Random household issues -- questions asked and answered here

SeawaySensFan wrote:
So what does a comparable phone retail for here?

Well, first of all, I goofed.  I ordered the Mediatek version of the product (this is what they came out with initially).  They cannot sell Mediatek in India due to some legal hassles so they came out with an updated version with a different processor (Snapdragon).  The Snapdragon is a hexa-core (2 faster CPUs and 4 slower ones -- depending on what the phone is doing); the Mediatek comes with 8 of the slower ones.  So if you have some application that actually requires 8 cores the Mediatek will be faster; but that's not realistic.  The newer variant also has a faster modem (up to 150Mbps downloads, which is 2x faster than the older one), a 16MP camera (vs. 13MP) and the dual-SIM slot allows you to use the second one for an SD to get more storage.  The Snapdragon variant is $20 more but it looks like it is a different vendor (not sure how Gearbest works -- multiple vendors like Amazon/Aliexpress or all one big happy family) and there is no option to add the protective glass film.  I have a feeling this is the 152mm version (Goldway on aliexpress bundles in the glass film only with the China version, not the International one).  So I may have to cancel the order outright and start from scratch tomorrow.

Now as for the rest of the specs, it compares with the Moto G4 Plus ($449 at Staples).  

The Xiaomi has a slightly faster processor, 33% larger battery, a little thinner in size, all-metal body, slightly better selfie camera (f/2.0 vs. f/2.2)

Couple more comparisons:

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjmoNzs6PjOAhVYGGMKHdroD2AQFggeMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgadgets.ndtv.com%2Fmotorola-moto-g4-plus-3500-vs-xiaomi-redmi-note-3-3119&usg=AFQjCNHCKnPwYIaFBxKoof6kY99C1_hHQQ&sig2=LiXS_Khg-IrabBUADjMy-w

https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjmoNzs6PjOAhVYGGMKHdroD2AQFggrMAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gsmarena.com%2Fcompare.php3%3FidPhone1%3D8050%26idPhone2%3D7863&usg=AFQjCNHnUUyDGeoDSyFC9DDY3V3tKNySDw&sig2=hDyo5Vazg_CvXJUSnoRj7g

And a speed test comparison:

spader wrote:

wprager wrote:My b/d is in 8 weeks.  Not cracking till then.

Liar.

Guilty as Charged But I thought I'd be getting the 4+ week delivery time so it was getting close.

By the way, here are some more cheap Chinese 'fones' to consider:

http://promotion.geekbuying.com/promotion/ulefone_phone_sale

Ulefone:

Their flagship is just under $295 CAD and features 4GB RAM and 32GB storage, same FHD screen, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner (first time I've seen that). Looks like it has the same processor as the Mediatek-version of the Xiaomi but a faster GPU. I don't know enough about this phone. It's fairly new. But they have a couple lower-end versions that I'll take a look at for the kids. For example the Ulefone Metal has a 5" 720p display, 3GB of RAM but only 16GB storage (there is an SD slot for expanding that). It's under $150 CAD and I doubt there are many all-metal body cameras with fingerprint scanner for $150 CAD.

Another place is geekbuying. They also accept PayPal and their "Package B" option (includes tempered glass film and soft cover) is only $237.33 -- this is the Snapdragon version. DHL shipping is $18.88 so that pretty much covers the savings in the base price. Still, good to have options.
http://www.geekbuying.com/item/Xiaomi-Redmi-Note-3-Pro-5-5-Inch-FHD-3GB-32GB-Smartphone-371731.html

Here, in case you are looking for a phone for the kids:
http://www.geekbuying.com/item/Ulefone-Metal-5-0inch-MTK6735-3GB-16GB-Smartphone---Silver-370429.html

$147.49 plus shipping (free or get it in 3-5 business days for under $10) and you get a phone (gray, silver, black) with a screen cover and a flip case. Phone body is metal, it has a fingerprint scanner (they call it Touch ID), 3GB RAM, only 16GB storage but add more with a micro-SD card. This isn't a quad-HD (or even full-HD) screen, and it's only an 8MP camera, but it's still way better than what Costco sells for $30 more.

Just have to make doubly sure it'll work on the PC Mobile pre-paid network.

So I'm now trying to cancel my order. First I flipped the digits in my address and had to raise a request ticket. Then I found out I ordered the Mediatek version and not the SnapDragon one, so another request to change. They swapped the phone in my order to the one I linked earlier and billed me for the difference. Then I found out the one I linked was the China version, which will not support all of the same frequencies (specifically I think it won't work on G2 here). They are out of stock on the International version (plus they are roughly $50 more for those). So I raised a third request this time to just cancel the order.

