Chinese Android Phones 2 - Read First Post!

Iseedeadpixels · 06-09-2016 02:35PM

So an post informed me that I should receive my phone on Thursday or Friday......They received it Saturday but apparently it takes them that long to process....funny that it should have been delivered to Northern Ireland instead....Antelife wont be getting business from me again, even gearbest are faster!

rickyjb · 06-09-2016 04:31PM

vonny232 wrote: »

Hi Folks,
Since I need to save some cash (and due to the uninspiring lineup of mid to high end smartphones here), I started looking at Chinese smartphones instead.

In particular I am looking at the Xiaomi Mi5 which has some superb reviews and specs.

I have a few questions:
1) What are peoples general opinion about this handset?
2) I was thinking of the middle offering 64gb version. Should I push the boat out and get the Ceramic "Pro" version?
3) If I import from China, how much would I be stung for import duty? I can get it around 310- 350 from China inc postage.
4) However, I can get it for $414 ( 370) from Honorbuy which is a Xiaomi reseller with an EU warehouse (so no import duty).

I am also open to other handsets of a similar price if anyone has any suggestions.

Thanks in advance

I have the middle 64 gb 3gb model and am very happy with it so far. Few minor issues with the OS (some annoying adware has recently appeared that I'm pretty sure I didn't install so must have come with the phone) but the hardware and speed of the phone in general is definitely flagship standard. Battery lasts a full 2 days with light to moderate use and the fingerprint scanner works much better than I thought it would.

I also paid 370 delivered from an EU warehouse, bought it from oppomart. Took about 2 weeks to arrive which wasn't too bad.

The other thing about is is that it's very light. Screen is great, goes from very dim to very very bright. And I think the camera is fine despite some reviews saying it was poor, I've gotten some nice pictures with it.

If it's in your budget I'd say go for it, you (probably) won't regret it.

eoinpower02 · 06-09-2016 07:38PM

rickyjb wrote:

I also paid 370 delivered from an EU warehouse, bought it from oppomart. Took about 2 weeks to arrive which wasn't too bad.

I paid 280 for the 32gb from ever buying that's coming from China though

r3nu4l · 06-09-2016 09:18PM

So I'm looking at the Elephone P9000 to replace my beloved first gen Moto G.

I understand that the biggest issue with the phone is that it's hit and miss as to whether you get a phone with a stable SIM tray but I'll be buying from Amazon so at least returning it for a replacement should be easy enough.

Couple of questions:
Is the elephone P9000 rooted out of the box? I thought I read somewhere that it was. If so, are there apps (Netflix, TuneIn radio, YouTube, AIB, etc., that won't work with a rooted phone?

Is there another near-stock Android phone out there with similar specs, that might be better, costing in and around the same as the Elephone P9000?

Does it come with a UK/IRL charger if ordered from Amazon?

Thought about the MotoG 4th Gen as a safe bet but the P9000 specs are very tempting.

Kilboor · 07-09-2016 08:21AM

r3nu4l wrote: »

So I'm looking at the Elephone P9000 to replace my beloved first gen Moto G.

I understand that the biggest issue with the phone is that it's hit and miss as to whether you get a phone with a stable SIM tray but I'll be buying from Amazon so at least returning it for a replacement should be easy enough.

Couple of questions:
Is the elephone P9000 rooted out of the box? I thought I read somewhere that it was. If so, are there apps (Netflix, TuneIn radio, YouTube, AIB, etc., that won't work with a rooted phone?

Is there another near-stock Android phone out there with similar specs, that might be better, costing in and around the same as the Elephone P9000?

Does it come with a UK/IRL charger if ordered from Amazon?

Thought about the MotoG 4th Gen as a safe bet but the P9000 specs are very tempting.

UMI Super has the same specs but a bigger battery and completely stock Android, and it's also cheaper.

The effects of this? It weighs an extra 50 grams and is a millimeter or more thicker.

Kilboor · 07-09-2016 09:24AM

Actually speaking of UMi.

