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Is yours the global version or UK?
Is there a difference?
Someone in intenet land reckoned his global version couldn't get 4g.
Is there a safe buyer to get one from?
I just got a Mi8 from Gearbest, arrived in just under 2 weeks. Friend had a MI5 from them a year or two ago as well. Both global versions and working fine.
Check the LTE bands. Some phones (it varies) don't have Band 20 (I think 800mhz but I could be wrong) which is required for 4g coverage on some UK networks.
Global version means an international version that will be fine in the UK and elsewhere. Global ROM means a Chinese market phone that has been opened up and had the Global software added. It probably won't work on all networks in the UK. Band 20 is the one that's usually missing which affects a few networks but renders O2 useless everywhere and Three in rural areas.
Now that Xiaomi are officially imported there's little reason to run the risk of import taxes, long waits for delivery and compatibility issues. Have a look at hotukdeals for who has the best price at the mo.
I looked at eBay & China & then brought from John Lewis for £180 with a 2yr JL warranty. I get 4G.
I got the GLOBAL VERSION from a seller off Aliexpress, using the Smarty Network (Which is 3 really) and have no issues getting 4G on it.
As stated by Johnny Storm if buying from China be aware of that subtle difference, normally the cheaper chinese sellers are the ones with the Global Rom.
Also with some Xiaomi phones there are physical differences between the Global and domestic versions, the Mi note 4 is one with different placement of speaker holes, camera and IR blaster(Daughter has the above).
The Mi A2 lite is a great phone by the way, we now have 3 Xiaomi phones in our household and all have been faultless so far.
I get connection problems- but then Im on plusnet/EE, and I live on the edge...
(of milton keynes)