Best Xiaomi phone for under $250AU?

cheepo on 25/02/2017 - 12:34
Last edited 25/02/2017 - 23:33 by 1 other user

Hi guys,

I've been looking at getting a Xioami phone but am totally lost on which I should get to get the most value for money given my budget is $250. I've looked at various reviews and videos on youtube but there are so many variants of the models I was interested in and need some help. The Mi5 seemed great but well out of my budget. I am a long term Samsung user so prefer the phone to have the following:

  • Physical home button
  • Fingerprint Scanner
  • Minimum 5.1 inch screen
  • Minimum 3GB RAM
  • Minimum 32GB of inbuilt storage
  • NFC (Preferably)

Alternatively, would it be worth waiting for their new range of phones using their in-house Pinecone processors?

Mobile

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 25/02/2017 - 12:39
    +1

    Won't get NFC at all with Xiaomi phones under 250, don't even bother looking down that road, I just use a paytag with CBA and its good enough, for $250 the MiMax sports the biggest battery and best life of the Xiaomi range

    Redmi Note 3 Prime (band 28 international if you want 700mhz 4G with Telstra / Optus / Voda) or the MiMax 3gb/32gb which I got for 250 shipped from Aliexpress

    • cheepo on 25/02/2017 - 12:47

      On second thoughts, think I can live without NFC but not sure I can do without a capacity home button.

      Just had at look the specs of the MiMax - 6.44 ″ display? How are you finding is it carrying around and it fitting in your pockets?

      • [Deactivated] on 25/02/2017 - 12:50
        +5

        Its bloody huge, people ask me questions all the time about it, It fits perfectly in my work pants, lasts 2 days, good choice of custom Nougat Roms ( I unlocked bootloader and Run Ressurection Remix 5.83 on it (Nougat 7.1.1 Rom) )

        Happy with the quality for the money
        Its cheap, it does have some annoying quirks that I can live with
        Overall its not bad
        Don't expect any Xiaomi phone to sport a breathtaking camera, I can say in general daylight its adequate enough
        At night, pretty crap but so are 99% of other phones
        I get 4G in most areas / 3G coverage in areas where no 4G 1800/2100 exist, but hey it come down to my budget, work pays for my phone plan and contract so I can live with the quality of the device, if it lasts me 1 year then dies, I am still ahead

        • cheepo on 25/02/2017 - 13:04

          LOL….I can imagine it being a great talking point in the beginning but think it would also annoy me after a while.

          Based on specs (and screen) it certainly looks like great value for money but not sure I could confidently carry it around give I often wear shirts and pants with short pockets.

          I'll look into the Redmi Note 3 Prime as you've suggested. Thanks for the info.

        • pupdog on 25/02/2017 - 15:04
          +1

          @cheepo:
          I second Shawncro. The RN3P SE Is awesome value for money. And it just goes and goes. Check out Kimovil for prices.

  • urahara on 25/02/2017 - 15:38
    -1

    mi 5s if you can bump it up to 350

  • [Deactivated] on 25/02/2017 - 18:34

    http://www.dhgate.com/product/dhl-4gb-128gb-xiaomi-redmi-pro-dual-rear/395241086.html#s1-21-1b;searl|2842360663

  • scrimshaw on 25/02/2017 - 18:38
    +1

    I had the Mi Max (well, technically not mine) but can say it's a really great phone that falls in the $250 price bracket.

    My daily driver still is the Galaxy S5 because the Mi Max doesn't fit in my pocket, so I gave the Xiaomi to my uncle.

    • [Deactivated] on 26/02/2017 - 12:44

      +1 for the s5. Great handset and ip rated bonus.

      Maybe op can get a sent hand unit for aroud that price in great condition.

      • cheepo on 26/02/2017 - 12:58

        Brand new is out of my price range. 2nd hand on eBay?

        • [Deactivated] on 26/02/2017 - 13:58

          Yeah ebay is your best bet.

          I have checjed and gumtree and other classifieds are selling for a lot more.

          The screen is pretty darn good in direcr sunlight, camera is great, 5.1 inch fhd screen too, 801 SD.

          Only drawback is 2gb ra mm and 16gb internal memory.

          Now with all that in mind the xda community have a stellar reputation for third party support with this handset not saying that xiaomi dont but its getting there.
          Also if your that way inclined with the ability to change batteries on the fly you can go any size you want.

          I have a zerolemon comin my way so hopefully i have have a powerhouse again like my note 2.

  • midoxii on 25/02/2017 - 19:45

    i just got a xiaomi note 4x for $230, love it so far. here are the specs http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_redmi_note_4x-8580.php

    • cheepo on 26/02/2017 - 12:40

      Thanks for the suggestion - Did it come with the global ROM and where did you buy yours from? Prefer if I didn't need to flash the phone and if it was just good to go out of the box. Is there any way to unlock the phone if it's laying flat other than double tap to wake?

      Edit: Noticed it has no band 28.

  • silverapple on 26/02/2017 - 18:36

    Is there a store i can visit in Melbourne to buy a Xiaomi phone?

    • scrimshaw on 26/02/2017 - 19:53
      +1

      I have never seen a Xiaomi sold locally in Australia, although I have seen independant phone shops sell the Oppo brand back in 2015, when Oppo was not really well known.. but Oppo actually has a presence nowadays, but Xiaomi doesn't.

      I don't live in Melb though.

      Xiaomi tried to expand but unfortunately it's not working very well for them., so we might not see Xiaomi stores pop in in AU anytime soon.

      Xiaomi also doesn't usually sell in a brick and mortar store, because that's just not their style of marketing or distribution.

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