Using A Chinese Phone In The UK - Things To Look Out For

[@eoin4597]

Bands are probably the most important thing. Xiaomi has dropped 4g band 20 support on the 12 series for example. They had band 20 on the Chinese model for the Xiaomi 11 and 11 pro. It may not be important for some but may be for others depending on where they are living. I'd suggest going direct to the manufacturers Chinese website to confirm the specs and using Google translate to translate it

[@jamesphillips2734]

One thing I wanted to check that is probably the biggest issue for me, is that with some Chinese phones that have been converted to global/Google play, whatever they do to modify it then creates a security issue where banking apps and PayPal won't work with it? Is that the case with all these Chinese phones?

[@zerohax6076]

Use browser instead of app.

[@AverageDadOfficial]

Fellow reviewer, great content 👍

[@wilpang20]

Can't beat getting phones from the places you suggested and always cheaper with no drop in quality, I've been using WondaMobile and they always pay the taxes. OnePlus devices tend to be the easiest in the past as they installed International ROM for you (not now) and Xiaomi has a mixture of English and Chinese. But there is a thriving community that supports ROMs (global) if you are brave enough to try.

[@GeekyStuff]

Yea that's the beauty of it! The ROM community out there! Plenty of online tutorials, video and how-to's on getting a ROM on the phone 👍

[@rhettoracle9679]

I would agree and emphasize make certain you know what 4G and 5G bands your carrier uses and that the phone bands match the specific frequencies. Cheers

[@DarthAwar]

If Qualcomm SoC it's a non issue only if Unisoc, Exynos, MediaTek, HiSillicon etc SoC's do not support all bands but are normally fine outside USA for 4G and 5G

[@kingtyphoon]

Awesome and informative video! I thought that you had set up a phone call on purpose!

[@hadi83ful]

Great video. You can't find any video to explain these things. Thanks.

[@GeekyStuff]

Glad it's been helpful. 👍

[@nostradamus986]

​@@GeekyStuffI am buying a global version of the xiaomi 13 ultra from Ali express? Will all the features work in the UK? Google pay, android auto regular updates? Will not order until you give the green light!

[@stargazertycho11]

Thanks for the info! We all think we now it all! but I picked up couple of bits.. thanks derek.

[@GeekyStuff]

No problem, Bob 👍

[@varoonramkissoon3846]

Hey man, excellent video !

[@GeekyStuff]

Appreciate it mate, thanks.

[@jamesjudd6577]

Biggest issue no one mentions is volte. In the US the carriers have turned off 3g etc so no phone calls unless volte works

[@stkarimo]

hey, great video! I have 2 quick questions( (if you can answer please) 1. On your Chinese version, are you able to access your banking App? I'm hoping my Santander app will work. 2. Will google contact sync work on the phone? (i heard some people have issues synching their contacts from their google account.)

[@hadi83ful]

Did you get the answer? Those are my questions

[@stkarimo]

@@hadi83ful yea I've decided to get a Chinese phone (Redmi K50) and I can confirm the Santander app does work and so I assume the other UK banking apps will work too. The Google contacts does sync through their bespoke contact/phone app too.

[@Ka14112]

​@@stkarimo did you buy it from Giztop and also did you have to pay customs fee or any extra charges

[@GeekyStuff]

I never paid import charges from Giztop! That's the one great thing about them. 👍

[@stkarimo]

​@@Ka14112 yea I bought it from Giztop and no there were no hidden extra costs (tax, vat etc) but you will be given shipping cost options. (Which I've chosen the express to avoid any import taxes)

[@KNBTV48]

Can you answer my question for me please which one of the Chinese brand phone does do the best in the Western Market

[@tong.clement]

For Xiaomi, the Ultra and Fold Series seems to come with google play services installed and it isn't difficult to get it to work. Lower end models may find this process a bit more challenging though.

[@gkholmes]

Between random phone calls and random bums that was an interesting video 😜cheers from Australia.

[@GeekyStuff]

Hahaha thanks for tuning in mate!! 😀

[@FoulOwlx]

I am from the UK I want to buy a Chinese version of a phone But I do not know where to buy it from Could you recommend me a site?

