Chinese phones from AliExpress

dac1

I've seen this AliExpress website where they have plenty of smartphone by Chinese firms, with great specs, for little cost.

I hear about import charges but some phones are shipped from the UK warehouse and therefore are shipped for free. I only wish for good signal coverage and a good, big screen for streaming.

a) If shipped from the UK, are these Chinese worth a punt?
b) Are there any Chinese brands that are very good?
c) Anything else I should be aware?

Jon_01

They're not shipped from the UK, but from somewhere in Europe.

Makes like Xiaomi (who make a 6.4 inch screen phone if you want big) are huge over there. Xiaomi even have their own stores in China and HK like Apple do here.

The only issues you'll have is if something goes wrong. You don't have the consumer rights you have if you buy in the UK. And if the phone needs returning, it has to go back to China using a tracked delivery at your cost.

jblessing

Be aware that they tend to skimp on some of the sensors (gyro, compass). This may not be important to you. I have a Umi Touch and it has been a v. good phone.

The_Last_Username

Also be aware that they often do not make use of the full range of bands that UK mobile operators use - meaning the possibility of no reception.
http://www.review-hub.co.uk/will-a-chinese-smartphone-work-in-the-uk/
On top of that (from looking for myself) they most often do not have glass scratch protection (Gorilla Glass for example); indeed they may not have access to the Google Store for apps.

TBH I struggled to find a similar spec. to the Mororola Moto range for even the same money - especially the G4.
Screen resolution/size; processor/ RAM/ memory; Android version & possibility of updates; etc. etc.

Hoseman

I ordered a Xiaomi from this site. Took around 2 weeks to arrive. No import charges were incurred as I was led to believe that its description was for a lower value item.

The phone I have is great, much better than anything you can get here. It cost £128 for 32Gb, dual sim, fingerprint reader, massive battery (4000 mAh) that has gives at least a day and a half of use. It came with an international ROM as didnt fancy messing about with it so means I had Google Play installed. The build is metal and feels solid. Screen is big and decent. It doesn't have every singe bell and whistle but for the price Im happy as no need to pay for a contract.

Drawbacks are networks you can use. As far as I know it works on 3 and EE but not O2. I think it also works on Vodafone but best to check bands before purchasing. My screen doesnt have Gorilla glass. You also have to buy accessories from China (use same site) or you can try eBay but, they're cheap. The camera on the phone is average so OK but could be better. No NFC.

I dont know the others well enough to recommend but heard the Elephones weren't very good. My advice is wait for deals from Hot UK deals and check reviews of phone before deciding.

Link to phone purchased

sillygoose

As mentioned, some of the bands covered can be a problem particularly for 4G

If the phone was intended for China it can be diabolically bloated with dodgy apps and even the core function apps can be messed with (such as communicating back to the company). China isn't a 'free' country.

I buy a heck of a lot from Aliexpress very successfully, but phones have always been a nightmare.

mitchb

Might be worth considering the below as well in respect of security concerns


http://thehackernews.com/2016/09/xiaomi-android-backdoor.html

sillygoose

mitchb wrote: »

Might be worth considering the below as well in respect of security concerns


http://thehackernews.com/2016/09/xiaomi-android-backdoor.html

Lenovo phones are full of this sort of behaviour too.

Jon_01

Most people I know that use these phone outside of China just flash them with a custom rom (from XDA). That stop any security concerns and most of the time give you a speed boost as well