The UMi Plus was announced last night:

http://www.umidigi.com/

Looks pretty good

savemejebus · 07-09-2016 10:00AM

Kilboor wrote: »

Actually speaking of UMi.

The UMi Plus was announced last night:

http://www.umidigi.com/

Looks pretty good

I think customs are going to have a field day intercepting and destroying all they can get their hands on of those.

Kilboor · 07-09-2016 10:02AM

savemejebus wrote: »

I think customs are going to have a field day intercepting and destroying all they can get their hands on of those.

Apple don't have exclusivity on rounded edges!

HereFor · 07-09-2016 10:10AM

Any suggestions for a rugged, construction site friendly Android? Won't get particularly heavy use, user friendly as possible (for the old man).

savemejebus · 07-09-2016 10:56AM

Kilboor wrote: »

Apple don't have exclusivity on rounded edges!

While it wouldn't surprise me if they did have some patent about the design, the fact that I didn't mention Apple yet you automatically identified the design as apple-like is where the problem begins and, if customs err on the side of caution, ends.

GBX · 07-09-2016 11:03AM

savemejebus wrote: »

While it wouldn't surprise me if they did have some patent about the design, the fact that I didn't mention Apple yet you automatically identified the design as apple-like is where the problem begins and, if customs err on the side of caution, ends.

There are loads of phones which are near identical but there have been no destroying of them. Design the Umi Plus doesn't differ to the P9000 by much yet they still ship with no issue with customs.

Kilboor · 07-09-2016 11:15AM

savemejebus wrote: »

While it wouldn't surprise me if they did have some patent about the design, the fact that I didn't mention Apple yet you automatically identified the design as apple-like is where the problem begins and, if customs err on the side of caution, ends.

It's not a clone, Customs will not destroy it.

54and56 · 07-09-2016 11:38AM

Kilboor wrote: »

Actually speaking of UMi.

The UMi Plus was announced last night:

http://www.umidigi.com/

Looks pretty good

Looks a seriously well executed phone for under €200. Apparently you can order it for a discounted "pre order" price of $179.99 on the Umi website later today.

I'll be keeping an eye on it for sure. At that price I'll definitely jump in.

Kilboor · 07-09-2016 11:41AM

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Looks a seriously well executed phone for under €200. Apparently you can order it for a discounted "pre order" price of $179.99 on the Umi website later today.

I'll be keeping an eye on it for sure. At that price I'll definitely jump in.

My only complaint with it would be the front mounted fingerprint scanner. I prefer the rear setup.

eamonnq · 07-09-2016 11:50AM

Je_suis_Jean wrote: »

Looks a seriously well executed phone for under €200. Apparently you can order it for a discounted "pre order" price of $179.99 on the Umi website later today.

I'll be keeping an eye on it for sure. At that price I'll definitely jump in.

I'd be inclined to wait until the first batch is released and see how people get on with them.

Digital Solitude · 07-09-2016 01:42PM

Hong Kong Goldway looking for €100 to fix my X800 Aaron, had you any luck with yours? Considering asking for it back

aaronm13 · 07-09-2016 06:00PM

Digital Solitude wrote: »

Hong Kong Goldway looking for €100 to fix my X800 Aaron, had you any luck with yours? Considering asking for it back

Yeah, just got my new screen yesterday. Think it was about 35 euro and got it within a week to parcel motel. Had to by the adhesive backing off a different seller so still waiting for that. Can't comment on the quality of the screen but looks like the real deal. 100 euro is crazy money as it looks so simple to replace.

Digital Solitude · 07-09-2016 06:18PM

aaronm13 wrote: »

Yeah, just got my new screen yesterday. Think it was about 35 euro and got it within a week to parcel motel. Had to by the adhesive backing off a different seller so still waiting for that. Can't comment on the quality of the screen but looks like the real deal. 100 euro is crazy money as it looks so simple to replace.

