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Lenovo K3 Note 5.5" 1080p Android 5.0 Phablet - $204.57AU ($149.99US) Delivered @ Tinydeal

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Lenovo K3 Note 5.5" 1080p Android 5.0 Phablet - $204.57AU ($149.99US) Delivered @ Tinydeal
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Lstephendt on 19/08/2015 - 14:33 tinydeal.com (625 clicks)
Last edited 19/08/2015 - 17:35 by 2 other users

Hey guys, first deal here on OZB. With the AUD weakening I managed to find a reasonable deal on this device. Comes in yellow too if that tickles your fancy. I've been using one as my daily for a while now and it's going pretty well, but one thing you must consider with these devices is that the stock software is truly terrible - flashing a decent ROM is pretty much mandatory, unless you enjoy intrusive ad-ware.

I spent 20+ hours trying various ROMs and finally settled on the ROW (rest of world) ROM for the Indian market. Download and flash the stock ROM using SP Flashtool, and do the OTA updates. Everything works pretty well and it's pretty snappy. You can read about it here: https://www.reddit.com/r/lenovok3note/wiki/stockroms

Once you're on the latest S121 version, delete all the bloatware. If you want to take things further, you can flash TWRP, which will then allow you to get root by flashing SuperSU. Xposed works on this ROM and I so does Viper4Android (I think).

There are other ROMs if you are adventurous - check out the thread on Whirlpool or OCAU. A lot of them have bugs though, so watch out.

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closed Comments

  • SavatteDodo on 19/08/2015 - 14:41

    I think this is regular price everywhere now.

    • stephendt on 19/08/2015 - 14:56

      It's about ~$20 cheaper than Gearbest at the moment, at least for the white version.

      • [Deactivated] on 19/08/2015 - 15:07
        -1

        BS, if you select AUD in gearbest, it's $201.66 in AUD. This is NOT a bargain

        http://www.gearbest.com/cell-phones/pp_180346.html

        • mafmouf on 19/08/2015 - 15:21

          But if you actually attempted to pay via PayPal you'll find they retain the USD amount and then attempt to convert it with PayPal rates, yielding a stupidly more expensive amount.

        • codename47 on 19/08/2015 - 16:27

          @mafmouf: yeah true, gearbest are dodgy with pricing. I almost paid the other day but when I went to paypal the conversion was 30 more

        • linkii on 19/08/2015 - 18:06

          The aud price is a guide only. They still charge in usd when you pay. The aud have drop a lot in the past 6months. Everything is a lot more expensive now. This is cheaper by about $20 compared to all the other sites.

        • mafmouf on 19/08/2015 - 19:15
          +1

          @codename47: I did the exact same thing the other day, whilst only hesitant on the trigger due to shipping times. Then saw the conversion on PayPal, facepalmed and then just closed all GB related tabs. I ended up buying from Vickmall as buyers from Whirlpool indicated much faster ship times plus came with a screen protector and case. It was not that much more expensive, so I considered the value a bit better.

  • elcheapoinoz on 19/08/2015 - 14:42

    yup pretty much std price.

    • davedrastic on 19/08/2015 - 14:48

      Really?

      That's an amazing price if you ask me.

      $205 for an awesome smart phone. Specs seem similar or superior to my Sony Xperia Z which is great.

      Is Tinydeals a good website to keep an eye on?

      • [Deactivated] on 19/08/2015 - 14:52

        The SoC (which is the heart of the phone) is totally different to the SXZ

        • stephendt on 19/08/2015 - 14:59

          The SOC of the MTK6752 is about on par with the Snapdragon 800/801 in terms of performance. So a bit more powerful than the Xperia Z.

        • br3ttles on 19/08/2015 - 16:32

          @stephendt: In benchmarks yes, although MediaTek often falls behind in OS optimisation. 801's also have the BIG.little octacore arrangement. Nothing against MediaTek, I've had several great phones powered by them, just that spec-for-spec Snapdragon's often perform better in real world use.

