Author Topic: Looking for smartphone (Read 349,206 times)

tomos · « **Reply #50 on:** October 05, 2016, 10:09 AM »

Quote from: kalos on October 04, 2016, 09:46 PM

OK I figured out that the kate version is just more 4G compatible and I don't think I need that.

Sounds good.

Re my post, I could have been more tactful -- I know from experience that criticism is hard to take. Sticking in 'lol's and saying you have a 'nerve' makes it even more difficult for you to take anything on board -- sorry about that. Sent you a PM re the points made.

kalos · « **Reply #51 on:** October 08, 2016, 11:58 PM »

if I buy from geekbuying the International Version that is not ES (I assume Spain) stock, will I pay customs to have it shipped to UK?

kalos · « **Reply #52 on:** October 09, 2016, 12:01 AM »

also anyone knows the differences of the various variants?
RedMi Note 3 Pro
RedMi Note 4
RedMi Note 4 Pro
RedMi Pro
etc???

is there a table or something?

skwire · « **Reply #53 on:** October 09, 2016, 02:35 AM »

https://www.google.com/search?q=Redmi%20Note%20comparison

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Xiaomi-Redmi-Note-4-vs-Note-3-vs-Redmi-Pro-size-and-specs-comparison_id84500

4wd · « **Reply #54 on:** October 09, 2016, 09:45 AM »

Quote from: skwire on October 09, 2016, 02:35 AM

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Xiaomi-Redmi-Note-4-vs-Note-3-vs-Redmi-Pro-size-and-specs-comparison_id84500

It should be noted that is the Redmi Note 3 in that comparison not RN3 Pro - check the CPU, (MTK 6795 vs Qualcomm SnapDragon 650).

Quote from: kalos on October 08, 2016, 11:58 PM

if I buy from geekbuying the International Version that is not ES (I assume Spain) stock, will I pay customs to have it shipped to UK?

Yes ... and if you wait long enough you'll probably have the pleasure of paying VAT on EU originating items.

tomos · « **Reply #55 on:** October 09, 2016, 12:28 PM »

Quote from: kalos on October 08, 2016, 11:58 PM

if I buy from geekbuying the International Version that is not ES (I assume Spain) stock, will I pay customs to have it shipped to UK?

FWIW, re the original linked site (alibaba):
I did notice in the comments people requesting that the value be listed as nominal on the package. And they were getting individual responses from suppliers.
None of them on that site ship to Germany for some reason,** but do ship to other EU countries, and UK AFAIK.

Buying EU stock though would have it's advantages.

** I inquired and got a response in poor English that it was (something) to do with customs.

kalos · « **Reply #56 on:** October 17, 2016, 10:07 PM »

guys is there a chinese store price comparison search engine or something?
I need to know which chinese offers the best deal, but it is reliable as well (preferably via paypal)

4wd · « **Reply #57 on:** October 18, 2016, 12:03 AM »

Quote from: kalos on October 17, 2016, 10:07 PM

guys is there a chinese store price comparison search engine or something?
I need to know which chinese offers the best deal, but it is reliable as well (preferably via paypal)

Quote from: 4wd on September 28, 2016, 04:07 AM

Sellers: Mentioned here + a lot of info.

Quote from: 4wd on September 27, 2016, 12:07 AM

OzBargain - Geared towards finding the best deal

And any store on AliExpress is subject to the AliPay system which is arguably better than PayPal.

Use DHL delivery if necessary if you want guaranteed tracking.

The stores I use, the last three sites provide cashback if you go through their site and purchase from the end store, (providing they list it), after a verification period. Cash back amount depends on store.
eg. The RN2 cost me ~US$130 at DealsMachine a year ago, going via TopCashback I received US$13 back in the form of a Amazon Gift Certificate, (my choice).

kalos · « **Reply #58 on:** October 19, 2016, 06:35 PM »

I bought Redmi pro 3 international with $200 incl shipping and customs!!!
good price?

now, should I flash it when it arrives? or could I transfer my data/apps etc from my current samsung note 2 effortlessly? or I will have to install and configure one by one setting, account and app?

thanks!

kalos · « **Reply #59 on:** October 26, 2016, 04:44 PM »

Guys, my experience with Vickmail was horrible.

