Chinese Android Phones 3 - Read First Post!

Shooter_galway

corkie wrote: »

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?

I'm on meteor/eir and no issues.. last phone had to go out to shed to make a call... Try apn settings and upgrade sim card might do trick. Seriously good phone and my camera is quite good except in poor light

Thargor

Update to the latest version of MIUI or whatever ROM you're using, also switch on data roaming in settings and reboot.

smilerf

Lads I have 400 max to play around with what would you recommend.

Great sound and great camera would be nice

Thanks

jefferson73

smilerf wrote: »

Lads I have 400 max to play around with what would you recommend.

Great sound and great camera would be nice

Thanks

Sony xz2 compact for 403 euro.

LINK.

GBX

Email from 3:

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Meet your new favourite brand and prepare to be a fan. Experience Xiaomi first at Three.

rosie16

Just want to say I've had my mi a2 lite over a week now and I'm very happy with it. Ordered it Monday night and had it Tuesday the following week from eglobal. Very impressed with it. None of those cluttery apps that I can't uninstall, great battery life, storage and camera. Fingerprint unlock is nifty too.

CramCycle

corkie wrote: »

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?

That was my issue with my phone. To be fair to ASUS their customer support was great and it turned out I had simply messed up one of the APN settings. So I do have band 20, despite thinking I hadn't.

mhiggy09

In the market for a new phone, Chinese market seems to be the way to go to get bang for your buck. Budget is 300 and under. After a good bit of research and looking I can get a honor play for 245 and it seems to be the best I can find. Anyone any recommendations apart from this, pocophone also is up there but camera and built quality seen to be lower.

The One Doctor

Suggestions for around €100? Thanks guys.

The One Doctor

Suggestions for around €100? Thanks guys.

honda boi

mhiggy09 wrote: »

In the market for a new phone, Chinese market seems to be the way to go to get bang for your buck. Budget is 300 and under. After a good bit of research and looking I can get a honor play for 245 and it seems to be the best I can find. Anyone any recommendations apart from this, pocophone also is up there but camera and built quality seen to be lower.

Picked up the pocophone for about €285-290 from AliExpress
Beast of a phone

honda boi

mhiggy09 wrote: »

In the market for a new phone, Chinese market seems to be the way to go to get bang for your buck. Budget is 300 and under. After a good bit of research and looking I can get a honor play for 245 and it seems to be the best I can find. Anyone any recommendations apart from this, pocophone also is up there but camera and built quality seen to be lower.

Picked up the pocophone for about €285-290 from AliExpress
Beast of a phone

Suckit

The One Doctor wrote: »

Suggestions for around €100? Thanks guys.

I am about to start looking for one around the same price.
I am thinking of LeEco, Nubia, Meizu or Xiaomi.
E.G
https://www.geekbuying.com/item/LeTV-LeEco-Le-Pro-3-X651-AI-Edition-4GB-32GB-Smartphone-Charm-Gold-407572.html
https://www.geekbuying.com/item/LeTV-LeEco-Le-X526-5-5-Inch-3G-32GB-Rose-Gold-398249.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Original-ZTE-Nubia-M2-Lite-MTK6750-Octa-Core-Mobile-Phone-4GB-RAM-32GB-ROM-5-5/32814773845.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Original-ZTE-Nubia-N2-MTK6750-Octa-Core-4GB-RAM-64GB-ROM-5-5-HD-1280-720/32864268345.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Global-Version-Xiaomi-Redmi-6-32GB-ROM-3GB-RAM-1-Year-Seller-Warranty-Brand-New/32898484009.html
https://www.coolicool.com/official-global-version-meizu-m6-2gb-ram-16gb-rom-mtk6750-15ghz-octa-core-52-inch-25d-hd-screen-a-g-49366

Flyme OS (Meizu) has come along a lot, but can be a bit of a learning curve for some.
I am not recommending any of those, they are just some I plan to look at, and maybe find better prices and also going to look at the Lenovo and Moto phones around that price too.

Munsterbhoy

Hi, I m looking for a decent cheap phone purely for light use. I only really use my phone apart from calls/text is Twitter and google. I can get a gome k1 4gb 128g for €130 from Germany. Camera not really important . It says unlocked for worldwide use & its from geekbuying. Is this phone good value for what I need. Cheers..

