How to Choose an Electronic Dictionary 2026 | By Target Model, Included Dictionaries and Audio
Prices, point rates and sale details in this article were checked by the mottoku editorial team against each service's official site and API (as of the last update). Always check the official sites for current prices, stock and campaign terms.
Why people still choose a dedicated device when they have a smartphone
Most people begin with the question, "Wouldn't a dictionary app be enough?" For looking up a single word, a smartphone is certainly fine. Yet dedicated electronic dictionaries continue to be favored in schools, and there are clear reasons for it. First, no notifications interrupt you. Open your phone during class or self-study and messages and social media inevitably catch your eye. A dedicated device can do nothing except look things up, which is exactly why you keep studying. Second, the battery lasts a very long time. Some battery-powered models run for dozens of hours, and a few are rated at over 100 hours, so you can use them freely without worrying about charging.
The real core strength of a dedicated device is searching multiple dictionaries at once (cross-dictionary search). Type in one word and candidates from English-Japanese, Japanese-English, Japanese language, classical Japanese and encyclopedias all appear together. You don't have to flip through several paper dictionaries or switch between apps. Many high schools also allow them in class and in exams, and there are real situations where phones are banned but electronic dictionaries are permitted. Conversely, people who don't need these advantages (for example, working adults who only occasionally look up an English word) are better off with a phone app. A dedicated device pays off for people who look things up in several dictionaries every day, for long stretches, with focus. Keep that in mind and the rest of your selection will stay on track.
The order for choosing: Narrow things down in this order and you won't go wrong. First decide the model line by "(1) who will use it (school level and purpose)," then compare "(2) the dictionaries and content included in that line," and finally settle the details by "(3) features such as audio, touch input and expandability." The "XX contents included" figure on a spec sheet looks impressive, but what matters is not the number but whether the dictionaries you actually use are included.
The two major brands: how Casio EX-word and Sharp Brain differ in character
Commercially available electronic dictionaries are effectively a two-horse race between Casio's "EX-word" and Sharp's "Brain." Even for the same "high school model," the two companies take slightly different design approaches. Rather than one being better, the right choice depends on how you prefer to look things up.
| Brand | Representative line | Character and features |
|---|---|---|
| Casio EX-word | XD-SX series (high school) / XD-SR series, etc., updated by generation | Large number of included contents; touch, handwriting and the Twin Touch Palette let you look things up quickly. A standard choice at schools, with plenty of information available |
| Sharp Brain | PW series (high school, university, business) | Some models have a large screen usable both vertically and horizontally, giving high layout flexibility. Rich study functions that let you write notes as if on paper |
The point is that Casio is strong at "looking things up quickly and in volume" and Sharp is strong at "using a wide screen and learning while writing." If you want to blast through English-Japanese and classical Japanese lookups for exam prep, EX-word fits; if you want to show English text across the whole screen and read closely while highlighting, Brain fits. That's the general picture. However, both brands change their included content and functions with each generation, so be sure to check the generation and included lineup of the model number (XD-SX◯◯◯◯, PW-◯◯◯◯). Actual lookup feel also depends heavily on your preference for key layout and touch response, so if possible the quickest route is to try both at an electronics store.
A guide to reading model numbers: For Casio, the two letters after "XD-" (SX, SR, etc.) indicate the generation, and the range of the number that follows often indicates the target model (for example, it has traditionally been divided as 2000s = junior high, 4000s = high school, 6000s = professional/university, 9000s = business English). Even within the same generation, the final digits can change the content, such as "English-focused" or "second foreign language," so read the target from the number range and how new it is from the generation code and choosing becomes easier. Check each manufacturer's official site for the latest correspondence.
