Still cannot believe it’s this cheap 😭 F in the chat for my bros (or sisses) who bought from banggood. I think this may be the lowest price for the 8/256 model. Was contemplating upgrading myself but I’m too deep in the 🍎 ecosystem. Enjoy!
9/3 update: small price drop from $421.29 to $416.59.
CamelCamelCamel.
Ahh it would definitely be a noteicebly upgrade, but I wouldn’t jump out of my seat for it. It’s a got a really fast screen and processor if your into that, but nonexistent camera performance and software support compared to your S10+.
Tbh if I were you I would probably pull the trigger anyway as you could probably sell your current phone and buy this without a loss. You get a brand new battery and 5G for future proofing.
Thanks for that. Yes the software support is my mine concern, I think Samsung gives 5 years
I agree with hellousyd.
If you value your camera, expandable storage & software that's tuned properly, avoid the F3. Otherwise, it's probably better in every other way. Be sure you know what you're getting into with MIUI before making the jump.
Be sure you know what you're getting into with MIUI before making the jump.
Or be prepared to ROM it. Pixel Experience! :)
@Zorlin: Yep. I throw PE on all my Xioami phones but people may not want to go down that path. I just wanted to let miui virgins know what they're in for.
Installing Gcam on it would reduce the quality gap in camera significantly.
i got a Mi 9 currently just how much of a camera downgrade is this ?
Better hardware, weaker software but probably half the cost of what you spent on your S10+
Amazon UK - would that mean buyer needs to pay GST on top for the import? Any idea on the charger included or is it just a cable which comes in the box?
No additional gst on goods under $1000.
This isn't true. Amazon include the GST at checkout.
@Steptoe: By "additional" I meant no additional GST payable in Australia when it crosses the border. If it's over $1000 then you get charged buy Australian Border Force by default unless GST is already been paid at point of selling.
There is an article about this issue on ATO site - "Don't pay GST twice".
Keen to hear how the camera is, I have an s8 and it doesn't feel nearly as good as my iPhone and Pixel friends'.
iPhones & Pixels offer up some of the best camera tech in smartphones but also cost $1k+. We aren't comparing apples with apples (pun intended) here. The S8 is 5 yrs old and so the F3 will beat it in every way, including the camera, even if the F3's camera is unremarkable. There are heaps of youtube clips that offer up hands-on reviews of the F3's camera.
The iPhone 13 Pro series of cameras are excellent & their video cameras are the best of any phones. I think your rant is mostly misinformed.
@sinners007: Nope. I spent the a long time selling their products knowing that there was far better available. So many people need to look further than Apple. Apple isn't all that great. And their prices are absolutely disgustingly expensive.
@sinners007: Android user here. Nothing on android comes close to the video capability of the iPhone. MAYBE that really expensive Sony phone.
@aiyoyo: Nuh… The Pixel may offer better photos overall but the iPhone has the best video capture… Nothing comes close. Check the comparison videos on YouTube.
@aiyoyo: Not for video. Just be careful with mainstream reviewers when it comes to video. They use those stabiliser things (not gimble).
Pixels exhibits judder. Also slight smearing for stabilisation.
https://youtu.be/90A_2bDrJSE?t=732
https://youtu.be/hABIwfyxmbA?t=274
Camera is nothing to write home about, especially in low light conditions. Very very basic
Get the Redmi note 10 pro if camera is your top priority for a low budget phone
That's a very good phone for the price.
Yes indeed
It's about $10 cheaper than it was a few weeks ago, and will probably be $10 cheaper in a few weeks.
somehow i saw that apple as Tomato, and i was like why he is into tomatoes 🍅 !!! doesn't make any sense, had look again. its an 🍎
Ahaha 😂
Did you see those no phone in the box reviews?
amazon reviews show reviews for the actual product itself not for the seller, also the seller is official amazon uk so think it should be ok
4 reviews saying they got an empty box, wonder where along the chain they are getting swiped.
I would count on Amazon to cover it though if it happened.
Yeah, they should refund and deal with it pretty quick if there are any issues
Looks abit suss man but should be ok it's Amazon UK so will be covered for sure.
Lol might be Banggood being petty 🤣
My only empty boxes have come from Amazon UK.
Dang, that's a deal alright. I don't need a new phone but… aargh!
