Chinese Android Phones

Barr · 28-07-2014 8:56pm

spix wrote: »

Play store pre installed and multilanguage rom is what most sellers do by default as their main customers are from non native english speaking countries and xiaomi phones only come with chinese and english. If you only need english then get the original rom (unless you want it rooted then the 3rd option). Play store is easily to install by yourself on xiaomi phones and the rom is the official one so likely to be more stable.

Another place to consider is ibuygou.com, they are easily the most popular place to buy xiaomi phones.

Ps, look what I found in my postbox

I was always tempted by the ZenFone , let us know what its like. One of very view phones with an intel chip

Sam Mac · 28-07-2014 8:56pm

Just spotted the battery size. Too small alright. Anyone know when the OnePlus One will be available to buy from their site?

spix · 28-07-2014 9:05pm

Sam Mac wrote: »

Just spotted the battery size. Too small alright. Anyone know when the OnePlus One will be available to buy from their site?

The oneplus one is known to have widespread screen issues (yellow banding at bottom) so I'd avoid it if I were you because of issue you had with the xiaomi note.

Sam Mac · 28-07-2014 9:47pm

spix wrote: »

The oneplus one is known to have widespread screen issues (yellow banding at bottom) so I'd avoid it if I were you because of issue you had with the xiaomi note.

Apparently thats been resolved https://forums.oneplus.net/threads/re-yellow-screen.40239/

EDIT: just saw you are talking about yellow hues at the bottom of the panel, that really is a big letdown..

spix · 28-07-2014 10:00pm

Sam Mac wrote: »

Apparently thats been resolved https://forums.oneplus.net/threads/re-yellow-screen.40239/

EDIT: just saw you are talking about yellow hues at the bottom of the panel, that really is a big letdown..

Yeah the community there is really pissed off with them, and they won't replace the phones easily. The whole screen having a yellow tint isn't an issue as you could adjust the white balance, but it can't be fixed when its just part of the screen which is what's wrong with the majority.

T0mmyM · 28-07-2014 10:08pm

This Lenovo caught my eye. 4000mah battery and a nice metal finish.

http://www.merimobiles.com/lenovo-s860-5-3-inch-dual-sim-smartphone_p/meri8554.htm

Sam Mac · 28-07-2014 10:11pm

spix wrote: »

Yeah the community there is really pissed off with them, and they won't replace the phones easily. The whole screen having a yellow tint isn't an issue as you could adjust the white balance, but it can't be fixed when its just part of the screen which is what's wrong with the majority.

Very disappointing. can you recommend something around 200 quid with similar specs? 2gb ram, 5.5 hd screen.

Barr · 28-07-2014 10:28pm

T0mmyM wrote: »

This Lenovo caught my eye. 4000mah battery and a nice metal finish.

http://www.merimobiles.com/lenovo-s860-5-3-inch-dual-sim-smartphone_p/meri8554.htm

Careful with that one , the 3G wont work here

pauleoin · 28-07-2014 10:31pm

Sam Mac wrote: »

Very disappointing. can you recommend something around 200 quid with similar specs? 2gb ram, 5.5 hd screen.

Has this one been mentioned? : http://www.antelife.com/xiaomi-redmi-note-hongmi-note-enhanced-version-miui-v5-android-4-2-mtk6592-octa-core-5-5-inch-5-0mp-13-0mp-camera-2-gb-8gb-hd-gff-ogs-screen-3200mah-f2-2-otg.html

T0mmyM · 28-07-2014 10:32pm

Barr wrote: »

Careful with that one , the 3G wont work here

Cheers for that. Shame.

spix · 28-07-2014 10:34pm

Sam Mac wrote: »

Very disappointing. can you recommend something around 200 quid with similar specs? 2gb ram, 5.5 hd screen.

There is some great value LG Optimus G Pros on aliexpress around $220. Only downside is android 4.1, although LG has announced a kitkat update for it this month.

5.5" full hd, snapdragon 600, 2gb/32gb. Most are factory refurbished (almost certainly like new condition) and others are being sold as brand new for a bit more. Wouldn't be surprised if its the same phone.

