I'm looking for a version that supports North American bands and from what I understand, the 12gb/512gb one should be the only one that does.
But I also stumbled upon this listing: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000182288484.html?spm=2114.12010612.8148356.2.24fcc18esuf2nD
Which supposedly is 8gb/128gb with North American bands. From what I understand this version shouldn't exist? It also mentions both 2x2 MIMO and 4x4 MIMO so I have no idea which it actually has.
In the description it says: "Tips: CN version, Officail Global Firmare,Mulit Language , Support Google Play and OTA upgrade"
Are they trying to say that it's the Tencent version but with global ROM? I thought OTA upgrades currently don't work on the global ROM?
They also write: " About package and firmware: we'll open the original box to check the phone and install Multi language ROM and Google paly store. Official ROM will be prefered. if custom translation may doesn't cover all the Menus. Not support OTA Update. we may update the ROM. So the OS version may different as the sreenshots."
But I think they have this as a disclaimer on all their phone product pages, whether it applies or not.
I'm trying to determine whether the listing is legit or not and whether to place an order. Did they make a mistake/ are they lying about the bands? Or is there an actual version like this/ did they manage to do something to the Tencent version? In terms of reputation, there's nothing particularly suspicious about the seller so I wouldn't imagine they would outright lie, but it's also a pretty big mistake to make, especially since they highlight the key specs (and bands) in red.
I'm leaning towards the "don't trust" side, with this one, but what do you think?
IMO, you would be better off waiting a few more days till the global version is released. That's a China version with global software, which has been nothing but trouble for most of the people i have heard about that converted.
They already told you.
This is china tencent edition. The phone is not is not brand new, we will open the box, we will turn on you phone, we will root it and unlock the bootloader, in order to replace CN ROM with WW ROM.
So, it will be 2x2, it will lack most bands, it will lack the cover and the cooling accessory included in Ww edition, which will be launched on 30th of September.
Of course, no warranty at all from ASUS and you may have trouble with NFC payments and banking apps. Some other apps may recognise your modified rom, too.
If you are ready, acknowledging all this, you can buy it asap.
Related
Sorry if there is an answer for this, but I can't find it. I was wondering if anyone can tell me if the Chinese version (ME863) comes with the Android Market (and other Google Apps) or not?
I don't mean the version sold by China Unicom, I mean a generic one sold by a third party (say amazon.cn), unless of course the software is the same.
If not, how easy would it be to add (I have flashed/rooted other phones before, I just don't know about the ME863)?
The generic one, sold in Hong Kong for a few weeks now, has the normal market. It's a normal Android phone, with all the Google apps, plus a few Motorola apps... I do believe the one sold in China must be exactly the same thing.
Ok thanks for your reply. I might just buy a HK version anyway to be on the safe side: they're very easy to find and a tiny bit cheaper as well.
When I went to a Motorola desk in Xidan none of the phones had Google apps, but that could've been because they were the China Unicom/China Mobile variants even though it didn't say they were.
My retail ME863's version code includes "SLNCU" so I suspect the hardware's identical. There wasn't any marking on the packaging except TSN (The HK Motorola distributor). I got mine through a website though, so I never saw it in-store.
Mine's running 60.1.103, while the known ME863 SBF image is marked 60.1.101, doesn't include Google Mobile Service, and doesn't offer an OTA upgrade to 60.1.103, so I guess it's a carrier-specific fork.
So checking the firmware version will tell 'em apart, and I _guess_ that if an SBF shows up for the HK Retail version (or potentially Taiwan, I guess) it'd be safe to cross-grade.
The other option would be to flash Google Mobile Service onto a China Unicom device. There's a link to the package in the ME863 SBF thread.
I hadn't realised there was an Carrier-branded ME863... I guessed that the ME863 was basically the UMTS version of the XT883, but I don't know where in China is UMTS and where is CDMA so I was assuming mainland is CDMA while HK and TW are UMTS.
Thanks for the info. No I don't think there's a China Unicom branded device (AFAIK Unicom themselves don't offer the device but yes there is a PRC UMTS version). i.e. it's obviously for China Unicom and I believe it is customised to accomodate that, but its not branded for it.
I couldn't get a look at the actual one, and the service reps didn't know about the Google thing, but none of the other seemingly generic models included Google Apps (for example the Atrix 2 - whatever its Chinese name is).
One more question about the HK version (if you don't mind!): what locales does it include? I believe its en-GB, en-US, zh-CN and zh-HK, correct?
