Question for Mi8 experts, how to carefully buy the right Mi8? - Xiaomi Mi 8 Guides, News, & Discussion

Hi mates! I'm new here, I'm going to buy a new phone and Mi8 seams a good choice for me, apart for the great specifications, I like the idea that is possible to change the battery with not big efforts/risking to spoil the phone, like for example removing the delicate display. It means for me the phone can be used for different years.. good news.
I know these questions may be overanswered in forum and I hope to don't bother you too much if I ask to repeat. I've read there are different versions of Mi8, global, global chinese unlocked, and maybe others too.. I remember how many there were for my Samsung S5..
In a local (my country) site/shop I've found different phone versions, one called Xiaomi Mi 8 6/128Gb Global Black, another Xiaomi Mi 8 6/128Gb Global (bootloader unlocked) (cost a bit more), another Xiaomi Mi 8 6/128Gb Global Black 2 years warranty Europe from EU warehouse (a bit more too).
Questions:
1) apart for the root rights, is it worth to buy an unlocked version? I mean.. there are customs ROMS which seem better than stock? Maybe deodexed? I see stock roms are constantly improving and bugfixing..
2) A global version can be easly unlocked, can be some risk to receive a variant that can't be locked? (as like my Verizon S5 with Toshiba EM11 chip) or is much better/safe to buy directly and unlock one?
3) Warranty 2 years from Europe, does it means that if I buy from China I have only one year? And the warranty will be valid in any offical XIaomi service center?
4) I would buy it in Italy but I live in Russia, warranty terms/time in service center is the same? Russia is "Europe"?
5) Xiaomi accept on service unlocked bootloader phones? Either with Custom ROM uploaded? No problem with them as you modified the phone somehow?
6) I read about people who bricked a chinese global unlocked one, but how they did? Seems stupid to do that intentionally. I mean, is it so easy to lock a phone or you need to do a special procedure for locking (and bricking) the phone?
7) Any other suggetion(s) before I buy it that I should be warned? Models to avoid, procedures to avoid, sites to avoid buy from, etc. Thank you very much!
8) The local sites redirects me to buy the model I choosed to a site that start with bang**** (I don't want to report it here and being accused of spam), is it really the factory and the cheapest way to buy it?
Thank you for all answers!

Related

Xiaomi Mi4C

I want to buy Xiami Mi4c. I live in INDIA.
Does anyone know if this device will be launched in INDIA or not ? Any info on this will be appreciated.
Also my colleague is travelling to China, so will it be a good idea to get the phone from China ? Will it have international warranty ?
as for Xiaomi mi4c, right now it is just Chinese version, not international version, and there is the shipping problems in India. i guess you should wait for the international version in India, but anyway, if you don't mind the ROM version, you can still have a try. many Chinese stores have one year warranty. don't worry.