Most others have been mentioned here. Xiaomi note, elephone p2000, kingzone k1, newman k2s. If you were willing to spend more then there's others like the huawei honor 3x , lenovo k910 and a couple of ZTE with snapdragon 800.

spix · 28-07-2014 10:35pm

Barr wrote: »

Careful with that one , the 3G wont work here

I think it does support irish 3g bands. HSDPA = wcdma afaik.

Sam Mac · 28-07-2014 11:04pm

spix wrote: »

There is some great value LG Optimus G Pros on aliexpress around $220. Only downside is android 4.1, although LG has announced a kitkat update for it this month.

5.5" full hd, snapdragon 600, 2gb/32gb. Most are factory refurbished (almost certainly like new condition) and others are being sold as brand new for a bit more. Wouldn't be surprised if its the same phone.

Most others have been mentioned here. Xiaomi note, elephone p2000, kingzone k1, newman k2s. If you were willing to spend more then there's others like the huawei honor 3x , lenovo k910 and a couple of ZTE with snapdragon 800.

Any links to some G Pro's around that price? Reviews of the phone are all excellent.

T0mmyM · 28-07-2014 11:10pm

spix wrote: »

I think it does support irish 3g bands. HSDPA = wcdma afaik.

From an ebay listing I found:

Extra Info:
3G network: WCDMA 850/2100MHz
The name UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) is usually used in Europe. The UMTS Forum has confirmed that WCDMA is the world's most popular 3G technology
Outside of Europe, the system is also known by other names such as FOMA or W-CDMA. In marketing, it is often referred to as 3G or 3G+.
2G Networks: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz
Example of Compatible Networks
France: Bouygues, Orange, SFR GSM, Virgin
UK: MCom, T-Moblie, TeleWare
Ireland: Vodafone, O2, Meteor, Tesco
Spain: Orange, Movistar, Vodafone, Simyo, Yoigo
Portugal: Vodafone, TMN, Optimus
USA: AT&T, T-Moblie, Fido, Suncom, Airvoice, CTC, Edge, Indigo, Tuyo, 7-Eleven, Callplus, O2, Lucas, Suncom
Canada: Rogers, Fido
Australia: Optus, Telstra, Vodafone, Virgin
Italy: TIM, Vodafone, Wind

Sam Mac · 29-07-2014 12:43am

There seems to be different model numbers for the same phone, to diffrentiate between network bands for different regions.

can anyone help me out?

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1424812742.html

spix · 29-07-2014 1:14am

Sam Mac wrote: »

There seems to be different model numbers for the same phone, to diffrentiate between network bands for different regions.

can anyone help me out?

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1424812742.html

LG always has way too many models, really confusing. Acording to this description the cheaper F240 will work with irish 2g/3g. Main difference seems to be the 4g support.

1. This is Korea F240 version, Work for worldwide WCDMA 3G & & 4G LTE Network.

2. 32GB Black or White Color, Notes to me.

3. Free Root + Google Play, please tell me. 4. offer System Language: English, German, French, Spanish, Russian, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch ......

GENERAL 2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 3G Network HSDPA 900 / 2100 4G Network LTE

Sam Mac · 29-07-2014 1:31am

spix wrote: »

LG always has way too many models, really confusing. Acording to this description the cheaper F240 will work with irish 2g/3g. Main difference seems to be the 4g support.

will I be able to get 4G over here? how about the E models?

spix · 29-07-2014 1:41am

Sam Mac wrote: »

will I be able to get 4G over here? how about the E models?

The e980 4g is designed to work with AT&T in America and uses 700mhz band so no hope of that working here. You'd have a better chance getting 4g to work with the f240 but its really hard to find concrete info on the network bands it uses.

Sam Mac · 29-07-2014 1:43am

Ah right thanks, so I should go for the F240? 3G will definitely work here?

spix · 29-07-2014 1:52am

Sam Mac wrote: »

Ah right thanks, so I should go for the F240? 3G will definitely work here?