Model lines are divided by "who will use it"
The first thing to do when choosing an electronic dictionary is to identify the target model. Even within the same brand, treat elementary, junior high, high school, university/business and specialist models (medicine, nursing, science and engineering, law, etc.) as completely different products. Get this wrong and the included dictionaries will hardly ever be used.
| Target | Core of what is included | Key points for choosing |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary school | Basic Japanese and English, plus an introduction to illustrated guides and encyclopedias | Durability and ease of use. Aimed less at studying than at building the habit of looking things up |
| Junior high school | English-Japanese, Japanese-English, Japanese language and kanji dictionaries, plus basic study content | With high school in mind, choose one with solid English fundamentals |
| High school | English-Japanese, Japanese-English, English-English, Japanese language, classical Japanese and kanji dictionaries, plus exam-prep content | The widest range of models. Check whether the content suits your intended field (humanities/sciences/top universities) |
| University students and working adults | Advanced English-English, business English, second foreign languages, specialized English | For TOEIC, English writing, and people who cross-reference multiple dictionaries at work |
| Medicine, nursing, science and engineering, law, etc. | Specialist dictionaries and glossaries for each field | Highly specialized and expensive. Make sure the content directly relates to your faculty or profession |
The market has the most models in the high school category. Because this is the most competitive segment, even "high school models" come in a rich variety, such as configurations tilted toward English, configurations with stronger Japanese language and classics, and configurations loaded with practice-problem content for top universities. So rather than assuming "any high school model is the same," it is worth comparing contents according to your intended field. On the other hand, specialist models for medicine or nursing are few in number and expensive, so you can decide quickly just by confirming that the specialist dictionaries for your own field are definitely included.
Content over "number included": why even high school models can be completely different
What stands out most in catalogs is the figure "XX contents included." Whether it is 150 or 200, the bigger it is, the better it looks. But this is where the biggest pitfall lies. The count also includes things like proverb collections, four-character idioms, etiquette for ceremonial occasions and classic novel texts, which you will hardly ever open. What exam candidates look up every day comes down to just a few books: English-Japanese, Japanese-English, English-English, Japanese language, classical Japanese and kanji dictionaries.
So what you should check is not "the number" but "the titles of the dictionaries you use every day." For English, for example, does it include a full-fledged English-English dictionary in addition to the standard English-Japanese and Japanese-English dictionaries? For Japanese language subjects, does it have rich coverage of the classical Japanese and kanji dictionaries that match your target school's exam questions? If you are aiming for a top university, the difference comes from whether it includes English composition and grammar problem-set content and past-exam preparation.
Priority checklist for included content
- The three pillars of English: Are English-Japanese, Japanese-English and English-English all included? Having English-English helps you learn to understand English in English
- Japanese language and classics: Which titles are included for classical Japanese and kanji dictionaries? Especially important for humanities and national/public university applicants
- Study content: Is there exam-prep content other than dictionaries, such as English vocabulary books, grammar and problem sets?
- Encyclopedias and practical content: Encyclopedias and English conversation example sentences. Handy to have, but lower priority than the items above
If you can't decide within the same price range, the essence of choosing is that satisfaction tends to be higher with "a model with 150 contents but rich dictionaries that directly match your goals" than with "a model with 200 contents but weak English-English." The total on the spec sheet is only the entrance to comparison.
Dictionary apps, paper dictionaries, used devices: where to draw the line against a dedicated device
When you consider an electronic dictionary, three alternatives always come in from the side: "Aren't apps fine?", "Isn't buying paper dictionaries again cheaper?" and "Wouldn't an older or used model be enough?" Each can be the right answer depending on the situation, but the criteria for sorting them out are clear.