Ahahah having the same infernal conflict myself 😂
This is great, awesome! My poco f3 just died as I posted in the last deal. Was seriously contemplating getting it from kogan today, glad I waited! Thx OP
Mind If I ask how it died mate?
Yea sorry it didn't actually die but the microphone stopped working. Read my last comments on the other deal from banggood for a bit more info
How long did yours last?
10 minutes…
3 months only. it was the 128gb model. Read my previous comments for a bit more info
So you still want to buy another one?
@superforever: Had been looking around for another phone around the $400 mark and couln't find anything even remotely close to this specs. Returning was also a breeze through Amazon. And the phone was great, so yea I'm hoping it was just a manufacturing defect or something.
@Bytelover: If you spend 2 x $400, you should be able to get a phone that lasts more than 2 x 3 months?
I bought my poco f3 from this deal. Used it for 2 weeks then the camera died. Will return but I probably wouldn't buy it again as the camera quality is horrendous, worse than my old mi mix 2s. Otherwise it is a great phone.
Install one of the many GCAM ports.
A few of the comments say the connectivity in Australia is pretty average.
Does anyone have any experience of this specifically with the UK version?
I had the 128gb model from amazon UK and had no issues, apart from my mic not lasting long as discussed above
Thanks mate. Did you get it fixed up with the warranty?
No I'm getting a full refund, plus they are covering $35 return postage. Was my first time having to deal with a defective product through Amazon and was surprised by how easy and straightforward their return process is.
They did not offer to repair it or replace it unfortunately, which would've been my preference, but can't complain about a full refund with no questions asked I guess? Especially when a few days later they have a deal like this :)
I bought from Amazon UK previously and It's the global version of the phone. I haven't had a problem with connectivity apart from no VoLTE/VoWiFi if on Telstra/Boost. Apparently it works with Optus, but I haven't tried myself.
Oh no, that's actually what I need. But if it works with Optus, then it's not the phone, right?
I think it's to do with the phone communicating with Telstra VoLTE/VoWiFi. Not sure if it's to do with the phone's firmware not setup for Telstra or something on Telstra's end. If you Google "poco f3 volte telstra" you can find some more info. Other people say it works on Optus, but I have not tested myself.
Not sure myself, but a random Amazon review:
I've had this phone now for more than six months. I've spent ages on the phone with both Optus and Telstra. I've tried other networks as well, and I've even spoken to major techies at both of the major telco providers, and nothing has sorted out my issues. The connectivity on this device is horrendous. Hardly works at all indoors, constantly drops the connection, VoLTE does not work on either network, people cannot call me, even when I do have connectivity (intermittently). I was willing to put in some extra time to try and make this device work, but it just does not work here in Australia (except maybe in city centres), which is very disappointing.
Funnily enough I have no problem with cellular but wifi connectivity is kind of shit, I used to have the F1 and wifi was always rock solid even far away from my router but the F3 at a similar distance has much weaker signal (say 30% vs 70%+)
That's unusual.
Maybe a faulty wifi antenna?
I've read similar reports on reddit, it's hard to say it's faulty because it works, it's just much worse range
tempted to upgrade from my mi 9t.. hmm..
Why even contemplate, the devil is always correct. Just buy it.
My 9T still going fine but seriously considering too…🤔
My TCL Plex still fine just no more android update.
My TCL Plex is now getting laggy and the battery does not last more than a day. Tried reducing the number of apps and that seems to be more responsive for now.
my battery's not doing so good these days admittedly, the chargers a bit spotty, and i definitely use the cameras on my phone more than i used to. performance-wise, though, its still great, so i'd feel bad…
Last time i bought Xiaomi and didn’t lasted a year.
Is that ur fault or xiaomi's fault?
I've owned half a dozen plus Xiaomi phones - all rock solid hardware wise. I've never had one failure, it's their software that's the let down.
And to be fair, it can be quite a (profanity) gamble when it comes to software. Sometimes, an update just (profanity) up your battery life or make an important page inaccessible, and it won't be fixed for a year. At that point, you have to flash it, and back when I daily driven one, it was annoying to unlock the bootloader.
Over a dozen of their phone gone through my hand. 5 of them had issues when using miui, 2 of them had battery bloat (redmi note 3 and mi max)
Agreed. I remember one update on my Mi9T stopped it working their own miband and it took them 6 months to rectify it. Any major update (moving between Android versions) is usually a disaster and it takes them a year to iron out the bugs just in time for the next "update". It's why I now own a Samsung.
