The Official Xiaomi Thread

[Suspect99]

Hey all,

I've got the opportunity to order a Note 4, but it has the MediaTek processor; reviews seem to be mixed about this, so should I go for it, or wait to get my hands on one with the Snapdragon processor?

Thanks for your thoughts

To clarify, it's the Mediatek Deca-core 2.1 GHz

Ive got the MTK. brilliant phone nothing wrong with and the battery will easily last you a whole day. But you wont get the legendary snapdragon 3 day battery life or regular updates and custom rom support

 

[PhireSide]

Ive got the MTK. brilliant phone nothing wrong with and the battery will easily last you a whole day. But you wont get the legendary snapdragon 3 day battery life or regular updates and custom rom support

This. It is also much snappier so pretty much a tradeoff between battery life and performance. And there is the small issue of custom ROM support, if that's your thing

 

[Sumen]

Anyone used these guys https://miphones.co.za

They have the Mi A1, and soon they will have the Mi Mix 2 and Mi Note 3

 

[surfs-up]

Anyone used these guys https://miphones.co.za

They have the Mi A1, and soon they will have the Mi Mix 2 and Mi Note 3

Reading their "about us" on their website, they are merely importers. And they throw an average 30 % on top for their efforts. For a phone, you end up paying around R 2000 - R 3000 extra going through them as opposed to importing yourself.

It is a seamless experience importing yourself, so I don't see the point of getting someone else to do it for me.....at a cost.

 

[Fox1]

What's the address of MIA? Friend of mine needs her Note 3 screen repaired.

 

[Lupus]

What's the address of MIA? Friend of mine needs her Note 3 screen repaired.

You contact them via the email address, they organise the collection and return.

 

[Fox1]

You contact them via the email address, they organise the collection and return.

Thanks

 

[The_Mowgs]

When buying from Gearbest, should one choose International Version for the phones and then which shipping option?

 

[PhireSide]

When buying from Gearbest, should one choose International Version for the phones and then which shipping option?

Sorry for the late reply, was a bit hectic this side

Mind posting up a link to the one you have in mind? You can use this link to check if the device will work on your network as some of them don't support certain carrier bands (looking at you, Telkom).

The international version relates to the hardware of the smartphone. Some versions will state that they have a MediaTek SoC, others might have a Snapdragon SoC and should be specced accordingly in the description. However, certain phones on Gearbest state "Global version", which relates to the ROM loaded onto the phone. These have international ROMs with Google Apps preloaded. The China ROM models have a China-specific ROM loaded that has region-specific apps installed in lieu of Google ones.

For shipping, the best would be to use Priority Line as they usually use Aramex to deliver the phone. I have used this route and the phone took around eight days to be delivered to me after the order was placed. You may take your chances with Free Shipping but there is a very likely chance that it will be 'reappropriated' before it reaches your hands

Expedited shipping uses DHL AFAIK and some users have had less than stellar support from them when using this option (and they are also more expensive)

 

[The_Mowgs]

Mind posting up a link to the one you have in mind? You can use this link to check if the device will work on your network as some of them don't support certain carrier bands (looking at you, Telkom).

The international version relates to the hardware of the smartphone. Some versions will state that they have a MediaTek SoC, others might have a Snapdragon SoC and should be specced accordingly in the description. However, certain phones on Gearbest state "Global version", which relates to the ROM loaded onto the phone. These have international ROMs with Google Apps preloaded. The China ROM models have a China-specific ROM loaded that has region-specific apps installed in lieu of Google ones.

For shipping, the best would be to use Priority Line as they usually use Aramex to deliver the phone. I have used this route and the phone took around eight days to be delivered to me after the order was placed. You may take your chances with Free Shipping but there is a very likely chance that it will be 'reappropriated' before it reaches your hands

Expedited shipping uses DHL AFAIK and some users have had less than stellar support from them when using this option (and they are also more expensive)

Thanks for the reply I appreciate it. I have decided to go for the Mi 6 but not sure which one to choose hence no link provided.

