Standards Conformity Certification System for Telecommunications Terminal Equipment”
[2] Incidentally, this is how it looks on an iPhone.
Because it is ADF, it has obtained certification for “terminal equipment connected to analog-telephone facilities or mobile-telephone facilities,” “terminal equipment connected to dedicated communications-line facilities or digital data-transmission facilities,” and “terminal equipment connected to Internet Protocol mobile-telephone facilities.”
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