Xiaomi Mobiles

Fla5h

Fla5h

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Anybody purchased an Xiaoma mobile? I was looking at getting a Samsung Galaxy S6 but Xiaoma seem to produce just as high specs handsets at a third of the cost - http://www.mi.com/en/mi3/

This article states they have sold 200 million registered smartphone users and are now going into the laptop area
http://www.fastcompany.com/3051492/fast-feed/the-first-xiaomi-laptop-threatens-apple-in-china

They sell more handsets than Apple in China on according to the fortune article
http://fortune.com/2015/08/03/apple-third-place-china/

So anyone had an experience with Xiaoma handsets and where to purchase, looks like they all come from China but www.ibuygou.com clain to have a european warehouse

This is the handset I had in mind
https://www.ibuygou.com/p-xiaomi-mi...08-hexa-core-18ghz-2gb-ram-16gb-rom-7080.html
 
I think they are the biggest Selling brand I'm China. They have a good reputation I think. Camera might not be as good though.
 
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Yes, Xaomi are a "blue chip" electronics brand in China. They have a good rep and their products are making their way into the western world through chinese sites such as Banggood.com.

As regards their camera, it may be good as they produce the best chinese Go Pro clone, the Xaomi Yi, that produces excellent video at 1080P60. Not as good as the Hero 4 but it is only a fraction of the price.

I haven't used their handsets but they are meant to be quite good, as are the Huawei handsets.

The latest Huawei has even leap frogged Apple with their own touch sensitive screen (like the new iPhone 6S) but their one can be used to weigh objects on the screen !!
 
Spy said:
Yes, Xaomi are a "blue chip" electronics brand in China. They have a good rep and their products are making their way into the western world through chinese sites such as Banggood.com.

As regards their camera, it may be good as they produce the best chinese Go Pro clone, the Xaomi Yi, that produces excellent video at 1080P60. Not as good as the Hero 4 but it is only a fraction of the price.

I haven't used their handsets but they are meant to be quite good, as are the Huawei handsets.

The latest Huawei has even leap frogged Apple with their own touch sensitive screen (like the new iPhone 6S) but their one can be used to weigh objects on the screen !!
Click to expand...

Banggood.com sounds like some kind of pron website
 
Fla5h said:
Banggood.com sounds like some kind of pron website
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:ROFLMAO::D

Sure does, but it is completely legit ;)

Something was probably lost from the Chinese to English translation !
 
The only issue would be knowing whether you've got a genuine one. The Chinese rip each others products off as much as they do other country's so try to buy from a reputable seller if you can't get it straight from the horse.
 
Agreed Steep. There are many Xaomi copies and ascertaining if a seller is selling genuine products is not necessarily that easy.

Places like Banggood.com are pretty reputable so if they say it is genuine then it should be but read the descriptions carefully.
 
Fla5h said:
Anybody purchased an Xiaoma mobile? I was looking at getting a Samsung Galaxy S6 but Xiaoma seem to produce just as high specs handsets at a third of the cost - http://www.mi.com/en/mi3/

This article states they have sold 200 million registered smartphone users and are now going into the laptop area
http://www.fastcompany.com/3051492/fast-feed/the-first-xiaomi-laptop-threatens-apple-in-china

They sell more handsets than Apple in China on according to the fortune article
http://fortune.com/2015/08/03/apple-third-place-china/

So anyone had an experience with Xiaoma handsets and where to purchase, looks like they all come from China but www.ibuygou.com clain to have a european warehouse

This is the handset I had in mind
https://www.ibuygou.com/p-xiaomi-mi...08-hexa-core-18ghz-2gb-ram-16gb-rom-7080.html
Click to expand...

Did you get one of these phones, Tony?

I started looking at them after your post, & they do look very impressive, particularly at these prices. They seem to be well liked in reviews, along with many other unheard of names, like Doogee, UMI, & Elephone :D

Some suppliers like Coolicool, have EU warehouses to ship from, but I'd be interested to here if you've had some first hand experience of one.
 
