Chinese Android Phones 2 - Read First Post!

BobbyPropane

Thecageyone wrote: »

What would you say is the most reliable, or maybe a couple of 'the' most reliable sites to use? I guess they are all as likely to be hit once the package reaches here, but in terms of quality of service and best delivery times?

With Xiaomi phones, if you order from some sellers on aliexpress you can avoid import duty.
It will say it on the product image

Thecageyone

Cool, it is a Xiaomi I'm after. Will have a peek though the sites

Wombatman

GBX wrote: »

Different people have had good and bad experiences from the majority. You can search the thread by store name to give you an idea. But below are where people generally go ( From the opening post of this thread)
Traditional Retailers

Banggood - http://www.banggood.com/
Pandawill – http://www.pandawill.com/
Dealextreme – http://www.dx.com/
BuySKU – http://www.buysku.com/
Merimobiles - http://www.merimobiles.com/
Honorbuy - http://www.honorbuy.com/
Coolicool - http://www.coolicool.com/
Chinavaison - http://www.chinavasion.com/
Etotalk - http://www.etotalk.com/
Mixeshop - http://www.mixeshop.com
Antelife - http://antelife.com
Minideal - http://minideal.com
IBuyGou - http://ibuygou.com


A number of these sellers have EU warehouses, allowing you to get your items delivered faster, and without any extra customs charges
Sellers with EU warehouses:
DX
Merimobiles
Honorbuy
Coolicool
Antelife
AliExpress Seller
Another

Why no GearBest or GeekBuying?

Thecageyone

I see Geekbuying have Warehouses in Spain, I take it ordering from their ES WH speeds it up and guarantees no custom charges?

GBX

Wombatman wrote: »

Why no GearBest or GeekBuying?

No idea why they are not included in the opening post of this. I just copied. As for both I've used both and never had any issues. I know it's been mentioned a bazillion times about shilling (Gearbest) but it you see a good deal go for it. Just bear in mind there's less of a chance to avoid customs buying from either. So allow +/- 20-30 if buying should they get hold of it on top of the buy price.

Digital Solitude

Wombatman wrote: »

Why no GearBest or GeekBuying?

All mention of Gearbest was banned at the time of posting.

They're horrible to deal with if you have any issues, which is reason enough for me to not recommend them. As far as the shilling and all goes that's pretty low but wouldn't make that big a deal to me.

I just forgot geekbuying, note it's not a comprehensive list of sellers and I asked the regulars for stores I had forgotten in one of the first posts on thread. Seems we all forgot it

Iseedeadpixels

Bought twice from Gearbest no issues with them tbh.

MrDiyFan

I asked earlier in thread.

Which sites are doing an EU repair service

Can we get a list

wozza

MrDiyFan wrote: »

I asked earlier in thread.

Which sites are doing an EU repair service

Can we get a list

wouldn't starting a new thread be a better course of action ?

alanhiggyno1

ok guys after reading all the phone reviews ive decided to go with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 or the recent Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (5.5 inch).so next question which site did u buy from and how long were u waiting.thanks

GBX

MrDiyFan wrote: »

I asked earlier in thread.

Which sites are doing an EU repair service

Can we get a list

Theres no definitive list. Unless somebody has encountered a problem and had it fixed and posts info. Maybe do a search of the thread using keywords "repair" "EU" and see what it throws up.

Bahanaman

alanhiggyno1 wrote:

ok guys after reading all the phone reviews ive decided to go with the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 or the recent Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (5.5 inch).so next question which site did u buy from and how long were u waiting.thanks

Same as above! Xiaomi seems to be the biggest of the Chinese brands.

ionapaul

From following the thread for a few days, I think one of the preferred methods of getting the Redmi Note 4 was from Aliexpress seller Top One, and selecting the DHL Express shipping option (an extra $20 or so compared to free delivery) to make sure Customs won't stop it. Not sure if that makes it much more expensive than the other options where you're taking a risk it'll get stopped.

Digital Solitude

Bahanaman wrote: »

Same as above! Xiaomi seems to be the biggest of the Chinese brands.

Xiaomi are like 5th biggest phone brand in the world, Sammy, Apple, Lenovo and Huawei are the only bigger ones

alanhiggyno1

ionapaul wrote: »

From following the thread for a few days, I think one of the preferred methods of getting the Redmi Note 4 was from Aliexpress seller Top One, and selecting the DHL Express shipping option (an extra $20 or so compared to free delivery) to make sure Customs won't stop it. Not sure if that makes it much more expensive than the other options where you're taking a risk it'll get stopped.

ya i might try that or a ebay uk seller that has the appstore already installed for piece of mind

Thecageyone

These sites bring me on a merry-go-round Can anyone direct link to an EU warehouse, one that would deliver a lot sooner and no worries with customs? Geekbuying seem to have a Spanish WH, and it's $30 shipping on top. That might work if it's legit?

fixXxer

Thecageyone wrote: »

These sites bring me on a merry-go-round Can anyone direct link to an EU warehouse, one that would deliver a lot sooner and no worries with customs? Geekbuying seem to have a Spanish WH, and it's $30 shipping on top. That might work if it's legit?