Honor 9 Internetional: a few questions if you please

Hi there guys..
I just saw an offer on GB for the Honor 9 at € 281, which is indeed a great price. It's the International version, they say but there's something weird.. I read here on xda a few people that ordered the International version (don't know where) that should be AL00 but received Asian version, L29.. He had to flash the international rom. It's not that I fear flashing something but I wouldn't like to buy a thing and receive another one..
Anyway, just in case, flashing the International firmware does stop receiving updates, somehow? Until the firmware is stock, unrooted and bootloader untouched it shouldn't be an issue, I guess..
More important: I read that both versions have the same identical hardware so it's natural to think that the LTE 800 MHz is missing from International version, isn't it? Otherwise what's the difference about? Just a firmware? Still it would be weird because if I recall correctly Honor 8 eu version had it (but I maybe be wrong).
Last but not least, from your personal experience, is it a good device to buy for that price? I' not so sure and I would like to wait for something new but the offer is really good considering the original price..
Mmmm it's weird btw.. I just checked on AliExpress for prices comparison and I found a device with Internetional Honor 9 but the codes to pick from are AL00, AL10 or TL01.. so neither one is Internetional version (yeah I could flash as we said)
EDIT: this is the link https://www.gearbest.com/cell-phones/pp_649021.html at normal price, there's a code for discount (if you need tell me via PM I could share, even if there are only 30 so don't know how much they'll be available). From the latter screenshots in the page it seems it should be STF something, could it be? What's that?
The only color available is the pure black, maybe gray is better as overall looking, isn't it?
EDIT2: I see you have it, STF from your signature
Rommco05 said:
As I know all models are Chines, I can be wrong but I saw just L09C300/C900. Thid is code for international rom C300/C900 and this AL00... are Chines models so probably if this models have C300... firmwares yes, can be international
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sorry mate I edit my post.. so basically from the link I posted above, the screenshot says STF-L09C432B100 so it should be basically as the one you have.. was your device International when you bought it?
Rommco05 said:
This is clear European model if cost same price go for it is best phone for value
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I fear this is the International version signature, the European one (where LTE B20 is used if poor 4G signal) is FRD-L09 or L16 (32GB and 64GB).. I'm really tempted but I'm not sure now
EDIT info here (post 4 and so on) https://forum.xda-developers.com/honor-9/how-to/model-stf-l09-t3636884/page3 and here: https://forum.xda-developers.com/honor-8/help/frd-l19-europe-version-64gb-buy-t3458943
This i my case. I live in France, last month I ordered a Honor 9 black on the website priceminister with good offert, saved around 130€ vs buying here. The seller is from China, so I thought this phone is Chinese version, I prepared myself that I will do "rebrand". I received the phone yesterday. It is written AL00 version on the box, but when I started, surprisingly there is already all Google services, and in the settings, it is L09...version, and it received an update to ...130 immediately after. So, I thought the seller did "rebrand" the phone before. I'm happy with it. Only one minus thing, the charger plug is asian type, not european type, I need an adapter
justmehate said:
This i my case. I live in France, last month I ordered a Honor 9 black on the website priceminister with good offert, saved around 130€ vs buying here. The seller is from China, so I thought this phone is Chinese version, I prepared myself that I will do "rebrand". I received the phone yesterday. It is written AL00 version on the box, but when I started, surprisingly there is already all Google services, and in the settings, it is L09...version, and it received an update to ...130 immediately after. So, I thought the seller did "rebrand" the phone before. I'm happy with it. Only one minus thing, the charger plug is asian type, not european type, I need an adapter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the same case with me. Though I don't live in Europe and honor 9 is not officially available but there are grey importers that bring in the phone from China and rebrand it. Luckily the seller did provide an adapter.
Problem is not the model strictly but the fact that only European models have band 20 (800 MHz) for LTE.. (so FRD-etc) ?

chinese vs global

so im currently in need of a small tablet and the 4 fits all my needs.... well, most. the lack of a fingerprint reader sucks but its not too bad. anyway, gearbest currently only has the 4/64GB Black version in chinese. i havent tried contacting them to see when they will get more but if its just the ROM thats different i dont mind buying it and flashing a custom ROM.
my only concern is the hardware. is the hardware the same in the chinese model and the global model? the price difference is negligible on gearbest but im concerned about the wait time to get more stock. any help is appreciated. thanks!
there is no global model and there is no global FW.
If you go for "global" that means that someone was messing with it. Plus is that bootloader is unlocked in that case.
If you get the normal one, you'll have to wait to unlock your bootloader. But you can set Chinese FW to English and that's it.

Where to buy Xiaomi Mi 10?