Comfortably Numb said:
Did you get one of these phones, Tony?

I started looking at them after your post, & they do look very impressive, particularly at these prices. They seem to be well liked in reviews, along with many other unheard of names, like Doogee, UMI, & Elephone :D

Some suppliers like Coolicool, have EU warehouses to ship from, but I'd be interested to here if you've had some first hand experience of one.
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Not that particular one as it was still on pre order but took the plunge and went for the XIAOMI RedMi Note 2 32GB 4G Phablet @ gearbest (China Warehouse)

http://www.gearbest.com/cell-phones/pp_229218.html @ £125, also added the following

http://www.gearbest.com/cell-phones/pp_238019.html
http://www.gearbest.com/other-cases-covers/pp_240712.html

Was also tempted by this from the Eurrope Warehouse @ £100
http://www.gearbest.com/cell-phones/pp_180346.html?wid=3

Ordered a few days ago so still waiting for delivery
 
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Ok, well I'll be keen to hear how it works out.

Gearbest does have some interesting stock, although I was a bit concerned when I read that once dispatched they have no liability!? I know the 'knife thread' guys are using them a lot, though, & they are well thought of by reviewers, like pcadvisor, so probably all good.
 
Comfortably Numb said:
Ok, well I'll be keen to hear how it works out.

Gearbest does have some interesting stock, although I was a bit concerned when I read that once dispatched they have no liability!? I know the 'knife thread' guys are using them a lot, though, & they are well thought of by reviewers, like pcadvisor, so probably all good.
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We'll see what happens, I've used paypal so might have a bit of protection.

Also ordered one of these from banggood
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/ori...ah-silver-free-shipping-7-81-banggood-2296245
 
Re GearBest, typical Chinese company, depending on what delivery method you choose it can take weeks for it to get to you. Also in Chinese culture "Buyer Beware" is the norm and they (the general 'they' not any one company in particular) will often try to fob you off but as long as you buy via paypal or via your cc then you should still have some protection.

GearBest in particular I've found to be quite good, when I had a problem with items missing from an order and contacted them they dispatched the missing stuff immediately, no questions.
My only caveat with buying from China is assume it's a fake unless you're buying direct from the manufacturer. I have been bitten once before with a p.o.s phone so tend to stick to low cost items now unless I'm sure of the source.
 
Steep said:
Re GearBest, typical Chinese company, depending on what delivery method you choose it can take weeks for it to get to you. Also in Chinese culture "Buyer Beware" is the norm and they (the general 'they' not any one company in particular) will often try to fob you off but as long as you buy via paypal or via your cc then you should still have some protection.

GearBest in particular I've found to be quite good, when I had a problem with items missing from an order and contacted them they dispatched the missing stuff immediately, no questions.
My only caveat with buying from China is assume it's a fake unless you're buying direct from the manufacturer. I have been bitten once before with a p.o.s phone so tend to stick to low cost items now unless I'm sure of the source.
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I was reading somewhere that Xiaoma used to copy the likes of Apple and Samsung (guess they still do) and if they officially moved into US / Europe markets they'll have all sorts of lawsuits on them.

Also an interesting article here
‘All of a sudden, we became the one that’s being challenged. It’s terrifying and hard to adapt to.’
—Lei Jun, Xiaomi chief executive http://www.wsj.com/articles/xiaomi-confronts-an-unnerving-time-1443643346

Anyway if anyone does go down the Xiaomi route you can verify your products here
http://www.mi.com/verify/
 
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You have me sold I think they will be my next brand phone. It has a good audio amp and DAC so should sound great too.
 
Just to warn you. They won't have play store on their phones since Google is been banned in china for not sharing customers information and install government spy ware on their os.
 