[@GeekyStuff]

I always buy from Giztop.com 👍🏻

[@FoulOwlx]

​@@GeekyStuff Cheers, is wondamobile also safe to buy from?

[@GeekyStuff]

@@FoulOwlx It looks to have lots of good reviews on Trustpilot. Although I've never bought from there before.

[@teeps2117]

Hi, does Andriod auto work? Also wifi calling? Thanks

[@gemgaminggalaxyggg6953]

They're a bit harder to use, and sometimes not as integrated but worth it in the end. Much bigger screens, battery, faster chips and generally way ahead in terms of technology. Oh and about $400 cheaper on average than a top US ordinary flagship here (the usual Apple & Samsung). I say go for it but you gotta be a bit tech savvy to navigate some potential rough spots when they arise sometimes. I got a Vivo and loving it ✌

[@greenlover4522]

Great video. Want to buy Xiaomi 14 from wonda but i never bought anything grom there. And im a bit nervous

[@dooronron69]

Have you ever had your calls break up, I have a Chinese rom vivo x90 pro plus and voice calls are OK then sometimes it will sound like it's underwater or breaking up badly and I have to restart it for the calls to sound OK again, happens about every 20 to 30 calls or sometimes just randomly

[@oggyosbourne]

Nice wallpaper on the Pixel phone. Is that stock or did you download it? Nevermind. I did find it ;) Nice video!

[@n7eet]

I have s Chinese rom Redmi k20 pro, been using it since it came out. The side pages in Chinese would be gone once you install a launcher (nova in my case) Flashing a global rom is great but some of the banking and payment apps wownt work (i use Mada pay, which is a nfc tap to pay app in Saudi Arabia, it works fine on the original Chinese rom but fails to work when i flash a global rom, something to do with the bootloader being unlocked)

[@n7eet]

Also great video 👍, been eyeing the 12X as an upgrade.

[@lyhthegreat]

pardon me for being a noob but whats a launcher?

[@porkpie8667]

Very good explanation. Have you ever been hit with any custom taxes? Have you ever flashed any custom ROMs on Xiaomi phones ? All the videos I've seen online aren't very good . Thanks for the video

[@GeekyStuff]

Good question about taxes. I never got hit by tax with the Xiaomi 12X and 12 Pro. I'm pretty certain you only really get hit with tax if you use express shipping services like DHL. I've not flashed any custom ROMS on Xiaomi phones, but might look into it. Will hopefully be flashing a global ROM on the Xiaomi 12 series I have at the moment. Thanks for watching 😊👍

[@originalbuba5162]

Is it possible to get rid of these CN apps?

[@The_Arby]

Iv'e been buying Chinese phones for the last 6 plus years and never had any problems with any iv'e bought...Usually the companies (Phone Manufacturers tell you the different bands) I don't buy anymore because UK charges too much bloody tax import now and if it came threw Royal Mail, when the package hit UK, they charge even more :-( But never had any problems with actual phones :-)

[@GeekyStuff]

Yea postage has gone up, but luckily not been hit by tax import with both these phones lol. Used to use DHL through GearBest and would get hit all the time lol.

[@The_Arby]

@@GeekyStuff Not talking about postage mate...Talking about how much Royal Mail charge for import duties once it arrives in UK...They charge the most out of all carriers... :-(

[@GeekyStuff]

Ah I've never ever been stung by them for import charges. Weird that is.

[@malc2121]

Hi, I am over in Thailand at the moment and I am looking at buying 2 redmi note 12 5g phones for the wife and I, we currently have the 9 pro. When asking in the store regarding the warranty, they say that it's only covered in Thailand and not international even though I will be buying via the official MI store. I just wonder if I have the receipt that I can register the phone in the UK, I have emailed MI UK and am awaiting their response. I believe that redmi does cover all phones internationally if you have proof of purchase. Any thoughts? Regards your video, I remember trying to set up the phone for the UK. It was bought via the MI store

[@hills123ful]

Hi mate I have just bought a realme it's got Google play installed but it's locked to my region . UK . Any ideas how to unlock ? Cheers ..

