China phone: Zopo ZP900 Leader - NZ$303 delivered

Forums › Android › China phone: Zopo ZP900 Leader - NZ$303 delivered - awesome!

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93 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#786567 25-Mar-2013 11:05

freitasm:

On Telecom you don't have the "hand down" because Telecom's network is almost 100% 850MHz 3G. 2100 MHz 3G on Telecom is used for infill/capacity only and should not be considered as the main access to the network.

This is very different from Vodafone which in main centres (up until now) had 2100 MHz 3G only and 900 MHz 3G in other areas. Where 2100 MHz isn't available the handset will then step down to 2G since it doesn't support 900 MHz.

Very different cases. Vodafone coverage is a mix of 2G and 3G (in two main bands), while Telecom coverage is 3G only mainly in 850 MHz.

Don't be fooled though. Telecom 3G coverage is equivalent to Vodafone's 2G + 3G.

Great point. Plus, with data rates being what they are the only thing I ever do when not on wireless is maps, email and whatsapp. All of those things work fine on either 2G or 3G so frankly I'm not even aware when I'm connected to one or the other. Right now (at home in Te Atatu Peninsula, Auckland) I get a 3G or H connection. Usually 3G.

Edit:

I'm on Vodafone.

Nakedcity

93 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#786569 25-Mar-2013 11:13

robjg63: Heehee - it certainly does look like an SIII doesnt it?
Great price though.

Sure you could say I want Gorilla Glass, I want extra onboard storage - but that bumps up the price.
Do you have a screen protector on it?

Quite a find for something that seems to work best with Telecom.
But the Dual Sim is pretty cool as well.

How did you find that model?

Yeah, it's clearly "influenced" by the SIII :)

I do have a screen protector on it...I bought 2 with the phone because it didn't have gorilla glass. I've never had a phone with hard glass and I've always managed to get by.

I did quite a bit of research to find the model...reading reviews, etc. In the end, I went with Zopo because it had the right balance of price, specs, market presence, good shop/shipping, English consumer focus and an Italian tech support group. (I lived in Italy for many years and speak Italian). You can see a history with the Zopo shop too - i.e. not many (if any?) comments on the forum about h/w crapping out, etc. The biggest issue is when the new ROMs (Jelly Bean) are due out...

Edit:

The other potentials for me were..

ZOPO ZP200+ which has HDMI out and a 3D screen (whatever that means) but is more expensive (and smaller screen)

ZOPO ZP950 which has a massive 5.7in screen (phablet), but it's just too big

Quad Core models were too expensive and I don't need the additional power.

sep11guy

660 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 36
Inactive user

#786588 25-Mar-2013 11:41

The phone looks quite good !..

What happens with updates? Say if google brings out a new 4x version or say the next one after JB , how does that work, can we get over the air update.

Thanks,

nbroad

320 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 39

#786601 25-Mar-2013 12:06

Hi,

How did you get $19 postage? it comes up as $45 for me... or is it further into the checkout process?

Cheers.

old3eyes

9158 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1364

Subscriber

#786624 25-Mar-2013 12:44

freitasm: The page says "3G: WCDMA HSPDA 850/2100 MHz" so it's a device that would work better on Telecom, although it can work in some areas on Vodafone and 2degrees.

It will also work on Skinny 100% as well..

Regards,

Old3eyes

Nakedcity

93 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#786649 25-Mar-2013 13:18

sep11guy: The phone looks quite good !..

What happens with updates? Say if google brings out a new 4x version or say the next one after JB , how does that work, can we get over the air update.

Thanks,

Zoposhop posts a new ROM on their website...you d/l it and flash it. They tend to provide instructions/how-to's, etc, via their forum. As it stands, we're all still waiting for JB 4.1 or 4.2. The ZP900 is ICS currently.

If you put CWM recovery mod (or any other recovery you can successfully get onto the device) you can easily flash Zoposhop ROMs or any other compatible ROMs you might find.

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Nakedcity

93 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#786651 25-Mar-2013 13:19

nbroad: Hi,

How did you get $19 postage? it comes up as $45 for me... or is it further into the checkout process?

Cheers.

Yes, further down the checkout process you get an option between $45 for courier and $19 for airmail. I was planning to go with the $45 but got a nice surprise and opted for the simple airmail. Mine was tracked.

Etcman

87 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#786735 25-Mar-2013 16:07

Nakedcity:
joker97: Note: I am more than happy to be proven wrong ...

Not being snarky, but for $303 delivered, how *wrong* do you need to be proven?

Indeed, to perhaps generate some discussion...:

How long does an average Samsung S3/S4 last c.f. the cost of buying one? How long before it becomes obsolete?