| Option | Best suited to | Common stumbling blocks |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated device (current model) | People who look things up daily in class or exams, whose school assumes an electronic dictionary, or who are required to have no communication functions | Upper price range. Because the replacement cycle is long, a wrong first choice means living with it for years |
| Dictionary app (paid single dictionary) | Working adults who need only one or two dictionaries and don't want to carry more | Hard to search across multiple dictionaries at once. Notifications and temptation coexist |
| Paper dictionary | People who want to read usage notes carefully, leave handwritten marks, or whose class requires paper | Can't carry several volumes. Adding a second foreign language makes the bag heavy |
| Older or used dedicated device | People for whom a generation with unchanged content is enough, and people who want a spare | Battery or hinge wear, and the possibility that dictionary revisions are not reflected |
The axes for judging are "how many times a day you look things up" and "how many books you consult at the same time." People for whom cross-referencing is routine, such as moving between English-Japanese, English-English and thesaurus entries or checking classical Japanese and kanji dictionaries side by side, get the most out of a dedicated device. Conversely, if you only look up unfamiliar English words a few dozen times a year on your commute, an app is enough.
As for older models, electronic dictionaries do not get a full model change every year, and in some years only a few of the included dictionaries are swapped. If you compare the included lists of last year's model and the current one line by line and the dictionaries you use are not among the differences, buying the older model is perfectly reasonable. Used devices are a different matter, however: models with lithium-ion batteries inevitably suffer battery aging, and even battery-powered ones may have corroded terminals or unresponsive keys. If it will be your main study tool, check whether you can obtain one with a warranty.
If you are considering using an app instead, first write down the names of the dictionaries you consult. It is not unusual for a dictionary specified by title to have no app version, or to be stuck on an old edition.
High school students, university students, parents: the same device, different "useful features"
Electronic dictionaries are often shared within a family, but in reality the features each person needs hardly overlap. Unless you decide first who will mainly use it, you tend to end up with a halfway model.
High school students preparing for exams
The priorities are whether the school specifies a model, and the editions of the English-English, classical Japanese and kanji dictionaries. If the dictionaries used in class differ from those on your device, the order of meanings and page-reference instructions won't match and you end up looking things up again. Avoid choosing a higher-end university or business model just because it has a lot of content. Because it holds a large volume of business or medical dictionaries, it may leave out the dictionaries that go with your textbooks.
University students with a second foreign language
The language is often undecided at the time of enrollment, so choosing a model that lets you add content later reduces regret. A type that comes with a second-language model built in is the most comfortable if you'll stick with that language, but it is no use if you change midway. For some people it is safer to add content after their major is settled.
Working adults and returning learners
If you won't use it very often, a large, heavy model tends to sleep in a desk drawer. Here, a compact model, or one centered on touch operation rather than a keyboard, will get started more often. Conversely, if you will use it for long stretches for certification exams or translation research, a model with a large screen and a separate handwriting panel tires your eyes and hands less.
When parents or seniors use it
The range of text-size adjustment and the feel of the keys determine practicality. If you mainly look up Japanese language and kanji dictionaries, most of the functions of a student-oriented, English-focused model would go unused. It is a good idea to try the accuracy of handwriting recognition in a store with your own handwriting habits.
Handing down "what my older brother used to my younger brother" can fail even with the same grade if the school differs, because the model may fall outside the specified ones. It is safer to check after the school is decided.
Will it fit in the bag, and how will it be powered: physical conditions you notice only after buying
Spec sheets for electronic dictionaries look plain, so differences in size and power source tend to be underrated. Yet these are often what determine actual ease of use.
Screen size and body thickness
The main student models have screens of roughly the 5-inch class, while compact models are a size smaller, and the amount of meaning shown on one screen decreases accordingly. If you read through the example sentences too, the number of scrolls makes a noticeable difference. Conversely, if you want to tuck it next to the pencil case, measure the thickness and weight first. Whether it fits the depth of the bag or locker the school specifies can also be an unexpected pitfall.
Battery-powered or built-in rechargeable battery
Opinions differ here. The strength of battery-powered models is that when they run out away from home you can revive them with batteries from a convenience store, which is reassuring during long training camps or exam periods. Built-in rechargeable models can be made thinner and lighter, but over several years the running time shortens, and replacement generally has to be handled by the manufacturer. If you plan to carry it every day for three years or more, this difference can't be ignored.