By the way: UMTS and CDMA are both nationally available: China Unicom uses UMTS for 3G while China Mobile uses some weird version of CDMA (one that only they use if I'm not mistaken). Both use GSM for 2G
According to MoreLocale 2 I have English UK and US, and Chinese China + Taiwan... The Android locale settings simply offers English UK and US and Chinese Traditional and Simplified.
My ME863 is build SLNCU ("Solana China Unicom"? I'd been assuming that U was "Unlocked" or "UMTS") but product is SLNHK, where the XT883 is product SLNCT ("Solana China Telecom") and (at least in the first SBF thread I found using Google) the build doesn't contain a name.
This got me looking, and there's a couple of oddities here:
ro.product.locale.region is TW, although ro.product.name is SLNHK and ro.build.id is SLNCU-60.1.103
ro.build.config.version is GAS_ASIA_SOLANAUMTSHKTWN_P017 and ro.build.version.carrier is ChinaRetail. So the _rom_ is obviously shared between HK and TW.
So apart from the build branch, I can't see anything that indicate mine's built towards China Unicom requirements, but it might be that the only difference between the rom build in the HK Retail devices and the ones you're seeing in Xidan _is_ lack of Google Apps.
I hope that helps? It reminded me to tell my phone I'm in not in Australia anymore. ^_^
Dear community,
I just bought a Mi 8 online. Unfortunately, after the purchase I read about the new rules Xiaomi made for Global and Chines versions of their phones.
I then checked what I bought and sadly it is Chinese Version with "official Global ROM and OTA updates".
I assume that the bootloader will be unlocked, which ist not so nice for some apps.
But what I am more concerned about is the question if I will brick the phone if I try to upgrade to MIUI 10 Global (which I think I will but please correct me if I'm wrong)
Are there any disadvantages in just using the Chinese ROM (english language would be fine for me)?
So would you think, it will be better to return that device and buy a Global version instead? (I bought on AliExpress and its not delivered yet)
Thank you very much and kind regards,
undefined
You can update to global MIUI 10 from OTA with no problem, i have done the same yesterday. The only thing you can't do is relock your bootloader
Thank you, roccovite, I didn't know that
Do you know if purchases in Google Play also work?
I think I would have to try, if my banking app will work too, even with unlocked boot loader. But I think I haven't locked the boot loader in my Redmi 3 pro neither and everything works.
Hi friends
I want to buy Mi8 in the next few days, In fact, this will be my first experience with Xiaomi devices, and frankly, I'm a bit afraid.
I did many web searches, I found that this problem is very widespread and it happens to many people, and this scared me frankly.
Is there a way to avoid this problem?, can I know if the phone is "really" Global, or Chinese, or -As in your case above- "Chinese Version with official Global ROM and OTA updates" before I purchase it ??, or I really need to purchase and open it to know??
thanks in advance
Dear A7.Rtb,
I think it highly depends on where you're going to buy. For example if you're going to buy on AliExpress, there is one major reseller which labeled all phones accordingly with "Global" or "Global ROM". You just need to look for the phones labeled "Global" and ignore all the others, even tho "Global ROM" is generally cheaper.
Maybe you can also see it on the box the phone came in with but I'm not sure about that
Kind regards,
undefined
Thanks for your answer,bro.
In fact, I'm from Syria, and here we can't buy online, and we don't have any of the purchasing agencies such as AliExpress or Amazon or others. There are only small local shops, which means I can check the box before I buy the phone, I think the phone type must be defined on the box, isn't it ???.
But there is something I didn't fully understand.
Do you mean that the phones labeled "Global ROM" are Chinese version in the first place, but with the global ROM installed on them - as if I purchased the Chinese version and installed the Global ROM from miui.eu on it, for example - ???
I'm really sorry if I bother you, but this phone is priced here about 220000 of the local currency, and this is not cheap at all, so I don't want to venture ...
Thank you again
Dear A7.Rtb,
don't worry, you don't bother me
First thing, I hope you are as safe as possible in Syria, my friend.
As far as I read here in the forum and at Google is that the Chinese version box has only Chinese letters on it and that the global version box has a sticker saying "Global" on it.
But I can't confirm that because I haven't seen it in reality yet.
Yes, many sellers on AliExpress taking the Chinese version, unlock the bootloader, flash the official global ROM and put it back in the box.
I read today about the disadvantages of having an unlocked bootloader. As far as I read, the phone will work fine but Google Pay and some apps like banking and Netflix won't work because they check if the bootloader is unlocked.
Hope I could help you a bit
Have fun and stay safe
Undefined
undefined999 said:
Dear A7.Rtb,
don't worry, you don't bother me
First thing, I hope you are as safe as possible in Syria, my friend.
