Chinese Android Phones 2 - Read First Post!

howdoyouknow · 13-05-2017 06:12PM

X6.430macman wrote:

So some devices that are the same model may have band 20 and another may not?

Yeah Xiaomi make a few different variants of some models of there phones. Honorbuy have a section on there drop down menu for xiaomi global version devices. All these have band 20.

jozi · 13-05-2017 06:23PM

Does global version not mean it has a global rom?

howdoyouknow · 13-05-2017 06:29PM

jozi wrote:

Does global version not mean it has a global rom?[/quote

It depends on the site. Some phones have global ROM but do not have band 20 (800 MHz 4g for rural areas). On the honorbuy site the section of xiaomi global version are all xiaomis devices with band 20.

You don't necessarily need band 20 as the phone will still work fine with 3g and gsm but if your paying for 4g with your network you might as well take advantage of it.

ED E · 13-05-2017 06:30PM

The terminology is normal GLOBAL ROM and INTERNATIONAL VERSION.

#15 · 13-05-2017 08:43PM

howdoyouknow wrote: »

I've used them to. No problems with them. They have the Global versions with band 20 of the redmi 4x and redmi 4x note.

I'd take the note 4x over the note 4 because replacement screen are readily available for it should you ever drop your phone.

The note 4 global version is on paper the exact same phone as the note 4x global version but I can't find anywhere online that does parts for it or that could confirm that both phones parts are interchangeable

Very informative post, thank you. I'm currently deciding between these two phones. Have you used both devices?

Is there anything else of note lacking in the 4x in comparison with the Note 4?

edit: I've read that the 4x does not have Wi-Fi 802.11ac, is this a significant negative? Would it affect day to day use? I don't know much about the technical side of things!

ED E · 13-05-2017 09:22PM

.11AC vs .11N is just a speed difference. If your home internet connection is greater than 200Mb then in theory it matters, but in practice nobody downloads 20GB files on their phone so its not very relevant.

howdoyouknow · 13-05-2017 10:06PM

#15 wrote:

Very informative post, thank you. I'm currently deciding between these two phones. Have you used both devices?

#15 wrote:

Is there anything else of note lacking in the 4x in comparison with the Note 4?

#15 wrote:

edit: I've read that the 4x does not have Wi-Fi 802.11ac, is this a significant negative? Would it affect day to day use? I don't know much about the technical side of things!

There are two different 4x global versions. Theres the redmi 4x which is a 5" screen device and the redmi note 4x with is the 5.5" screen. The note 4x is the better specced device on paper. Its got a better camera sensor and faster processor among other things plus the navigation buttons are backlit on the note models. I don't think they are on the 5" 4x.
I think the general consensus is that the note is the better and more popular device.

I've never used either of these models but have had both their predecessor's the redmi note 3 and redmi 3 pro and in daily use I didn't notice any difference in performance.
The main differences to the advantage of the note was backlight navigation buttons and dual band 2.4ghz & 5ghz WiFi.

I preferred the size of the 5" redmi 3 pro and still use it. I've rooted it and have the navbar buttons on screen now so they are backlit.

If and when I change my redmi 3 pro I think I will get the redmi 4x as opposed to the redmi note 4x purely on size again. The. 5.5" note models aren't much bigger in hand but feel a lot bulkier when in your trouser pocket.

#15 · 13-05-2017 11:06PM

ED E wrote: »

.11AC vs .11N is just a speed difference. If your home internet connection is greater than 200Mb then in theory it matters, but in practice nobody downloads 20GB files on their phone so its not very relevant.

Thanks, I was wondering how significant it was. It's not relevant at all in my case!

#15 · 13-05-2017 11:12PM

howdoyouknow wrote: »

There are two different 4x global versions.

Again, thanks. I hadn't noticed this, and I was confused when websites showed different specs for what I thought were the same 4x devices.

Theres the redmi 4x which is a 5" screen device and the redmi note 4x with is the 5.5" screen. The note 4x is the better specced device on paper. Its got a better camera sensor and faster processor among other things plus the navigation buttons are backlit on the note models. I don't think they are on the 5" 4x.
I think the general consensus is that the note is the better and more popular device.

