Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Arrived Unlocked New in Box?

Lbobbieb on 14/01/2019 - 19:38

I'm hoping that someone can shed some light on this… I've fired off a support ticked to Banggood, but I'm hoping someone can allay my concerns here.

Long story short. I just received a Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 that I ordered from Banggood during the holiday sales. (A replacement for my beloved, much too short lived, Mix Mix 2 which failed the drop test over the break.)

I was extremely surprised to see the bootloader unlocked icon appear on the load screen when I first powered it on.

The packaging looked unopened and I've never heard of Xiaomi shipping phones pre-unlocked. The pessimist in me wants me to believe that something fishy is going on, but I'm hoping that I'm mistaken.

Anyone heard of this before? Thanks.

Mobile Mobile Phone Xiaomi Android

Comments

loropy9 on 14/01/2019 - 20:23

They are on to you…
- bobbieb on 14/01/2019 - 20:25
  
  +1
  
  Hahaha… thanks.
  
  You know how the saying goes: Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.
  - Wystri Warrick on 14/01/2019 - 21:56
    
    +6
    
    "NSA routinely intercepts routers, servers and other computer hardware devices being exported from the United States."
    "the NSA then implants backdoor surveillance tools, repackages the devices with a factory seal and sends them on."
    
    "with help from the CIA and FBI, the NSA has the ability to intercept computers and other electronic accessories purchased online in order to secretly insert spyware and components that can provide backdoor access for the intelligence agencies."
    
    "The NSA routinely receives – or intercepts – routers, servers and other computer network devices being exported from the US before they are delivered to the international customers.
    The agency then implants backdoor surveillance tools, repackages the devices with a factory seal and sends them on"
    
    Hmm 9:25pm bedtime, goodnight op sleep tight…
mckennal on 14/01/2019 - 20:24

+5

I'd be wary of a possibly compromised ROM, unfortunately :(
- Hybroid on 14/01/2019 - 20:28
  
  So much this. A Chinese grey phone from a grey market seller. Be very cautious.
  
  Packagaging is irrelevant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6p76rDbS18
- bobbieb on 14/01/2019 - 20:30
  
  I was planning on wiping it and installing lineageos pretty much immediately, but I don't know enough about the really low level stuff to know if there's anything that a full wipe from TWRP won't obliterate.
  
  This is gonna be my primary phone, so if there's any doubt, it's going back to Banggood, or in the junk drawer.
- Wystri Warrick on 14/01/2019 - 22:05
  
  +2
  
  Yeah this is what I think it is.
  Most likely it's a the Chinese version with the global rom flashed, it's unlikely to be data harvesting nasties or worse keyloggers or even worse…
  I'd just re-flash the ROM.
Clear on 14/01/2019 - 20:48

+5

Banggood likely purchased Chinese stock and flashed the custom ROM onto it to sell off as the Global version.

Another likely reason is that they used a 3rd party supplier. Chinese stores often use them when official supply channels are low and those 3rd party suppliers often put dodgy ROMs on them.
- bobbieb on 14/01/2019 - 21:00
  
  Thanks, I'm hoping it's just the former…
  
  I might need to do some googling to ascertain whether flashing lineageos over the top will potentially leave any nasties behind.
  - Clear on 14/01/2019 - 22:02
    
    +1
    
    If the ROM was malicious then flashing a new one like LineageOS will solve the problem.
    - urahara on 14/01/2019 - 22:57
      
      +2
      
      Worst case flash new rom as well as kernel
      - bobbieb on 15/01/2019 - 12:11
        
        @urahara: Would reflashing the stock xiaomi firmware overwrite the kernel as well?
  - stonkered on 17/01/2019 - 09:15
    
    What did the product description say? Vendors will advertise as Global Rom, not Global Version - and then they'll put China Version in the finer print.
    
    Regardless, the chances they have done this to make a buck - I E; pass off China version as Global version - as opposed to installing spyware (for what reason?) - are very good.
    
    Check the ROM you want to flash to see if it includes kernel. You could always compile your own kernel just to be 110% the Chinese government or NSA aren't monitoring your phone and data ;)
    
    Edit; Sorry, just realised this was posted a while ago, looks like you got your answer already.
Fishdog on 14/01/2019 - 21:23

+2

Well at least you dont have to wait 360 hours to unlock the bootloader? After you flash Lineage, it should be good to go though.
Cheeper on 14/01/2019 - 22:08

Link to the one you purchased? Sounds like a reflashed CN phone.
- bobbieb on 14/01/2019 - 22:15
  
  It was this one
  - Cheeper on 14/01/2019 - 22:19
    
    +1
    
    Buyers feedback confirms it is a CN phone. Not happy customers..
    https://banggood.com/Xiaomi-Redmi-Note-5-Dual-Rear-Camera-5_…
    
    One buyer feedback…
    The only downer: This device came without Global ROM, see screenshots. The supplier of Banggood announced that Xiaomi accidentally delivered devices with China ROM.
    
    Accidentally???…. ha ha ha ha…!! I wonder if this guy would like to buy a slightly used bridge?
    - bobbieb on 15/01/2019 - 07:20
      
      Damn, I'm not sure how I missed those. Admittedly, I was in a bit of a rush as I had my Mi Mix 2 screen shattered just before the break.
      
      (Damn that was a nice phone… here's hoping the price comes down naturally, or it's in sale again real soon.)
      
      Thankfully, the Note 5 actually does appear to have the global ROM, but I'm definitely seeing LineageOs in its future.
Geekomatic on 15/01/2019 - 13:06

When I worked at Officeworks, years ago now, we had a "re-shrink-wrap" machine. FYI.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Arrived Unlocked New in Box?

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