As fast as I read here in the forum and at Google is that the Chinese version box has only Chinese letters on it and that the global version box has a sticker saying "Global" on it.
But I can't confirm that because I haven't seen it in reality yet.
Yes, many sellers on AliExpress taking the Chinese version, unlock the bootloader, flash the official global ROM and put it back in the box.
I read today about the disadvantages of having an unlocked bootloader. As far as I read, the phone will work fine but Google Pay and some apps like banking and Netflix won't work because they check if the bootloader is unlocked.
Hope I could help you a bit
Have fun and stay safe
Undefined
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for explaining more to me, you helped me so much.
And yes, I'm fine here in Syria, there is no war where I live.
thank you for your kindness, dear friend
undefined999 said:
Dear A7.Rtb,
don't worry, you don't bother me
First thing, I hope you are as safe as possible in Syria, my friend.
As fast as I read here in the forum and at Google is that the Chinese version box has only Chinese letters on it and that the global version box has a sticker saying "Global" on it.
But I can't confirm that because I haven't seen it in reality yet.
Yes, many sellers on AliExpress taking the Chinese version, unlock the bootloader, flash the official global ROM and put it back in the box.
I read today about the disadvantages of having an unlocked bootloader. As far as I read, the phone will work fine but Google Pay and some apps like banking and Netflix won't work because they check if the bootloader is unlocked.
Hope I could help you a bit
Have fun and stay safe
Undefined
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just love your empathy.
Kudos to people like you still care for people who are different from them without any racism and prejudice
Oh man; this is stressing me just a bit that I can ruin my new phone with one software button. Is it at least unbricka me from that state?
Cause I am buying a Mi9 More details here, idk if this is allowed to post this link
So I imagine I can convert it down the line. Bootloader unlocked isn't an issue for me since I always have my phone's rooted anyway which I need to unlock bootloader for anyway.
This is my first Xiaomi phone so curious, there is an official global ROM and a different one from xiaomi.eu? And one requires flashing tool and other can flash from TWRP?
Thanks in advance
Help me get this beauty, that's all thanks:laugh:
No seriously, this trumps the Mix 3 by a mile. I'm in Denmark, and there are some Honor phones sold here, but would it be any trouble getting the China version? And what's everyone's bet on whether or not they'll do an international version?
Ok bye you all rock
X2. Looks like US LTE bands are almost all there. Good enough for me on At&t
On gearbest right now. Haven't looked too much into it. I'll probably wait until the facial scanner version releases in a month or two. Deciding between this and OP6T
Odds on this one getting a Global ROM/release? I can't wait much longer....
Also, if I import this one, is it possible to add or sideload the Google framework and play store? Thanks
Available at https://tradingshenzhen.com as of a few hours ago.
@emilrune according to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLWRYJ0E3rY you should be able to install them manually.
I wouldn't hold my breath for a GDPR compliant EU version anytime soon. (not unless they remove Yoyo totally from the EU specific version). Outside EU? No idea. The phone did make an appearance on the global version of Honor's webpage recently. (https://www.hihonor.com/global/products/smartphone/honormagic2/)
Cerian said:
Available at https://tradingshenzhen.com as of a few hours ago.
@emilrune according to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLWRYJ0E3rY you should be able to install them manually.
I wouldn't hold my breath for a GDPR compliant EU version anytime soon. (not unless they remove Yoyo totally from the EU specific version). Outside EU? No idea. The phone did make an appearance on the global version of Honor's webpage recently. (https://www.hihonor.com/global/products/smartphone/honormagic2/)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Intriguing (or perhaps just a website goof on their behalf) re. the Magic 2 turning up on the global site. Thanks for the heads-up @Cerian. I am getting closer and closer to just say eff it and order the China version. I got a nagging feeling that this phone will never see release outside of China... But Google Framework is paramount to my devices, I have my stuff all tied up in the Google ecosystem.
Hopefully there will be a more global focused version. For T-Mobile USA, it is missing band 66, which is fairly common. Band 71 would be nice to have as well on something this modern. No band 28/29 for most Canadian 700MHz LTE either for the Bell/Telus network.
emilrune said:
Odds on this one getting a Global ROM/release? I can't wait much longer....
Also, if I import this one, is it possible to add or sideload the Google framework and play store? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No need to sideload. I was surprised to find that Google services and Play store are preloaded on the Honor Magic 2 on the Chinese ROM!
I think it's related to which region you select when you setup the phone so if you choose anything but China region you see the Play Store app and Google Services are working.
