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Chinese Android Phones 3 - Read First Post!

145791074

Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 200 ✭✭Paullimerick


    How much is it in euros. And stupid question. How much better than this S5 is it


  • Registered Users Posts: 793 ✭✭✭ImARebel


    glasso wrote: »
    won't you get got for customs from them tho

    as I said the blue one is very nice as the front is still black - works well. I have that one.

    Not with goldway, pay for DHL shipping and they ship it twice. Once to a warehouse inside the EU and then on to you.

    Ordered before from them with no issue


  • Posts: 18,962 [Deleted User]


    How much is it in euros. And stupid question. How much better than this S5 is it

    you can get the 4gb ram/ 64gb storage for about 170 euro.

    faster than s5, nicer more modern build, much longer battery life (2 days realistic for medium use). bigger screen in small body due to smaller bezels on top and sides.would have a better camera than s5. much faster (x2) than s5 in terms of cpu. more ram and storage.
    stock (plain) android so no bloatware apps you don't need and get security updates and new android versions more quickly.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,967 ✭✭✭✭Thargor


    How's the going people. Come ere I'm no genius with phones. Got a Samsung S5. Herself got the S8. Some differences in speed and quality. And no freezing every now and again. I'm looking to change mine. Need. Battery life for a full day anyway. Maps. Have a few apps. No Facebook required.
    What ye think??
    Have a look at the Pocofone thread, it pretty much blows everything else away if you're looking for Samsung spec at Chinese prices.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    The Huawei Mate 10 Pro is on Amazon Germany for €388 which is a great price, it was available earlier for €330.. Raging I missed that, I would definitely have bought it for myself. Now I am hoping it drops again but I'm not sure if it will, even with all the Huawei sales everywhere.
    https://www.amazon.de/Huawei-Smartphone-interner-Speicher-titanium-grau/dp/B076CNDP4J/


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    Xiaomi Mi Max 3 64/4GB | Global Version is on Gearvita for €210.50 with EU priority line shipping using the code XMMax3.

    https://gearvita.com/xiaomi-mi-max-3-4g-smartphone-4gb-ram-64gb-rom-global-version.html

    This is the official global version Google Services installed - The bootloader is locked. The shipping via EU priority line is included in the price and there should be no further customs or import costs.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 25,184 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    Is band 20 on it ?

    Apparently not, I have the Version B, Band 20 is on Version A and C.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 355 ✭✭rosie16


    Hi all,

    I'm thinking of getting either a redmi note 5 or redmi note 6 pro. There doesn't seem to be much of a difference between the two. Is it better to get a phone that has a newer release date?

    Has anyone used gearbest? If I choose expedited shipping does that mean I'll avoid customs?

    ps I want the blue colour.

    https://www.eglobalcentral.eu/xiaomi-redmi-note-5-3gb-32gb-dual-sim-sim-free-unlocked-blue.html

    https://www.gearbest.com/cell-phones/pp_009525616845.html?wid=1349303


  • Posts: 18,962 [Deleted User]


    rosie16 wrote: »
    Hi all,

    I'm thinking of getting either a redmi note 5 or redmi note 6 pro. There doesn't seem to be much of a difference between the two. Is it better to get a phone that has a newer release date?

    Has anyone used gearbest? If I choose expedited shipping does that mean I'll avoid customs?

    ps I want the blue colour.

    https://www.eglobalcentral.eu/xiaomi-redmi-note-5-3gb-32gb-dual-sim-sim-free-unlocked-blue.html

    https://www.gearbest.com/cell-phones/pp_009525616845.html?wid=1349303

    most likely will get hit for customs on gearbest.

    eglobal no customs.

    not much difference. newer design with notch and a better selfie camera.

    another option where you get stock android instead of miui is the mi a2 lite

    https://www.eglobalcentral.eu/xiaomi-mi-a2-lite-3gb-32gb-dual-sim-with-3d-curved-premium-tempered-glass-screen-protector-black-edge-blue.html


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 355 ✭✭rosie16


    glasso wrote: »
    most likely will get hit for customs on gearbest.

    eglobal no customs.

    not much difference. newer design with notch and a better selfie camera.

    another option where you get stock android instead of miui is the mi a2 lite

    https://www.eglobalcentral.eu/xiaomi-mi-a2-lite-3gb-32gb-dual-sim-with-3d-curved-premium-tempered-glass-screen-protector-black-edge-blue.html

    Aren't the processor and the camera better on the note 5 or is the difference negligible? What's the benefit of stock android?