Cables and routes for additional content
For types where you download and install additional dictionaries, check whether it goes through a computer or can be completed on the device alone. If it goes through a computer, whether the supported OS version and the connector shape (microUSB or USB Type-C) match directly decides whether it works. There are real cases where people give up on additional content because they have no computer at home, or the OS is too old. For the same reason, also check whether there is a microSD card slot and the maximum supported capacity.
How the audio is played
The built-in speaker volume is hard to use in a quiet study room, so you end up needing earphones. Whether your device can be used depends on whether the earphone jack is a 3.5mm stereo mini or whether it supports Bluetooth. If you only have true wireless earbuds, a model without Bluetooth means extra trouble with adapters, so it is reassuring to anticipate that in advance.
Before pressing the order button, check in this order
Electronic dictionaries are hard to return or exchange, and you will use them for years. Checking in the following order will prevent almost any serious mismatch.
- Read the school's instructions firstWhether they specify the model name or only conditions like "electronic dictionaries allowed (no communication function)," the range you can choose from differs greatly. Skip this and you face the worst case of having to buy again right after buying.
- Check the included dictionary list down to titles and publishersConfirm not "English-Japanese dictionary included" but which dictionary and which edition. If it differs from the one used in class, the order of meanings and the meaning of symbols will be off, and your teacher's explanations won't match what's in your hands.
- Do the dictionaries you use daily come up near the top?Check whether the dictionaries you want appear high in the results of a combined search. Trying it in the store, including whether you can change the ordering, reduces daily stress.
- Which dictionaries actually have audio?Even if native-speaker audio is listed, it doesn't necessarily cover every included dictionary. It is also common for second foreign languages and classical Japanese to have no audio. Misunderstand this and you can't hear pronunciation in the language you want.
- How the keyboard and handwriting feel on a real deviceModels with narrow key pitch cause more mistyping when entering long text. For the handwriting panel, write kanji with your own handwriting habits and see if they are recognized. If it doesn't suit you, you'll end up checking on your phone anyway.
- Power source and running timeBattery-powered or built-in rechargeable? Look at the approximate continuous running time and calculate whether it covers your commute and school days. If it's off, you may find the battery dead in the classroom.
- How to add content, and expansion slotsCan you add a second foreign language or specialist dictionaries later? Does the method require a computer? Overlook this and you may have to replace the whole device after moving up a year.
- Warranty and repair contactsDrops and cracked screens are the most common troubles with electronic dictionaries. Check the scope of the manufacturer's warranty and whether the retailer offers an extended warranty.
- Does the model number match through to the end?Even within the same series, a single final character can mean different content or color. If a specific model is designated, check the full model number before ordering.
If you can try a real device in a store, pick three words you often look up and look up the same words on each model to compare. Differences in display readability and response speed show up more clearly than on a spec sheet.
The reality of high schools' "bulk purchase and designated model"
Electronic dictionaries have a circumstance unusual for home electronics: many high schools arrange or purchase electronic dictionaries in bulk at enrollment. It is not uncommon for the school to designate a model or hand out a "school-exclusive model" from a particular brand. If you buy a commercial model ahead of time without knowing this, you may end up with a duplicate of the school-designated one after enrollment.
School-exclusive models are sometimes close to commercial ones in content, but sometimes come with content and support (warranty and repair service) tailored to that school's curriculum. The price can look higher when going through the school arrangement, but everyone in class can share the same operation, and support in case of breakdown is thorough, a reassurance unique to exclusive models. So the order of judgment is as follows.
- First check with your future schoolConfirm in the admission briefing or materials for accepted students whether electronic dictionaries are arranged or a model is designated. This is the top priority.
- If there is a designation or arrangement, follow it in principleYou can share operation in class and get support easily. Avoid buying ahead.
- If purchase is free, choose a commercial model that suits your intended fieldOnly then does this article's comparison of content and features come into play.
Junior high students may want to buy early with high school in mind, but it is sound to wait to buy a high school model until you know how the high school handles it. A junior high model is often enough during junior high, and choosing your real one after learning your school's rules ends up wasting less.