The Chinese ROM has some preloaded Chinese apps, all of them can be removed. Huawei also preloaded their apps and services on the phone, some can be removed, others can be disabled and there are few that you can't touch (Wallet, AppsGallery - Huawei store, HiVoice), but eventually you get a very clean phone with Google Services working out of the box so to be honest it's really (almost) clean Global ROM out of the box.
The only thing I had to setup (except of removing the unnecessary apps) is the battery exceptions which were disabled for Google services by default for some reason (I experienced some delays in push messages, now it is better).
By the way, the Chinese ROM is also has 50-60 languages supported while a typical China ROM has Chinese and English only.
karamba said:
No need to sideload. I was surprised to find that Google services and Play store are preloaded on the Honor Magic 2 on the Chinese ROM!
I think it's related to which region you select when you setup the phone so if you choose anything but China region you see the Play Store app and Google Services are working.
The Chinese ROM has some preloaded Chinese apps, all of them can be removed. Huawei also preloaded their apps and services on the phone, some can be removed, others can be disabled and there are few that you can't touch (Wallet, AppsGallery - Huawei store, HiVoice), but eventually you get a very clean phone with Google Services working out of the box so to be honest it's really (almost) clean Global ROM out of the box.
The only thing I had to setup (except of removing the unnecessary apps) is the battery exceptions which were disabled for Google services by default for some reason (I experienced some delays in push messages, now it is better).
By the way, the Chinese ROM is also has 50-60 languages supported while a typical China ROM has Chinese and English only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To me it seems like a better phone than the Mi Mix 3. Is there news on a global version being released ? The only thing that's holding me back is that the bootloader can't be unlocked without paying but hopefully somebody will find a solution to that. If I could root this phone, it'd be one of the best phones released so far
I would buy the china version right now if I could, problem is for me is import taxes, as it equates OT over 1000 in my local currency I have to be a registered importer, even at $999 value it will means a $200 import fee.
I have no issues with China rom, it has English language, it supports google framework what else would I need?, and later on in the future I'm sure there will be plenty of cooked roms released for this since its such a beast phone.
flamery said:
I would buy the china version right now if I could, problem is for me is import taxes, as it equates OT over 1000 in my local currency I have to be a registered importer, even at $999 value it will means a $200 import fee.
I have no issues with China rom, it has English language, it supports google framework what else would I need?, and later on in the future I'm sure there will be plenty of cooked roms released for this since its such a beast phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There wont be a single custom rom for it. The bootloader ist locked and you can't unlock it (except if you pay some money) no bootloader unlock -> no custom recovery -> no custom rom or kernels....
It is really sad, it used to be my new device but not with all these restrictions..
flamery said:
I would buy the china version right now if I could, problem is for me is import taxes, as it equates OT over 1000 in my local currency I have to be a registered importer, even at $999 value it will means a $200 import fee.
I have no issues with China rom, it has English language, it supports google framework what else would I need?, and later on in the future I'm sure there will be plenty of cooked roms released for this since its such a beast phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know where you are located, but I got mine from Wonda Mobile, arrived in the UK within 2 weeks and no import duty was charged. They seem to handle the goods through regional warehouses.
I ordered through trading shenzhen it arrived to the US in 8 days..
So I have owned the Tencent version of ROG Phone 2 for a week now and I am in love with it. I contacted Asus today just to make sure that there is warranty on it. They said that the warranty is only for China, not for NA (I am in Canada). So, that's a bad news for me. I have a few questions, if I keep this device:
1. How can I make sure what version of ROM is installed? Global or CN?
2. Will I ever be able to update the device? I am not just talking about OTA, if possible can I update by flashing the updated version of ROM?
3. What do you think about the hardware? I mean, do you think this hardware can last for long without issues as there is no warranty?
I really don't want to return this device. If there are only going to be troubles later, I should still just return the device. What do you think?
I would personally return the device, but it's my personal preference to only buy what's released for my country (the U.S. In my case). Not just for warranty, but you may have issues getting tech support, it's lower spec than the global options, less frequency bands, and I just don't want to deal with the extra headaches that can come of grey market products. I know that cheap price is tempting, but it's not worth it in my opinion.
1. The firmware version will say CN or WW on it
2. Yes manually by putting the rom file from https://www.asus.com/Phone/ROG-Phone-II/HelpDesk_BIOS/ into the root directory. It is very easy as the OS will detect the update file.
3. I've never had to RMA any phone so to me, that one year of warranty is not very useful. Asus is a good brand as they're a big brand in the computer industry so I have more confidence in them especially their ROG brand.
