£35 Android phones on ebay from china

MiserlyMartin

Hi has anyone seen these? All I want the phone to do is make calls and texts and be able to install an internet radio app like winamp, or xiia live. Thats it. I don't care how slow it might be. Question is I am wondering will they work on UK networks? And is it a real version of android which android apps will install ok on?

Any help appreciated.

visidigi

Not had one, but I would be cautious.

£35 is cheap, but if it goes wrong its going to be very difficult/expensive to fix. You are also not covered by consumer protection laws if the sales takes place in China.

xDiamondDollyx

I've had two phones from China, to be honest they were quite poor quality. They don't work on the 3 network, but worked with my GiffGaff sim card. The charger didn't work properly and it kept falling out of the socket so I ended up binning them & couldn't download apps on them so not sure if you could download WinAmp on it.

DUTR

MiserlyMartin wrote: »

Hi has anyone seen these? All I want the phone to do is make calls and texts and be able to install an internet radio app like winamp, or xiia live. Thats it. I don't care how slow it might be. Question is I am wondering will they work on UK networks? And is it a real version of android which android apps will install ok on?

Any help appreciated.

xDiamondDollyx wrote: »

I've had two phones from China, to be honest they were quite poor quality. They don't work on the 3 network, but worked with my GiffGaff sim card. The charger didn't work properly and it kept falling out of the socket so I ended up binning them & couldn't download apps on them so not sure if you could download WinAmp on it.

I was going to mention that you will not be able to go onto the google play site for apps, similar with the budget tablets, which are usually advertised as tablet with android. Apps have to be obtained via other sources like panda apps or 4play but does not mean the apps are safe.

markdoc_2

Go to Phones4u and you can get a Huawai Blaze for £49.
its a great one at that price

Jon_01

Some of the phones from over there have IMEI's of all zero's. Which is valid on the networks there, but won't work over here...

Be careful.

MiserlyMartin

markdoc wrote: »

Go to Phones4u and you can get a Huawai Blaze for £49.
its a great one at that price

will-in-estoril wrote: »

These phones will be viable to VAT on import, so that the real cost could be nearer to £40, if it is inspected at the postal hub. I've never had a problem with import tax before.

For under £50 you could get the Huawei Blaze as an upgrade from phones4u with Android 2.3.

http://www.phones4u.co.uk/shop/shop_payg_sub.asp?ManKey=49&ITK=15&intcid=payg-hot-Huawei

I know which I'd go for!

Took a look at that link, the phone appears to have gone up to £59.95 and you have to buy it with £10 credit. I wanted to run it on giffgaff. I've never had a problem with import tax before.

Jon_01 wrote: »

Some of the phones from over there have IMEI's of all zero's. Which is valid on the networks there, but won't work over here...

Be careful.

Yes I researched that, it seems this was a problem in 2009 - people having phones disconnected from networks. I think by now the Chinese have put proper IMEI's in their phones. The photo of the phone on ebay shows a non zero IMEI on its label.

Regarding apps installation, its possible to get the apk files so bypassing the android market route/google play (stupid new name btw). I have the apk files for the apps I wanted to install. As long as they install on the chinese android rom, it should be ok.

Still not sure if to risk it

mobilejunkie

I bought several phones from China a year or so back. They all arrived unopened with no extra charges or duty. I checked each one and did replace two or three of them without too many difficulties. Not sure I'd risk it with a smart phone, but I suspect it would still arrive without extra charges - though the importation rules were changed last year to include smaller value items brought back from abroad.

mobilejunkie

They varied. I love S/E k750i's and bought a few, plus one w810i. I bought them over a period of time when I could get the lowest prices for new phones (they stopped making them a few years back). I paid around £30-45 a piece including postage. I also bought a couple of used ones from the UK on Ebay - but those weren't as good. One was ok and the other was rubbish. Never actually bought any other phones, in fact - got my original fleet fleet free on cashback deals and generally sell the phones on new contracts before they even arrive nowadays.

MiserlyMartin

will-in-estoril wrote: »

As I stated in my post 'as an upgrade' at phones4u the cost is £49.99. The link was provided so that you could see the handset.

.

OK. I did register your 'as an upgrade' but assumed you were using it as a figure of speech. I wasn't aware that you could upgrade a pay as you go phone. So how does this work then? Do you have to give them your old mobile for 'recycling'?

grumbler

No. I think you go to a shop with a PAYG sim card you have for more than 6 months. I think there are some requirements for topping up and usage during the recent months.