If you take the price and divide it by it's expected useful life, which option would prove the best ROI? I'm asking - I don't know!

What about if you factor in ROM bloat, etc? (recall that the Zopo came rooted with zero crap)

These phones are often made using the same components, but admittedly don't always have the QA that big name phones have. Could a Chinese company actually want to produce a quality product and so put decent QA steps in place? Recall that the Zopo shop I bought this off tested my phone before shipping it (and uninstalled any chinese apps, set the language appropriately, etc). They also run a forum (Chinese, English and Italian - they have a whole Italian tech team based in Italy).

Although, if you paid an extra $90 (incl. shipping and everything), you could grab an 8GB Nexus 4 from Google Play. Twice the storage, twice the RAM, quad 1.5ghz (S4 Pro) vs dual 1ghz, higher resolution (1280 x 768 vs 960 x 540) and always on the latest version of Android without bloat.

Nakedcity

93 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#786768 25-Mar-2013 16:38

Although, if you paid an extra $90 (incl. shipping and everything), you could grab an 8GB Nexus 4 from Google Play. Twice the storage, twice the RAM, quad 1.5ghz (S4 Pro) vs dual 1ghz, higher resolution (1280 x 768 vs 960 x 540) and always on the latest version of Android without bloat.

Is that available in NZ on Google Play?
Where'd you get your price from? Do your price calcs include something like YouShop?

Do you know if you'd have to pay GST/duty?

On Pricespy.co.nz, I see it listed as NZ$553 (8GB) or $625 (16GB) which is $250 more already...and that's with FairBuy, which then charge you an extra $30 to ship it from HK.

bazzer

3438 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 267

Trusted

#786770 25-Mar-2013 16:39

Etcman:
Nakedcity:
joker97: Note: I am more than happy to be proven wrong ...

Not being snarky, but for $303 delivered, how *wrong* do you need to be proven?

Indeed, to perhaps generate some discussion...:

How long does an average Samsung S3/S4 last c.f. the cost of buying one? How long before it becomes obsolete?

If you take the price and divide it by it's expected useful life, which option would prove the best ROI? I'm asking - I don't know!

What about if you factor in ROM bloat, etc? (recall that the Zopo came rooted with zero crap)

These phones are often made using the same components, but admittedly don't always have the QA that big name phones have. Could a Chinese company actually want to produce a quality product and so put decent QA steps in place? Recall that the Zopo shop I bought this off tested my phone before shipping it (and uninstalled any chinese apps, set the language appropriately, etc). They also run a forum (Chinese, English and Italian - they have a whole Italian tech team based in Italy).

Although, if you paid an extra $90 (incl. shipping and everything), you could grab an 8GB Nexus 4 from Google Play. Twice the storage, twice the RAM, quad 1.5ghz (S4 Pro) vs dual 1ghz, higher resolution (1280 x 768 vs 960 x 540) and always on the latest version of Android without bloat.

I'm keen, how can I do this?

Etcman

87 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#786772 25-Mar-2013 16:42

Nakedcity:

Although, if you paid an extra $90 (incl. shipping and everything), you could grab an 8GB Nexus 4 from Google Play. Twice the storage, twice the RAM, quad 1.5ghz (S4 Pro) vs dual 1ghz, higher resolution (1280 x 768 vs 960 x 540) and always on the latest version of Android without bloat.

Is that available in NZ on Google Play?
Where'd you get your price from? Do your price calcs include something like YouShop?

Do you know if you'd have to pay GST/duty?

On Pricespy.co.nz, I see it listed as NZ$553 (8GB) or $625 (16GB) which is $250 more already...and that's with FairBuy, which then charge you an extra $30 to ship it from HK.

This is ordering from the US using Youshop. The costs all up include Youshop costs and everything. You do not have to pay GST/duty on the 8GB model as it falls under the $400 margin (however, you do for the 16GB model).

You may be charged a small conversion fee depending on your bank, so add like an extra $9.

Mine came in the mail last Monday and a total cost of $404.

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Etcman

87 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#786775 25-Mar-2013 16:48

bazzer:
Etcman:
Nakedcity:
joker97: Note: I am more than happy to be proven wrong ...

Not being snarky, but for $303 delivered, how *wrong* do you need to be proven?

Indeed, to perhaps generate some discussion...:

How long does an average Samsung S3/S4 last c.f. the cost of buying one? How long before it becomes obsolete?

If you take the price and divide it by it's expected useful life, which option would prove the best ROI? I'm asking - I don't know!