[@tuluva1]

Can you please give me trusted seller for buying phones

[@simonbcity]

Done the same a few times mate ..other way I did it was get Google play store through an APK when I factory reset my Chinese phone 🤳..

[@GeekyStuff]

Yep, that's another way of doing it too :)

[@simonbcity]

@@GeekyStuff Sold all my phone's apart from the old school One plus 8 pro mate 👌..At a crossroads what I want next ..I am getting pretty bored of phones lately ..nothing much exciting about at the min

[@GeekyStuff]

@@simonbcity Oh wow. Sold the Mi11 Ultra!? Yea I think smartphone manufacturers should take a break for two years. Then come back with fresh ideas and new innovation for phones lol

[@simonbcity]

@@GeekyStuff Yeah mate 👌 got 650 for it so not so bad ..I was looking at a Galaxy fold or flip but I would end up breaking one of them and don't know if they are my thing ..see if the new Xiaomi 12 ultra tickles my fancy 👌😃😃

[@GeekyStuff]

@@simonbcity Yea I'm looking forward to that one 👍😎

[@dooronron69]

Another way is install Gmail from the Chinese store, then when you open Gmail it will say Google Play store needs to be installed and it will take you to Google to install directly from Google, I did it in my vivo x90 pro plus and my x100 ultra... The only thing I don't like about Chinese rom on o2 is calls sometimes become glitched for the person on the other end and you have to put it in aeroplane mode then off again and call them back and the call is perfect again

[@hadi83ful]

Can we use the banking apps ?

[@GeekyStuff]

Yes I have been able to use my banking apps just fine. That wasn't really the case some years ago on older Chinese phones

[@robotsandpolygons]

the funniest tech talk i have seen....

[@shac79]

What do you think about chineese version with global rom? (from aliexpress etc.)

[@believere.x.874]

Is giztop realiable store?

[@GeekyStuff]

Yes for sure 👍

[@BristolMatt]

Bud I'm about to Order a Oppo 7 ultra from China. Will I be pulling my hair out? Or can it be figured out so I can use it happily? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[@GeekyStuff]

What site are you buying it from? Just make sure it has English language on it and Google Services installed too.

[@BristolMatt]

@@GeekyStuff I think it's called Wonda Mobile. It says: Chinese version, unsealed and installed Google play, 100% Brand new. I'm now wondering if you are right that might not have the English Language. Hmm. Haha, Okay bud, thanks for getting back to me. I don't know how to contact them to check. If i am not able to, i will give it a miss just in case. Thanks again.

[@GeekyStuff]

@BristolMatt you'll be fine mate! Wondamobile are good! Chinese version will have English language on them. If it was me, id get it 👌

[@BristolMatt]

@@GeekyStuff Thank you very much for taking your time out to respond to me. I will take your advice and go for it. I have subbed, and i hope your channel grows from strength to strength.

[@GeekyStuff]

Thanks and good luck 👍🏻

[@Gary0557]

I’ve told you before, don’t phone me at work..😂

[@GeekyStuff]

🤣🤣🤣 👍

[@Gary0557]

I think Xiaomi sell more devices than Apple and Samsung now worldwide.

[@DarthAwar]

Google Play is installed but is disabled and will auto enable when update is installed CCP Laws Bans phones from having Play Store by Default

[@jordanwescott6849]

I am living in England and want to buy the S22 Ultra (snapdragon varient - US varient). If I buy the snapdragon version (US), will this still work in terms of signal etc etc in the UK? Other than 5g not working, will it work as if it were a UK phone with an EE SIM in? I am not worried about the warranty side of things

[@GeekyStuff]

Yes it will work as normal. 👍

[@camotech1314]

Love my Xiaomi M11 Lite 5G ☺️ Such a breath of fresh air after all the heavy 200 gram slabs that been released recently.

[@GeekyStuff]

I absolutely loved that phone :)

[@camotech1314]

@@GeekyStuff Any stand out points for you?

[@shanewebb6530]

Good video

[@therighttoreply4849]

So where the apple phone, as they are made in China too

[@rahimimusamuhdzakaria3445]

Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra

[@finalreview3798]

😊