Having said that… The F3 is incredible value for the price if people are willing to gamble with miui or flash a custom rom.
@sinners007: For sure. I'm the techie in my social circle, I bought a couple of poco x3 for my friends, because it's so incredibly cheap compared to anything locally. They are incredibly satisfied with it, but that's after I researched to make sure there isn't any major bugs on it, and tinkered to remove all the bloat. And I'm keeping check on them in the event that miui screws up, that I need to flash the EU custom rom to it.
Had one fail early but my fault. Dropped it in the river.
Had it for 4 more months before it finally died.
Rip poco f2 pro
Had Xiaomi since 2016, they don't die if you look after them.
There's a lot to be said for IP68 ratings
Had various Xiaomi phones over the years, apart from the ones the missus dropped have been fine.
Still got a Redmi Note 4X getting everyday use by the kids though coincidentally they dropped it last week too, cracked the digitiser (hit the edge and managed to crack under the protector but surprisingly everything is still working this time.) Good thing is parts are cheap, can get a complete digitiser/display/frame delivered for less than $30 and swap out the guts.
Had a number of Xiaomi phones too. Still have a mi 6 going strong
It says 5G, does the 5G work in Australia if you buy it from Amazon UK? Like Optus or Telstra?
I believe the F3 is really only missing the Optus 2300MHZ (n40) band. I think it may also be missing the mmWave band but at the moment, I'd suggest most 5G phones (other than the latest) don't have that.
Optus says "Optus5G Max mmWave is starting to roll out in select areas in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Our 5G Max Network uses bands N258, and requires a 4G LTE connection.
When not in a 5G Max coverage area, compatible devices will switch to the Optus 5G or 4G Network where it is available."
And looks like Poco F3 only support n5 and n78. https://www.kimovil.com/en/frequency-checker/AU/xiaomi-poco-…
Wonder what those numbers actually mean in real life. Looks like a no-no to 5G though
Mm wave is high spectrum, so very fast over short distances, but very susceptible to interference, so indoor use in its current form isn't that flash (confirmed mm wave on a trip to USA just before pandemic) So whilst it may offer a benefit in times ahead (new soc required not software) it really isn't a deal breaker. Imo.
i still have poco f1 bought 3 years ago, running great like its just few months old. tempting to buy this f3 , but don't have money.
Have a look at dropping a custom rom on it like ArrowOS, Pixel Experience or PixelPlusUI. It'll probably feel like a new phone.
Did that to my old F1 to keep it as my personal chopper, ArrowOs is amazing
PixelOS is currently the best after trying all those other 3
What is it you liked over the other 3? I quickly tried PixelPlus, then Pixel Experience and settled on ArrowOS (with NoGravity kernel)
To be honest I can't see much difference between them (this is Android 12 version I've got) There isn't any Plus version of Pixel Experience for 12 as yet which would have a few extra tweaks and settings I would have liked though.
Bought one,thanks op. used shopback gc and shopback amazon store for additional savings
Is the 5g actually 5g or is it trash like some other cheap phones that claim they have 5g ?
Damn.. Really wanted to get this but just like OP im a bit deep in the apple ecosystem its a hassle to move out of it. I guess I will transition when either my iphone or my apple watch dies.
I got second hand oppo X2 pro (12GB ram+512GB storage) for similar price. Which one to choose? oppo x2 pro or Poco F3 5G?
X2 pro the top range phone, still one of the best on the market
X2P is in a different league. Also that camera is brilliant vs the mediocre camera on the F3. I'd buy the F2P every time.
yep, saw this too, just ordered the blue.
i prefer the branding on the black.. using it rn.
Paid more back during Christmas period.. zero regrets
Currently using one for nearly 1 year now.
Not too shabby, but it has many flaws that bother me. I highly recommend you to watch some reviews on YouTube before purchasing. Bang for the buck is good, but there are many hidden problems with anything cheap
What are your main issues? Software glitches? Proximity sensor issues?
Had one from launch but yeah, buyer beware of its flaws
Average camera
No volte/vowifi on Telstra (supposedly works on Optus)
I couldn't get hotspot working; the other device could connect to the phone but always had "no internet"
But performance of the phone was very impressive - smooth and nice big screen
How would this compare to my galaxy s10+?