  • dbun1 on 19/08/2015 - 14:50

    Why would you buy a phone and have to root and flash it just to get it working?

    • aaronaldo on 19/08/2015 - 14:56
      +10

      Because it's super cheap for the specs you are getting

    • PainToad on 19/08/2015 - 15:46
      +7

      Why would you pay extra for a phone just to save 15 minutes flashing a new ROM? Oh ignorance, the main reason Samsung are everywhere in Australia.

      • [Deactivated] on 19/08/2015 - 17:54
        -3

        That and they make good hardware.

        • PainToad on 20/08/2015 - 06:21

          Not good enough to justify their price.

    • tonyrulez on 19/08/2015 - 18:24

      I root and flash every Android phone, because I can, you get more options and a faster ROM. BTW, you don't have to root and flash it just to get it working, its stock firmware comes with english language, so you don't really have to do anything if you don't want to.

  • aaronaldo on 19/08/2015 - 14:55

    Once you're on the latest S121 version, delete all the bloatware.

    I thought ROW ROM is bloatware-free? Or does OTA re-introduces the bloatware back into the phone? If so, is there instructions on how to remove the bloatware?

    • stephendt on 19/08/2015 - 14:57

      They're just user apps. So you can go into the app manager, hit menu -> select all -> uninstall. No root needed.

      • [Deactivated] on 19/08/2015 - 15:07

        the uninstall/disabled buttons are disabled since you cannot uninstall system apps

        • spy on 19/08/2015 - 15:32
          +1

          Wrong. In ROW, the show up under Downloaded Apps and can be easily installed from there. No rooting, no stuffing around.

        • aaronaldo on 19/08/2015 - 15:44

          @spy: So the ROW ROM does come with bloatware but you have the ability to remove it? Is there a chance you might remove something the system needs or can you blindly select and remove all you see?

        • stephendt on 19/08/2015 - 16:18

          @aaronbaron: Obviously you can't remove core system apps without root…

        • aaronaldo on 19/08/2015 - 16:20

          @stephendt: It wasn't obvious to me :(

        • spy on 19/08/2015 - 19:07

          @stephendt: indeed, and this is the case with any Android phone.

        • spy on 19/08/2015 - 19:10

          @aaronbaron: ROW comes with significantly less "bloatware" (UC Mini browser and Twitter) which is easy removed. Sweet sweet phone once removed. Typing from it right now.

        • superforever on 19/08/2015 - 19:45

          @spy:

          I think yours is not ROW the India English version we are talking about. No bloatware no root.

          https://www.reddit.com/r/lenovok3note/wiki/stockroms#wiki_in…

  • Supercool on 19/08/2015 - 15:09
    +2

    This or the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2?

  • [Deactivated] on 19/08/2015 - 15:12

    Where is the warehouse/shipping from? what about warranty?

    • whooah1979 on 19/08/2015 - 17:09

      if this phone is shipped from overseas, then there is no easy way to ship it back. so forget the warranty.

  • shaybisc on 19/08/2015 - 15:14

    Hah- I spit on 5.5". It takes 7" at a minimum to satisfy me these days.

    • AngryAlfred on 19/08/2015 - 15:15
      +6

      Hmm….. Perhaps you should reread what you just wrote.

    • wtfnodeal on 19/08/2015 - 15:22
      -2

      I totally agree with you from a female's point of view.

      wtfnodeal on 19/08/2015 - 15:22 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
    • macrocephalic on 19/08/2015 - 15:23

      Have a muscle elasticity problem?

      macrocephalic on 19/08/2015 - 15:23 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
    • SavatteDodo on 19/08/2015 - 16:09

      Wow you've been taking it the rough way it seems.

      SavatteDodo on 19/08/2015 - 16:09 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
      • Tiggrrrrr on 19/08/2015 - 16:19

        Yes, don't believe the movies, spit is not a lubricant.

    • siiking on 19/08/2015 - 16:15

      Huawei X2

    • [Deactivated] on 19/08/2015 - 18:41

      You might want to spit a whole lot more on the 7" before it satisfies you.

