What's the difference with Parallel imported phones?

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simon14

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#178923 19-Aug-2015 12:38

Is there any disadvantage in buying a Parallel imported phone?

I believe this Nexus 6 is Parallel imported from Expert Infotech but not from Mighty Ape? Does anyone know if this is the case?

http://www.einfo.co.nz/motorola-nexus-6-32-gb-black.html

https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/Google-Nexus-6-32GB-Cloud-White/23046750

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#1370234 19-Aug-2015 13:02

Generally lose rights to manufacturer warranty/CGA claim on manufacturer.
Sometimes marginal differences such as different LTE bands.

simon14

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#1370324 19-Aug-2015 15:11

Looks like PI products are covered by CGA if the company selling them is based in NZ:

"The most important thing you need to know is whether they're based in New Zealand. If they are, then they're obliged under the Consumer Guarantees Act to ensure their goods are of acceptable quality and match their descriptions, and to sort out any problems. "

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/9905212/Know-your-rights-with-parallel-importing

sbiddle

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#1370326 19-Aug-2015 15:17

The disadvantage is that it's often from a different country and in some cases you'll find may support different bands to NZ new devices.

garbonzai

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#1370426 19-Aug-2015 18:00

I nearly got caught out with that, a S5 from PB Tech was euro version, no 700mhz 4g or something, ended up getting a Spark version (an M8) phone that had 700mhz, a lot of phones on Trademe and on Price Spy from the "cheapo" shops do not have the correct bands for NZ, you really have to do your research and know the exact model for specs before you buy.

Yabanize

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#1370434 19-Aug-2015 18:48

garbonzai: I nearly got caught out with that, a S5 from PB Tech was euro version, no 700mhz 4g or something, ended up getting a Spark version (an M8) phone that had 700mhz, a lot of phones on Trademe and on Price Spy from the "cheapo" shops do not have the correct bands for NZ, you really have to do your research and know the exact model for specs before you buy.

When official NZ S5's came out they were SM-G900F, These didn't have 700mhz 4g, Later they brought out the SM-G900I which had 700mhz 4g.

So even some NZ ones don't have it

garbonzai

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#1370481 19-Aug-2015 19:32

Yabanize:
garbonzai: I nearly got caught out with that, a S5 from PB Tech was euro version, no 700mhz 4g or something, ended up getting a Spark version (an M8) phone that had 700mhz, a lot of phones on Trademe and on Price Spy from the "cheapo" shops do not have the correct bands for NZ, you really have to do your research and know the exact model for specs before you buy.

When official NZ S5's came out they were SM-G900F, These didn't have 700mhz 4g, Later they brought out the SM-G900I which had 700mhz 4g.

So even some NZ ones don't have it

Oh ok, I only upgraded my phone about 6 weeks ago and when deciding what phone I wanted between last years flag ships I did a bit of research on different models (I read on this GZ site about the 700mhz 4g, band 28 I think), that's when I realized the cheaper ones on TM and via Price Spy cheapo shops where selling versions that did not have 700mhz 4g (mostly euro versions I think), when at the above mentioned store, I asked about the 700mhz for the S5 and the sales person said yes it did have it, then about to buy it I noticed on the box had G900F, so did not buy it.

So, some retailers and cheapo online shops are currently selling discounted phones knowing they don't have 700mhz 4g compared to telco retailers like Spark and Vodafone that sell the same "named" phone but with the correct model for NZ 4g bands and people think they are getting a bargain at a cheap price from the cheapo places, but the phones are not quite the same.

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simon14

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#1370819 20-Aug-2015 11:47

Thanks all -

Does this one have all the right bands ect?

http://www.einfo.co.nz/motorola-nexus-6-32-gb-black.html

Can you even buy a Nexus 6 with isn't PI?

Behodar

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#1370825 20-Aug-2015 12:01

simon14: Can you even buy a Nexus 6 with isn't PI?

Yes, you can buy directly from Google.

Dairyxox

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#1370832 20-Aug-2015 12:15

Phones from other regions will also have different update schedules (For android anyway). Sometimes faster, sometimes slower, depending on region etc.

old3eyes

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#1370837 20-Aug-2015 12:24

Behodar:
simon14: Can you even buy a Nexus 6 with isn't PI?

Yes, you can buy directly from Google.

Not at that price i wouldn't.

Regards,

Old3eyes

nathan

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#1370839 20-Aug-2015 12:25

Behodar:
simon14: Can you even buy a Nexus 6 with isn't PI?

Yes, you can buy directly from Google.

in the context of this it would be interesting to think about what the definition of PI is

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Behodar

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#1370850 20-Aug-2015 12:47

The assumption I'm working under is that it's an import that isn't through official distribution channels.

simon14

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#1370863 20-Aug-2015 13:07

nathan:
Behodar:
simon14: Can you even buy a Nexus 6 with isn't PI?

Yes, you can buy directly from Google.

in the context of this it would be interesting to think about what the definition of PI is

PI = Parallel imported.

I was being lazy

Krishant007

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#1370873 20-Aug-2015 13:30

Depending on the phone - i may or may not purchase from a PI. My last 2 phones have all been Non-PI - bought it from Dick Smith or Warehouse stationary. Why? They were both purchased close to launch dates - so they were almost the same price at PI folks. But the kicker was the warranty. Got an M7 from Warehouse stationary a couple of years ago - it had the purple fringe issue on the camera - got it changed under warranty within 10 days.

Had a friend who had issues with warranties at PI places (Einfo in this case). They had to send the phone back to the country of origin - had a 1 month run around time etc. More of a hassle. Also a point of note - most manufacturers such as Samsung and HTC have 24 month warranties whereas PI is 12 month warranty (I checked my Note 4 & the M7 had 24 months warranty).

Circumstances when I would buy from PI - if budget is really tight or the phone is not available from local channels (eg Moto X before 2Degrees picked it up).

nathan

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#1370876 20-Aug-2015 13:39

simon14:
nathan:
Behodar:
simon14: Can you even buy a Nexus 6 with isn't PI?

Yes, you can buy directly from Google.

in the context of this it would be interesting to think about what the definition of PI is

PI = Parallel imported.

I was being lazy

no not that, we get what the acronym is

I mean technically this is still a PI phone right ;)

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