The Xiaomi Redmi 3 has already been officially presented as Xiaomi's new entry-level (although it is mid-range) mobile. A very economical mobile, with an unbeatable quality / price ratio. But there are some things that you should keep in mind if you are considering buying the new Xiaomi Redmi 3.
1.- Your real price
Although you may have read that the mobile costs less than 100 euros, something that is true if we use its official price as a reference, about 700 Chinese yuan, the truth is that you will not be able to buy it for that price, because it is not officially sold in any store in Europe. You have to buy it through an international distributor, such as GearBest, and its price will be what we have told you this afternoon, about 130 euros.
2.- Do you have a guarantee?
If you buy your mobile in a store that is not European, you do not have the European guarantee of two years. However, you have the guarantee offered by the store that sells the mobile. In many cases, it is a one-year warranty. But of course, the big problem is that you will have to complain. If you are going to buy the smartphone, buy it in a store that you can contact in Spanish. GearBest is one of them. I do not know many more trusted stores to acquire a Chinese mobile with which one can communicate in Spanish. But keep in mind that, even if you can communicate with them, it will not be like buying a mobile from Amazon. They will not send you a new one for express delivery the next day if yours is defective. You will have to prove that it is defective, return it, etc. The best thing is that you do not have problems with the smartphone. There are usually not. But it could happen.
3.- Will I be charged for shipping? Taxes? Customs?
Many stores that ship the smartphone from China ship it for free. But of course, the mobile can take up to two months to arrive. Some users, as they are going to buy a new mobile, think that it is best to pay an urgent shipment. Express delivery is faster, yes, but it is managed by a transport agency. These agencies are also customs agents in Spain, so each shipment that passes through customs and has to pay VAT, also involves the payment of management costs, which is what they charge, and what they are interested in charging. Thus, if it is an urgent shipment, you will have to pay the VAT of the smartphone, and you will also have to pay the management costs. We are probably talking about 50-70 euros in total extras at the price of the smartphone. If you don't request expedited shipping, it will most likely get home without a hitch.
4.- Will you have coverage?
Almost all mobiles, even Chinese mobiles, have 3G coverage in Europe. But do they also have 4G coverage? Many do, but it is also true that many, almost all, do not have 4G coverage in the 800 MHz band, which was released recently as a result of the digital dividend, to improve 4G coverage. Is the Xiaomi Redmi 3 compatible with 4G 800 MHz networks? Well no, it is not compatible. Is this relevant? Yes and no. You will not be able to receive coverage in the 800 MHz band in 4G. Yes, you will receive 3G coverage, and also 4G coverage in the other bands. You will currently have 4G coverage in sites where there is already 4G coverage. Over time, there will be less and less 4G coverage from other bands, and more 4G coverage from the 800 MHz band. In my opinion. Forget this. Buy the mobile. Right now there will be no difference in speed or coverage. But it is that even when there is, it will not be relevant.
5.- There are two versions
If you are going to buy the Xiaomi Redmi 3 you should know that there are two versions. One of them is the one that you have seen in the photos so far, which has a drawing or a pattern on the back cover. If you do not like this drawing, it is not a problem, because there is a version that does not have said drawing. Now, whether or not this version will be available in the store where you go to buy the smartphone, that is another question. But you should know that there is that other version and that it is the one that appears in the photo that accompanies this post. If you are more classic, you will prefer the mobile without the drawing on the back cover.
Gearbest does not take care of any guarantee, the only thing that takes care is that the order arrives. I have got a small defect on the screen of my doogee f5 exclusive of the page (by the way very happy with it) and gearbest He told me that I could only make a claim to speak with the seller. The only thing I got was € 10 reimbursement from them, I wanted a change of terminal.