Mobiles from Aliexpress?

martyp

Hi all,

I know a couple of people that have got mobile phones direct from suppliers in China with decent spec at low prices but wonder whether the cheap branded products can be trusted? I'm thinking mainly the Galaxy S7s on offer just a bit more than £200 although fear even if genuine then import duties might be an issue...

Currently trying to work out the cheapest deal for a Galaxy S7 as my thoughts so far are a SIM free deal with about 10GB data for around £13 a month and then about £12 or so per month over 2 years for the Galaxy S7 so about £288 for the handset with a total cost of less than £30 with a decent data allowance.

d123

martyp wrote: »

Hi all,

I know a couple of people that have got mobile phones direct from suppliers in China with decent spec at low prices but wonder whether the cheap branded products can be trusted? I'm thinking mainly the Galaxy S7s on offer just a bit more than £200 although fear even if genuine then import duties might be an issue...

Currently trying to work out the cheapest deal for a Galaxy S7 as my thoughts so far are a SIM free deal with about 10GB data for around £13 a month and then about £12 or so per month over 2 years for the Galaxy S7 so about £288 for the handset with a total cost of less than £30 with a decent data allowance.

If it arrives you should be budgeting for 20% import vat and whatever admin fee the carrier charges on top of whatever price you pay.

Also, be aware you will have no UK warranty, Samsung will refer you to Samsung HK or CN for any service issues (at your own cost).

martyp

d123 wrote: »

If it arrives you should be budgeting for 20% import vat and whatever admin fee the carrier charges on top of whatever price you pay.

Also, be aware you will have no UK warranty, Samsung will refer you to Samsung HK or CN for any service issues (at your own cost).

Thanks d123, does sound like the potential saving might not be worth it even if the phone is genuine. I'll continue looking for UK deals I think.

PHK

martyp wrote: »

Thanks d123, does sound like the potential saving might not be worth it even if the phone is genuine. I'll continue looking for UK deals I think.

I think that is a wise approach. The other issue is AliExpress customer service if there's an order problem. By UK standards the service is dreadful and, unsurprisingly, the English poor (be prepared to be called "Dear" in almost every "sentence").

It's just not yet suitable as a consumer platform.

[Deleted User]

Basically anything by Xiaomi...

Obviously look at the spec/your budget but for around £110-£150 you'll get a minter They're incredibly well made! Think of them as a Chinese Apple? The Mi A1 is a standout for me but a little over your budget. That'd be the closest you'd get to the Android experience you're used to in the West. - without flashing to a custom ROM anyway. Off which there a literally hundreds off by the way

Re: customs charges, I estimate I brought in about £2000's worth of stuff from China last year, stopping briefly over Christmas, but resuming in the second week of January, and I have NEVER been charged any extra P&P or Customs. I think the trick is to stay clear of the named carriers like DHL, UPS etc. - their not silly. That said though, I bought 3x iPads for myself and as Xmas presents in November and December last year from eGlobal Central, based in China, and I paid once for priority shipping to get in time for Christmas Day and it was delivered by UPS. But then I think eGlobal promise you you won't be charged any extra in their T&C's. Apple are no problem with warranty because they'll honour it in the country you're in. The Chinese stuff, Xiaomi etc, as others have already said, will probably have to go back to China.

I hop this gives some sort of flavour? As for the products themselves, I struggle to find fault? And think of the £££ you'll be saving. I haven't had a contract phone now for nearly 10 years

Korkyb

I've bought 3 or 4 phones from China (all Xiaomi) and not yet been charged anything extra on delivery.


I've also bought a few other things and also never been stung.


Personally I think that what you get for your cash (even adding the potential custom charge) is way better VFM than anything you would get buying for a UK retailer.


I understand that going for the most fastest, most expensive "courier" method of delivery results in a greater chance of additional charges so I always go for the cheapest / slowest delivery option.


Warranty is a risk but the phones are very well built and I haven't heard of anyone having any issues (the retailer usually has some way of helping if there was to be an issue).


I would recommend the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 as a great bang for your buck phone - It more than capable and has a great battery life. https://www.gearbest.com/cell-phones/pp_704640.html?wid=4


Prices go up and down - they have been below £110 recently.


There is also a 64gb one with 4GB RAM which costs a wee bit more.


Make sure you get the Global version.



There are a few different retailers including Gearbest / Aliexpress. I usually keep and eye on the HUKD website as price drops in these phones are usually flagged up quickly there & there is lots of advice about buying them.

boatman

I've bought a couple of Xiaomi phones from AliExpress, had no issues or charges. If you go for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4, you need the 'Global Version' which comes with band 20(800mhz), NOT the 'global Rom' version which will be the Chinese version with a reseller ROM put on it, without band 20.