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  • Posts: 18,962 [Deleted User]


    rosie16 wrote: »
    Aren't the processor and the camera better on the note 5 or is the difference negligible? What's the benefit of stock android?

    not much difference in the camera.

    processor a bit better but the 625 runs rapidly on stock android.

    stock android means quicker and longer updates and no bloatware. and security updates.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 190 ✭✭Ould Mr Brennan


    Has anybody used geekbuying.com and their eu warehouses?


  • Posts: 18,962 [Deleted User]


    Has anybody used geekbuying.com and their eu warehouses?

    yes. should get the item in about a week


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 190 ✭✭Ould Mr Brennan


    glasso wrote: »
    yes. should get the item in about a week

    Thanks a lot. I have been looking at this phone as a nice budget phone Meiigoo s9 does anyone have any experience with it?


  • Posts: 18,962 [Deleted User]


    Thanks a lot. I have been looking at this phone as a nice budget phone Meiigoo s9 does anyone have any experience with it?

    never heard of them

    the cpu is pretty weak - only 41,000 on antutu. as a comparison the snapdragoan 625 which I consider the min for phones these days is about 78,000.

    the other thing with smaller companies is that you'll likely never get a software update and the software risks being buggy compared to say Xiaomi (mi) and Huawei (honor) or stock android on android one.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 355 ✭✭rosie16


    glasso wrote: »
    not much difference in the camera.

    processor a bit better but the 625 runs rapidly on stock android.

    stock android means quicker and longer updates and no bloatware. and security updates.

    Thanks you sold me on it. I've put off buying a new smartphone with the last three weeks.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 112 ✭✭Jameswhalley


    Hi all

    Im looking at Coolicool EU

    What's their shipping time from EU like and do they take repairs back in EU ,if you know thanks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    Hi all

    Im looking at Coolicool EU

    What's their shipping time from EU like and do they take repairs back in EU ,if you know thanks

    I just bought from them, it arrived today, ordered on the 9th.
    I'm pretty sure they take repairs etc. By EU law they have to anyway.
    https://www.coolicool.com/product_warranty.html

    They say that they are not responsible for some shipping costs, but paypal refunded returns should avoid that anyway.
    https://www.paypal.com/ie/webapps/mpp/refunded-returns


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    Honor 10 is on Amazon Italy from €329 for 4GB/64GB - https://www.amazon.it/Smartphone-Display-Memoria-Octa-Core-Fotocamera/dp/B07CXHZ2KH/

    The Huawei P20 Pro 6GB/128GB (Unlocked) is on Amazon Italy for €589 - https://www.amazon.it/Huawei-P20-Pro-Twilight-Mono-Sim/dp/B07DK7RW9K/

    Both may be cheaper to ship to UK (PM/PW/AP)

    Differences between the two.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0OX1UHMYAo


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 112 ✭✭Jameswhalley


    Suckit wrote: »
    I just bought from them, it arrived today, ordered on the 9th.
    I'm pretty sure they take repairs etc. By EU law they have to anyway.
    https://www.coolicool.com/product_warranty.html

    They say that they are not responsible for some shipping costs, but paypal refunded returns should avoid that anyway.
    https://www.paypal.com/ie/webapps/mpp/refunded-returns

    Thanks

    Has anyone ordered off gearbest lately ( I know)?

    They seem to have a range of options ,hard to fathom what they all are.


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  • Posts: 18,962 [Deleted User]


    Thanks

    Has anyone ordered off gearbest lately ( I know)?

    They seem to have a range of options ,hard to fathom what they all are.

    No customs unfriendly options for postage if you catch my drift afaik


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,654 ✭✭✭corkie


    [The Verge] Huawei’s Mate 20 Pro is a spec and camera monster

    The Huawei Mate 20 Pro will be available with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage for €1,049 starting today.

    At that price point, your probably better of with the latest pixel?, at least on that you can unlock the bootloader.

    They also have a NEW Nano Memory Card slot, and the only device so for to use it that type of card.

    What is the Huawei NM card used in the Mate 20 phones?

    Specs:- https://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_mate_20_pro-9343.php

    Boards thread: - https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057920218


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,967 ✭✭✭✭Thargor


    corkie wrote: »
    [The Verge] Huawei’s Mate 20 Pro is a spec and camera monster




    At that price point, your probably better of with the latest pixel?, at least on that you can unlock the bootloader.