I am using this in Canada, it has all the important bands which is 4 and 7 for the major carriers. It's not worth spending double. in my opinion just to get bands and warranty. I got the phone for $680 cad which I call a bargain, the global version easily costs double that after taxes. There is no way I would even consider the global version ROG 2 at price it's selling in north america. I've owned many many flagship phones and this one is definitely at the very top of list of the best phones I have ever owned.
i bought it for $500 directly in China. Don't waste money with the global version. 12gb or ram are totally useless there is no game designed to use that amount of ram. I personally kept the CN firmware to get OTA updates and I got rid manually of all chinese crap connecting the ROG to a pc (you can find a post in this forum about that). Now the phone is totally in English. The reception is flawless under T-Mobile. Save these extra $500 compared to the Global version, you will have already the budget next year to buy another ROG III CN
AdamxDesolator said:
i bought it for $500 directly in China. Don't waste money with the global version. 12gb or ram are totally useless there is no game designed to use that amount of ram. I personally kept the CN firmware to get OTA updates and I got rid manually of all chinese crap connecting the ROG to a pc (you can find a post in this forum about that). Now the phone is totally in English. The reception is flawless under T-Mobile. Save these extra $500 compared to the Global version, you will have already the budget next year to buy another ROG III CN
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can give us the URL of the thread to rid the Chinese crap and make it totally English , thanks.
AdamxDesolator said:
i bought it for $500 directly in China. Don't waste money with the global version. 12gb or ram are totally useless there is no game designed to use that amount of ram. I personally kept the CN firmware to get OTA updates and I got rid manually of all chinese crap connecting the ROG to a pc (you can find a post in this forum about that). Now the phone is totally in English. The reception is flawless under T-Mobile. Save these extra $500 compared to the Global version, you will have already the budget next year to buy another ROG III CN
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"Waste of money" is a matter of personal opinion. The 8//128 Tencent version has a Chinese market focused radio that covers a very small set of bands for North American carriers. Just because it works for you in your particular area, doesn't mean he will have coverage in his area on his carrier. Also, Android will use more RAM if there is more RAM available (so it can speed things up by caching more things in RAM).
The extra $400, you are getting most importantly an official warranty and a wider-coverage radio for North America with legit OTA updates. Of course, the 12GB RAM, 512GB storage, 30W charger, Aero fan, case is all part of the package. Whether that is worth it to someone is dependent on their personal circumstances (disposable income, location of band coverage, etc.)
So, I'm looking to buy ROG 2 but the variant in US is quite expensive. With taxes, it comes out to be close to $1000.
I'm looking on eBay and it seems like a lot of sellers are selling asus rog 2 tencent variant with global ROM.
Is this legit?
With global ROM, Chinese tencent variant works with all bands in US (on AT&T)?
According to all sellers, Chinese tencent variant works on GSM / AT&T and support play store and should get updates like a global variant from Asus. Is that true?
I thought Chinese tencent variant is missing some bands and it's a hardware limitation. How installing global ROM will start supporting all bands?
Just curious what variant were announced in Taiwan and India? Is it worth buying Taiwan variant? Some sellers are selling that too.
Basically I need some suggesting so I'm not mislead by sellers on eBay. I need to use it with AT&T. Will I be able to get 4G LTE? Will I be able to use AT&T hotspot?
Please advise.
I think it's true that band support is a hardware limitation. Even if it is a software change and you get the global bands, I still would only suggest buying the U.S. version (or whatever is local to your area) for two big reasons. Warranty, and customer service. Buying grey market versions off eBay will get you the phone cheaper, but you'll have no Asus warranty. You may have a warranty through the seller, but now you're dealing with someone overseas. That means you have to question the legitimacy of the seller, and there's a bigger hassle factor involved. If you have a tech support need you're unlikely to get it from Asus because you're using the phone in a way it wasn't approved for.
If you're willing to take those risks, then go for it. It's just not for me at any price.
Thank you @Mr_Mooncatt for sharing your thoughts, I appreciate it. I guess the price of a US variant is quite demotivating since it's almost double (including taxes and all) compared to a global variant. So one may question if paying double $$ justifies the value or not. That's all. Though I agree with all the points you mentioned.
Keep in mind that all the tencent versions with WW ROM is not official device from Asus.
Asus has put this as a warning on their forum, in the Asus Rog phone 2 section.
They are saying tencent version only comes with CN ROM and does not come with WW ROM and those tencent version with WW ROM is modified device and may not have valid warranty and no working FOTA.