[Question] $200 - £250 Phone options

[mfny]

Am trying to decide on a china phone at around the $200 - $250 price point, maybe up to $250 if that would buy something better like a premium version of a phone for instance (more memory/storage built in, better screen i.e the elite/premium versions of some phones)

To give an flavour of what I am looking at heres my "shortlist" so far -

THL W100/W200
Xiaocai G6/X9
FAEA F1/F2
Jiayu G4/G3s
Xiaomi M1S (this is on on the list despite being a dual core as other Xiaomi phones fall out of budget but I hear that Xiaomi are excellent especially in terms of firmware updates and the general state of their firmware)

Its not realy a shortlist and I am kinda lost as to how to narrow it down.

It does not help that prices vary alot by supplier so some phones are in budget at one supplier but not in budget at others for exactly the same phone, especially if delivery charges are taken into account.

[bertmansk]

The No.1 S6 just came out... It's a very nice S4 clone. 720 screen, 1gb ram, mt6589, and best of all- original s4 accessories.
All this for 205-210 shipped.

[GizBeat]

Be aware that the JiaYu only has 2100MHz for WCDMA. Might or might not be an issue depending on where you live. If your 3G is 2100, I think the G3S is a good buy. It's got 720p LCD and MTK6589T in a 4.5", so it will look excellent and be great with intensive 3D games (though if you don't game, this isn't a concern). It also carries a very unique look unlike most any other phone out there and they have a lot of custom firmware support (LeWa etc..)

You bring up a good point with the Xiaomi M1S. They've got one of the best names in China brands, but it's only got a 4" LCD and is the priciest of the bunch considering what you get. It's also a bit crap looking IMO. I like squarish phones, but the LCD border is too fat and it's only 800x480. Also it's depth isn't too attractive. It looks... Old.

The THL W100 is an excellent bargain. $150 shipped from most shops, but LCD is 960x540, though on a 4.5" LCD it shouldn't be a problem. If I was looking for a bargain, this is the phone I would get.

Take a look at iOcean X7. I love the style on the X7. Really has a look all it's own, but not sure what kind of support this series will get as it's a relative new comer.

Zopo C2 is worth a look as well. It comes with Gorilla Glass and OTG. But not sure if OTG is important to you. Generally Zopo offers decent support and at least a couple updates to firmware for each model.

If you held a gun to my head, I'd take the Zopo C2, or the THL W100 if I wanted a bargain (40% cheaper than the C2). If only having 2100MHz didn't matter, the G3S would be right up there with the Zopo C2. If I wanted to take a risk, the iOcean X7 is slick, but lacks OTG (C2) and Gorilla Glass (C2/G3S).

I've probably made the decision more difficult, not easier. But needed to bring up these 2 other phones.

BTW, feel free to change your avatar.

[mfny]

2100Mhz WCDMA is fine as its only 2100 here as far as I am aware.

Xiaomi M1S is indeed the odd one out,shame they dont do something in the middle of this and the other phones they have in terms of price, there is a pretty big gap there.

How would the manufacturers mentioned in my OP rank in terms of firmware support and build quality overall ? as I think these two factors would narrow things down as a tiebreaker.

Then of coarse there is the can of worms as to where to buy from, way to many options on that front, so so many wholesalers/exporters its actually kinda overwhelming. On this front I value good service and communication above all else..

[GizBeat]

Recommend you go with one of the sellers who advertise here at CPA. None of them, and I mean no China brand seller, will equal the service you get from a Western-sold brand where you can easily go swap it out or have it shipped, fixed, and back to you within a week. That's the price you pay (or don't pay) for going with a China brand... However, CPA only advertises for shops we believe you can trust to deal with you as fairly as possible. They will provide the promised warranty and should there be any type of dispute, CPA will advocate for you.

As far as build quality, they're all going to be mostly similar. As far as firmware support, I think JiaYu, Zopo or THL. They will usually at least update their firmware once - sometimes twice. The phones we've mentioned should have decent custom firmware support as well.

Let us know which phone you end up choosing.

[mfny]

Thoughts on iOcean X7 vs NEO N003 for the upper budget FHD display option ?

[Rdmkr]

Take a look at iOcean X7. I love the style on the X7. Really has a look all it's own, but not sure what kind of support this series will get as it's a relative new comer.

I find that it actually has quite a vibrant internet community looking out for it; Cyanogen Mod has already been enabled for IOceans, for example.

[GizBeat]

Take a look at iOcean X7. I love the style on the X7. Really has a look all it's own, but not sure what kind of support this series will get as it's a relative new comer.

I find that it actually has quite a vibrant internet community looking out for it; Cyanogen Mod has already been enabled for IOceans, for example.

It's not announced at most shops, but it apparently has OTG as well. Multiple color choices and 3000mA battery option. Big win.

[mfny]

Recommend you go with one of the sellers who advertise here at CPA. None of them, and I mean no China brand seller, will equal the service you get from a Western-sold brand where you can easily go swap it out or have it shipped, fixed, and back to you within a week. That's the price you pay (or don't pay) for going with a China brand... However, CPA only advertises for shops we believe you can trust to deal with you as fairly as possible. They will provide the promised warranty and should there be any type of dispute, CPA will advocate for you.

As far as build quality, they're all going to be mostly similar. As far as firmware support, I think JiaYu, Zopo or THL. They will usually at least update their firmware once - sometimes twice. The phones we've mentioned should have decent custom firmware support as well.

Let us know which phone you end up choosing.

As to what to buy, well in contention as of right now would be the THL W100 and the iOcean X7 for my "bargain" and "value but not to cheap" option respectively.

[Maine_Coon11]

As to what to buy, well in contention as of right now would be the THL W100 and the iOcean X7 for my "bargain" and "value but not to cheap" option respectively.

5" and under? /that's what she said/