I can get the phone I want over on geekbuying.com for $227:
http://redirectingat.com/?id=2927x594702&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgeekbuying.com%2Fitem%2FXiaomi-Redmi-Note-3-Pro-5-5-Inch-FHD-3GB-32GB-Smartphone-371103.html

Or $236.33 to add a tempered glass film and soft cover:
http://redirectingat.com/?id=2927x594702&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgeekbuying.com%2Fitem%2FXiaomi-Redmi-Note-3-Pro-5-5-Inch-FHD-3GB-32GB-Smartphone-371731.html

I already ordered the two phones for the girls and shipping was under $10 for both. I'll wait to order mine until I get the cancellation confirmed.

I've been tablet-less for a long time, now. Getting a smartphone soon but that will probably just scratch the itch and make it worse. So this is good news, indeed:

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/09/report-huawei-is-building-a-successor-to-the-nexus-7/

Probably will be branded as a Pixel, not Nexus. Hopefully it won't be another 9-10" pricey tile. I like 16x9. I like affordable.

My saga:
- first I flipped the digits in my address -- they corrected it
- then I realized I ordered the Mediatek instead of the SnapDragon version, showed them a link of the one I wanted, they updated my order and billed me for the difference
- then I realized it was the China version, but they were out of stock on the International version (and it was $50 more) so I just asked to cancel the order and refund
- they replied saying "Yes it is the international version", to which I replied "search for 'redmi note 3 international' and you get two listings, both saying OOS so refund me or I contact PayPal in the morning"
- they replied well it takes 2 days to refund PayPal but we can put the money in your GB Wallet *and* we'll give you points (worth about $24USD I believe)
- but it's still OOS and more than $24 higher so JUST REFUND MY ACCOUNT!
- they finally said they would
- of course it will take up to 48 hours

So, SSF, I may get my phone by my birthday after all

The *correct* version of the phone can be had from geekbuying.com:
http://redirectingat.com/?id=2927x594702&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgeekbuying.com%2Fitem%2FXiaomi-Redmi-Note-3-Pro-5-5-Inch-FHD-3GB-32GB-Smartphone-371731.html

$236.33 for the phone with a soft cover and tempered glass film ($226.99 without the extras) and under $10 for expedited shipping with DHL. I'll order that when my PayPal account is credited.

P.S. Think of all the money I'm saving not paying for a phone plan all this time while trying to get the refund!

Prags, when you write your memoirs, you're going to have about 14 chapters dedicated to cell phone and tablet buying.

If I ever write my memoirs I don't think I'll get past the chapters on my kids.

Phone ordered. $257.19 including shipping by DHL and shipping insurance.

Now, as for the phones I ordered for the kids, on the Bell network it will only work with 4G LTE and not 2G/3G. And then I found out that most phones only use 4G for data so if it's not compatible with the 2G forget voice/SMS. So I'm trying to cancel that order now

Worst case I can go with Rogers (they also have a $15 text-only plan but it's not as good as PC). Maybe since I've got other services with Rogers they can work something out.

For a guy that did a lot of research prior to making purchases, you sure Cussed this up.

tim1_2 wrote:For a guy that did a lot of research prior to making purchases, you sure Cussed this up.

Sometimes the best lessons are the painful ones. Don't be such a pessimist, Tim.

More craziness regarding the Galaxy Note 7. Family claims that their Jeep was totaled because of an exploded Note 7:

http://www.fox13news.com/news/local-news/203295058-story

and i thought my random phone problems where bad.
very happy that the new iphone is coming out soon. should make the iphone 6 free with a new contract by the time i have to renew mine in january. never getting another samsung. the software on my galaxy 4s was wack from the get go. back to iphone.

The iPhone is an iCult. There really is no other plausible reason to explain how normal, intelligent, otherwise sane and practical people spend $1000 on a phone (that's what my friend paid for his iPhone6).

wprager wrote:The iPhone is an iCult.  There really is no other plausible reason to explain how normal, intelligent, otherwise sane and practical people spend $1000 on a phone (that's what my friend paid for his iPhone6).

Wow, how arrogant of you. Just because you can't afford one, doesn't mean anybody who buys one is not normal, intelligent, sane or practical.

I had android for years. I prefer iPhone. No bugs. Everything just works. Battery is saved when not using the phone.

One reason people can afford the iPhones is that it is very easy to sell it once you are done with it and make back most of your original purchase price. Apple products are great resellers