According to google Ireland uses 2100mhz 3g. Google also says the f240 supports 2100mhz so it should work perfectly. If it doesn't, blame google not me

Sam Mac · 29-07-2014 1:56am

spix wrote: »

According to google Ireland uses 2100mhz 3g. Google also says the f240 supports 2100mhz so it should work perfectly. If it doesn't, blame google not me

Haha cheers, do you think the spec & price are worth it? vs something like the Galaxy S4 how does this compare?

T0mmyM · 29-07-2014 2:32am

Could someone let me know if this will work on Irish networks?

http://www.merimobiles.com/huawei-honor-3c-lte-4g-5-inch-1gb-ram-8gb-rom-smartphone_p/meri10208.htm

4G Network:
LTE-TDD:1900MHz/2300MHz/2600MHz
3G Network:
WCDMA:UMTS 900/2100
2G Network:
GSM 900/1800/1900MHz

Don't really need 4G but this version seems to come with Android 4.4 instead of 4.2 on the 3G only model.

Cheers

spix · 29-07-2014 2:38am

T0mmyM wrote: »

Could someone let me know if this will work on Irish networks?

http://www.merimobiles.com/huawei-honor-3c-lte-4g-5-inch-1gb-ram-8gb-rom-smartphone_p/meri10208.htm

Don't really need 4G but this version seems to come with Android 4.4 instead of 4.2 on the 3G only model.

Cheers

No it wont, Ireland uses FDD 4g not TDD. I think the kitkat update will be coming out soon for the 3g version (if it hasn't already) http://huaweinews.com/2014/07/honor-3c-kitkat-firmware/

Also that 4g version only seems to come with 1gb ram, whereas the 3g version has 2gb.

Sam Mac · 29-07-2014 9:33am

I just bought myself an LG Optimus G Pro, thanks for the recommendation!

Specs are very good for the €170 price tag.

johnybean · 29-07-2014 9:36am

Sam Mac wrote: »

I just bought myself an LG Optimus G Pro, thanks for the recommendation!

Specs are very good for the €170 price tag.

Well done Sam. Hopefully you have better luck this time. Where did you get it?

SmallBalls · 29-07-2014 9:41am

Sam Mac wrote: »

I just bought myself an LG Optimus G Pro, thanks for the recommendation!

Specs are very good for the €170 price tag.

Could you put a link to where you bought it.....I could be interested in something similar....did you get the f240?

eamonnq · 29-07-2014 9:51am

Sam Mac wrote: »

I just bought myself an LG Optimus G Pro, thanks for the recommendation!

Specs are very good for the €170 price tag.

http://thedroidguy.com/2014/02/lg-optimus-g-pro-problems-questions-solutions-part-1-85667#l8bbUp5vtwW7H31v.97

Just bear this in mind..............!!

Sam Mac · 29-07-2014 10:00am

^ Thanks for that Eamonn, hopefully mine won't have those issues.

Yes, I bought the F240 version.

Bought it from here: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/LG-Optimus-G-Pro-F240-original-cell-phone-Quad-core-2G-RAM-32G-ROM-5-5/1232543095.html

For €177 delivered (fingers crossed no customs, seller will mark it as gift and 25 usd value) I don't think you can find better spec for the money, and a good enough brand too.

pinksoir · 29-07-2014 1:20pm

What frequency does Three 3G operate on?

I'm about to pull the trigger on the Mlais Note Pro but it says its 3G bands are 850/2100MHz...

Does the Optimus G Pro have Gorilla Glass? Can't find any definitive info online.

pauleoin · 29-07-2014 1:38pm

Bought a THL 5000 from Gearbest yesterday, got my DHL tracking No. today, very impressed with the speed, €195 all in (paid with Paypal & got crap exchange rate but peace of mind), if ordering make sure to add all the free gifts listed on this page, http://www.gearbest.com/cell-phones/pp_68240.html also I got 10% off using the code chinaphonearena as seen on this site http://www.chinaphonearena.com/forum/index.php. Will update when received.

Chinese Android Phones

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