Band 28 to be or not to be? LG V20 import, $270 vs $540

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TeaLeaf

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#228570 12-Jan-2018 11:14

I almost bought a used v20 h990 yesterday.

I really want a phone that takes reasonable RAW photo files, and I love the DAC on the V20 and the second screen. Oh and the 2k screen and the SD820 power. Its all toooooo tempting to think of saving some bucks for a cheaper phone.

It went for $440. Was 18 months old. A new parralel import h990 is $550 so I pulled out.

However you can import the single sim model refurb for $270, it doesnt have band 28, but honestly I dont know when Id ever REALLY need it, even 3G does what I need most of the time, if Im watching movies its on UFB 200.

I see the Sony Xperia is now $600 as well and its camera file output is good and they do the look the nicest imo.

Then there is the Meizu M6 note brand new, Global Version, $200 imported. 4000mah, same camera sensor as HTC u11 (not no .dng), Oreo, solid housing (best value Meizu yet imo).

Im not a person that will ever pay $1100 for a phone and I hope the increase in asian market imports really dents apple (if they arent doing it themselves) and android pricing. but at the same time Im happy to pay up to $400 for a last generation flagship.

What would you go for?

KrazyKid

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#1937600 12-Jan-2018 11:28

Can't comment about the sony, but purchased a V20 secondhand just before Christmas. Loving it.

It was an import and since it is second hand to me no warranty, but at $330 I'll take the risk.
Like you I won't pay $1000 for a phone.

Takes a very nice phone and is nice and quick. Good battery life. Huge step up from my LG G2 :)

Unless you are going overseas or have a specific need dual sim that I wouldn't care about that feature personally. YMMV.
$270 with a warranty sounds a good deal.

Edit: My phone has Band 28, but I am a light user (on a $19 spark music plan) and don't travel much, so don't care that much about Band 28 personally.
My data use is mainly via wifi

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hio77

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#1937603 12-Jan-2018 11:29

love my h990ds.

Personally band 28 support is major requirement for me.

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tripp

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#1937608 12-Jan-2018 11:44

Isn't band 26 and not 28 for NZ

djtOtago

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#1937616 12-Jan-2018 11:57

tripp:

Isn't band 26 and not 28 for NZ

4G 700MHz (Band 28)

TeaLeaf

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#1937627 12-Jan-2018 12:10

hio77:

love my h990ds.

Personally band 28 support is major requirement for me.

Can I ask why? If I lived in a band 28 only area (some rural areas), it would be a must.

How long you had your v20? Would you recommend it over the other phones Im considering?

Im wondering just how good that DAC is... Im considering an external condenser mic input and recording 4 track guitar stuff just to much about.

KrazyKid

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#1937632 12-Jan-2018 12:24

I love in Dunedin so I get 3g and 4g. Because I don't download much data via mobile I'm not two worried if the searches take a little longer. If it is a large file is download it via WiFi. (Eg Spotify for driving in the car). I only have 1g of mobile data a month.
The dac does sound like better to my ears but it's not a massive improvement. Note. I'm not an audiophile.
The clear sound when recording video was a nice surprise. It's very good in that aspect.
For me the FM Stereo was the must have. I listen to the radio national walking to and from work each day.

Can't really speak for the other phones. Recall looking at the meizu and rejecting it for some reason. ( Maybe no radio?). Maybe I was concerned about security patch availability.

I believe the V20 is due an Oreo update this year but haven't heard that for sure. At least LG are patching it regularly.

TeaLeaf

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#1937637 12-Jan-2018 12:35

Thanks for that. I didnt realise It had FM radio, oh thats a deal sealer.

Now I just have to decide do I buy NZ new with 1 year warranty for $540, or import the Refurbished (as new) non dual sim model with only DOA warranty for $270. The aliexpress dealer has had no negative feedbacks on this phone yet.

I really am the same, I RARELY use mobile data, I only use it to push email. The only time I watch netflix etc is on wifi. So band 28 is of no use to me. So I guess Im paying $270 for a years warranty. At $270 and no bad feedback and DOA garuntee, one could say its a gamble worth placing? I could buy 2 for same price lol. I didnt see the point of paying $440 for a used parralel imported one with no warranty.

muppet

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#1937643 12-Jan-2018 12:50

If you really don't want 4G in as many places as possible, you don't need Band 28.

What you might find though is some places to get 2 bars of signal with 3G and 5 bars of signal with 4G.

But yea, if uber-data isn't a big deal, don't sweat it.

TeaLeaf

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#1937695 12-Jan-2018 14:00

Cheers Muppet. I think what Im really dwelling on is whether to go the 1 year warranty for twice the price. And of course it takes a couple of weeks to arrive from AE.

hio77

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#1937711 12-Jan-2018 14:34

TeaLeaf:

hio77:

love my h990ds.