GBX

Munsterbhoy wrote: »

Hi, I m looking for a decent cheap phone purely for light use. I only really use my phone apart from calls/text is Twitter and google. I can get a gome k1 4gb 128g for €130 from Germany. Camera not really important . It says unlocked for worldwide use & its from geekbuying. Is this phone good value for what I need. Cheers..

It's basic specs but might do you right. Never heard of the brand though.

Suckit

Munsterbhoy wrote: »

Hi, I m looking for a decent cheap phone purely for light use. I only really use my phone apart from calls/text is Twitter and google. I can get a gome k1 4gb 128g for €130 from Germany. Camera not really important . It says unlocked for worldwide use & its from geekbuying. Is this phone good value for what I need. Cheers..

Well worth it at that price. I think they released that as their flagship and they had hit all sorts of problems, marketing wasn't as easy as they expected etc. They misjudged the pricing competitors and other things.
They are like Electrolux or Whirlpool in Asia, mainly providing Electrical appliances.
I think that phone was above €350 this time last year when it was released.

EDITED/

Sorry, thought it was the 8S5 version. Still a decent price. - Double Edit - It is the same one.

Around the same price from Coolicool - https://www.coolicool.com/stock-in-europe-gome-k1-4gb-ram-128gb-rom-helio-p20-mtk6757-23ghz-octa-core-52-inch-275d-jdi-fhd-g-48780

Suckit

The One Doctor wrote: »

Suggestions for around €100? Thanks guys.

I am after putting this in my basket.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Lenovo-S5-K520-4GB-RAM-64GB-ROM-Snapdragon-625-Octa-Core-Mobile-Phone-5-7-FHD/1000006177275.html
€77 if it doesn't sell out + vat + handling = Roughly €105 delivered.
It's currently on
Amazon for £170 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Lenovo+S5+K520+

And around €160 from China.

sydthebeat

Suckit wrote: »

I am after putting this in my basket.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Lenovo-S5-K520-4GB-RAM-64GB-ROM-Snapdragon-625-Octa-Core-Mobile-Phone-5-7-FHD/1000006177275.html
€77 if it doesn't sell out + vat + handling = Roughly €105 delivered.
It's currently on
Amazon for £170 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Lenovo+S5+K520+

And around €160 from China.

I don't think the lenovo S5 has band 20

Suckit

sydthebeat wrote: »

I don't think the lenovo S5 has band 20

No, It doesn't. Won't bother me though, nor the person it's for. Good price if it is not limited to 5.

mossy464

Do any of the Xiaomi phones support NFC? Looking on the HK goldway page but can't see NFC on any of the phones.

GBX

mossy464 wrote: »

Do any of the Xiaomi phones support NFC? Looking on the HK goldway page but can't see NFC on any of the phones.

There were some models but not many current. https://www.nfcworld.com/nfc-data/xiaomi/

GBX

mossy464 wrote: »

Do any of the Xiaomi phones support NFC? Looking on the HK goldway page but can't see NFC on any of the phones.

There were some models but not many current. https://www.nfcworld.com/nfc-data/xiaomi/

smilerf

Lads I just received my new Huawei Mate 10 Pro upgrading from a Xiaomi Mi Max 2

Problem is I can't seem to detach the 3 pin adapter from the Xiaomi 2 pin plug
Would it be any harm charging it with that plug

Thanks

Thargor

smilerf wrote: »

Lads I just received my new Huawei Mate 10 Pro upgrading from a Xiaomi Mi Max 2

Problem is I can't seem to detach the 3 pin adapter from the Xiaomi 2 pin plug
Would it be any harm charging it with that plug

Thanks

Should be fine if it worked on the Max 2 with no issues until now.

corkie

World's Smallest Phone? (Dual Sim | Micro SD)

[Aliexpress] L8star BM10 Wireless Bluetooth Dialer Mini phone BM 10 with Earphone Headset Dialer Pocket Dual SIM Card Pocket Phone GTSTAR

€17.79 / piece Discount Price: €14.23 / piece

^^^ Novelty, stocking filler(if delivered in time)?

