Buying refurbished phone off Aliexpress? LG G5 vs V20?

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TeaLeaf

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#225746 4-Dec-2017 09:38

There are a couple of sellers that have really good feedback and Ive emailed them and asked if they can pick out a scratch free model for me.

Do you think its relatively safe?

I mean buying locally they are mostly refurbs for $470 for an LG v20, its $330 imported.

Also the G5 is $250 imported.

Not sure which model to get as they both use the same guts and Im on a budget.

networkn

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#1912522 4-Dec-2017 09:45

I'd buy the V20. It's an awesome Phone. I am selling mine as I upgraded to an S8 Note. The 2nd screen is something I still miss and today when I wiped it the screen was pretty awesome as well.

If you are an audiophile the DAC might make you happy.

TeaLeaf

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#1912586 4-Dec-2017 11:57

thanks networkn. im looking at about $100 more.

should i be worried about refurbished? it cant be any worse than buying NZ second hand and the prices are still $100 lower than NZ second hand market. I mean worst case they do have DOA warranties etc.

Does the v20 lose a lot with that second screen at the top, is it really 5.5" in use or do those icons disappear when you are saying using it or watching a movie?

Im a hobby photographer so f1.8 with OIS is impressive, along with the ability to shoot RAW makes it a viable hiking camera, leaving the DSLR at home.

I notice a lot of them get broken lens glass, and I have found the reason being is that whole plate covering both lenses is just glass, not gorilla glass :-). Thankfully they are cheap to fix.

Oh I dont know, im on a budget but I do like the V20, Im not sure whats better about it but it looks nicer haha.

I was going to import the m6 note which Pbtech are about to start selling for about $380, which is $230 to import, so same as the g5. The two better features are the 4000mah battery and the IMX386 sensor, the same in what is highly impressive HTC u11, but it doesnt have OIS or RAW. Plus software makes a HUGE difference in these cameras as does the glass covering the sensor. And yes that ultra wide angle lens could be handy.

networkn

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#1912588 4-Dec-2017 12:00

I would say that every V20 user I know of that went on to buy another phone misses the second screen. It's hard to describe it, but it's amazing. All your notifications go there. You lose nothing by having it there. The 5.5 is the primary screen.

For $100 I wouldn't even CONSIDER the other phone. The V20 is the best phone I've owned in a long time.

hio77

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#1912591 4-Dec-2017 12:05

I'm still rocking a V20, I absolutely love the device to bits.

I'd love it more of the radio was CAT16+ but that's neglectable.

The second screen has so much functionality.

i'd make sure you order in a model with the correct bands for NZ.

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TeaLeaf

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#1912659 4-Dec-2017 13:54

yeah already checked out the bands for both models. LG is good for bands. pretty much covers every band we use on spark.

also the v20 all are 64GB and 4GB ram. pretty good for $335 delivered.

I think if they have such good feedback and so many sales, its a better bet as new refurbished than a scratchy used phone with no warranty from nz......

networkn

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#1912661 4-Dec-2017 13:58

Heh, I was going to offer you mine for $400.

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KrazyKid

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#1912751 4-Dec-2017 16:05

@Tealeaf

Who is the Aliexpress vendor - thinking of getting one myself.

$330 is a nice price.

I see they are new on Trademe for about $450 for a NZ based importer. Not sure what that company is like for warrenty returns though.

Peppery

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#1912755 4-Dec-2017 16:11

Bought a couple of iPhones and Xperias from Aliexpress. They've worked just fine here :)

TeaLeaf

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#1912781 4-Dec-2017 16:54

KrazyKid:

@Tealeaf

Who is the Aliexpress vendor - thinking of getting one myself.

$330 is a nice price.

I see they are new on Trademe for about $450 for a NZ based importer. Not sure what that company is like for warrenty returns though.

They are imported REFURBS !

I will send you a link to a quality seller.

TeaLeaf

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#1912782 4-Dec-2017 16:54

Peppery:

Bought a couple of iPhones and Xperias from Aliexpress. They've worked just fine here :)

Were any of yours refurbs?

TeaLeaf

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#1912783 4-Dec-2017 16:55

networkn:

Heh, I was going to offer you mine for $400.

Its out of warranty? What colour?