Personally band 28 support is major requirement for me.

Can I ask why? If I lived in a band 28 only area (some rural areas), it would be a must.

How long you had your v20? Would you recommend it over the other phones Im considering?

Im wondering just how good that DAC is... Im considering an external condenser mic input and recording 4 track guitar stuff just to much about.

Slightly weighted towards work, however for 4G B28 overlay is pretty heavy for coverage and bandwidth reasons - often you will find the first CA layer to be B28 + B3.

I do live rural, and travel to far more rural areas ontop of that so having the best chance to get signal without deploying the low signal gear (or worse yet having to resort to no signal gear)

The DAC is light and day with a decent set.

Removal battery also is one of my favorite features. I'm often abusing this (I'm really not kind to mobile batteries.)

the dual screen is truly a bane I'm not sure how i'll upgrade away from it, Simple things like checking notifications while at my desk, i simply see it on there and know, oh that one can wait.

Lastly dual sim, i role a Spark and VF sim, VF being my personal sim due to home signal requirements (although I've moved almost all my data requirements to spark since LTE CA is just simply light and day.)

Spark sim i use for work, while many in the office will have my personal contact being that i'll often do a spot out outbound stuff, my DDI and Mobile occasionally gets return contact.

I've had my V20 since December last year. ( Wed, Dec 21, 2016 at 8:40 PM was the confirmation email)

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TeaLeaf

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#1937816 12-Jan-2018 19:29

Thanks Hio. Can I ask did you import or buy a NZ new model?

Yes the second screen everybody seems to love. But the new model is LED so it would get burn in, it does have an app feature to semi make up for the second screen but not quite.

Also the cameras are better on the v30, the colours are night and day better. But to me if I want a keeper pic Ill take it in raw and work on it in lightroom, so its a non issue. I also plan to try google hdr+ APK on it.

The v30 is way nicer looking, its screen is more vibrant, but its $1300 minimum and you its not a removeable battery, sure it charges fast but buying a battery charge cradle with second battery for $15 makes running out of juice a non issue with the v20.

The DAC is really important to me. I plan to buy some high quality asian market in ears. I have a $200 pair but Ive tested $20 imports which are better, its phenomenal really how much our NZ market brands are marked up for what they are. I do have some quality stationary headphones for music as well. I play and listen to music so I think the quality mic might be cool too.

If I could get finance for the v30 Id consider it. But heck thats $1100 more.

hio77

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#1937817 12-Jan-2018 19:31

TeaLeaf:

Thanks Hio. Can I ask did you import or buy a NZ new model?

Yes the second screen everybody seems to love. But the new model is LED so it would get burn in, it does have an app feature to semi make up for the second screen but not quite.

Also the cameras are better on the v30, the colours are night and day better. But to me if I want a keeper pic Ill take it in raw and work on it in lightroom, so its a non issue. I also plan to try google hdr+ APK on it.

The v30 is way nicer looking, its screen is more vibrant, but its $1300 minimum and you its not a removeable battery, sure it charges fast but buying a battery charge cradle with second battery for $15 makes running out of juice a non issue with the v20.

The DAC is really important to me. I plan to buy some high quality asian market in ears. I have a $200 pair but Ive tested $20 imports which are better, its phenomenal really how much our NZ market brands are marked up for what they are. I do have some quality stationary headphones for music as well. I play and listen to music so I think the quality mic might be cool too.

If I could get finance for the v30 Id consider it. But heck thats $1100 more.

PB sold, so TW model. no NZ retailer does lg it seems.

For my workload, i'll go through multiple 30Kmha battery packs in a day sometimes. I run it hot and heavy.

burn in, yeah hella bad.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

TeaLeaf

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#1937837 12-Jan-2018 20:12

yeah for another $1000 I just dont think im getting $1000 upgrade. The v30 is very nice, but not that nice.

i think i might just risk an import non h990 refurb model. if it breaks after 6 months then its just the universe telling me its time to try the v30 haha, or buy another v20 refurb. but ive not heard of any issues from this AE dealer so Im pretty confident.

supposedly the reason Oreo is so delayed for the v20 is due to the second screen being quite tricky to modify for. hence why the g6 got it well ahead of the v20. i do think it will come but im picking march-april.

TeaLeaf

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#1937923 13-Jan-2018 08:58

I have found the H991 model for $360 NEW. Now I dont know if LG has global warranty but Im going to try and find out, if so Ill definitely be going this model and get the band 28 and dual sim as a side bonus.

But the guys on trademe are selling the Refurb models for $480 for the single sim. That has a year warranty but for $210. Still struggling to see how $270 is a huge risk or even the $360 for a new one. Ive heard of this 40 point check system. Some of the AE sellers have stickers somewhere under the cover, it says do not peal until you have done this check. Pretty odd I think as thats what the seller should be doing and garunteeing?