Audio and second foreign languages: points that make a difference in language study
If you are serious about English or other languages, whether the device has audio (native pronunciation) greatly affects study efficiency. Hearing words and example sentences in native audio and imitating them aloud, and whether you can go back and forth like this, changes how much your listening and speaking improve. Some models also have a function to record your own pronunciation and compare it with the model, which helps with reading English aloud and preparing for English conversation.
What university students and working adults often overlook is the second foreign language. If you plan to study Chinese, Korean, French, German, Spanish or similar, choosing a model that includes dictionaries for that language from the start or one that lets you add them later as extra content means one device can cope even if your path widens. If you buy an English-only device, you tend to have to replace it when a second foreign language becomes necessary.
How to look at it by language-learning goal
- Improving your English: English-English dictionary plus plenty of example sentences and native audio. A pronunciation comparison function is even better
- TOEIC and Eiken preparation: Does it include test-prep content, English vocabulary books and business English?
- Studying a second foreign language: Choose a model that includes the dictionary for that language or lets you buy it later. Check expandability before you start learning
- Travel and conversation focus: Prioritize inclusion of conversation phrase collections and point-and-speak conversation, and how clear the audio is
Expandability and durability for long use
An electronic dictionary is a tool you use for years, from exam preparation through life after admission. That is why whether you can add dictionaries later (expandability) and whether it withstands being carried every day (durability) determine long-term satisfaction.
As for expandability, some models let you buy additional dictionaries via a microSD card or dedicated additional content. Even if a high school model needs a second foreign language or specialist dictionary after you advance, a compatible model saves you from buying a new device. If your path may change, checking whether additional content is supported before buying reduces regret.
On durability, assuming it gets jostled in your school bag every day, models with shock-resistant design and sturdy hinges and keys are reassuring. Putting it in a dedicated case to protect against screen scratches and drop impacts also extends its life. The power source is worth checking as well: battery-powered models are reassuring outside if you have spare batteries, while rechargeable (lithium) ones are lightweight and need little charging effort. For long use during exams or when out, many people prefer battery-powered models with less worry about running out.
Care guide: Wipe the touch screen dry with a soft cloth and don't press too hard. When not using a battery-powered model for a long time, the golden rule is to remove the batteries to prevent leakage. If you avoid direct sunlight and high heat and humidity (especially leaving it in a car in summer), one device can serve you for a long time from exam prep to after admission.
When to buy and how to stack savings: timing unique to electronic dictionaries
Electronic dictionaries have a distinctive buying calendar unlike other home electronics. The keys are the new school term and enrollment season and the model-change cycle.
Demand first concentrates in the February to April enrollment and promotion season. New models from each company are all out by then, and electronics retailers make a push. On the other hand, when new models appear, the previous generation (older model) gets cheaper, which is a major characteristic of electronic dictionaries. Since the included dictionaries don't change much in a year, aiming for a new-in-box older model is a very smart move. If the difference from the latest generation is only "a few more contents" or "a new design," the older model often comes out ahead by the price difference.
Ways to stack savings
- Make a new-in-box older model your first candidate: If the core content (English-Japanese, classical Japanese, etc.) is the same, the previous generation is often enough. Compare contents between generations before deciding
- Time it with sale events: Buy during events such as Rakuten's Shopping Marathon (お買い物マラソン), Amazon sale periods or retailers' settlement periods, and stack discounts with point rewards
- Add point rewards on top: Even for the same product, using a reward campaign of the eligible mall or store lowers the effective cost. Check each mall's and store's latest reward conditions on the official site each time
- Negotiate in person at electronics retailers: Display clearance or bulk purchases (for example siblings entering school) sometimes allow a deal. The advantage of being able to try the real device is also large
As a rough guide to pricing, the general trend is that junior high models are in an affordable range, high school models are mid-range, and specialist models (medicine, advanced university) are in a higher range. Actual amounts, point reward rates and campaign conditions change over time, so be sure to check the current display on each e-commerce site or store.