    They also have a NEW Nano Memory Card slot, and the only device so for to use it that type of card.

    What is the Huawei NM card used in the Mate 20 phones?

    Specs:- https://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_mate_20_pro-9343.php
    Trying to replace MicroSD with proprietary crap nobody wants could pass for an April Fools day article...

    Anyone paying a grand for a phone needs their head examined.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    Thargor wrote: »
    Trying to replace MicroSD with proprietary crap nobody wants could pass for an April Fools day article...

    Anyone paying a grand for a phone needs their head examined.

    You can buy a Llama cheaper :pac:

    Huawei and their sub-brand Honor are having a pretty big sale Europe-wide.

    The Honor Mate 10 Pro and Huawei P20 Pro have both dropped in price by quite a bit.
    The 128GB Mate20 Pro is on sale for around €900 still madness.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 25,184 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    Thanks

    Has anyone ordered off gearbest lately ( I know)?

    They seem to have a range of options ,hard to fathom what they all are.

    All will get pinched by customs, which is fair enough. The only thing I will say is if it is valuable, pay through paypal for insurance and pay for their expedited/insured shipping to speed up the process as its a long wait with the free shipping, if it arrives at all.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    Looks a decent bit of kit but I don't think it has Band 20 from what I can tell?
    glasso wrote: »
    Seems to be there alright but omitted in most descriptions.

    Let us know how you get on. Would be interested in hearing how the camera is also.

    It arrived today via Parcel Wizard, it is shipped using DPD from Germany so I could track it from DPD anyway.

    It does have 4G
    https://imgur.com/a/oVQIWRY

    Will post some pictures when I get the chance, the phone was for a relative, not me (it's a bribe/payment in advance for some help :D) so I will get photos over the next day or so.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 25,184 Mod ✭✭✭✭CramCycle


    CramCycle wrote: »
    Apparently not, I have the Version B, Band 20 is on Version A and C.

    For sh1ts and giggles I mailed Asus to see could they do anything and they said if it's not written on the box, nope. The insert in the box though is related to the A version. I mean I could root it and unlock it but I really have no interest in that and so far no 4g is fine with WiFi in work and home and I apparently don't go anywhere else. I have mailed them back the insert and see do they have an official workaround of its only software


  • Posts: 18,962 [Deleted User]


    Suckit wrote: »
    It arrived today via Parcel Wizard, it is shipped using DPD from Germany so I could track it from DPD anyway.

    It does have 4G
    https://imgur.com/a/oVQIWRY

    Will post some pictures when I get the chance, the phone was for a relative, not me (it's a bribe/payment in advance for some help :D) so I will get photos over the next day or so.

    I'm sure that the 8x has 4g but does it have band 20 (800mhz)?

    there are free radio tester apps on play store - check if it does.

    band 20 used in rural areas usually afaik

    how is the 8x rear camera btw?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,654 ✭✭✭corkie


    glasso wrote: »
    I'm sure that the 8x has 4g but does it have band 20 (800mhz)?

    there are free radio tester apps on play store - check if it does.

    band 20 used in rural areas usually afaik

    how is the 8x rear camera btw?

    Look at the linked screenshot of LTE Discovery app, clearly showing connected with band 20!


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  • Posts: 18,962 [Deleted User]


    corkie wrote: »
    Look at the linked screenshot of LTE Discovery app, clearly showing connected with band 20!

    cool.

    camera?

    overall impressions? what colour did you get?


  • Registered Users Posts: 51 ✭✭skyblueflyer


    Hi There,

    I'm replacing a Samsung Galaxy S6, camera would be high in my priority. This is my first time going with a chinese phone, I have been looking at the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 and red the full thread on it, but now I'm seeing that maybe there are other phones with better cameara.

    I have kinda been looking at the pocophone F1, A2. But at this stage my head is getting fried!! Can someone recommend one that would be somewhere around 200-350? Thanks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    Hi There,

    I'm replacing a Samsung Galaxy S6, camera would be high in my priority. This is my first time going with a chinese phone, I have been looking at the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 and red the full thread on it, but now I'm seeing that maybe there are other phones with better cameara.