What about if you factor in ROM bloat, etc? (recall that the Zopo came rooted with zero crap)

These phones are often made using the same components, but admittedly don't always have the QA that big name phones have. Could a Chinese company actually want to produce a quality product and so put decent QA steps in place? Recall that the Zopo shop I bought this off tested my phone before shipping it (and uninstalled any chinese apps, set the language appropriately, etc). They also run a forum (Chinese, English and Italian - they have a whole Italian tech team based in Italy).

Although, if you paid an extra $90 (incl. shipping and everything), you could grab an 8GB Nexus 4 from Google Play. Twice the storage, twice the RAM, quad 1.5ghz (S4 Pro) vs dual 1ghz, higher resolution (1280 x 768 vs 960 x 540) and always on the latest version of Android without bloat.

I'm keen, how can I do this?

I think there are more details in the Nexus 4 order/shipping thread.
However, you need to sign up for a Youshop account with NZ post. You then need to use a VPN like Tunnelbear and create a new GMail.

Add your credit card to Google Wallet with your Youshop address as the delivery AND billing address. Place your order and depending on if they have any in stock, will take 2 or so days to arrive at your Youshop address.

Youshop will notify that a package has arrived for you and will await for you to pay for shipping. Declare the value of the parcel ($299 USD) and pay for shipping ($23.25, try use Youshopbf11 as a code for 15% off). It will then take a week and a half or so for it to arrive at your NZ address.

Nakedcity

93 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#786778 25-Mar-2013 16:52

Etcman:
Nakedcity:

Although, if you paid an extra $90 (incl. shipping and everything), you could grab an 8GB Nexus 4 from Google Play. Twice the storage, twice the RAM, quad 1.5ghz (S4 Pro) vs dual 1ghz, higher resolution (1280 x 768 vs 960 x 540) and always on the latest version of Android without bloat.

Is that available in NZ on Google Play?
Where'd you get your price from? Do your price calcs include something like YouShop?

Do you know if you'd have to pay GST/duty?

On Pricespy.co.nz, I see it listed as NZ$553 (8GB) or $625 (16GB) which is $250 more already...and that's with FairBuy, which then charge you an extra $30 to ship it from HK.

This is ordering from the US using Youshop. The costs all up include Youshop costs and everything. You do not have to pay GST/duty on the 8GB model as it falls under the $400 margin (however, you do for the 16GB model).

You may be charged a small conversion fee depending on your bank, so add like an extra $9.

Mine came in the mail last Monday and a total cost of $404.

Hey, that is a pretty good deal. I did want a 5+" screen tho (but not a phablet).
My $303 price delivered included a $9 currency conversion fee from my bank.

Ropata

318 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 33
Inactive user

#787399 26-Mar-2013 19:02

Etcman:
bazzer:
Etcman:
Nakedcity:
joker97: Note: I am more than happy to be proven wrong ...

Not being snarky, but for $303 delivered, how *wrong* do you need to be proven?

Indeed, to perhaps generate some discussion...:

How long does an average Samsung S3/S4 last c.f. the cost of buying one? How long before it becomes obsolete?

If you take the price and divide it by it's expected useful life, which option would prove the best ROI? I'm asking - I don't know!

What about if you factor in ROM bloat, etc? (recall that the Zopo came rooted with zero crap)

These phones are often made using the same components, but admittedly don't always have the QA that big name phones have. Could a Chinese company actually want to produce a quality product and so put decent QA steps in place? Recall that the Zopo shop I bought this off tested my phone before shipping it (and uninstalled any chinese apps, set the language appropriately, etc). They also run a forum (Chinese, English and Italian - they have a whole Italian tech team based in Italy).

Although, if you paid an extra $90 (incl. shipping and everything), you could grab an 8GB Nexus 4 from Google Play. Twice the storage, twice the RAM, quad 1.5ghz (S4 Pro) vs dual 1ghz, higher resolution (1280 x 768 vs 960 x 540) and always on the latest version of Android without bloat.

I'm keen, how can I do this?

I think there are more details in the Nexus 4 order/shipping thread.
However, you need to sign up for a Youshop account with NZ post. You then need to use a VPN like Tunnelbear and create a new GMail.

Add your credit card to Google Wallet with your Youshop address as the delivery AND billing address. Place your order and depending on if they have any in stock, will take 2 or so days to arrive at your Youshop address.

Youshop will notify that a package has arrived for you and will await for you to pay for shipping. Declare the value of the parcel ($299 USD) and pay for shipping ($23.25, try use Youshopbf11 as a code for 15% off). It will then take a week and a half or so for it to arrive at your NZ address.

Just did this too. Arrived yesterday and cost was the same as above.

Nakedcity

93 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#812018 6-May-2013 13:31

I hope this doesn't jinx me...but

As of 6 May 2013 the phone is still working fine.

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