Best Android phone clones to buy?

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rgoulter

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#111316 30-Oct-2012 09:55

OK so I'm too poor to buy a Samsung G2 or G3.

I've seen a number of chinese clones out there and on the deal sites like 1-day, first-in etc.

Are any of these clone phones any good? I dont really care for build quality as for the price if it only lasted 9-12 months i'd be happy with that. From what I can tell a chines S2 rip off goes for about 200-280 depending on brand, spec etc.

I have a Motorola Defy Mini that I got free from Telecom but its base memory is rediculously low and I cant uninstall/remove the base apps to free up the mem so basically I cant download any apps to the phone so whats the point of keeping it.

My plan is to buy a cheap clone, try it out for a month and if it actually works and does what is meant to flick the motorola defy on trademe

Can people who have brought clones post their comments here detailing the phone, www links and where you got it from etc and also whether its any good?

Thanks in advance for the help/feedback.

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#708977 30-Oct-2012 10:00

I can't help with clones, but if you root the Defy and install Titanium Backup Pro you can freeze and remove the bloatware. Couple it with Ram Booster and you should breath new life into it

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kobiak

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#708983 30-Oct-2012 10:09

just get mi-two :) and you will forget crappy S2 and S3 like nightmare!

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rgoulter

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#708997 30-Oct-2012 10:21

kobiak: just get mi-two :) and you will forget crappy S2 and S3 like nightmare!

I googled mi-two and its looks like a good phone. But where to buy and whats the price? I cant find a NZ seller?

@ Crucias - seems like a lot of work for what is a free entry level phone.. where can I find sites which guide me through the rooting process?

kobiak

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#709001 30-Oct-2012 10:29

rgoulter:
kobiak: just get mi-two :) and you will forget crappy S2 and S3 like nightmare!

I googled mi-two and its looks like a good phone. But where to buy and whats the price? I cant find a NZ seller?

@ Crucias - seems like a lot of work for what is a free entry level phone.. where can I find sites which guide me through the rooting process?

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/Xiaomi-Mi-Two_id7427

just a simple phone, which cost from NZ$400 delivered.

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rgoulter

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#709005 30-Oct-2012 10:32

that site you linked was for the specs of the phone but not for the sale of the phone.

Where is the website that sells the phone to NZ for ~$400?

Also ill it run on Telecom XT network?

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kobiak

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#709012 30-Oct-2012 10:40

these phones are sold like hot pies.

a lot of websites have them for pre-orders at higher price :) but if you lucky enough, u might get it before Christmas.

or you could have a look at meizu mx.

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Batman

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#709013 30-Oct-2012 10:40

you can afford a defy but not an s2? s2 is now around $400+ see einfo.co.nz

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#709014 30-Oct-2012 10:40

if you want retina screen get the galaxy nexus also $400+

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#709015 30-Oct-2012 10:41

if you want iphone look get the goophone i5 (not sure from where sorry but i heard US100)

D1023319

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#709081 30-Oct-2012 12:15

http://www.chinavasion.com/china/wholesale/Android_Phones/

rgoulter

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#709155 30-Oct-2012 13:46

D1023319: http://www.chinavasion.com/china/wholesale/Android_Phones/

wow theres some good deals on there at first glance.

Has anyone actually brought one from them?

Another solution i've just thought of is I'll sell my Motorola Defy Mini on trademe for $150 (its basically brand new, only couple months old) and then up buy to a $300-$400 android.

So what are good new phones in the $300-400 market?

Galaxy SII's are still > $400 from what I can tell and they are getting old now.

ideas?

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rgoulter

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#709198 30-Oct-2012 15:18

Is the LG P705 Optimus any good?

P1n3apqlExpr3ss

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#709240 30-Oct-2012 16:14

There's enough cheap phones available now from Huawei and such that you shouldn't even bother with 95% crap chinese knockoffs.

The Ascend G300 can be had regularly for $250 or less while the bigger and faster G600 has recently launched for $400

A $200 locally available phone is going to be better than a $200 Chinese import/clone

rgoulter

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#709246 30-Oct-2012 16:20

yep agreed, after spending the day on pricespy I've moved away from the clones as they are not much cheaper and even if cheaper not worth the risk of problems and warranties etc

I was about to buy the LG L7 then i realised it was vodafone only :( which sucked.

I'll keep looking.

dman

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#709297 30-Oct-2012 17:21

there are so many great Android phones in the mid range I wouldn't bother with knock offs

by the way, do you have to stick with Telecom? Then you could get the Sony U for instance which is a cracker little phone for its price

oh, and if you can save up more.... think about the Nexus 4, it just got announced and it is amazingly powerful & at an incredible price! (US$299!!)

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