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Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro Special Edition 3GB/32GB (Grey or Gold w/ B28 700MHz) US $159.99/AU $213.20 Shipped @GeekBuying

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Pre-Sale, ship in 9 days, cheapest so far, I've been tempting for months, still holding on… or not?

[HK Stock][Official International Version]Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro 5.5 Inch FHD 3GB 32GB Smartphone Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 Hexa Core MIUI V7 16.0MP TOUCH ID - Dark Gray or Gold

3.2% cashback

Copied from this deal

the new Redmi Note 3 Special Edition featuring better 4G LTE support including B28 700MHz.

No coupon required and free shipping is included.

Package with phone, case and screen protector now available for $176.99 USD

Check it out here(geekbuying.com)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Specifications

  • 5.5" FHD 1920x1080 Display
  • MIUI (Based on Android)
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 Hexa-Core CPU @ 1.8GHz
  • Adreno 510 GPU
  • 3GB RAM, 32GB eMMC (Supports microSD card)
  • Dual SIM, Dual Standby
  • 16MP Rear Camera, 5MP Front Camera
  • 4000mAh Battery
  • Fingerprint Reader
  • 2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MH
  • 3G: WCDMA 850/900/1900/2100MHz
  • 4G: FDD LTE B1/2/3/4/5/7/8/20/28/ (2100/1900/1800/1700/850/2600/900/800/700MHz), TD-LTE B40 (2300MHZ)
  • 802.11a/b/g/n/ac dual-band WiFi, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS/AGPS/GLONASS/Beidou
  • 152.5 x 76 x 8.65mm
  • 167g

25/10 Note: This presale has been extremely popular, in the past this can lead to delayed orders when sales are beyond expectations. Purchase with caution.

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closed Comments

  • +1

    What is the actual name we should call it? Special or international?

    • +8

      Special or International edition, both refer to this B28 700MHz, its code named Kate, slightly longer, so normal cases and screen protectors not fitting properly

      • +2

        Special Edition is what this phone is technically called. International Edition is simply the name given to by resellers and could include the Note 3 without band 28 but with the international rom (global rom).

      • Any link to order its special cover/case from?

  • +5

    Wait so Shipped in 9 Days, or Will Ship In 9 Days..? Lol thought it would be delivered in 9 days…dreamin

    • not enough room in title, including shipping (shipped), will be shipped in 9 Days, pre-sale mate

    • +4

      More like "might be shipped in 9 days, if you're lucky"

      • +2

        I ordered one from them awhile back. No mention of pre-order in the sale page. Said itd ship in 2 days. It was over 11 before they shipped. Then there was the transit time on top.

        I think they just need to be clearer on the processing Time as it is a bit misleading at the moment which may be due to a language/translation issue

        • How long was the transit time after the wait?

        • +1

          @EarlyBird: hasn't arrived yet. Shipped 3 days ago. Tracking number supplied comes up as "not found" when I try and search. Si just waiting for now

  • +1

    due to this Kate model is slightly longer, can anyone recommend tempered glass, cases that fit this Kate proper with working links?
    it'll be convenient for others, cheers!
    PS Taiwain has this version, so stuff from TW will probably fit as mentioned in whirlpool threads

    • I use the Kenzo tempered glass. Fits well at the top but obviously doesn't go all the way at the bottom. A couple of mm short. Hopefully does the job so far so good. Touch wood

  • what's the camera like, anyone know?

    • +2

      Average

    • +4

      Average camera but poor in low light.

    • +4

      Average , but for 1/5th of the price of an Iphone I wouldnt say its exactly 1/5th of the picture quality probably about 50-70% of the quality in good light

      • I've got one myself and the camera does a good job in a well lit room. I also wont deny that its a great price. But if Iggemo was buying this phone just for the camera then he might have to look elsewhere.

        • +7

          Agreed with the point of view.
          You can buy x6 of these phones, or just x1 iPhone 7Plus (3GB/32GB).

          I would compare the Mi to the 7 Plus as:
          Antenna: 70% (Quite close, but iPhone has better Phone and GPS radios. iPhone limited in Bluetooth)
          Battery: 80% (iPhone has more efficient components, Xiaomi has a slightly bigger battery)
          Camera: 50% (Xiaomi camera average in sunlight, very poor in lowlight, below average for video)

          Screen: 85% to the quality of iPhone (iPhone is better)
          Sound: 90% (both are close, but both are quite a let down)
          Speed: 30% (iOS much faster)
          Sexy: 95% (I see them as equals, but some people see the Xiaomi as the "peasants phone")
          Security: 30% (iOS is foolproof, but Xiaomi can be compromised. Fingerprint reader on iPhone is faster and more accurate)
          Software: 80% (iOS gets better quality apps, sooner, exclusive, direct updates, and long-term support. Android more capable.)

