[Globetrotter112]

The E72 comes in 3 different hardware versions. E72-1, E72-2 and E72-3. Which version you have can be seen by pressing *#0000#. The difference is the available WCDMA and/or HSDPA frequencies when I am correct. With other words depends on the region (network) where the phone is sold and used.

However, the Chinese E72 version comes without WiFi !!!

As I currently work in China I do not want to buy the phone here due to the absence of the WiFi which I think is a huge miss.

Does anyone know where the E72-3 is sold outside China as this phone should have the same frequencies and WiFi onboard. Does anyone know which version is sold in HongKong or Singapore?

This as I need English on my phone but also want my phone to recognize the Chinese character set.

It would already be good to know which version would be sold in which region. So if you have already an E72 please respond by adding the version and county.

[nonthasak]

Mine sold in Thailand is E72-1

[sebkoch]

I thnk that in Europe we have E72-1 hardware version.

[imcdnzl]

The frequencies of the three models are here http://europe.nokia.com/find-products/devices/nokia-e72/specifications - part way down the page.

[yhfung]

I have got an E71 recently in Hong Kong and foud the hardware version is E72-1.

YH

[Globetrotter112]

Which languages does the HongKong version support?

English, Chinese Simplified ... ??

[yhfung · Accepted solution]

The Hong Kong model comes with English, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese. You may switch whatever you like.

YH

[Globetrotter112]

This solves the issue.

In the mean time I found that the E72-1 is the standard version for Europe, Asia etc..

Only difference per region are the various language options. 

The E72-2 is for North-America and the E72-3 is a special version for China with as additional feature NO WiFi :robotmad:

[sanjaymehta]

I remember reading about the wifi issue in China - something to do with their "golden shield" project. It's not a Nokia thing, it's a China censorship thing.

[joako422]

China developed their own WiFi encryption called WAPI. I would assume Nokia handets with WiFi are not sold in China because Nokia does not wish to implement WAPI. Kind of ironic how most of the world's WiFi gear and chipsets are made in China but they can't be sold on their store shelves.

[yhfung]

Now I am in China and know that three network operators are building up their WiFi network using the IEEE802.11b/g starting from the early of this year 2009. I believe that there will be more and more mobile phones with WiFi available in China market.

YH

[Globetrotter112]

It seems it has indeed to do with WAPI which is not a WiFi standard but an authentication menthod.

I found the following article on the matter:

All “officially approved” WiFi-enabled phones in China must also include China’s home grown WLAN authentication and privacy infrastructure otherwise known as "WAPI“

China only recently approved the use of WiFi on handsets as long as these phones include WAPI encryption … WAPI (wireless authentication and privacy infrastructure) is still not an ISO/IEC approved standard. The ISO/IEC has previously been rejected WAPI. One reason for rejection was concern over a theorized WAPI “backdoor” that would allow government to monitor users:

This “backdoor” may or may not be true:

“One of the problems with China’s attempt to get WAPI wider acceptance is that they refuse to provide the full specification or its encryption algorithm. I can’t think of a standards body willing to adopt a standard they can’t see.”

… “with WAPI’s algorithm still hidden in the shadows, one has to wonder who WAPI’s adoption would make more secure: consumers or the Chinese government?”

Background article:  China to Propose WLAN Security Standard for Global Use Again by Owen Fletcher, IDG News Service Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:00 AM PDT

http://go2.wordpress.com/?id=725X1342&site=idannyb.wordpress.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.computerworld....

[GreyMonkey]

Even all characters are on the keyboard of the HK version which makes it a bit full there. specially the English characters are written in a sort of orange/yellow which make me look at it always in a angle otherwise cannot find them. I have the HK version covering indeed three language inputs.

So since I don't need the traditional chinese input I am looking at buying a new keyboard. So yes they are cheaper in HK but for non chinese input people my advise is to buy a european model instead.

Also the new firmware release hasn't come out still as for the European it has, so GPS without a data conncetions like GPRS/G3 subscription simply doesn't work.