  • illumination on 19/08/2015 - 15:19
    +1

    Where are you, good 5" phones?

    • mafmouf on 19/08/2015 - 15:23
      +6

      Hiding in 2013.

      • UncommonName on 19/08/2015 - 16:02
        +1

        I find 4.5" phones are adequate for me, even 5" is too big. But now all deals are for 5.5" :(

        • mafmouf on 19/08/2015 - 19:27

          If you hold a 5.5" slightly further away, it'll appear as a 4.7". I'm moving from 4.7" to 5.5" and have no idea how my pockets will handle this.

          Seriously, how do do office workers conceal a 5.5"?

        • UncommonName on 19/08/2015 - 19:28
          +1

          @mafmouf: Can't imagine putting a 5.5" in my jeans pockets. How do guys do that?

        • mafmouf on 19/08/2015 - 19:32
          +1

          @bargainaus: Oh, if only you forgot to type "pockets"…

        • UncommonName on 19/08/2015 - 19:40
          +1

          @mafmouf: Would not work, male here. :)

        • mafmouf on 19/08/2015 - 19:41
          +1

          @bargainaus: Still made me laugh. Back to the topic, I'd be worried the phone warping slightly over time especially knowing the phone is quite light and highly plastic.

        • Windows7forever on 19/08/2015 - 19:47

          @bargainaus: You would need to carry a man bag around or a purse. I'm carrying 4.5" around and that is big enough for my pockets.

        • UncommonName on 19/08/2015 - 19:49

          @wolfenator87: I'm using OZB superstar Y550, at 4.5" its max size for my preference. Is there a good Chinese cheap phone at that size?

        • Windows7forever on 19/08/2015 - 19:52

          @bargainaus: I would love a bigger screen but until the garment manufacturers start making clothes with super sized pockets I will stick with a smaller phone. If I am wearing a jacket/suit I can get away with carrying a bigger phone but it's still bulky and hard to conceal.

        • siiking on 19/08/2015 - 20:23

          @wolfenator87: get some big boy pants. Thatll fit.

  • spy on 19/08/2015 - 15:34

    Geekbiying and some other stores doing the same price. JDs still cheaper at $147 posted after $10 coupon.

    • Utopian on 19/08/2015 - 18:47

      USD

      • spy on 19/08/2015 - 19:06

        Yep.

  • PainToad on 19/08/2015 - 15:48

    FU AU $.

  • Windows7forever on 19/08/2015 - 16:17

    Looks good for the price

  • superforever on 19/08/2015 - 16:32

    What actual currency will they charge to your paypal? Is this $204.57AU the final amount or still have to wait for paypal conversion?

    • Utopian on 19/08/2015 - 18:46

      Your money/payment… choice is yours

    • mafmouf on 19/08/2015 - 19:21

      Well, the best way to find out is to get all the way to to PayPal screen. I just did that and can confirm they are charging a total of $204.57AUD.

      • superforever on 19/08/2015 - 19:46

        That is good.

        • mafmouf on 19/08/2015 - 19:47

          Yes it is if you love waiting anywhere between 20 and 60 days.

        • superforever on 19/08/2015 - 19:50

          @mafmouf:

          If you want saving you have to wait. Otherwise order it from vickmall.com

        • mafmouf on 19/08/2015 - 20:19

          @superforever: I ended up ordering from Vickmall.

        • superforever on 19/08/2015 - 20:32

          @mafmouf:

          Me too with free tempered glass and case.

  • CyberMurning on 19/08/2015 - 16:53

    wait.. so you can install custom rom before rooting? or that WOW rom is official?

    • superforever on 19/08/2015 - 17:00
      +1

      The India ROW ROM is official.

      I have flashed this ROM and some others but this is the best.

      http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2393953&r…

    • stephendt on 20/08/2015 - 10:33

      You can always install a custom ROM without rooting, assuming the bootloader is unlocked. Android is just a bunch of files in a partition. Recovery tools run outside of the Android OS so you can flash rooted or unrooted Android OSes all day without issue.