They aren't too bad. i would rather have the Elephant P7000 or P8000 though if I went for a chinese phone
 
Comfortably Numb said:
Great spec phone, Xiaomi do seem excellent & are said to have the best UI ,



& a 'mental' case....chinese sarcasm....or typo? :D
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I'm sure I won't get on with the huge screen and will have to change it so I've started planning my next move
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Xiaomi-Mi-5-may-cost-just-320-at-launch_id74517


hyeongsoong said:
Just to warn you. They won't have play store on their phones since Google is been banned in china for not sharing customers information and install government spy ware on their os.
Click to expand...

Thought the International ROM had Google Play etc etc, if not shouldn't be an issue to install it as I managed it on the Amazon Fire.

I'll have to order 2 phones then use one as a decoy. Government can then listen to Capital Radio all day that will soon drive them around the bend, couldn't imagine the likes off Apple and Google adding spy stuff to their products.
 
Fla5h said:
I'm sure I won't get on with the huge screen and will have to change it so I've started planning my next move
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Xiaomi-Mi-5-may-cost-just-320-at-launch_id74517




Thought the International ROM had Google Play etc etc, if not shouldn't be an issue to install it as I managed it on the Amazon Fire.

I'll have to order 2 phones then use one as a decoy. Government can then listen to Capital Radio all day that will soon drive them around the bend, couldn't imagine the likes off Apple and Google adding spy stuff to their products.
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That's what came out of the Snowdon leaks. Both google and apple among others gave access to the UK and US government.

You would be amazed how much information even the most mundane apps collect about you. You read the terms on some of them and its very shocking. The combination of several apps and they can get a pretty good picture of a user. China quite rightly doesn't want US knowing the every move of there citizens.
 
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Problems with Chinese phones is lack of support when a new model gets released and lack of warranty from the sellers, speaker quality and camera often isnt very good, you need to make sure the frequencies match your UK provider, poor GPS, build quality can be patchy on devices that arent made by the bigger names (Xiaomi/Huawei/ZTE). The software often has tons of bloatware, but you can root some if you can find a ROM.

Ultimately, the phone is worthless at upgrade time because recyclers wont take it and there will be 10 new models out by the time you want to change making your phone worthless on the used market.

IMO it makes more sense to look at phones like the Vodafone Smart Ultra 6, excellent spec, UK phone / support or a used Samsung / LG.
 
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Vodafone smart ultra is excellent value for money. As is still the Motorola's.

I can't help but think the Chinese phones look well ahem very Chinese. Very little sophistication and polish about them and many just downright akward.

For a value for money proposition I really like Wileyfox as well.
 
Wileyfox do look interesting. I wonder if they are just a Chinese phone re-seller? Those specs are very familiar from all the phones I've been looking at, but the idea of local aftercare is nice.

Twist - as I understand it these phones use the same chips as are fitted to UK phones, Sony camera chips, various spec Snapdragons, etc. I wouldn't be at all concerned about the tech, but a little bit about aftercare. Not concerned about the later value either, as I'd save £100's compared to even a midrange 2yr contact phone.
 
Comfortably Numb said:
Wileyfox do look interesting. I wonder if they are just a Chinese phone re-seller? Those specs are very familiar from all the phones I've been looking at, but the idea of local aftercare is nice.

Twist - as I understand it these phones use the same chips as are fitted to UK phones, Sony camera chips, various spec Snapdragons, etc. I wouldn't be at all concerned about the tech, but a little bit about aftercare. Not concerned about the later value either, as I'd save £100's compared to even a midrange 2yr contact phone.
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Ultimately everyone is just a Chinese phone reseller. The difference is the exact and very specific design and quality criteria you give them. In my experience you can't leave anything open for interpretation as cutting corners is part and parcel of it. So components may be the same, but then how they are integrated or insulated or anything like that can be very different and thus has the potential to result in same specs but totally inferior product.
 
I take your point mate, & I wouldn't be able to tell about implementation, but when tested here, some of these phones score very highly on benchmark programs. Is that evidence that they are well integrated, or is something that only time will tell?
 
