5 of dangers when buying a smartphone on AliExpress

Buying a phone on AliExpress has long ceased to be exotic. And for those who want to save on the purchase of the gadget, this online marketplace is probably the best option. But sometimes it happens that the joy of a new cheap phone ends shortly after its launch: it works bad, constantly pops up some kind of advertising, which can not be disabled, too, leaves much to be Russification better. And still the case that the buyer does not receive it, for which he paid.

We will tell, what pitfalls you might encounter when buying a gadget on AliExpress, and will give some tips on how these difficulties can be avoided.

1. Lack global EEPROM

Platform AliExpress - Chinese, and many of the goods and services offered to its customers, which was originally intended only for the domestic Chinese market, including phones. This means that this Android smartphone only supports Chinese and English, there is no the usual Google Play and installed some Chinese applications that do not understand that it is necessary do. To put a phone in the Russian language, have pretty sweat, and not the fact that the works will be successful.

Usually gadgets without a global firmware are cheaper than smartphones with the presence of such, but, in practice, the special joy of low cost user receives.

What to do

In the description of the phone before you buy to look for information about the presence of a global firmware. If such information is found, it is best to look at the other models.

Global firmware always have those models of smartphones that are officially sold in Russian stores. So it makes sense to check (at least for a "Yandex. Market "), whether there is in the Russian retail this phone. By the way, if it is, then just go to the store and touch smartphone with your hands - so you accurately determine your needs exactly this gadget or not.

2. Unknown Chinese brands

Acquiring phone brand Xiaomi, Meizu, Samsung, Huawei and other well-known brands (of course, the presence of global EEPROM), the buyer may be more or less sure that the gadget will work well with the declared characteristics and no unpleasant surprises do not meet.

But sometimes come across a model with top performance for the 6 000-8 000, although manufacturers clearly not at the hearing. Such a gadget - a pig in a poke. It is possible that you will fall something tolerable. But likely to get the machine with poor translation into Russian, not really running Google Play and the absence of a global firmware. But with a lot of advertising, which can not be disabled.

And further. Model unknown brands can not be certified by the FSC, and in such cases, when testing the device on its customs can to send backAnd the buyer will be discharged fine.

What to do

Better not to have anything to do with the unknown Chinese brands. Yes, at one time, no one knew what Xiaomi, and now on the number of units sold this brand is among the top five ofXiaomi has overtaken Apple's smartphone sales in RuNet in Russia. But it is better to not check on your wallet, you have to deal with novice Chinese Steve Jobs or with experienced Chinese scams.

Get the phones that are officially sold in Russia, and you can easily avoid the problems described above.

20 different Chinese smartphone with AliExpress and GearBest →

3. Recovered gadgets premium

Often on AliExpress sellers offer, say, iPhone 8 for some 8-10 thousand rubles. In this case, write that the original gadget, global firmware, and the rating of the seller is quite high.

But so cheap usually are reconditioned phones known brands. The device can return the seller under the warranty, he replaced some board and now sell on AliExpress. Often, these phones work very long, they again something breaks, and return the money has not come out. So buying phones - it is always a serious risk.

What to do

It must be remembered that these gadgets premium segment also expensive in China, as in Russia. There can not be a new iPhone 10 on AliExpress is five times cheaper than in our stores. And to get the reconstructed apparatus used, - a risky business. Maybe you're lucky and everything will work out well. Or maybe not lucky. So it is best to take the phones of Chinese brands with a global firmware, which are sold in Russia, the only cost is a bit more expensive.

Many sellers indicate that sell the phone, second-hand. On this information it is necessary to pay attention.

Is it worth risking buying refurbished gadgets on AliExpress →

4. unscrupulous sellers

The internet is full of stories about how people ordered phones, and they have to do something completely different or nothing occurred. Sometimes the seller will send the track number, but parcel is sent to a different address, but no one does not respond to the claim.

If you're buying some trinkets for 200 rubles a situation not greatly upset the customer, the lack of a long-awaited phone for a decent amount of much more disappointing. Alas, enough of scams everywhere, although AliExpress administration is actively fighting with them.

What to do

it is necessary to verify that the seller is reliable or not before buying. Look at his ratings, read reviews, find out whether he has long been selling gadgets.

How to cheat on AliExpress, and what to do →

5. Problems with warranty service

Phone, even the most well-known manufacturer of qualitative models can fail: stop working the charging slot, the screen goes off, break-in speaker. In the case of buying the phone in Russian stores can easily request a warranty repair (unless, of course, the term did not come out). But with smartphones with AliExpress it is more complicated.

Some manufacturers offer warranty service for a fee. For example, cell phones Xiaomi It can be attributed to the Russian service centers with the purchase of the warranty. But this service offer, not all manufacturers. And in case of damage without warranty repair costs will fall on your phone entirely the buyer's shoulders.

What to do

If the seller offers to purchase the warranty, it is better to spend the extra 400-500 rubles, and not worry about extra costs in case of breakage of the gadget.

If the warranty on the phone is not, then you need to rely on the fact that all malfunction I have to fix at their own expense. Fortunately, with judicious use of the gadget breakage occur rarely.

Buyer's checklist

• Check whether sold the model you like in Russian stores. If not, it is better to look for something else.
• Avoid buying too cheap premium phones. They can be restored, but it is always a risk.
• Check the seller before you buy reliability.
• If possible, get a warranty.

see also

• How to update manually on Android smartphones Xiaomi, Samsung and other manufacturers →
• 4, common problems of Chinese smartphones and how to avoid them →
• international firmware MIUI 10 where to download for smartphones Xiaomi →