They contacted me after more than 1 week telling me they cannot fulfill my order. They got a phone which they opened it (wtf?? I pay for a sealed phone, not some return or demo!) and although I paid for tax free shipping, they said they cannot promise that.

Horrible!!! It validated again all the past horrible experiences I had with chinese retailers. It will take ages for chinese traders to get civilized and honest.

I will now buy from european company on ebay and report them to paypal.

tomos · « **Reply #60 on:** October 26, 2016, 06:08 PM »

^ good to know.

The tax thing is a problem...

Do you know why they opened it?

4wd · « **Reply #61 on:** October 27, 2016, 07:47 AM »

Quote from: tomos on October 26, 2016, 06:08 PM

Do you know why they opened it?

Vickmall usually open the packages to make sure the installed ROM is Global, (as in not Chinese and will work with Google Play store - if it's not, they can and will flash it for you if you want), they are one of the better Chinese online retailers. Most would just ship the phone with whatever ROM is installed, (Chinese), and it's up to you to flash it.

Also:

Quote

IMPORTANT
1.All the phones has been full test and all the packages has been stirctly detection before ship out. If parcels received with serious extrusion, the seal marks opened,weight difference(empty Box) etc. pls open the package in front of the postman, need official proof from Post station and real photos. pls contact us asap so that we can make judgments timely.

ie. They test and check the contents before sending so they know that when it left them it was working. Considering you would have to return a faulty phone to them at your cost, this is fine by me.

kalos · « **Reply #62 on:** October 27, 2016, 11:58 PM »

4wd, I now find on ebay Xiaomi Redmi 3S, is this what we are talking about?
also do you know any european ebayer? thanks!

4wd · « **Reply #63 on:** October 28, 2016, 01:32 AM »

Quote from: kalos on October 27, 2016, 11:58 PM

4wd, I now find on ebay Xiaomi Redmi 3S, is this what we are talking about?

No.

Quote

also do you know any european ebayer? thanks!

I don't use ebay for buying phones.

kalos · « **Reply #64 on:** October 28, 2016, 04:25 PM »

Quote from: 4wd on October 28, 2016, 01:32 AM

Quote from: kalos on October 27, 2016, 11:58 PM
4wd, I now find on ebay Xiaomi Redmi 3S, is this what we are talking about?

No.

Quote
also do you know any european ebayer? thanks!

I don't use ebay for buying phones.

oh ok, any other merchant that is decent in europe?

tomos · « **Reply #65 on:** October 29, 2016, 09:07 PM »

^ I would have thought it's easy enough to figure out if a merchant is trustworthy or not (and if it's not easy, then I dont trust them). I think if you're not going to trust other sources (outside Europe), you're going to need to buy from someone in the UK -- you may not get the best possible offer, but you have more protection if something goes wrong.

Me (in .de land), I think I'd prefer to buy from one of those Chinese sites mentioned than from e.g. an unknown supplier in a different European country.

kalos · « **Reply #66 on:** December 09, 2016, 08:02 PM »

I will eventually buy from geekbuying.

However, can you tell me please which of these is better?

http://www.geekbuying.com/item/Coolpad-LeEco-Cool1-Dual-C106-5-5inch-3GB-32GB-Smartphone---Silver-371398.html
http://www.geekbuying.com/item/International-Version-LeTV-LeEco-Le-2-X527-3GB-32GB-Smartphone---Gray-373063.html
http://www.geekbuying.com/item/Xiaomi-Redmi-Note-3-Pro-5-5-Inch-FHD-3GB-32GB-Smartphone-371104.html

do you know the phones better and can comment?
thanks!

4wd · « **Reply #67 on:** December 09, 2016, 10:06 PM »

http://www.banggood.com/Lenovo-ZUK-Z2-5_0-inch-4GB-RAM-64GB-ROM-Snapdragon-820-2_15GHz-Quad-core-4G-Smartphone-p-1064299.html

The World has moved on since you started your quest, a dollar less than your first link gets you 1GB more RAM and the Snapdragon 820.

EXPIRED: ~~https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/280965 - US$20 off coupon~~

kalos · « **Reply #68 on:** December 11, 2016, 11:30 PM »

Quote from: 4wd on December 09, 2016, 10:06 PM

http://www.banggood.com/Lenovo-ZUK-Z2-5_0-inch-4GB-RAM-64GB-ROM-Snapdragon-820-2_15GHz-Quad-core-4G-Smartphone-p-1064299.html

The World has moved on since you started your quest, a dollar less than your first link gets you 1GB more RAM and the Snapdragon 820.

https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/280965 - US$20 off coupon

thanks but smaller battery and smaller screen 5" !