Comfortably Numb said:
I take your point mate, & I wouldn't be able to tell about implementation, but when tested here, some of these phones score very highly on benchmark programs. Is that evidence that they are well integrated, or is something that only time will tell?
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Oh don't get me wrong. Some are really really really good. I think it is the consistency that is the issue. I would stick to the well known models that have been tested. There is no guarantee that the next model is any good as well.
 
Comfortably Numb said:
Wileyfox do look interesting. I wonder if they are just a Chinese phone re-seller? Those specs are very familiar from all the phones I've been looking at, but the idea of local aftercare is nice.

Twist - as I understand it these phones use the same chips as are fitted to UK phones, Sony camera chips, various spec Snapdragons, etc. I wouldn't be at all concerned about the tech, but a little bit about aftercare. Not concerned about the later value either, as I'd save £100's compared to even a midrange 2yr contact phone.
Click to expand...

Do your own research, what I said is valid. Most Chinese phones are mostly mediatek chips not snapdragon. The software is poorly implemented and the camera quality even though supposedly the same units deliver poor results. Imo there are better options, as I mentioned. If you want a bargain quality phone you'll be looking at s5, g3, g flex 2, note 3, all around the 200 quid mark used.

I've done tons of research and previously bought a China phone (umi x3). At the time it was the dogs dangles of China phones but still nowhere near the quality of my ex LG g2.
 
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twist in general you're right especially where the less well known brands are concerned but.. I have a OnePlus 2 bought direct so not a copy and it rocks. The camera is very good though I only use it for snaps and reference pictures, if I really want to take a good photograph I'll use my proper camera.
It looks and feels great, runs fast and is well made, it's more solid than my older Samsung (old creaky) has none of the bloatware that plagues Samsonykiarola phones and is easily hackable.

I've owned a ZTE in the past and they were a very approachable company, even to the extent of having a full time rep on the XDA forums.
I've also had a no name Chinese phone which was ok for a few weeks until the screen shattered, turned out there was a bit of grit under the glass, a result of poor cleanliness in the factory/back garden shed.
 
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Steep said:
twist in general you're right especially where the less well known brands are concerned but.. I have a OnePlus 2 bought direct so not a copy and it rocks. The camera is very good though I only use it for snaps and reference pictures, if I really want to take a good photograph I'll use my proper camera.
It looks and feels great, runs fast and is well made, it's more solid than my older Samsung (old creaky) has none of the bloatware that plagues Samsonykiarola phones and is easily hackable.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the premium Chinese phones are very good OnePlus, Oppo, Huawei, ZTE upper end, Xiaomi is okay. Then the rest are a bit of a gamble. The higher end good Chinese stuff isn't cheap for a reason.
 
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twist said:
Do your own research, what I said is valid. Most Chinese phones are mostly mediatek chips not snapdragon. The software is poorly implemented and the camera quality even though supposedly the same units deliver poor results. Imo there are better options, as I mentioned. If you want a bargain quality phone you'll be looking at s5, g3, g flex 2, note 3, all around the 200 quid mark used.

I've done tons of research and previously bought a China phone (umi x3). At the time it was the dogs dangles of China phones but still nowhere near the quality of my ex LG g2.
Click to expand...

I've been researching for ages, but part of that is asking questions here. I'm always keen to hear people's hands on experience.
 
The big name chinese brands have to be pretty good, Its a very competitive market. You wouldn't last long selling s***. Brand names like Oppo mentioned above and Shangling have been OEM for high end audio for years.
 
rjbell said:
The big name chinese brands have to be pretty good, Its a very competitive market. You wouldn't last long selling s***. Brand names like Oppo mentioned above and Shangling have been OEM for high end audio for years.
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Oneplus One (OPO) is not the same as OPPO. it is a different legal entity, but yes the founder used to be the chairman of OPPO. As I said before, most well know quality brands have their gear made in the various factories where these devices come out of as well. The components are the same (largely), but the design and quality briefs vary greatly. And at that level that is really what you are paying the differences for, together with support and updates etc...
 
