Recommend an upper midrange plain Android phone

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#2407670 27-Jan-2020 17:23

timmmay:
33coupe:

For the price I don't think you can get any better value. The UI isn't as good/fast as stock (my previous phone was an Essential PH1), but you soon get used to it and is more than quick enough. nothing really to complain about. I was pleasantly surprised with build quality, looks/feels pretty premium.

USB C, dual sim & headphone jack as well

How's MIUI to use, with Nova? The only time you'd notice it would be quick pull-down settings, and general settings wouldn't you? With hardware that fast it should be fast enough.

GSManiac:

You’d get any xiaomi a lot cheaper from AliExpress than PBTech. Even try Dicksmith.co.nz they have very sharp pricing on a lot of phones.

DSE prices seem good, better than PB. Amazon are also good. Ali Express are cheapest, but I don't like their service around disputes, so I wouldn't buy anything substantial from them. There are many versions so I've remoived my links as I think I linked to a couple of different phones.

It seems fine to me, been so long now can't remember how it was. I used Nova cos of the app drawer, more apps on home screen etc. Yep plenty fast enough.

I got mine from pb tech for warranty purposes. You'd want global rom as the other would be Chinese, and think may have adverts etc.

mrdrifter

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#2407742 27-Jan-2020 19:46

lNomNoml:

I've encountered compatibility issues with using MIUI mobiles when using Bluetooth, Android Auto, different launchers and they are heavily skinned. MIUI devices are further away from the stock feel and functionality of a stock Android device than a Samsung device. I would of suggested it to you but your initial requirements (Plain Android, no or minimal skin) fitted more a Pixel mobile than anything else. If you want a no hassle experience software wise than you can't get better than a Pixel.

That's the opposite of what I have found, especially in relation to the Samsung phones which I completely loath everytime I have to interact with them. I'm not sure what it is but it always feels clunky (and accidentally starting bixby).

My biggest bugbear is having to override the default Bluetooth always discoverable setting.

timmmay

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#2407784 27-Jan-2020 21:13

I've been reading some 9T and MIUI reviews. It looks like the 9T hardware is fantastic, and the latest MIUI version is ok but that it would be annoying to some. I wouldn't need the 9T pro, which is faster again. I was wanting to move to stock Android to remove the odd quirks I got on the P9, which also has great hardware.

I guess it's a question of do I want great fast hardware with software that could get annoying again, or slower hardware like the Moto G8 / Pixel 3a that is older and slower but stock Android with regular updates. Tough call. The P9 is fast enough, and both the G8 Plus and 3A are faster, but in a few years I suspect they'll feel quite slow.

A G8 Plus / Pixel 3a that's a bit quicker, still with stock Android at a slightly higher price, would be great. The Pixel 4a is forecast for May, I could wait until then, it should be a bit faster and hopefully has finger unlock unstead of face unlock. I guess I'll visit PB Tech to see if they have a 9T or similar on display and see how I like it, and if not I either wait for the Pixel 4a or get a Moto G8 plus.

Other suggestions still welcome :)

lNomNoml

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#2407789 27-Jan-2020 21:20

timmmay:

I've been reading some 9T and MIUI reviews. It looks like the 9T hardware is fantastic, and the latest MIUI version is ok but that it would be annoying to some. I wouldn't need the 9T pro, which is faster again. I was wanting to move to stock Android to remove the odd quirks I got on the P9, which also has great hardware.

I guess it's a question of do I want great fast hardware with software that could get annoying again, or slower hardware like the Moto G8 / Pixel 3a that is older and slower but stock Android with regular updates. Tough call. The P9 is fast enough, and both the G8 Plus and 3A are faster, but in a few years I suspect they'll feel quite slow.

A G8 Plus / Pixel 3a that's a bit quicker, still with stock Android at a slightly higher price, would be great. The Pixel 4a is forecast for May, I could wait until then, it should be a bit faster and hopefully has finger unlock unstead of face unlock. I guess I'll visit PB Tech to see if they have a 9T or similar on display and see how I like it, and if not I either wait for the Pixel 4a or get a Moto G8 plus.

Other suggestions still welcome :)

I would recommend waiting for Pixel 4a if you can. I will most likely be getting one if the reviews are good to replace my aging Pixel 2 XL

mattwnz

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#2407799 27-Jan-2020 21:45

I am guessing there maybe some deals on the s10 prior to the s10 being released. At least that is what happened with the note 9 prior to them releasing the note 10

tanivula

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#2407882 28-Jan-2020 07:14

If you value any carrier features then I'd avoid Xiaomi. Love my little mi 9 se, which is rooted and running a custom ROM, but you're unlikely to get full volte support. You can force enable it, but then SMS won't send. And don't even think about vowifi with 2deg.

