Best Way to Buy Global Version of Chinese Phones

fossilfuel on 27/02/2024 - 00:10

I'm after new phone with an excellent camera. I mostly use my phone for photos, videos and messaging so I don't need something powerful for gaming. I feel like the Aussie market is dominated by Samsung, Google and Apple. While those phones are nice, their cameras aren't as good as some of the Chinese competition and I'm not interested in those brands/models.

I've narrowed my options to 3 Chinese Phones and the comparison photos are stunning:

  • Xiaomi 14 Ultra
  • Vivo X100 Pro
  • Oppo Find X7 Ultra

The problem is these phones are not released in Australia. They're mostly released in China with limited Global release in Europe.

Very few Australian retailers are selling the Chinese (CN) version of the phone. The CN phones flashed with the Global ROM has issues with banking apps, Google Wallet/NFC, Android Auto and missing band 28b (and band 20 for Europe). Even fewer Australian retailers are selling the Global version of the phone at a huge markup (Xiaomi and Vivo). The Global versions are approximately 20-25% more expensive than the Chinese version but has Google, NFC and all the international 4G/5G bands.

Ideally I'm after the Global/International version of one of the phones but may compromise getting a CN version if it's worth forgoing some features. I'm hoping to strike a balance between a good price, warranty and having the Global features. This will probably be a phone I'll use for the next 4-5 years at least.

So I'd like to ask the ozbargain community:

  • Would you go for a CN or Global version of a Chinese flagship? (while taking into account variations in features, cost and warranty)
  • Those with CN versions of Chinese phones, what has your experience been like using it in Australia and abroad?
  • How would/did you go about purchasing a Global version of a Chinese flagship? Which companies/sites outside of Australia are reputable but also a balance between price and warranty? (e.g import from Amazon UK with 2 year warranty but higher price, grey import from HK with flaky warranty but lower price, purchase from Kogan/Dick Smith etc)

Thanks for your insights.

Mobile Mobile Phone

Comments

  • CyberMurning on 27/02/2024 - 00:26
    +2

    why not the foldable oppo, Honor's Magic V2, Huawei's Mate X3, or Vivo's X Fold2 ?

    • fossilfuel on 27/02/2024 - 20:59

      Thanks for the suggestion but I'm not into foldable phones. I'm after a phone an excellent camera.

  • CrispyChrispy on 27/02/2024 - 00:36
    +1

    Have you already looked on AliExpress or Banggood? Won't have the best much (if any) after sales support but will get global variants there.

    • fossilfuel on 27/02/2024 - 21:01

      I had a look at Aliexpress but they're all CN variants and Banggood doesn't have the phones I want. Thanks for the suggestion!

  • Artkin on 27/02/2024 - 07:41
    +2

    Get familiar with both Ali express and the EU global ROM forum and do some research. I've got the mi 11 ultra (global) via AliExpress with EU ROM and couldn't be happier. Banking apps and goggle pay NFC work.

    • netjock on 27/02/2024 - 09:52
      +1

      This is the most useful answer.

      If there is an official EU rom it should also be fine for Australia except for hardware limitations (no NFC, no bands etc)

      Watch out for two versions. A CN version and international version (snapdragon). Make sure you are buying the Snapdragon with international rom available. Not CN version with a rom that has english language.

      • fossilfuel on 27/02/2024 - 21:04

        Thanks for your replies. I'll have a look. It's good to hear EU ROMs unlock Google apps however I'm still worried about the hardware limitations. Good to know that the international versions have snapdragons so I'll keep my eyes peeled.

  • CyberMurning on 27/02/2024 - 08:26
    +1

    some told me he bought one from wonda mobile

    • fossilfuel on 27/02/2024 - 21:06

      Thanks, I had a look at wondamobile and they're similarly priced to several Aussie retailers that are offering the international/global versions. I'm concerned about the warranty through HK though I will definitely keep them in mind.

  • Duckie2hh on 27/02/2024 - 09:32
    -4

    Pretty sure you can report to your local CCP police station to obtain your state issued phone.

  • OZBMate8911 on 27/02/2024 - 14:46
    +10

    As somebody who has recently gone through the ringer with all of this, only go with Xiaomi if you must, and choose global if you must. CN is just not worth it.

    CN Xiaomis now have unlocking bootloaders very restricted - you must be an active member on their CN forums to be able to unlock.
    There are alternative methods but you need to pay somebody for the unlock.
    Global ROMs don't have this restriction that I know of yet. There's still a big time wait for unlock permissions and you have to be actively using the phone during this time.

    Now you have an unlocked bootloader, this trips Play Integrity, which over the past few months has been a massive cat-and-mouse chase to find working ROM fingerprints and workarounds.
    Xiaomi.EU ROM automates this but it is still a matter of time before it trips again and removes everything in your Google Wallet.

    Stuff that also doesn't work when you're not passing Play Integrity:
    * RCS messaging (Android-to-Android)
    * About 50% of apps force-close without telling you why (Tile, Adobe Photoshop mobile, myGov to name a few off the top of my head)
    * If they do open, there's a good chance they cry about having root and not work

    Now, CN is barely usable - once you get Google service installed - but stuff like this doesn't work with CN ROM as there's no Google stuff baked into the actual ROM:

    Hotword detection ("Hey Google", etc)
    Android Auto
    WearOS watches (I believe only CN market watches work, I have not managed to make my Watch4 pair even with all workarounds listed online)

    And even if you can live with all of this, you then have to live with MIUI force closing absolutely everything, requiring you to OK permissions all the time or pinging you that it is accessing them, notifications just not working, amongst other incredulous tedium just to get your phone to work.