    I have kinda been looking at the pocophone F1, A2. But at this stage my head is getting fried!! Can someone recommend one that would be somewhere around 200-350? Thanks

    Pocophone camera is bad..

    People will link to others over the next day or so, but the pocophone camera is bad.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,367 ✭✭✭X6.430macman


    Suckit wrote:
    People will link to others over the next day or so, but the pocophone camera is bad.


    Is it that bad? Would it be better than say a redmi note 4?


  • Posts: 18,962 [Deleted User]


    Is it that bad? Would it be better than say a redmi note 4?

    better than that but still not great.

    the honor 10 might be a decent option - somebody had it linked for €330 there the other day

    actually 309 here on amazon germany

    https://www.amazon.de/Smartphone-Touch-Display-interner-Speicher-Frontkamera-Schwarz/dp/B07CMSTFKQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=telephone&ie=UTF8&qid=1540138275&sr=1-2&keywords=honor+10


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    glasso wrote: »
    better than that but still not great.

    the honor 10 might be a decent option - somebody had it linked for €330 there the other day

    actually 309 here on amazon germany

    https://www.amazon.de/Smartphone-Touch-Display-interner-Speicher-Frontkamera-Schwarz/dp/B07CMSTFKQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=telephone&ie=UTF8&qid=1540138275&sr=1-2&keywords=honor+10


    Huge honor/Huawei sale happening in the coming weeks, to launch all the new phones worldwide.

    Maybe hold off.

    They are on sale in Europe at minute, but sale expected to be bigger, not sure if I would wait or buy now.

    Price shouldn't be much different in any case. (It's not going up).


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  • Posts: 18,962 [Deleted User]


    Suckit wrote: »
    Huge honor/Huawei sale happening in the coming weeks, to launch all the new phones worldwide.

    Maybe hold off.

    They are on sale in Europe at minute, but sale expected to be bigger, not sure if I would wait or buy now.

    Price shouldn't be much different in any case. (It's not going up).

    don't see it dropping much further tbh if at all


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,625 ✭✭✭wmpdd3


    wmpdd3 wrote: »
    I'm pretty much in the same boat, if I was loaded, I'd be buying a P20, but I'm not so I'm looking at the Xiaomi Mi A2.

    https://www.honorbuy.com/1512-xiaomi-mi-a2-official-global-version-4gb-ram-64gb-smartphone-blue.html#/option-global_version_464gb_blue



    It seems to get the best camera reviews. I have a DSLR so only looking for something for good snaps, but coming from the Moto G5 with Opencamera installed, anything would be an improvement.


    Bit of an update, I went ahead and ordered the Mi A2, 64g global version from the Amazon Spanish site. It was delivered last Thursday and I absolutely love it. I have all the apps I could every want installed and I have 40gigs left.

    The phone is beautiful and the camera is just amazing, I can't fault it. Def comparable to my friend's p20.

    You just can't go wrong. All in all a I paid 228 Euro.


  • Registered Users Posts: 51 ✭✭skyblueflyer


    glasso wrote: »
    better than that but still not great.

    the honor 10 might be a decent option - somebody had it linked for €330 there the other day

    actually 309 here on amazon germany

    https://www.amazon.de/Smartphone-Touch-Display-interner-Speicher-Frontkamera-Schwarz/dp/B07CMSTFKQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=telephone&ie=UTF8&qid=1540138275&sr=1-2&keywords=honor+10

    Are all xiaomi cameras that bad? Would any of them be similar to that of the samsung s6? Just getting more confused had decided on getting a xoaomi.

    Thanks for the help


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 771 ✭✭✭breeno


    The camera on the Xiaomi Mi 8 has excellent reviews and is in the top 10 phone cameras in the world according to Dxomark. They rate it the same score as the S9 and ahead of the pixel 2.

    See https://www.dxomark.com/category/mobile-reviews/

    Im tempted by it myself but the notch and a lack of notification bar has me divided!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    breeno wrote: »
    The camera on the Xiaomi Mi 8 has excellent reviews and is in the top 10 phone cameras in the world according to Dxomark. They rate it the same score as the S9 and ahead of the pixel 2.

    See https://www.dxomark.com/category/mobile-reviews/

    Im tempted by it myself but the notch and a lack of notification bar has me divided!

