Experiences with purchasing non-NZ mobile phones

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llvonn

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#222794 28-Aug-2017 20:08

I am thinking about purchasing one of the chinese phones off Ali-express. I am on a major budget, so looking for a phone that would meet my needs, but still be affordable. Just wondering if anyone else has done this and what sort of experience they had, any issues etc.

freitasm

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#1854330 28-Aug-2017 20:11

Issues? I would say the risk of having a phone that comes with malware pre-installed is pretty high in my books.

Also the risk of having a phone with a generic IMEI which could have been blocked by mobile operators (since the number is the same across multiple handsets, one reported stolen means all blocked).

I'd not buy a phone from Trade Me, Facebook groups or dropshippers.

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Thickcnut

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#1854332 28-Aug-2017 20:12

I have a phone ordered and being shipped from DHGate. It was $50.

I'll let you know more when it arrives if you like

driller2000

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#1854344 28-Aug-2017 20:23

I buy a lot of stuff from Ali/GB/BG etc - but a ph isnt an item that I would risk.

I did look at it as an option 6 months ago - but I decided against it mainly because of concerns re frequencies, roms, drivers, lack of set up for local networks, unlikely updates and finally if it craps itself - sending stuff back to China is just too painful.

Esp when local suppliers can provide a pretty good range of phs - at a not too massive premium - bearing in mind there is GST and local consumer protection via the CGA ( a cost for them a benefit for us).

So yeah...nah. :)

freitasm

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#1854345 28-Aug-2017 20:25

You can get a Vodafone Smart 7 for $49, locked...

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

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vexxxboy

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#1854389 28-Aug-2017 21:25

i bought one for my son, it came with pure Android 6 and was updated to pure 7 a week after he had it , all it had on it were the google apps. I use 2 degrees with no problem and it out performs the Samsung 7 on all tests, it takes 90 minutes to fully charge it from empty and he has had it for 6 months with no problems all for just under $300 . it arrived in under 10 days, tracked the whole way.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

tieke

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#1854396 28-Aug-2017 21:27

For an alternative viewpoint, I got a 5.5" Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro 4G 32GB for just over NZD$200 to replace my Nexus 6 and I have been extremely pleased with it. There are later iterations available with better specs, but this was the only one I found with 700MHz/Band 28 support.

Its budget nature is reflected in the lack of nfc or wireless charging, but otherwise it has worked really well - I used my standard Nova Launcher setup and the experience is indistinguishable from my Nexus phones except it isn't as laggy as they became and the Back and Switch navigation icons are swapped around.

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llvonn

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#1854406 28-Aug-2017 21:59

I currently have two phones - neither of which do what I need. Mainly because they only have 512 ram and 4gb space. Basic apps won't run. The phone I am looking at is this:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/DOOGEE-X30-Mobile-phone-Four-Camera-2x8-0MP-2x5-0MP-Android-7-0-3360mAh-5-5/32825691916.html?

For the price it is far more than I can get from nz stores. The risk is that it comes from overseas - although it should work on our network - 850

freitasm

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#1854409 28-Aug-2017 22:14

llvonn:

I currently have two phones - neither of which do what I need. Mainly because they only have 512 ram and 4gb space. Basic apps won't run. The phone I am looking at is this:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/DOOGEE-X30-Mobile-phone-Four-Camera-2x8-0MP-2x5-0MP-Android-7-0-3360mAh-5-5/32825691916.html?

For the price it is far more than I can get from nz stores. The risk is that it comes from overseas - although it should work on our network - 850

The 850 MHz is only good for Spark 3G. For Vodafone 3G you need 900/2100 MHz so that phone may not work everywhere seeing it's 1900/2100 MHz. And it doesn't have 4G.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

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richms

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#1854415 28-Aug-2017 22:23

Dual sim in it will also be the old 3G and 2G version, so forget using the second sim other than on VF and 2deg for voice purposes. The lack of quad band 3g means swapping around to use the vf/2d one for data isnt going to happen. Plus data will be painful on it without 4g.

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llvonn

29 posts

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#1854416 28-Aug-2017 22:24

Hi, Not a fan of vodafone as they do not have good service where I live - last time I checked. I currently use skinny and tend not to have any problems. Neither of my current phones are 4G so I will not be losing anything there. I don't use much data when out and about. I mainly use wifi at home, so not so worried about that. For me it is the functionality of the phone - will it work on network, run apps (mainly banking, kindle etc) and play music.

(BTW - not sure why my comments are listed as being edited?? - confused there, although now understand re comment re ebay.)

richms

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#1854417 28-Aug-2017 22:27

Probably edited by the grand high commander to make the link better for his affiliate link machine or something.

should be ok on skinny with it. I have had a doogee phone in the past, was similar price but lower spec. Lets just say their software was terrible and the 1 update it got did nothing to improve it.

Richard rich.ms