Well they have to pay a guy to do it, also has to pay a guy to look at the phone, and if they **** it up they owe me a new phone I'm pretty sure. Might just buy my own one then so, can you post me your links please?

aaronm13 · 07-09-2016 10:00PM

Digital Solitude wrote: »

Well they have to pay a guy to do it, also has to pay a guy to look at the phone, and if they **** it up they owe me a new phone I'm pretty sure. Might just buy my own one then so, can you post me your links please?

This is the screen, actually cheaper than I remembered too. As I said haven't tried it yet but looks good, well packaged and fast delivery

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32576491625.html?aff_click_id=89f6a8ff0589430580dbaea3e5ebaccb-1468261048007-07518-2u6jmaU&aff_platform=y

This is the sticker to fit the screen to the phone. This seller has the screen too but had some bad reviews about it so that's why I went with the other seller

https://m.aliexpress.com/item/32657292002.html?aff_click_id=89f6a8ff0589430580dbaea3e5ebaccb-1468261048007-07518-2u6jmaU&aff_platform=y

jfk247 · 08-09-2016 08:37AM

Does anyone know typically how long it takes customs to process a package?
Ordered Elephone P9000 from Banggood on the 19th August...hardly dealing with an early Christmas rush!!!!

Current Status
ITEM SENT TO CUSTOMS DUBLIN MAIL CENTRE DUBLIN 12 01-Sep-16 10:12

Drexel · 08-09-2016 09:44AM

Got the redmi pro today but they never installed google play for me.

Any ideas what I can do. Anyone have a link to a guide to flash the phone or something like that?

eamonnq · 08-09-2016 09:49AM

jfk247 wrote: »

Does anyone know typically how long it takes customs to process a package?
Ordered Elephone P9000 from Banggood on the 19th August...hardly dealing with an early Christmas rush!!!!

Current Status
ITEM SENT TO CUSTOMS DUBLIN MAIL CENTRE DUBLIN 12 01-Sep-16 10:12

drop them an email with your tracking number, they usually respond fairly quickly.

rickyjb · 08-09-2016 10:35AM

eoinpower02 wrote: »

rickyjb wrote:

I also paid 370 delivered from an EU warehouse, bought it from oppomart. Took about 2 weeks to arrive which wasn't too bad.

I paid 280 for the 32gb from ever buying that's coming from China though

Good for you

I wanted the extra storage and the global ROM so I was happy to pay a bit more.

r3nu4l · 08-09-2016 11:01AM

Kilboor wrote: »

UMI Super has the same specs but a bigger battery and completely stock Android, and it's also cheaper.

The effects of this? It weighs an extra 50 grams and is a millimeter or more thicker.

So does anyone here own a Umi super? It looks good but the reviews I'm reading mention poor GPS and poor camera, despite the 13 MP designation. I couldn't live with that. I might try my luck with getting an telephone P9000 and how I get one with a stable sim tray.

Any other recommendations in the 200 to 250€ mark, stock android?

eamonnq · 08-09-2016 11:12AM

r3nu4l wrote: »

So does anyone here own a Umi super? It looks good but the reviews I'm reading mention poor GPS and poor camera, despite the 13 MP designation. I couldn't live with that. I might try my luck with getting an telephone P9000 and how I get one with a stable sim tray.

Any other recommendations in the 200 to 250€ mark, stock android?

Think it is only 'presell' at the moment, I would wait for genuine reviews (preferably ones that don't have links to Gearbest!!) too.

corkie · 08-09-2016 12:00PM

Drexel wrote: »

Got the redmi pro today but they never installed google play for me.

Any ideas what I can do. Anyone have a link to a guide to flash the phone or something like that?

Can't find the official roms for it yet.

But for google play you can install it yourself :-
https://www.reddit.com/r/Xiaomi/wiki/misc/googleplay

There is also an xiaomi.eu rom available for it, if you have unlocked your bootloader, see above wiki link.

r3nu4l · 08-09-2016 12:29PM

eamonnq wrote: »

Think it is only 'presell' at the moment, I would wait for genuine reviews (preferably ones that don't have links to Gearbest!!) too.