As for used items, there are risks such as included dictionaries staying on old editions that are never updated and the battery (for rechargeable models) having degraded. If you will use it for a long time, for the same money you will feel safer choosing a "new" unit, even if it is an older model. Consider used only if you can accept a trade-off where you don't care about how recent the content is and put the lowest cost first.
Things you'll miss with the body alone, and things often recommended that can wait
An electronic dictionary works with the body alone, but the story changes once you carry it to school. Conversely, among the items recommended alongside it in stores, some are not urgent.
Things to prepare first
- Protective case: The most common failure is a cracked screen from drops and pressure. Even being sandwiched between textbooks in a bag strains the hinge. Hard types protect well and soft types are thin and easy to slip into a bag, so choose according to the room in your bag.
- Spare batteries: If you chose a battery-powered model, these are practically a necessity. The specified type (alkaline, or whether rechargeables may be used) is written in the instruction manual, so use a combination that displays the remaining charge correctly.
- Earphones: You often listen to pronunciation in a classroom or library, and the speaker alone isn't enough. Check the connector shape or Bluetooth support on the device before choosing.
- Spare stylus: If you use handwriting input a lot, losing it is a quietly painful loss. Even on types that store it in the body, it loosens from repeated insertion and falls out.
Lower-priority items
- Screen protector film: Applied to the handwriting panel, it can change recognition accuracy and glide. It is not too late to consider it once you actually find glare bothersome or the screen easily scratched by fingernails.
- High-capacity microSD card: No hurry as long as you have no concrete plan to add content. The maximum supported capacity is also set by the model, so choosing a compatible one when needed wastes less.
- Bundled content sets: They sometimes tie in dictionaries you won't use. Once the languages and fields you really use are settled, adding them individually ends up lighter.
When buying in bulk through school, a case or extended warranty may be included in the set. Checking the breakdown in the information documents before buying separately helps you avoid duplicates.
Frequently asked questions
Isn't a dictionary app on a smartphone enough after all?
For looking up a single word, an app is enough. A dedicated device pays off for people who need these conditions: focus without interruption from notifications, long battery life, combined search across multiple dictionaries such as English-Japanese and classical Japanese, and permission to bring it into class and exams (in some situations phones are banned but electronic dictionaries are allowed). It suits exam candidates and language learners who consult multiple dictionaries every day, for long stretches, with focus.
Casio EX-word or Sharp Brain: which is better?
They differ in character, so choose by purpose. Casio EX-word has many included contents and is strong at "looking things up fast and in volume" through touch and handwriting, while Sharp Brain is strong at letting you use a larger screen freely and learn while writing. For quick lookups in exam prep, choose EX-word; for displaying English text widely to read closely, choose Brain. The feel of lookup is a matter of preference, so it is safest to try both in a store before deciding.
Is a bigger number, like "200 contents included," a better deal?
Not necessarily. The count also includes things like proverb collections and classic texts that you will hardly ever open. What exam candidates look up every day is just a few books: English-Japanese, Japanese-English, English-English, Japanese language, classical Japanese and kanji dictionaries. Choosing by whether the dictionaries you use daily are included, and whether the content suits your intended field, brings higher satisfaction than going by sheer number.
Should I buy an electronic dictionary before entering high school?
It is sound to wait rather than buy ahead. Many high schools arrange electronic dictionaries in bulk at enrollment or designate a model, so buying first can leave you with a duplicate of the designated one. First check at your future school's admission briefing or materials for accepted students whether one is arranged or designated; if there is a designation, follow it in principle, and if purchase is free, choose a commercial model that suits your intended field.
How do school-arranged exclusive models differ from commercial ones?