A lot of Xiaomi phones have good custom ROM support, so if you're into tinkering then they're a good avenue as they still allow unlocking etc.

The "heavy" skin, or rather modifications can be annoying. For me, the biggest one is not being able to use smart unlock when connected to Bluetooth.

I got to say, the backup Samsung s7 received another software update, so really impressed with Sammy on that.

timmmay

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#2407885 28-Jan-2020 07:39

After reading / watching some reviews of the 9T / 9T Pro I'm starting to think it's worth a look, because the hardware is awesome and great value, large battery, and the software is improving. MIUI 11 improves things around notifications, and while it's not the same as plain Android it's probably good enough. I don't really like custom ROMs for my daily driver, but that's always an option if it annoys me later.

At $520 for the 9T 64GB version (no memory card support), $580 for the 9T 128GB version, and about $700 for the 9T pro the performance the 9T is 60% faster than Pixel 3a and the 9T pro is about 150% faster. That future proofs it somewhat - though a phone only has to last three years as by then the battery is worn. I'd be leaning towards the 9T, because I don't need the power of the 9T pro. 64GB is plenty for me - my current phone has 32 + 32GB and it's not near full, and most of that is videos for my toddler which are rarely watched these days.

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tanivula

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#2407894 28-Jan-2020 08:10

It's a solid phone. There is subtle camera differences between the pro and non pro (may not be important to you).

Shame that you just missed the PB sale over the weekend as the 128gb 9t pro was $600.

timmmay

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#2408072 28-Jan-2020 12:48

I had a quick play with the Xiaomi 9T at PBTech. It feels nice in the hand, it looks like a premium phone with a nice colored back. It's quite quick - nothing crazy, but quick. The demo model had Google Play store loaded and I installed some apps, which was quick and worked fine. I couldn't try things like signing in or notifications, but reviews and PMs say that that side of things generally works fine. It's not plain Android, but the interface is fairly similar to plain Android, enough that it probably won't bug me too much... for that price for that much power I can tolerate some quirks.

The other Xiaomi phones also looked nice. The Xiaomi A3, Android One phone, looks fairly plain in comparison both the handset and the home screen, but was quick enough - not quite to the level of the 9T, but easily quick enough for standard use. The screen isn't as good, but it's acceptable. Android one on the 9T hardware wold be a winner.

timmmay

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#2408346 28-Jan-2020 18:48

I'm going to go with the Xiaomi 9T. Any opinions on Dick Smith vs Mi Store vs PB Tech? Dick Smith are cheapest, PB have them in stock, Mi Store have them in stock. Interested in customer service / warranty type issues. Is the Mi Store an official Xiaomi outlet?

Any sales coming up?

I'm unlikely to buy from outside NZ unless it's a reputable store (not ebay / ali) and the price is significantly less.

TENKAN

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#2408349 28-Jan-2020 18:56

Pb tech and Mi store would be the same price I would think, but either way let us know how you get on in a review, as I'm interested in Mi 9T Pro over the Motorola G8 Plus.

ShinyChrome

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#2408356 28-Jan-2020 19:31

Since Dick smith is Kogan, it is parallel imported stock, no?

I'm pretty sure Mi-store is official, but can't help but notice they share the same e-commerce platform as PBTech and share the same pricing so I'm guessing the two are related.

mrdrifter

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#2408362 28-Jan-2020 19:43

ShinyChrome:
I'm pretty sure Mi-store is official, but can't help but notice they share the same e-commerce platform as PBTech and share the same pricing so I'm guessing the two are related.

Considering the Mi Store shares are all owned by PB Technologies Limited and the Director for both companies is the same, it's quite likely 😀

My understanding is the Mi Store is officially licensed by Xiaomi to use their Mi branding and act as an authorised repair centre etc...

jonathan18

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#2408369 28-Jan-2020 19:49

I’m sure PB Tech own/run the Mi Store, but their sales don’t always align so it can pay to keep an eye on both.

Kogan/DSE charge a decent amount for delivery - something like $36 for a phone. Pretty sure I’ve read complaints here about delivery times as well. I’ve bought stuff from them but only cheap things like WiFi bulbs. Personally, I’d be electing to buy from an NZ-based retailer, even if a bit more expensive. Think DSE warranty is one year, two years at PB Tech. Kogan mentions CGA on their site, but I’m not sure how well that would work out if having to go to the Disputes Tribunal given they have no physical presence here.

33coupe

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#2408375 28-Jan-2020 20:11

I'm pretty sure the mi9t 128gb has been $500 before (pricespy states as well). Cos I paid $600 on release date.

I've just remembered the one thing I miss about my essential/stock Android was Auto rotate even if you turned the function off (appears as a button) but that's pretty infrequent.

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