Most of the EU warehouses will charge you a similar fee. It's the price you pay for quicker delivery and not paying customs.

eamonnq

Thecageyone wrote: »

These sites bring me on a merry-go-round Can anyone direct link to an EU warehouse, one that would deliver a lot sooner and no worries with customs? Geekbuying seem to have a Spanish WH, and it's $30 shipping on top. That might work if it's legit?

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Original-Xiaomi-Redmi-Note-3-Pro-Snapdragon-650-Hexa-Core-5-5-3GB-RAM-32GB-ROM/342812_32597684693.html

Would you not try that ?

Thecageyone

eamonnq wrote: »

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Original-Xiaomi-Redmi-Note-3-Pro-Snapdragon-650-Hexa-Core-5-5-3GB-RAM-32GB-ROM/342812_32597684693.html

Would you not try that ?

I might have one tomorrow, if not, I'll go that route on Monday

Does choosing DHL on there definitely avoid customs? And speed things up a bit? Would be worth it in that case

Keith186

Saw a rumour/leak online yesterday that Xiaomi would have an international edition of the Mi Note 2 with 37 bands.

What ones do we use here?
I think the main one usually missing is band 20 (800mhz).

Unveiling date is 25th.

danko82

eamonnq wrote: »

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Original-Xiaomi-Redmi-Note-3-Pro-Snapdragon-650-Hexa-Core-5-5-3GB-RAM-32GB-ROM/342812_32597684693.html

Would you not try that ?

I was going to buy it, but it is not the international version with 800mhz band..

NTC

Hi all,

Long time reader on the discussion. I am thinking off pulling the trigger and getting
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Original-Xiaomi-Redmi-Pro-MTK-Helio-X20-Deca-Core-3G-RAM-64G-ROM-Mobile-Phone-5/342812_32717155386.html

Is it a good buy?

Thecageyone

NTC wrote: »

Hi all,

Long time reader on the discussion. I am thinking off pulling the trigger and getting
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Original-Xiaomi-Redmi-Pro-MTK-Helio-X20-Deca-Core-3G-RAM-64G-ROM-Mobile-Phone-5/342812_32717155386.html

Is it a good buy?

I seen a review that suggested it was the proper upgrade to the Redmi note 3 pro, as the redmi 4 isn't much different. Lord knows why they keep dropping various versions of the same thing!? But I think any model from the Note 3 pro onward looks very decent. The Redmi Pro is built better for one and has the highest antutu score of all redmis to date @86K+

Missymoohaa

NTC wrote: »

Hi all,

Long time reader on the discussion. I am thinking off pulling the trigger and getting
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Original-Xiaomi-Redmi-Pro-MTK-Helio-X20-Deca-Core-3G-RAM-64G-ROM-Mobile-Phone-5/342812_32717155386.html

Is it a good buy?

That one NTC only has MIUI 7, there are others out there with MIUI 8 which is the global ROM which would be more suitable. I'll have a scout around and edit this when I find one for you.

Here you go, cheaper and with the up to date Global Rom (scroll down to end) also with guaranteed no customs https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Original-Xiaomi-Redmi-Note-4-MTK-Helio-X-20-Deca-Core-3GB-RAM-64GB-ROM-Mobile/342812_32720790752.html

NTC

Missymoohaa wrote: »

Here you go, cheaper and with the up to date Global Rom (scroll down to end) also with guaranteed no customs https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Original-Xiaomi-Redmi-Note-4-MTK-Helio-X-20-Deca-Core-3GB-RAM-64GB-ROM-Mobile/342812_32720790752.html

Thanks for the reply. Phone looks perfect. Stupid question, do i select DHL? there is no EU Express option

Thecageyone

NTC wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. Phone looks perfect. Stupid question, do i select DHL? there is no EU Express option

Looks like the only option is to select DHL, for €20, should speed delivery up a bit. Don't know if this guarantees avoiding customs though.

I managed to source a Redmi note Pro 3 locally for a decent price, 3GB/32GB version, so I'm happy my next step was going the China route, thankfully i won't have to

GBX

Are you ordering on the app or through the website? On the website where it shows "free shipping to Ireland" theres a little down arrow, click that and DHL option shows.

NTC

GBX wrote: »

Are you ordering on the app or through the website? On the website where it shows "free shipping to Ireland" theres a little down arrow, click that and DHL option shows.

I can see the DHL option, is that the "EU Express" that is listed lower on the page?

Bahanaman

Have decided on a xiaomi phone for my 12 year old daughter. The only problem is the sheer choice of phones available! Even at my €150 budget. My head is melted with redmi 3, 3s, prime, pro, note, etc.... There are so many. Anyone who has a xiaomi, are there traces of their Chinese origin in the operating system eg chinese characters on screens or menus that would make the phone more difficult to operate?

Lucas Hood

I think this is a great phone for just over a 100.
Gf uses it every day and I've ordered a 2nd one as a spare for myself. http://s.aliexpress.com/RNRVv6bU