Edit: - Sorry not an Android Phone <<< didn't think about that when posting

Suckit

Suckit wrote: »

I am after putting this in my basket.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Lenovo-S5-K520-4GB-RAM-64GB-ROM-Snapdragon-625-Octa-Core-Mobile-Phone-5-7-FHD/1000006177275.html
€77 if it doesn't sell out + vat + handling = Roughly €105 delivered.
It's currently on
Amazon for £170 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Lenovo+S5+K520+

And around €160 from China.

sydthebeat wrote: »

I don't think the lenovo S5 has band 20

Similar offer here, add €10 and get the Lenovo Watch
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Global-Lenovo-S5-K520-4GB-RAM-64GB-ROM-Snapdragon-625-Octa-Core-Mobile-Phone-5-7/900160001_1000006177275.html


Seems like a very decent offer if band 20 isn't an issue for you.

seamus1980

whats the best sub 100 euro chinese phone i can get from european stores?

Thargor

seamus1980 wrote: »

whats the best sub 100 euro chinese phone i can get from european stores?

Just discussed from post #361 onwards on the previous page, whatever you settle on I think you might regret not stretching to an extra 50 or 60 EUR on your budget, let us know how you get on though...

seamus1980

seamus1980 wrote: »

whats the best sub 100 euro chinese phone i can get from european stores?

go for the mi a2 lite 32gb model from eglobal

137 delivered

https://www.eglobalcentral.eu/xiaomi-mi-a2-lite-3gb-32gb-dual-sim-black.html

as others have said false economy trying to get something for 100

corkie

corkie wrote: »

World's Smallest Phone? (Dual Sim | Micro SD)

[Aliexpress] L8star BM10 Wireless Bluetooth Dialer Mini phone BM 10 with Earphone Headset Dialer Pocket Dual SIM Card Pocket Phone GTSTAR

€17.79 / piece Discount Price: €14.23 / piece

^^^ Novelty, stocking filler(if delivered in time)?

Edit: - Sorry not an Android Phone <<< didn't think about that when posting

perfect Mountjoy phone

mossy464

mossy464 wrote: »

Do any of the Xiaomi phones support NFC? Looking on the HK goldway page but can't see NFC on any of the phones.

the cheapest decent nfc phone is the honor 8x

about 250 from amazon spain or germany

NATLOR

glasso wrote: »

go for the mi a2 lite 32gb model from eglobal

137 delivered

https://www.eglobalcentral.eu/xiaomi-mi-a2-lite-3gb-32gb-dual-sim-black.html

as others have said false economy trying to get something for 100

How are you finding the lite,Smashed the screen on my MI A1 and just bought an A2 lite should have it next week all going well

NATLOR

NATLOR wrote: »

How are you finding the lite,Smashed the screen on my MI A1 and just bought an A2 lite should have it next week all going well

can't complain about anything really, especially for the money.

solid well-built stock android device with modern looks, a good screen and battery life. really peforms smoothly at all times.

the camera is not a great low-light performer but we know that going in. although if you enable camera 2 api you could use the new google night sight mode for low-light shots

NATLOR

glasso wrote: »

can't complain about anything really, especially for the money.

solid well-built stock android device with modern looks, a good screen and battery life. really peforms smoothly at all times.

the camera is not a great low-light performer but we know that going in.

Cheers
Yeah the battery,headphone jack and looks makes it a better buy for me than the A2, rarely use the camera so that's a non issue

NATLOR

NATLOR wrote: »

Cheers
Yeah the battery,headphone jack and looks makes it a better buy for me than the A2, rarely use the camera so that's a non issue

also nice to have the option of an sd card and the fact that you can have 2 sims and an a micro sd card all at the same time is great.

blue best colour imo - works really well against the black front.

you wouldn't think that it's only a snapdragon 625 - it runs super smooth. reviews have commented also on this - that they have not seen a 625 run so fast / smooth on android.

actually just tried the night sight mode there on a modded app that works on mi a2 lite - can take pictures in darkness pretty much - amazing. (even if you're not into photos). although take a few seconds to do it.

NATLOR

glasso wrote: »

also nice to have the option of an sd card and the fact that you can have 2 sims and an a micro sd card all at the same time is great.

blue best colour imo - works really well against the black front.

you wouldn't think that it's only a snapdragon 625 - it runs super smooth. reviews have commented also on this - that they have not seen a 625 run so fast / smooth on android.

actually just tried the night sight mode there on a modded app that works on mi a2 lite - can take pictures in darkness pretty much - amazing. (even if you're not into photos). although take a few seconds to do it.