Exclusive models may have content tailored to that school's curriculum and more thorough support and warranty in case of breakdown. The reassurance that everyone in class can share the same operation is also a benefit. The price can look higher when going through the school arrangement, but the way to think about it is: if you value support, choose the exclusive model; if you want to choose the model and content yourself (at a school with free purchase), choose a commercial one.
How do I read model numbers (XD-SX◯◯ / PW-◯◯)?
For Casio EX-word, the two letters after "XD-" indicate the generation, and the range of the number that follows is a guide to the target model (for example, 2000s = junior high, 4000s = high school, 6000s = professional/university, 9000s = business English, etc.). Even within the same generation, the final digits change the content, such as English-focused or second foreign language. Reading the target from the number range and how new it is from the generation code makes choosing easier, and checking each manufacturer's official site is the surest way to get the latest correspondence.
What should I watch for if I plan to study a second foreign language?
If you might study Chinese, Korean, French, German or similar, choosing a model that includes dictionaries for that language from the start, or one that lets you add them later as extra content, lets one device handle it. If you buy an English-only device, you tend to have to replace it when a second foreign language becomes necessary. It is wise to check expandability (whether additional content is supported) before you start learning.
How do I choose between new, older-model and used?
Because the included dictionaries don't change much in a year, an older-model "new" unit that has gotten cheaper after a new model's release is a very good option. If the difference between generations is only a few more contents or a design change, an older model is often enough. Used units risk staying on old editions of the content and, for rechargeable models, battery degradation, so choose new for long use even at the same price. Consider used only if you can accept putting the lowest cost first.
Which power source is more convenient: batteries or rechargeable?
It depends on use. Battery-powered models, with spare batteries, leave little worry about running out when out and about or at exam venues, and are favored by people who use them for long stretches. Rechargeable (lithium) models are lightweight and need little charging effort. For long use in class or when out, battery-powered offers more reassurance; for people who value light carrying or have a charging habit, rechargeable fits. When not using a battery-powered model for a long time, remove the batteries to prevent leakage.
Can I bring an electronic dictionary into an exam room?
It depends on the type of exam. For exams that uniformly ban devices with communication functions, electronic dictionaries can also be covered. For regular school exams follow your teacher's instructions, and for external exams be sure to check the "permitted items" section of the exam guidelines. Even where they are allowed, you may be required to use only the dictionary functions.
Can I delete included dictionaries myself to reduce them?
Dictionaries that come pre-installed on the device are generally designed so that they cannot be deleted. If unused dictionaries bother you, you can effectively tidy up by excluding them from combined search or rearranging the display order. Whether reordering is possible varies by model, so it is safest to open the settings screen in a store and check.
Can I replace the battery myself when it no longer lasts?
Battery-powered models can be replaced with store-bought batteries, but models with a built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery are basically handled as manufacturer repairs. Opening it yourself voids the warranty and risks damage. If you plan to carry it every day and use it for a long time, checking the power source at the time of purchase is ultimately the surest approach.
Do older models also include the latest edition of the dictionaries?
Not necessarily. In years when a dictionary itself was revised, only the new models may include the new edition. Conversely, a dictionary that wasn't revised has the same content even several generations back. The surest way to check is to compare the included lists of the old and new models by the names of the dictionaries you mainly use.
What should I do if I spill water on it or crack the screen?
First turn off the power, remove the batteries if it is battery-powered, and consult the manufacturer's service desk without turning it on. Trying to dry it with heat is counterproductive. A cracked screen is the most common failure of electronic dictionaries and is often not covered by the normal manufacturer warranty, so it is reassuring to check at purchase whether there is an extended warranty that covers accidental damage.
If I add second foreign language content later, are the device's functions the same?
Basic functions such as search and word lists are available, but for additional content, support for audio or handwriting input may be more limited than in the versions built into the device. Languages with special input methods, such as Cyrillic or Hangul in particular, can be more roundabout to operate because the keyboard has no printed characters. It is a good idea to check the supported scope before adding.
* This article is for reference only. Sale dates, point rates and campaign terms can change, so check each store's official page for the latest details.