Android camera app question.

The Wileyfox Swift reviews well, except for poor camera performance. Is it possible that, given the hardware seems decent, that using an app can fix its problems? HDR is a particular let down & I'm keen to use that as phone flashes tend to be weak.
 
Comfortably Numb said:
Android camera app question.

The Wileyfox Swift reviews well, except for poor camera performance. Is it possible that, given the hardware seems decent, that using an app can fix its problems? HDR is a particular let down & I'm keen to use that as phone flashes tend to be weak.
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Possibly, or a firmware update, or maybe it is just a hardware design flaw. Who knows. Although poor camera performance is relative. Ultimately it is just a mobile phone camera.
 
Yeah, I appreciate that, but reviews are obviously comparing it to other phone cameras.
 
Comfortably Numb said:
Yeah, I appreciate that, but reviews are obviously comparing it to other phone cameras.
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Reviews often don't agree with each other. Which reviews are you referring to and what mobile phones is it being compared to? Context means a great deal in these matters.
 
dejongj said:
Reviews often don't agree with each other. Which reviews are you referring to and what mobile phones is it being compared to? Context means a great deal in these matters.
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The Stuff review liked the hardware but critisized software, described HDR as horrible, comparing it to Moto G - http://www.stuff.tv/wileyfox/swift/review

PC Advisor said much the same, HDR poor & slow, again compared to Moto G & Voda Ultra - http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/budget-smartphones/wileyfox-swift-review-uk-phone-3625777/

Turns out this phone is a rebadged Canvas Nitro 4G E455

Do Android phones/apps usually have 'manual' settings like exposure/compensation?

Sorry for slight hijack, Fla5h!
 
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Comfortably Numb said:
The Stuff review liked the hardware but critisized software, described HDR as horrible, comparing it to Moto G - http://www.stuff.tv/wileyfox/swift/review

PC Advisor said much the same, HDR poor & slow, again compared to Moto G & Voda Ultra - http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/budget-smartphones/wileyfox-swift-review-uk-phone-3625777/

Turns out this phone is a rebadged Canvas Nitro 4G E455

Do Android phones/apps usually have 'manual' settings like exposure/compensation?

Sorry for slight hijack, Fla5h!
Click to expand...

Why not just go for the Smart Ultra? Definitely best bang for buck, unlock codes on Ebay for under £4.
 
I'm considering it, twist. Only read one review, again camera gets slated, also when i satrted this I wasn't contemplating even a 5" screen, let alone a phablet!
 
Comfortably Numb said:
The Stuff review liked the hardware but critisized software, described HDR as horrible, comparing it to Moto G - http://www.stuff.tv/wileyfox/swift/review

PC Advisor said much the same, HDR poor & slow, again compared to Moto G & Voda Ultra - http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/review/budget-smartphones/wileyfox-swift-review-uk-phone-3625777/

Turns out this phone is a rebadged Canvas Nitro 4G E455

Do Android phones/apps usually have 'manual' settings like exposure/compensation?

Sorry for slight hijack, Fla5h!
Click to expand...
Ok, well those are very good and positive reviews. Basically the closest competition if £90 more expensive and made by Motorola.

The camera seems to be reviewed as absolutely fine, except for HDR. I must admit that is a good thing :p HDR is the spawn of the devel. But if you must, just use a different camera/photo app.
 
Yeah, I know. Thats why I wondered if a different app, or some new software, would do the trick. I have zero Android experience.

I'm not an HDR user normally, never on DSLR....well maybe, just the once at a party....everyone was doing it & I can give it up whenever I like!

I'll want to use the phone for fun shots & at times have wished for HDR, when the flash is too weak, or obvious bright backgroud situations.
 
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