    EDIT: Also forgot to mention some hardware just straight up won't work with Xiaomi without workarounds. See: Dexcom G6 diabetes sensors (my wife has to use a modded APK with her Mi10T Pro. She doesn't seem to mind Global MIUI)

    Source to all this: I have a Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro which I love but have always run AOSP based ROMs on. Now Play Integrity is so tight and breaks so much I can't afford to keep doing the cat and mouse game all the time, so went back to CN ROM and have found out all the above. Am now looking at my empty wallet and a Pixel 8 Pro to save me from this torture.

    Having said all of this Xiaomi has some cracking hardware and didn't know the 14U had been announced so now looking at that and wondering if I want to torture myself again. Lol

    Sorry about poor formatting and word vomit but I'm kinda over it and life today. Lol

    • fossilfuel on 27/02/2024 - 21:20

      Thank you so so much for the detailed reply, I really appreciate it!

      Seems like it's a massive hassle to deal with the issues with a CN phone. From what it sounds, paying extra to negate the headache of dealing with CN phones are definitely worth it. I did not realise they had so many issues, especially with features I use everyday and take for granted.

      Having said all of this Xiaomi has some cracking hardware and didn't know the 14U had been announced so now looking at that and wondering if I want to torture myself again. Lol

      The Xiaomi 14 Ultra Global Version is only available in Europe. You can pre-order it on Amazon UK, DE and NL. The price is enough to give anyone a heart attack starting at £1,299.00 and €1499, equivalent to $2500 AUD. It's not even the top spec, they're only releasing 16GB RAM 512GB storage in black and white. The only saving grace is Amazon UK has a £100 off voucher for the 14 Ultra but the phone would still set you back $2300.

      I got my last Xiaomi phone 3 years ago on Amazon UK at a killer deal but I really don't think stock will last with the 14 Ultra on Amazon. The Global versions of the Xiaomi 13 and 13 Ultra ran out of stock on Amazon within 3 months and were never restocked.

      That being said, it's a gorgeous phone and the photography kit really sweetens the deal. Probably worth getting the 14 Ultra in Europe and buying the photography kit from China or HK.

      • OZBMate8911 on 27/02/2024 - 21:37

        Any time, just glad my pain could be of assistance to somebody!

        The only saving grace is Amazon UK has a £100 off voucher for the 14 Ultra but the phone would still set you back $2300.

        Looks like I'll be leaving Xiaomi behind. Shame, it's been a good run since the Mi5.

        • fossilfuel on 27/02/2024 - 21:50
          +1

          It's very unfortunate that Xiaomi phones are getting super expensive, yet it does reflect how far they've come to be able to compete with the top brands. I've had 2 Xiaomi phones over the last 6 years and both held up strong. My current

          The alternative is the Vivo X100 Pro. So far I've found 3 Aussie retailers selling it - spectronic, bestmobilephone and techcart. The Zeiss cameras are amazing and produces very sharp photos while sacrificing some contrast - the review mentions very few flaws for its price.

          If the 14 Ultra doesn't come down in price, I'm seriously contemplating getting the X100 Pro instead. Then again the Vivo X100 Pro Plus or Ultra will probably get announced in June with a 200MP main camera.

          All the best with your phone search too.

    • batrarobin on 08/03/2024 - 16:42
      +1

      I concur. While I appreciate Xiaomi's fantastic hardware for the price and I love tinkering with different ROMs include Xiaomi.EU to get a cleaner Google experience, the constant battle with bloatware and its reappearance after updates is frustrating. This has led me to explore other brands like Samsung and Pixel. Yet, Xiaomi's new releases always pique my interest!

  • bocmanv on 05/03/2024 - 16:54

    My chief concern for the moment regarding CN version and Global ROM versions (the same CN version but flashed with Global ROM) is the absence of LTE band 7 support.
    How crucial is it in real life?
    I live in a regional area, not in a metropolitan area.

    • fossilfuel on 07/03/2024 - 23:02

      I may be wrong but I think LTE Band 28 is crucial for Aussies in the regions. Pay really close attention to the bands that CN phones offer because some phones only offer 28a or 28b.

      https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/97rn88m3
      I would say that optus and telstra use B28a but Voda and TPG holdings would be for B28b.

      IMO I would pay more for a Global version to avoid the hassles of a CN version, especially functionality with Android Auto, RCS, Banking Apps, Google Pay etc.

  • first in line on 24/04/2024 - 02:01

    Hey OP, what phone did you ended up buying? And if you haven't bought yet, what would be in your wishlist after all your research?

    • fossilfuel on 28/04/2024 - 23:08

      I ended up getting the Vivo X100 Pro Global Version from Wondamobile. Shipping was insanely quick, took 2 days to ship from HK with UPS. Placed an order on Monday night and received on Wednesday morning. Their reviews were good and warranty process look seamless.

      The advice in this thread was spot on. Definitely get an international version to save yourself the headache of Chinese models. I'm with boost and the reception was great in rural areas (whereas it might not be with the chinese version with missing bands). So far, most things have worked well. The only issue I've encountered is connecting Android Auto to a specific vehicle but I have not tried it with any other vehicle. The camera is absolutely stunning.

      Overall, I'm very happy with the purchase. If I held out longer, I might have bought the Vivo X100 Ultra for the 200MP Periscope camera and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 but only if a Global version is released which is unconfirmed and unlikely at this stage.

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