          …so overall you're getting a phone that is ~60% of the quality of the iPhone, but its priced at 17% of the price.
          I know if I had a family of five, I would be choosing the Xiaomi

  • "Package with phone, case and screen protector now available for $176.99 USD"

    Are these ones that will fit this phone properly?

    • +8

      AFAIK no.

      • Dang :(

      • +1

        What? They are supplying a case that won't fit the phone? Surely not. Maybe someone should ask them.

        • I didn't get that either. It must be a joke.

        • I think someone said that the case fits but covers one of the ports/grills.

        • +1

          @baldur:
          It is actually not a joke.

          The special edition phone (known as Kate) is 152.5mm in height. The case they ship with the phone is an exact fit for Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro — standard edition (known as Kenzo) and does not support B28 — which is 150mm in height. So, the case fits very tightly, leaving minute areas around the edges barely covered.

        • +1

          @aous: it is a the joke a company shipping accessories as part of a bundle that are not fit for purpose…

        • @pointnlarf:

          I agree.

    • +1

      The Redmi Note 2 cases fit well, but the speaker and port holes aren't right. Depending on the case you can probably get a good result modding with a box cutter

  • is this fine for the 3s for australia? ( fine without 700Mhz )
    http://www.geekbuying.com/item/International-Version-Xiaomi-…
    and is there much of a difference between this and the pro version?

    • +1

      if you're going to get that why not buy it off ebay then you get the $50 voucher ?

  • +6

    MIUI V8 stable has been release. First observation: Better battery life.

    • Yes. I have got it downloaded but has not installed it yet.

      Has it added Australia as a locale, and has it fixed the constant change in the system clock by 2 hours out whenever you restart the phone? Ours keep doing this despite selecting automatic time and zone.

      • +2

        No Support for Australia locale.
        For both MIUI V7 and V8 I noticed some funny clock behaviour after rebooting, but the clock time is corrected within few seconds.

  • Anyone got one of these, if you can commenton the quality.

    I've had a note 3 before helio chip and it was an absolute p.o.s

    Said I'll never buy another xiaomi but willing to take another shot

    • +5

      I've had mine for 3 days now and it is brilliant.
      Previously had a Nexus 5X and a Oneplus One before that.
      The Nexus 5X always lagged for me, absolutely awful.
      The Oneplus One, however, was excellent.

      As for the Redmi Note 3 Pro:
      The battery life is excellent.
      The fingerprint reader is wicked fast (0.3s) and accurate.
      The camera is average.
      The speakers are loud sound great - unfortunately they're located on the back of the phone.
      The OS (MIUI) is a little strange at first (there's no app drawer) but has some useful features like the battery profile scheduler.
      But most importantly - no lag.

      My only gripe with this phone is that it's not waterproof and it's a pain to find suitable accessories (case and screen protector).
      But for less than 220 bucks, I can't complain.

      • -5

        If you go to China for the accessories, you'll find way too many. Just fork out another $300 for the flight.

      • I'll wait and try again with this phone when its sub $200, only reason i had terrible experience with xiaomi phone in the past

    • +1

      This is a classy phone, updated regularly (now on V8)

      Great screen and performance

      Camera is fine - remember that Google will store low res images for free so the camera is much more than enough

    • To be honest, the wifi is much much poorer on mine than my Lenovo K3 Note, the speakers are tinnier sounding and the lack of appropriate case is starting to get to me. Camera is frankly shite, even for a china phone, hopefully MIUI 8 stable fixes this somewhat.

      Edit: I've had mine for more than a month.

  • For 215 bucks delivered, you can't go past them.
    I got one a couple of months ago. Using it in a vr headset is buggy, but other than that they're great. Would have no qualms replacing it in the future with another Xiaomi.

    Camera average.

  • +2

    Great phone! Been using it for 6 weeks, very snappy, was amazed to pull 194Mbps from the Optus 4G+ network in Melbourne.
    It's my go to phone against a work supplied Ip6s, apart from snaps and reels.
    But as already said a fifth of the price.

