Xiaomi Phones off Kogan - Chinese or Global Versions?

LGuessologist on 13/03/2019 - 08:33

I'm looking to pick up a Xiaomi Note, still not sure if I'll go 5, 6 Pro or 7 with my fairly tight $300 budget. I'm assessing my options and I guess Kogan are a relatively reliable option but they don't state if they are selling the Chinese or Global versions. I've searched my guts out and no one seems to have answered this question before so I thought I'd toss it to you guys. I'm assuming that they are probably Chinese if not stated otherwise.

I'm leaning towards the Note 7 so it might not be a worry since they don't carry them yet. I don't play demanding games on the phone, don't have too many large apps and most of my storage is audio files on SD card so the 3gb/32gb version will be fine. Shame that the camera isn't a straight upgrade from the 5/6 (slightly better quality esp. in low light but some autofocus issues) but smaller notch, USB C and far better looks should make up for it.

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Comments

  • altomic on 13/03/2019 - 08:34

    kogan doesn't sell the note 7

    note 7 from aliexpress comes in just under AU$300 delivered. (less with $3 new user coupon + 5% shopback cash back)

    slightly better performance over the note 6.

    way better camera on the 7 - if camera is a consideration.

    • Guessologist on 13/03/2019 - 18:18

      Yeah that's why I said it might not be a worry.

      I think the better camera argument is debatable, check out this guy's comparison of the Note 5 and 7's cameras: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PETD4l-vgLI

      He's using the 5, but the 6 Pro has the same setup and is effectively identical (everyone does just call it a Note 5 with a notch lol). The 7 is clearly different, but I'm not sure it's objectively better on average. I'd almost say that daylight photos are worse, but improved shadow detail and low light is a plus.

  • Salmando on 13/03/2019 - 10:42

    Chinese or global isn't much of a problem anymore. Takes no effort to install the Google framework, and the only downside I can find is that I can't uninstall about 3 Chinese apps.

    So don't stress that

    • Guessologist on 13/03/2019 - 18:01

      Thanks, I was wondering how easy that was and there's tons of conflicting information over changing firmwares that I was pretty much resigned to Global only.

      • Salmando on 13/03/2019 - 23:43

        Only thing you need to do is open the preinstalled 'mi store's app and search for Google. Install that and everything is good to go.

  • Caped Baldy on 13/03/2019 - 13:47

    Have you tried the online customer service?

    • Guessologist on 13/03/2019 - 18:36

      Haven't done so yet, that'll be my next port of call if I don't get an answer here. Half the time the forums are more knowledgeable than customer support so I figured I'd start a discussion.

      • Caped Baldy on 13/03/2019 - 22:52

        Fair enough. Check if you can sideload the pixel camera with night sight. That'll greatly improve low light photos. For my xiaomi it requires unlocking (up to a month) and wiping the data. So plan ahead.

        • Guessologist on 14/03/2019 - 13:58

          Apparently the Note 7 is soon going to be getting it's own night sight mode from the Mi Mix 3, it'll be interesting to compare results if sideloading ends up working.

  • anonymous_coward on 13/03/2019 - 14:01

    I bought a redmi Note 5 AI from Kogan a couple of months ago for $229 delivered. It worked straight out of the box - just shoved the SIM in and it was good to go.

    • Guessologist on 13/03/2019 - 18:32

      Good price! Did it end up being the Chinese firmware?

      • anonymous_coward on 13/03/2019 - 19:19

        I didn't have to install or change anything so I guess it was Global (not really experienced with this stuff). I already have a Redmi Note 3 Pro from a few years ago that was global when I bought it. I bought this new one for the charity I am with to use. It's so much better - camera is better etc - well it is a newer model :)

        • Salmando on 13/03/2019 - 23:48
          +1

          Definitely global.
          Global is better if the option is available.

          As of now, I still hear conflicted results about flashing the global rom over the Chinese one, a the bootloader no longer relocks.

          I've done it in the past without issue, but I'm hesitant with my mix 3 due to people saying they can't use tap and pay, or Android auto with the unlocked bootloader.

  • Guessologist on 14/03/2019 - 13:54

    Thanks for the responses guys, very much helped me make the choice to just roll with the Chinese firmware Note 7 and hide away the bloatware. Gritted my teeth and dropped the extra 50 bucks to get the 4gb/64 version as well, which I wouldn't have been able to stretch to if I had have stuck to Global version only as well.

    I'm not afraid to flash this thing with the other firmware when someone can properly confirm it can be done safely, so I don't think I'm missing out on much.

    • Salmando on 15/03/2019 - 15:51

      Nicely done.
      Just make that after you download your preferred apps, you set them as system wide default.

      Most annoying thing for me was the Chinese browser app opening up for things, using some crazy Chinese search engine

      • Guessologist on 17/03/2019 - 09:42

        Will do, I'm currently using my wife's old Oppo R9s and I have continual arguments with it, always defaults back to stock messaging app and keyboard multiple times a day with no apparent fix available! Good hardware, abysmal software.

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