  • superforever on 19/08/2015 - 17:26

    Dealmachine $197.83 but no way to tell whether they will charge USD or actual AUD197.83.

    http://www.dealsmachine.com/best_245697.html?currency=AUD&gc…

    • ozhunter on 19/08/2015 - 17:42

      It clearly says AUD…

      • superforever on 19/08/2015 - 17:48

        You cannot be sure, like Gearbest they also have the option to show AUD but when you go to do payment by paypal you will find that the payment amount is in USD. You can either let paypal convert it or pay USD and let your bank convert it.

        I am 100% sure because one of my K3 note is from gearbest

        http://www.gearbest.com/cell-phones/pp_180346.html

        So this deal from Tinydeal you can only tell the final amount until somebody actual bought it and check their final amount from paypal.

  • wiewie on 19/08/2015 - 18:28
    +1

    The best price for this phone at the moment is from JD.com
    US$156.99 minus US$20 (apply coupon: JD888) = US$136.99.
    With paypal currency (today 19/8/15) become AU$193.72.
    Unfortunately the price only for yellow one. The white one a bit dearer.
    This is a good phone consider the price, it worth every single cent. I am using it now, my old phone was samsung s5 . Flash it with ROW-rom and you are good to go.

    • igoforthebest on 19/08/2015 - 18:43

      Delivery time is 60 days!!!

      • wiewie on 19/08/2015 - 18:51
        +1

        It is said 60 days, but I got it in 31 days (NSW-metro),

        • mafmouf on 19/08/2015 - 19:22

          Half the time yet still a lifetime!

  • COR80 on 19/08/2015 - 19:21
    +2

    Love my K3 from the deal a month or two back……and two days ago I put it through the wash. FML.

    • mafmouf on 19/08/2015 - 19:23

      I hope it was on delicate wash. Dumb question, but was it completely totalled?

      • COR80 on 19/08/2015 - 20:14

        When I pressed the power button afterwards it vibrated for a brief second….then nothing. It still looks perfect too, not a scratch on it sniff Can't bring myself to throw it out just yet. Such a pretty corpse.

        • mafmouf on 19/08/2015 - 20:29

          Did you try any possible revival techniques?

        • COR80 on 19/08/2015 - 20:39

          @mafmouf: Just left it stuck in some rice to no avail. Any other ideas?

        • mafmouf on 19/08/2015 - 20:42
          +1

          @COR80: I did some reading on submerging phones (or parts of the phone) in alcohol. Some also suggest if you have a better desiccant, use that as opposed to rice. I think knowing you tried to turn it on and get the vibration indicates a short.

          Disassembly. Shall search more on what else could help.

        • mafmouf on 19/08/2015 - 20:54
          +2

          @COR80: Yea, this is pretty much what should happen. I really think attempting to turn it on may have permanently ruined the phone. Having said that, you can at least try every method under the sun to mouth-to-microUSB resuscitate it. I did briefly read about people freezing their devices which is odd.

          Check around the house for those silica gel packets and dump the phone in a ziplock with it and try again after 2 days.

        • mafmouf on 19/08/2015 - 21:02
          +1

          @COR80: Ah yea, crack open the cover and upload a pic of water indicators please (if there are any)? Some have 1 on battery and 1 on phone. It should be a white/red square/circle.

        • COR80 on 19/08/2015 - 22:39

          @mafmouf: I'm stuffed for pics here cause that was my camera and the missus is out for tea in Perth. Hey man pm me and I will send it your way in a bag, better someone else have a go at it, I've written it off and my proficiency extends only so far as swapping out batteries, so the carcass is yours. Taking off the case the only thing I can see is a small white circle bottom right, with a blue "s".

        • mafmouf on 20/08/2015 - 00:32

          @COR80: I tried sending a PM, but denied as I'm overseas. If you PM your email, we can continue there if that's ok.

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