4wd · « **Reply #69 on:** December 11, 2016, 11:51 PM »

Quote from: kalos on December 11, 2016, 11:30 PM

Quote from: 4wd on December 09, 2016, 10:06 PM
http://www.banggood.com/Lenovo-ZUK-Z2-5_0-inch-4GB-RAM-64GB-ROM-Snapdragon-820-2_15GHz-Quad-core-4G-Smartphone-p-1064299.html

The World has moved on since you started your quest, a dollar less than your first link gets you 1GB more RAM and the Snapdragon 820.

https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/280965 - US$20 off coupon

Quote

thanks but smaller battery

Much more efficient and powerful CPU, by benchmarks, battery life is equivalent to a phone with the Snapdragon 650 even if the 820 is using a 1000mAh less capacity battery.

Quote

and smaller screen 5" !

Less efficient eyesight, get glasses.

kalos · « **Reply #70 on:** December 11, 2016, 11:59 PM »

Quote from: 4wd on December 11, 2016, 11:51 PM

Quote from: kalos on December 11, 2016, 11:30 PM
Quote from: 4wd on December 09, 2016, 10:06 PM
http://www.banggood.com/Lenovo-ZUK-Z2-5_0-inch-4GB-RAM-64GB-ROM-Snapdragon-820-2_15GHz-Quad-core-4G-Smartphone-p-1064299.html

The World has moved on since you started your quest, a dollar less than your first link gets you 1GB more RAM and the Snapdragon 820.

https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/280965 - US$20 off coupon

Quote
thanks but smaller battery

Much more efficient and powerful CPU, by benchmarks, battery life is equivalent to a phone with the Snapdragon 650 even if the 820 is using a 1000mAh less capacity battery.

Quote
and smaller screen 5" !

Less efficient eyesight, get glasses.

oh ok but is the screen any good?
and how about SAR?

Redmi Pro 3, ticks all the boxes!

tomos · « **Reply #71 on:** December 18, 2016, 08:01 PM »

Me, I'm still humming and hawing...

For the record & in case anyone else is looking for similar:
best camera in a smartphone under 250€ / 300$US appears to be the Lenovo Moto G4 Plus.
Many of this model seem to overheat, and it's above my planned budget, but still considering it.

Here a link in German (w. easy to follow ranking), but I've heard/read many recommendations of the camera
https://curved.de/toplist/beste-kamera-smartphones/full

rjbull · « **Reply #72 on:** December 19, 2016, 09:31 PM »

Quote from: tomos on December 18, 2016, 08:01 PM

best camera in a smartphone under 250€ / 300$US appears to be the Lenovo Moto G4 Plus.

The opinion of UK reviewers seems to be that the Moto G4 is not only the best budget smartphone (for a given value of "budget") but better than most mid-range phones. If you want something a bit cheaper, and physically smaller, check out its small brother, the Moto E. See e.g. this Expert Reviews roundup: Here are the best budget smartphones in 2016.

I don't know the basis of Expert Reviews, but they seem to have all the reviews that are published in the UK's Computer Shopper magazine.

kalos · « **Reply #73 on:** December 19, 2016, 10:31 PM »

Best under $200?

tomos · « **Reply #74 on:** December 19, 2016, 11:03 PM »

Quote from: rjbull on December 19, 2016, 09:31 PM

Quote from: tomos on December 18, 2016, 08:01 PM
best camera in a smartphone under 250€ / 300$US appears to be the Lenovo Moto G4 Plus.
The opinion of UK reviewers seems to be that the Moto G4 is not only the best budget smartphone (for a given value of "budget") but better than most mid-range phones. If you want something a bit cheaper, and physically smaller, check out its small brother, the Moto E. See e.g. this Expert Reviews roundup: Here are the best budget smartphones in 2016.

thanks rj,
that prompted me to check out prices on amazon.de, and read some reviews there --
surprised to read that none of the three Moto G4 variants have regular compass capability, which means most navigation apps will not work. Seems really odd, but I read it on reviews for the regular G4, the Plus, and the Play models