One last thing, how does the 4x and the note 4x compare to the note 4?

https://www.honorbuy.com/1070-xiaomi-redmi-note-4-international-version-32gb-gray.html

They all seem to have band 20, which is a factor for me.

But unless I'm missing something obvious, from looking at comparisons on Kimovil they are all pretty similar and it comes down to personal preference.

howdoyouknow · 13-05-2017 11:39PM

#15 wrote:

One last thing, how does the 4x and the note 4x compare to the note 4?

The note 4x global version with band 20 and the note 4 global version with band 20 look to be the same device but I'd asked a few sellers and asked on a few forums if this was the case and no one could confirm this. Either of these would be slightly better specced than the 4x global version.

Main thing is to be careful when ordering as there are so many sellers selling phones as global versions because they have a global ROM. Some sites list the phones with ban 20 as international editions or Taiwan version.

The devils in the detail just be sure to thoroughly read the item description before ordering anything.

Xiaomi produce too many different variants of there devices making it very confusing for the end consumer. Its a fast learning curve but you'll be happy with your phone when you get it.

#15 · 14-05-2017 12:53AM

Thanks, I think I will go ahead with the one listed in the link above. I'll post again when I receive the device.

Trond · 15-05-2017 03:30PM

Anyone recommend anything better than this that ships from the EU in the €200 bracket?

https://www.honorbuy.com/1105-xiaomi-redmi-note-4-international-version-64gb-gray.html

Wombatman · 15-05-2017 03:44PM

Trond wrote: »

Anyone recommend anything better than this that ships from the EU in the €200 bracket?

https://www.honorbuy.com/1105-xiaomi-redmi-note-4-international-version-64gb-gray.html

https://www.honorbuy.com/761-letv-le-max2-32gb-rom-smartphone-rose-gold.html

Trond · 15-05-2017 04:15PM

Wombatman wrote: »

https://www.honorbuy.com/761-letv-le-max2-32gb-rom-smartphone-rose-gold.html

It made it into the last 3 id narrowed it down to tbf. I have an issue with that battery V's that spec screen... plus the lack of storage is my main issue so rules it out for me. Shame as it looks a really nice device.

Isn't there some concerns with that company going bust or something as well?

Trond · 16-05-2017 11:37AM

Decided to up my budget to €300. Bought the Xiaomi Mi5s 3GB 64GB from Honorbuy's EU warehouse. Bought the official smart cover as well. €304 delivered with no taxes. Happy with that given I couldn't wait for the slow boat.

Anyone with any hands on experience, looks a lovely phone...

Wombatman · 16-05-2017 11:44AM

Trond wrote: »

Decided to up my budget to €300. Bought the Xiaomi Mi5s 3GB 64GB from Honorbuy's EU warehouse. Bought the official smart cover as well. €304 delivered with no taxes. Happy with that given I couldn't wait for the slow boat.

Anyone with any hands on experience, looks a lovely phone...

Nice phone. Nice to have NFC. Always good to have LTE band 20 in Ireland though. Does it have FM radio?

Trond · 16-05-2017 11:57AM

Wombatman wrote: »

Nice phone. Nice to have NFC. Always good to have LTE band 20 in Ireland though. Does it have FM radio?

No Im pretty sure none of the Mi5 range have FM radios. Not an issue for me in the slightest. Always the digital route if im stuck I suppose....