There are verified purchase reviews on Amazon UK. Also, won't be buying from gearbest anyway, whatever happens.

eamonnq · 08-09-2016 12:37PM

r3nu4l wrote: »

There are verified purchase reviews on Amazon UK. Also, won't be buying from gearbest anyway, whatever happens.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B01G9ZHH5A/ref=cm_cr_dp_see_all_btm?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=recent

2 stars (because of the screen protector presumably)??
"There is nothing wrong with the product. However UMI Super has a curve surface at the edges so the two vertical sides have an air gap of 2 to 3mm. The worse part is the hard class also have an air gap at the middle of the front camera and had to throw it away after a day.

Not blaming the product itself but the one supplied with the phone had
exactly the same problem. Thought this one could be better but no joy,"

and another 2 star

The screen protector is unuseless. I throw it up after 2 hours. Simply the size of the screen protector is uncorrect. To big for the screen of the phone with the 2.5D curve at the edges.
The screen protector does not stick at the edges

3 stars (because the 2 pin - 3 pin adaptor did not work??
Hey. I received the my purchase however the 3 pin adapter you sent with the cable charger does not work.

Phone seems fine ??!!

r3nu4l · 08-09-2016 01:22PM

eamonnq wrote: »

Phone seems fine ??!!

You need to dig deeper...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/reviews/B01G8JI9OA/ref=cm_cr_arp_mb_paging_btm_2?ie=UTF8&s=sd&sortBy=sd&pageNumber=2

Verified Purchase
There is a lot to like about this phone. It looks and feels like a premium product with its bezel-less aluminium case, gorilla glass HD screen and reassuring weight. It has an excellent battery life too with 2 days just about achievable from moderate use. The specification is impressive with 32GB storage which can be cheaply expanded (e.g. 64GB micro SD is under £15), 4GB RAM and 64bit octa core 2.0GHz processor making it quick enough for most users. Fast-charging (charger supplied) and fingerprint scanner all add to the satisfaction that you've purchased a bargain.

So why only 2 stars? Well things start to go a little wrong when using the camera. In my opinion this is a bit of a let-down particularly in low-light and over distance where shots look grainy and a little pixelated. I also found colours a little washed-out when taking outdoor shots. My old Nexus 5 took better photographs.

However the biggest disappointment and the main reason for 2 stars is the GPS unit which is unbelievably hopeless. Despite using high-accuracy and downloading various tools from the app store to recalibrate the compass plus pitch and roll then resetting A-GPS, the unit refused to maintain a lock on satellites for any usable period of time. The slightest obstacle between it and the sky such as an overhanging twig would cause it to lose signal. At best it would see around 21 satellites but only lock onto 6 or 7 at a push. As a result navigation using Google Maps or Waze becomes a nightmare with the unit constantly instructing you to make turns into side roads because it’s placed the car in a location around 100 metres away from where it actually is. Around tall buildings it refuses to lock onto any satellites at all. Had I taken the phone apart it would have come as no surprise to discover the GPS antenna had been replaced with an old bit of chicken-wire.

Regrettably I had to return the phone to Amazon who as usual in cases like this were great. I replaced it with a Moto X Style which although around £90 more has a decent GPS unit that works perfectly while navigating. The camera takes much better photos too.

In summary if you’re a gamer, web surfer or video watcher then this could be the phone for you as at this price little else comes close and the spec should satisfy you. However anyone wanting to get some decent shots for the family album or navigate from A to B without diversions through X, Y and Z then perhaps you should consider spending a little more and look elsewhere.

There are more reviews like this.

eamonnq · 08-09-2016 01:23PM

Yes, I was genuinely saying that the phone does seem fine, but the reviewers are giving the phone poor ratings because of the 'accessories'.

Chinese Android Phones 2 - Read First Post!

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