Hello, I am new to everything related to Xiaomi but I wanted to get a mi5 and I was advised by a friend to buy it from aliexpress directly from China. He already did it but in contrary to me he is quite into electronics and can figure out things if they go wrong. Unfortunately he can't help me anymore so that's why I'm writing here, i thought you guys might be the best persons to ask around here.
I have been told by official shops here in Russia that if I bought a phone unofficially or directly from China they would not be tested and would break down quickly. My friend says it's not true, but I have other friends who have xiaomis bought directly from China and they sometimes have troubles with them, especially one of them is often unreachable and some other issues.
I also did some research and although I don't understand much of what is being told, I understood that there is a certain version called global version or whatever that is compatible with the western world ... which reminds me that my friend told me to ask the retailer to instal global software into the phone he will send me.
In short, I'm quite confused and I wanted to ask for advices and maybe if some of you who did buy directly from China what was your experience and what I should know and expect.
Thank you so much in advance.
I have been told by official shops here in Russia that if I bought a phone unofficially or directly from China they would not be tested and would break down quickly. My friend says it's not true, but I have other friends who have xiaomis bought directly from China and they sometimes have troubles with them, especially one of them is often unreachable and some other issues.
I also did some research and although I don't understand much of what is being told, I understood that there is a certain version called global version or whatever that is compatible with the western world ... which reminds me that my friend told me to ask the retailer to instal global software into the phone he will send me.
In short, I'm quite confused and I wanted to ask for advices and maybe if some of you who did buy directly from China what was your experience and what I should know and expect.
Thank you so much in advance.