    They don't tend to include Vivo or Oppo (for example). But it is probably the best phone for the low price at the minute.
    Crazy price for what you get. And great camera.
    Some Honor meet it. But not sure for the price.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 596 ✭✭✭Conservative


    Hi There,

    I'm replacing a Samsung Galaxy S6, camera would be high in my priority. This is my first time going with a chinese phone, I have been looking at the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 and red the full thread on it, but now I'm seeing that maybe there are other phones with better cameara.

    I have kinda been looking at the pocophone F1, A2. But at this stage my head is getting fried!! Can someone recommend one that would be somewhere around 200-350? Thanks

    Looks like you've decided against it already but having changed from an S7 the RMN5 camera is probably the most budget feature of the phone.

    Brilliant otherwise but if you want a quality camera I'd definitely look elsewhere.

    Should be quite a few S6 v Chinese phones comparison vids on YouTube.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,654 ✭✭✭corkie


    Xiaomi officially launching in Ireland on November 1st

    Wonder what devices and cost involved with three?

    corkie wrote: »
    Don't get too excited, when launched in Denmark, they only had a limited range at an inflated prices tied to 6 month contract.

    See here:- https://www.boards.ie/ttfthread/2057872245/1#post108012511


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,332 ✭✭✭fixXxer


    Ugh, Three Network... Although I suppose for the right price I could switch...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,654 ✭✭✭corkie


    fixxxer wrote: »
    Ugh, Three Network... Although I suppose for the right price I could switch...

    Don't get too excited, when launched in Denmark, they only had a limited range at an inflated prices tied to 6 month contract.

    See here:- https://www.boards.ie/ttfthread/2057872245/1#post108012511


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,332 ✭✭✭fixXxer


    Yeah, that's not the right price for me to switch :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 771 ✭✭✭breeno


    Probably related to the above news but it now looks like Xiaomi are officially launching in the UK on November 8th. Could be interesting to see the prices there as it would certainly make delivery a bit easier.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,654 ✭✭✭corkie


    breeno wrote: »
    Probably related to the above news but it now looks like Xiaomi are officially launching in the UK on November 8th. Could be interesting to see the prices there as it would certainly make delivery a bit easier.

    Probably should have shared that info as well, it is bigger in the UK, not just phones but other products as well. With an Xiaomi Store opening.

    https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/xiaomi-uk-launch-news/
    Exactly what it will launch in the U.K. is unknown, but to make a splash, it will likely introduce either a brand new device or one which has so far not launched outside China. The Mi Store will open in the Westfield shopping center in White City, which is the largest shopping center in Europe, ensuring Xiaomi receives a considerable amount of attention.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,211 ✭✭✭✭Suckit


    Hopefully it will make people notice other brands. (Not to take from Xiaomi, they're already in Tesco and many UK stores),

    I hope it drops the Chinese store prices, which have become very high.


  • Registered Users Posts: 124 ✭✭TheYardStick


    Got a Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite a couple of days ago and it’s been a bit of a nightmare so far. Lovely build, great battery life and snappy enough for anything I’d be using it for, camera’s crap but not something I’d worry to much about. Having awful trouble getting a decent signal with it though. I’m living rurally but never had any trouble getting 4G with my previous phone, a OnePlus 3T, but it’s an absolute no-go with this. 3G speeds are shocking too. Anyone else had trouble with this phone, or any Xiaomi phone on the Three network?

    I’m not sure if the antennas are bad or I’m doing something wrong, but I’m nearly ready to write it off already. I got it from Amazon, so returning it should be straightforward enough and then I might take my chances with an Honor 8x.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,654 ✭✭✭corkie


    Got a Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite a couple of days ago and it’s been a bit of a nightmare so far. Lovely build, great battery life and snappy enough for anything I’d be using it for, camera’s crap but not something I’d worry to much about. Having awful trouble getting a decent signal with it though. I’m living rurally but never had any trouble getting 4G with my previous phone, a OnePlus 3T, but it’s an absolute no-go with this. 3G speeds are shocking too. Anyone else had trouble with this phone, or any Xiaomi phone on the Three network?

    I’m not sure if the antennas are bad or I’m doing something wrong, but I’m nearly ready to write it off already. I got it from Amazon, so returning it should be straightforward enough and then I might take my chances with an Honor 8x.

    How old is your sim card, if it is a few years old, you may need to get it replaced.

    Also check your preferred network in your APN Settings.

    Three's coverage in rural areas can be poor at times, check the Three forums and see if anyone else in your area is having problems?


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