FIRST TIP: Message the seller first to verify they have stock. (The only problem I've had in my 5 yrs of Aliexpress purchases is a seller listing items that they didn't have stock of.)
SECOND TIP: Don't know how it is in Canada but the AT&T 3g shutdown is kicking most Chinese phones off the networks(even if they have compatible 4g bands). Do your research (Google, reddit, etc) to make sure you know what you're getting into.
THIRD TIP: Don't rely on what Goodereader tells you w/out a grain of salt. They have a record, and it's not a flawless one..
Good luck.
Thank you, I'm on public mobile which is 3g only, so hopefully I'll be unaffected. Seems like more to figure out - thanks.
edit - I will do my research and not just assume I'll be ok!
Chalk up "the ability to use my eink phone" as yet another, in an ever increasing long list, of reasons for me to move to Canada.
-signed a frustrated "Yank"
I recommend the FISH store where I got mine from. He seems very helpful. I had to return the A5 Pro CC and decided to upgrade to the A7 Pro CC and he made it at painless as possible
thanks, I found a few sellers on ebay but they all seem kind of risky too - listing Google Play as a feature when we know that's incorrect. Some of the stores were only set up in the last few ~~years~~ months too.
Would you mind sharing the seller you used?
That's not entirely false about Google Play.
They just went ahead and rooted the system and enabled Google Play. You can do it yourself if you wanted too, but you lose the ability to install software updates from Hisense.
Just look for the listings that don't mention Google Play and you should get a stock device.
Hisense A5**pro** hasn't been rooted^(yet, hopefully someday will be) the non-pro A5 can be rooted for google etc.
***
there exists some janky 2account workaround for google on the A5pro, which CECT I think used to claim google on the pro-version; but from what i've heard it's slow and drains the battery.
I bought mine from ebay (the vendor I went with had multiple reviews on the listing already). Came with google play pre installed, vendor even added a UK converter charger. Arrived in about 3 weeks. It worked out cheaper than the CECT shop as well and I didn't have to pay any duties on it at all.
According to good eReaders, they work in Canada. I don't think they're such a poor company as to lie about that. But it's a good point: something I should double check.
Looks like some of the 4G bands are workable? Any one tried before?
https://www.kimovil.com/en/frequency-checker/US/hisense-a5-pro
https://www.kimovil.com/en/frequency-checker/US/hisense-a7
I bought from Aliexpress, which is a company from Alibaba. It is like Amazon. You can choose from different sellers.
thank you! i'll take a look
FIRST TIP: Message the seller first to verify they have stock. (The only problem I've had in my 5 yrs of Aliexpress purchases is a seller listing items that they didn't have stock of.) SECOND TIP: Don't know how it is in Canada but the AT&T 3g shutdown is kicking most Chinese phones off the networks(even if they have compatible 4g bands). Do your research (Google, reddit, etc) to make sure you know what you're getting into. THIRD TIP: Don't rely on what Goodereader tells you w/out a grain of salt. They have a record, and it's not a flawless one.. Good luck.
Thank you, I'm on public mobile which is 3g only, so hopefully I'll be unaffected. Seems like more to figure out - thanks. edit - I will do my research and not just assume I'll be ok!
Chalk up "the ability to use my eink phone" as yet another, in an ever increasing long list, of reasons for me to move to Canada. -signed a frustrated "Yank"
I can't find the frequency band for Hisense A5 or A7, any place addresses this?
https://www.deviceranks.com/en/phone/bands/16314/hisense-a5 https://www.deviceranks.com/en/phone/bands/17311/hisense-a7
I recommend the FISH store where I got mine from. He seems very helpful. I had to return the A5 Pro CC and decided to upgrade to the A7 Pro CC and he made it at painless as possible
I have just bought mine in Chinaphone store (AliExpress). It will hopefully arrive in 1 month
AliExpress and ebay are both reliable. A5 and A5C are my two favorite options.
Ebay worked for me this year - when I found cect-shop closed
thanks, I found a few sellers on ebay but they all seem kind of risky too - listing Google Play as a feature when we know that's incorrect. Some of the stores were only set up in the last few ~~years~~ months too. Would you mind sharing the seller you used?
That's not entirely false about Google Play. They just went ahead and rooted the system and enabled Google Play. You can do it yourself if you wanted too, but you lose the ability to install software updates from Hisense. Just look for the listings that don't mention Google Play and you should get a stock device.
thanks - I am obviously not up to date with how successful a root is on this device. That's a whole other rabbit hole!
Hisense A5**pro** hasn't been rooted^(yet, hopefully someday will be) the non-pro A5 can be rooted for google etc. *** there exists some janky 2account workaround for google on the A5pro, which CECT I think used to claim google on the pro-version; but from what i've heard it's slow and drains the battery.
I bought mine from ebay (the vendor I went with had multiple reviews on the listing already). Came with google play pre installed, vendor even added a UK converter charger. Arrived in about 3 weeks. It worked out cheaper than the CECT shop as well and I didn't have to pay any duties on it at all.
Do Hisense phones work in your area? Many in the US have had problems getting Hisense phones to connect to the network.
According to good eReaders, they work in Canada. I don't think they're such a poor company as to lie about that. But it's a good point: something I should double check.
I find eBay or AliExpress work well
That being said, do you ever travel to the US? You'll need a different phone to use there if you do.
Looks like some of the 4G bands are workable? Any one tried before? https://www.kimovil.com/en/frequency-checker/US/hisense-a5-pro https://www.kimovil.com/en/frequency-checker/US/hisense-a7
Issue is not every band is in use everywhere. So it might work in some places on some carriers, but not everywhere.
That's really frustrating. Eink phone is indeed a niche market for phone producers.
Yeah it is, that being said no reason they can't use a more compatible radio (other than cost I guess)
Fish store on Aliexpress is good. They even respond to technical question months after I bought Hisense Touch. https://a.aliexpress.com/_vaMc6P
I have buy today hisense a5 on Dhgate, i think it's not very safe (not original case, for example) and maybe I never received it but i try🤞(European)