I went for the blue
Thanks for the tip on the camera will give it a go

NATLOR

NATLOR wrote: »

I went for the blue
Thanks for the tip on the camera will give it a go

to enable camera2 api (no root, just unlock bootloader and relock so banking apps work still etc)

https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-a2-lite/how-to/guide-how-to-enable-camera2-api-t3851414

app for night sight

https://forum.xda-developers.com/mi-a2-lite/themes/xiaomi-mi-a2-lite-google-camera-6-1-013-t3864688

(just use for night shots - mode is in more on the app)

yessiryes

About to upgrade from an s6, was going to to with the A2 128gb, can I do better? Camera important and obviously high memory which I have had a nightmare with on the a6. Hoping to bring it in under 300....whats the story with customs, do they get pulled alot?

CramCycle

yessiryes wrote: »

About to upgrade from an s6, was going to to with the A2 128gb, can I do better? Camera important and obviously high memory which I have had a nightmare with on the a6. Hoping to bring it in under 300....whats the story with customs, do they get pulled alot?

From talking to other people, if its shipped from outside the EU, unlike a few years ago where it was a lottery, nowadays it would appear to be a certainty that if it looks over a certain value, it will get pulled.

Suckit

Many sites/sellers offer EU Warehouse, EU Priority shipping, Tariff Insurance (at checkout) or pre pay tax etc.
If you keep an eye out for those options, you should be okay.

Edited:
Also worth mentioning that some stores offer EU Priority to UK and not Ireland, so you should be able to ship those to PW/PM/AP/PC and not pay any extra. But you may want to check with the seller first.

CramCycle

CramCycle wrote: »

From talking to other people, if its shipped from outside the EU, unlike a few years ago where it was a lottery, nowadays it would appear to be a certainty that if it looks over a certain value, it will get pulled.

use eglobal or options where it's shipped from an eu location / warehouse as above poster has said.

apparently hongkong goldway on aliexpress using dhl also works. but that adds 20 euro more

using gearbest, banggood etc will get stopped. but work out the price, could be still ok after you pay vat + collection fee (or if expensive duty also applies) but

eglobal usually the cheapest option given there is no add-on for shipping on anything above 50 euro.

yessiryes

yessiryes wrote: »

About to upgrade from an s6, was going to to with the A2 128gb, can I do better? Camera important and obviously high memory which I have had a nightmare with on the a6. Hoping to bring it in under 300....whats the story with customs, do they get pulled alot?

only 232 on eglobal

https://www.eglobalcentral.eu/xiaomi-mi-a2-dual-sim-6gb-128gb-black.html

if you're going for camera it's a good option but it still won't be great for low-light really compared to the upper segment - e.g. mi 8 etc which is another 100 euro plus

battery life not great and no nfc tho.

you could look at the honor 10 which is coming down in price and which is a much nicer looking phone.

yessiryes

Thanks will check out the honor 10 and the shipping situation! Cheers

breeno

Has anybody bought from Gearbest (HK) recently? Is there a particular postage method more likely to avoid customs like expedited or DHL etc or is it just luck of the draw?

breeno

breeno wrote: »

Has anybody bought from Gearbest (HK) recently? Is there a particular postage method more likely to avoid customs like expedited or DHL etc or is it just luck of the draw?

not aware of any method that works with gearbest to avoid customs that works

look at hongkong goldway seller on aliexpress (using dhl - people have used this recently)

but eglobal usually as cheap

eamonnq

breeno wrote: »

Has anybody bought from Gearbest (HK) recently? Is there a particular postage method more likely to avoid customs like expedited or DHL etc or is it just luck of the draw?

Just avoid Gearbest entirely, and find somewhere else to buy it from!!

Suckit

This opened today at midday - https://event.mi.com/uk/sales2018/open-sales

Suckit

The Nubia Z17 Lite is 6GB + 64GB NFC Snapdragon 653 is on sale on Geekbuying (NO BAND 20).
€114 from HongKong or €142.50 from Poland using code 05GEEKBUY
https://www.geekbuying.com/item/Nubia-Z17-Lite-5-5-Inch-6GB-64GB-Smartphone-Black-Gold-400262.html

HongKong might get stopped, if it does get stopped expect to pay another €36 which would bring it up to €150 ish.
Even without Band20 it seems like a good deal, especially if it arrived for €114.

smilerf

Lads I'm looking to get the mother a new phone for Christmas.
She has a honor 3c with years and it's on its last legs
Good camera and battery would be nice. Thanks. Can go to about 150. 5.2 would be ideal

ImARebel

I've just ordered mine the mi a2 lite. I'll let you know what it looks like when it gets here