Finally I found a shop on alibaba can buy the phone with a good price.
Here is the link to buy:
MOD Edit:- Links Removed & Thread Closed
And I also found Mi 10 Pro on this website too!!!
Here: MOD Edit:- Links Removed & Thread Closed
Thank you guys.
Any shop, like Gearbest, Banggod, Geekbuying or the two german one (Tradingshenzhen and CECT) but for EU useless, because no FDD-LTE B20 (800MHz) in China version and if you flash global ROM, than you need to open bootloader and let them open (no Netflix in HD, no banking apps and so on).
If you from outside EU than look for Aliexpress, like seller goldway.
I could buy it over the counter today for 600$, but it's too heavy and not keen to wait 360. If it was 3 days like in Xiaomi Poco, that'd be acceptable.
Seen so many models with motorized camera and I love this notchless style into future. 10T model will be worth waiting for.
Disclosure: I have Mi 9 and it's 175g is just on the boundary of acceptable weight.
Hi,from where you culd buy?
I've spotted it so far on Shenzhen.
---------- Post added at 11:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:51 AM ----------
Linuxkek said:
Any shop, like Gearbest, Banggod, Geekbuying or the two german one (Tradingshenzhen and CECT) but for EU useless, because no FDD-LTE B20 (800MHz) in China version and if you flash global ROM, than you need to open bootloader and let them open (no Netflix in HD, no banking apps and so on).
If you from outside EU than look for Aliexpress, like seller goldway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Link for CECT?
Are you saying that if you're in the EU, then these shops are OK? What about the UK?
No B20 means almost useless in EU
Linuxkek said:
No B20 means almost useless in EU
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Click to collapse
Yep. Also, at the prices they are currently selling the Mi 10 Pro, it's too close to Samsung and Apple for me to be tempted by Xiaomi. Despite the DXOMark's top scores, I don't think the images are consistent or better than the Apple, Google or Samsung's flagships. Pixel-peeping has its value, but even though the 27MP images can be very detailed, there are a lot of artifacts in the Mi Note 10 shots I take.
And the Mi Note 10 hasn't even received a security update in two months....
I want to buy the China model from trading Shenzhen, then flash the global ROM later, but what implications would I run into if I did that instead of waiting for the global version? I live in Canada so I don't really need band 20.
At the moment there is no global rom and you need fastboot global rom for flashing, so you need to wait a lil bit longer and don't forget you need to unlock bootloader first, which means after you get it, you still need to wait +2 weeks.
lemon07r said:
I want to buy the China model from trading Shenzhen, then flash the global ROM later, but what implications would I run into if I did that instead of waiting for the global version? I live in Canada so I don't really need band 20.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will probably get earlier updates If you don't want that, wait for global firmware.
I live in Germany and I ordered the Mi 10 from TradingShenzen. I don't mind band 20 and my English is quite solid
Still have to wait a few more days...
AlexxAnders said:
You will probably get earlier updates ...
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Click to collapse
What about banking services and Google Pay?
MacGuy2006 said:
What about banking services and Google Pay?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why are you asking? Could there be difficulties with banking apps? And for Google Pay, that doesn't bother me anyway
AlexxAnders said:
You will probably get earlier updates If you don't want that, wait for global firmware.
I live in Germany and I ordered the Mi 10 from TradingShenzen. I don't mind band 20 and my English is quite solid
Still have to wait a few more days...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as i can see on miui.eu they support global mi10 an mi10 pro
-fluffy- said:
as i can see on miui.eu they support global mi10 an mi10 pro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pict
Im waiting on my seller from ebay to get them. You can use banking apps and google pay if you unlock the bootloader. There is a script online that uses magisk hide and makes the appp not be able to be updated. I can find the link and post it. It's been working on my mi note 10 for awhile.
Found it: https://github.com/davidramiro/gpay-gms-patch
LaNsLyDe said:
Im waiting on my seller from ebay to get them. You can use banking apps and google pay if you unlock the bootloader. There is a script online that uses magisk hide and makes the appp not be able to be updated. I can find the link and post it. It's been working on my mi note 10 for awhile.
Found it: https://github.com/davidramiro/gpay-gms-patch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. But why not just wait for the global version a few days (weeks?) so you don't have to deal with the security issues?
I use Google Pay everywhere, both on my phone and on my watch, so it's a must, for me at least.
Haven't decided if I should try the Mi 10 and hand down the Mi Note 10. It seems like the main camera sensor produces the same results, and I don't find the image quality of the wide and zoom to be that great comparatively. Or, may go back to Samsung for the zoom and the proper face unlock ...
Apply for arrival notice here:
Mi 10 gearbest
Mi 10 Pro gearbest
MacGuy2006 said:
Thanks. But why not just wait for the global version a few days (weeks?) so you don't have to deal with the security issues?
I use Google Pay everywhere, both on my phone and on my watch, so it's a must, for me at least.
Haven't decided if I should try the Mi 10 and hand down the Mi Note 10. It seems like the main camera sensor produces the same results, and I don't find the image quality of the wide and zoom to be that great comparatively. Or, may go back to Samsung for the zoom and the proper face unlock ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I root my phone for magisk so I use this method to be able to use Google pay
I'm in the UK, and i bought a MI-10 from tradingshenzhen, which is still waiting to be shipped... I have tried to cancel the order and get a refund but according to them it's shipped.
I didn't realise as i've never had a chinese phone before, so i didn't understand about chinese / global version and how different they are. So i'm now going to be stuck with a phone that can't use the main 4G band 20 LTE on O2 in the UK, which is a big problem for me.
After realising tradingshenzhen would not help, i'm now looking at ways to make into a global version, but there seems to be risks with banking apps not working etc.
I have been using iphones for the past 10yrs, bought a note 10 a few months ago, and really liked it, and then the Mi-10 was released with a better chip, screen, ram etc. so i rushed into getting it as soon as possible without realising there's a big difference.... lesson learnt for me, i just hope i can get it to work at some point.
Any tips or adviced is very welcome.
zetex said:
I'm in the UK, and i bought a MI-10 from tradingshenzhen, which is still waiting to be shipped... I have tried to cancel the order and get a refund but according to them it's shipped.
I didn't realise as i've never had a chinese phone before, so i didn't understand about chinese / global version and how different they are. So i'm now going to be stuck with a phone that can't use the main 4G band 20 LTE on O2 in the UK, which is a big problem for me.
After realising tradingshenzhen would not help, i'm now looking at ways to make into a global version, but there seems to be risks with banking apps not working etc.
I have been using iphones for the past 10yrs, bought a note 10 a few months ago, and really liked it, and then the Mi-10 was released with a better chip, screen, ram etc. so i rushed into getting it as soon as possible without realising there's a big difference.... lesson learnt for me, i just hope i can get it to work at some point.
Any tips or adviced is very welcome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i think it only the modem drivers we need to change
because like realme say that realme x50 5G have 5G band 1 but they have to actived it with an firmware update later
an they use the same modem x55