    • +2

      Tell us about the camera please…

  • +2

    If you don't NEED Kate, then you can get a great deal on a KENZO on ebay at the moment with the cashback voucher.
    There are no Kate's that do Click & Collect unfortunately. Someone tried post the cheap KENZO's ($180) but it was removed for minimum stock levels.

    • Sounds good. Can you link, and does it support B28?

      • The version with B28 is known as 'Kate'.

        He said there are currently no deals for Kate but here are for Kemzo (the non B28 version).

  • What are these like compared to the Samsung note 3?

    Obviously I can compare specs, but if anyone has real life comparison would be nice.

    Cheers

  • +2

    Best alternative at similar price with B28 and NFC?

    • Also interested in this. Was thinking of stretching the budget another $100-200 as well.

    • Ah, B28 and NFC: the holy grail. I don't think there is such a thing at a similar price.

    • Nexus 5.

      • But then you're sacrificing camera and battery for NFC and B28

        • The camera in the nexus 5 is decent, good infact, better than n3p. It's just slow.

          So you're sacrificing performance and battery nfc and batter camera.

          N3p SE have band 28. But it also have better reception.

      • Hmm, not a ringing endorsement from an earlier poster, above.

        "The Nexus 5X always lagged for me, absolutely awful."

        • I never said it doesn't.

  • Is this version supoerted by Xiaomi like if they provide upgrade Mzrshmallow, they will also proide for this version?

  • +13

    WARNING: Geekbuying are notorius for delaying and delaying. Just search for this on both Ozbargain and Whirlpool. I ordered a Redmi note 3 3/32Gb international aka special edition (Kate) on 5th october, have gone through 3 resets of the shipping countdown.., still waiting. ie it gets down to the final day..boom…resets to another 5,6,7 etc days. AVOID . Apparently Vickmall are far more reliable.

    • It happened to me too. I ordered on 1st October and the shipping got delayed until 20th October.

      • +1

        I've placed multiple orders with geekbuying and never had an issue with a delay. I pre-ordered my redmi note 3 special edition, and it was shipped out the day before it was supposed to be. Maybe I was just lucky?

  • +3

    taller, so no cases proper protection for it
    No replacement parts. Xiaomi also don't give a sh*t.
    They told me to go to taiwan to get it fixed.

    moral of the story: do not buy this lol

    • +7

      ??? Down voted for telling the truth?

      I have photos, supporting documents of the negligence of Xiaomi to their customers.

      This is a real issue guys. Just want to let others know theyre buying a phone without cases available, and with no replacement parts available. Don't downvote what you don't want to hear, it's the truth.

  • what about Redmi note 4? no deal on this phone?

  • Anyone here bought one yet? (from this post)

  • -3

    Seeing that this has the name "Note" in it, I understand it comes complete with an exploding battery? =p

  • +21

    Beware GeekBuying! Purchased this exact phone 2+ weeks ago and the current 9 day clock is the third time it has hit zero and magically increased again without the phone shipping.

    When you try to cancel your order they will give you a tracking number and say sorry it's shipped. They are lying, nothing has shipped, they don't even have stock and the tracking number shows nothing meaningful.

    It's a good phone and good price but GeekBuying are dodgy.

  • It dont seem that much different between the 2GB version and 3GB version as per some youtube comparison at time the 2GB seem faster.

  • +10

    I wouldn't buy it from Geekbuying, they lie continuously about the shipping. Just get it from Vickmall and have it in around a week with regular shipping, because they actually have stock, and ship it ASAP.

  • Could anyone give me an idea which is the better phone out of this and Oppo F1 per this deal https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/269123

    Edit - just noticed this is covered top of oppo post!

  • +2

    Bought one of these in a previous Geekbuying sale. Paid extra for DHL shipping and still didn't receive the phone until 2.5 weeks later. Turn it on and it has a faulty backlight. It's very dim and brightness slider doesn't do anything past the first quarter of the bar. Emailed Geekbuying to seek a replacement and they want me to take it to a local service centre and will "apply to our manager for a share of partial maintenance cost($10-$25)with the repair receipt."

    Your experience may differ, but this was my first time ordering from them and it has been a little disappointing!

    • +4

      PayPal claim.

    • +4

      thats disgusting, paypal dispute it

    • It may be a software issue. E.g. my phone couldnt change the display temperature no matter what until i manually updated to miui 8.

    • +2

      It's stories like that which make me hesitant to bother with foreign purchases that cost real money.

  • +1

    This is an insane phone for the price! I bought mine at nearly $300 shipped and couldn't be more happy with it and I came from a N5X!

  • Which one is better, this or OnePlus X?