I want to order from gearbest and it will be used on the vodacom and mtn network.

Im just confused what the difference is between the models listed on gearbest and which one to choose.

Edit. I would like to get the 128gb ceramic or black version.

 

[PhireSide]

Anytime! By selecting this link and selecting INTERNATIONAL VERSION 6GB RAM 128GB ROM with PHOTO BLACK as a colour option I get a total of $469.99 excluding shipping and insurance (add an extra $8 for shipping; $11 for insurance - give or take). The Ceramic Black one is a bit cheaper at $465.99, and the International Ceramic Black one is $449.99. Lawd, now even I am confused!

Be aware that the phone will only ship after the flash sale has concluded, which is over 6 days from now. Then add another 4 days for it to get to SA, then another 3 - 4 for Aramex to get it through customs and into your paws

Also remember to add about R750 - 1000 for Aramex' fees for handling and customs. This is a worst case scenario as it's usually a bit cheaper.

I think you should be good to go with MTN and Vodacom - only Telkom seems to be the issue with certain models

 

[The_Mowgs]

Anytime! By selecting this link and selecting INTERNATIONAL VERSION 6GB RAM 128GB ROM with PHOTO BLACK as a colour option I get a total of $469.99 excluding shipping and insurance (add an extra $8 for shipping; $11 for insurance - give or take). The Ceramic Black one is a bit cheaper at $465.99, and the International Ceramic Black one is $449.99. Lawd, now even I am confused!

Be aware that the phone will only ship after the flash sale has concluded, which is over 6 days from now. Then add another 4 days for it to get to SA, then another 3 - 4 for Aramex to get it through customs and into your paws

Also remember to add about R7500 - 1000 for Aramex' fees for handling and customs. This is a worst case scenario as it's usually a bit cheaper.

I think you should be good to go with MTN and Vodacom - only Telkom seems to be the issue with certain models

Ok thanks, ordered the phone from the HK warehouse but am unable to pay for a case and screen protector which is only available from the China warehouse, something about my bank not allowing it.

 

[AlphaJohn]

.....Also remember to add about R7500 - 1000 for Aramex' fees for handling and customs. This is a worst case scenario as it's usually a bit cheaper.......

O.O

 

[PhireSide]

O.O

Fixed it. Good spot. But hey, with SARS you never know...they have a big deficit to make up, you know?

Ok thanks, ordered the phone from the HK warehouse but am unable to pay for a case and screen protector which is only available from the China warehouse, something about my bank not allowing it.

This is an issue I have found too. Gearbest won't consolidate orders from different warehouses and you would need to pay for shipping separately per warehouse. Which sucks a bit as most phones and their respective accessories are usually located in different warehouses

 

[The_Mowgs]

Fixed it. Good spot. But hey, with SARS you never know...they have a big deficit to make up, you know?



This is an issue I have found too. Gearbest won't consolidate orders from different warehouses and you would need to pay for shipping separately per warehouse. Which sucks a bit as most phones and their respective accessories are usually located in different warehouses

Yes that I understand, what I dont understand is the fact that my bank wont allow me to order from the China warehouse...

 

[PhireSide]

Who do you bank with? I don't think I have come across that issue before, at least not with FNB.

Perhaps it's a safety thing?

 

[The_Mowgs]

Who do you bank with? I don't think I have come across that issue before, at least not with FNB.

Perhaps it's a safety thing?

With SB. The first payment for the phone from the HK warehouse went through, no idea why I cant pay for the order from China warehouse, will try again tomorrow morning.

 

[FlashSA]

With SB. The first payment for the phone from the HK warehouse went through, no idea why I cant pay for the order from China warehouse, will try again tomorrow morning.

Try PayPal.

 

[The_Mowgs]

Try PayPal.

Thanks, that worked.

 

[Dan C]

Try PayPal.

Yup, much safer too.