Question Use the Chinese Version of the Realme GT 5G RMX2202 without "My Realme" (avoid big brother)?

Hello from Germany!
(unfortauntly) I just bought a RealMe GT 5G in blue with 12GB/256GB from China (cect shop) for a very good price and awesome specs. (Those specs are not available for the global EU version, right?)
What I didnt know, was that the Chinese version (RMX2202) requires me to "register" myself and "verify my identity" to install an app from F-Droid and also other apps...
So I understand: Big brother must be watching and I don't like it.
I read the thread about removing the Chinese Apps
Bloatware list to disable for Realme GT Neo
and also all pages of this one (fantastic thread btw!)
Realme GT Convert China ROM to Global
On the last pages I've read that some of you are switching back to the CN ROM after flashing the global ROM, because a few things don't work in the global ROM. So I am not sure if I should do it..
Now the question:
Is there a way to use the CN Version without the RealMe verfiy thingi / big brother? Of course wait until we get linage for the device..
Sending it back to china and getting my money back might be difficult. I think about selling this phone and buy myself a EU Version with 8GB/128GB from the official Realme Shop. What's your opinion on this?
Looking forward to your help!
Cheers,
Daniel
Fun/Scary fact:
I ordered the phone from cect and after I've inserted my simcard, I received a whatsapp message from a chinese number +86 saying that they need a pickup from the airport in Berlin (capital city of Germany). Obviously just a message to see if its a real phone number.. I don't live in Berlin nor know somebody who has to get picked up from the airport in Berlin...very interesting.
Enjoy it as it is as long as you have gplay and all other Google services

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