    Price is similar, anyone can shade light on this?

    I have been looking to buy one of these.

    Thanks

  • Cant decide between this and the Mi Max.

    Anyone know if the difference between the 6 and 8 core versions of these phones makes much difference?

    • +2

      There isn't a major performance difference between the 650 and 652 and everything else (e.g. GPU) are the same.

      If you want the standard Intl' 3GB/32GB 650 version it's currently on sale and in stock for $189.99 @ Geekbuying

  • is the sale on for the duration of the 9 days?

    • Yep. Next 9 days and 4 hours.

  • +4

    I got one of these for my wife a few months ago

    It's an insanely good phone for the money. Sure, it's not as slick as an AIP7 or SG7 but you get 80-90% of the capability and 20% of the price

    It's cheap Chinese phones for me from now on

  • Can anyone help with what's the 5" model called?
    Need play store installed. Basically so I can load it and no having change much other than delete unwanted apps.
    Thanks

  • Bloody good deal. I'm running one of these with CM13 on it and am loving it.

  • +1

    My experience hasn't been great.

    I have had it for about 7 weeks but one day went to charge it. It wouldn't show the charging icon when plugged in and then overheated that uncomfortable to pick up that I almost dropped it. Unplugged it immediately but never got it to charge again. Worked until the battery died.

    Tried all the online troubleshoot but couldn't bring it back to life….
    Emailed Geekbuying but haven't heard back yet. Thank god paid using Paypal.

    Probably won't buy another Xiaomi for a while.

  • +4

    Very good price if and only if you can get it before they drop the price again.
    Paid $256.78 from previous deal for the case bundle, purchase made on the 13th Sept but still haven't received the parcel yet.
    Here are the tracking info from 17track site:
    2016-09-30 16:38 Arrival at Destination Post (Country: AU)
    2016-09-23 16:04 Despatched to overseas (Country code: AU)
    2016-09-21 16:04 Received from Customer
    Emailed their customer support 3 times on 18/10, 19/10 and 20/10 (Mon - Wed) but no reply whatsoever, opened a PayPal dispute then received their response to my initial email telling me to wait patiently or check with local post office.

    Suggestion: if you really have to buy from them, please don't go with their included free shipping, pay the extra for DHL's excellent tracking system.

    • +3

      Just a heads up I used the middle of the road EMS shipping and it arrived via DHL anyway. Ymmv.

      • How long did it take for you? cause I did the same thing

      • That's very wise decision for you not to go with the free shipping. I have no problem with the long waiting time but it just doesn't make any sense that parcel landed on the 30th and geekbuying still telling me to wait patiently after 15 working days.

        • +1

          There were strikes at customs which caused a lot of delays.

        • @Clear: package arrived yesterday but they shipped a 3" screen protector for the 5.5" phone :(
          Can also confirm the case is not a perfect fit but not too far off, tbh I will not pay the extra $10 for the bundle if geekbuying stated this on the product page

  • Any promo codes additional to this? Attempted one just now but reverted to "off original price" when I checked again

    • +1

      No extra coupons. Best way is to use Cashrewards for 3.20% back.

  • I am hoping xiaomi will release international version with B28 for Mi5. That will make my day.

  • Yikes I ordered the MiMax yesterday..Hope it comes soon….

    • +1

      Mi Max is instock so you'll be fine. Xiaomi typically deliver presales in lots of 500-2000 so there can be some waiting.

      • Cool thanks for the update mate!

  • Hi Ozbargainers,
    Just wondering of what you guys think of a Galaxy Note 4, second hand for around the same as this phone? I am searching for one to buy for a few days now. In case anyone is selling there's, but what would be the comparison, which one would be better?
    Thanks.

    • I have a Note 3, it's a great phone aside from bloatware (which you can disable with a 3rd party app called "package disabler premium" from the play store), somehow I've been dealing with browser hijackers even after factory resets which leads me to belive it's a Samsung security issue. Also I'm on my 3rd battery in 4 years and it's about due for another one, my phone gets really hot from playing games and I'm sure it's the heat that kills the batteries.

      The Note 3 is still a good phone and you could only assume the Note 4 would be better but I was looking at this deal mostly because my Samsung has security issues and They don't do updates for phones over 18 months after the release date anymore so it's not going to be fixed.

    • Note 4 will have a better screen, quality camera and NFC, Xiaomi bigger battery, dual sim.

      • And don't forget the S-Pen, apparently its quite useful actually. Current user might be able to confirm it though.

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