Feckoffcup · 16-05-2017 01:02PM

Im looking at the xiaomi mi5, if anyone has any experience with it please post them. Im wary about the reliability and tech support for chinese phones in general.

rejkin · 16-05-2017 06:04PM

Just got the xiaomi Redmi note four delivered today from honorbuy.
So far so good! Great screen,very responsive and quite a light phone for the size.
The 4g works perfectly on it thankfully.
The main screen on the operating system miui is a bit different to normal android that I'm used to,not too fond of it yet but I'll keep it for a while.
One thing that is weird is when I go to set the region it doesn't have Ireland or with the UK on it,anyone run into that issue? Doesn't seem to affect anything but still.

dabbler2004 · 16-05-2017 06:47PM

rejkin wrote: »

Just got the xiaomi Redmi note four delivered today from honorbuy.
So far so good! Great screen,very responsive and quite a light phone for the size.
The 4g works perfectly on it thankfully.
The main screen on the operating system miui is a bit different to normal android that I'm used to,not too fond of it yet but I'll keep it for a while.
One thing that is weird is when I go to set the region it doesn't have Ireland or with the UK on it,anyone run into that issue? Doesn't seem to affect anything but still.

I've got one too, have it a couple of weeks. I followed the advice of previous posters about the region and just set it to Spain. You may have to adjust the time back an hour after selecting Spain but it's no big deal.
Miui doesn't have an app drawer, all the apps are listed on each screen. Nova launcher was also recommended earlier in the thread and I've found it to be pretty good.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.teslacoilsw.launcher

recyclops · 16-05-2017 06:48PM

Hey, what's the general timeframe customs take to release a phone. Mine is stuck there a few days it seems.

ED E · 16-05-2017 06:49PM

recyclops wrote: »

Hey, what's the general timeframe customs take to release a phone. Mine is stuck there a few days it seems.

Email your invoice to dmc@revenue.ie

X6.430macman · 16-05-2017 06:49PM

rejkin wrote:

Just got the xiaomi Redmi note four delivered today from honorbuy. So far so good! Great screen,very responsive and quite a light phone for the size. The 4g works perfectly on it thankfully. The main screen on the operating system miui is a bit different to normal android that I'm used to,not too fond of it yet but I'll keep it for a while. One thing that is weird is when I go to set the region it doesn't have Ireland or with the UK on it,anyone run into that issue? Doesn't seem to affect anything but still.

Does it have band 20 and what gb is it?

rejkin · 16-05-2017 07:32PM

X6.430macman wrote: »

Does it have band 20 and what gb is it?

I got the global version,it has band 20 and is the 4gb ram,64gb version. I made sure that band 20 was outlined in the phones description.

Trond · 16-05-2017 07:53PM

rejkin wrote: »

Just got the xiaomi Redmi note four delivered today from honorbuy.
So far so good! Great screen,very responsive and quite a light phone for the size.
The 4g works perfectly on it thankfully.
The main screen on the operating system miui is a bit different to normal android that I'm used to,not too fond of it yet but I'll keep it for a while.
One thing that is weird is when I go to set the region it doesn't have Ireland or with the UK on it,anyone run into that issue? Doesn't seem to affect anything but still.

Used them today. How long did it take you to receive? I used the EU DHL/EMS option.

rejkin · 16-05-2017 08:07PM

Trond wrote: »

Used them today. How long did it take you to receive? I used the EU DHL/EMS option.

Ordered it Sunday,got it this morning.

X6.430macman · 16-05-2017 09:51PM

rejkin wrote:

Ordered it Sunday,got it this morning.

Wow that is quick..what was the postage for it?

Iseedeadpixels · 17-05-2017 09:25AM

It's that time again.......

Took a gamble on the Umi Touch here

92 Euro in total! customs should be 20ish, most eu warehouses have it at 149 etc, sure I could sell my Galaxy Note 3 for more.

Liked the fact it can be flashed to different OS easily and apparently has a seperate GPS receiver, decent battery and a processor which wont eat it.....mostly was the price, I had the Umi super before and cracked the screen...actually its still at home:pac: thought the coverage wasnt great, turns out its my jobs location

GBX · 17-05-2017 09:34AM

Good deal that. Nice spot

RossieMan · 17-05-2017 10:33AM

Does any of the xiaomi phones support android pay though? I know there's a load of issues with any phone from China. No root, no custom ROMs, etc.

I'd like to know which support it before I park on the NFC boat.

Chinese Android Phones 2 - Read First Post!

Comments