Mine arrived the other day. First thing to be aware of it is running a Gearbest custom ROM, you can tell by the extra 0 at the end of the ROM name.

Its very easy to flash the standard rom and re-install google play, just check out the guides on the MIUI forum. At some point a global rom should come out for it which will make this easier.

Very good tablet for the price.

Has anyone received their tablet yet? What is the experience like?

Also, did you end up paying customs charges?

If it were me, I'd stick with the official Chinese rom, simply cos I'm not a fan of custom roms. I would think you'll still receive updates. I was just reading that MIUI 9 is in the pipeline. The EU rom you mention, I assume is the xiaomi.eu rom, which is a custom rom and not official. Having said that, there'll be no Chinese bloatware and all the Google goodies will be there as well.

Should I expect the Chinese ROM to receive updates at any point, or would I be better installing the EU ROM that is available? Thanks

​This is the Chinese rom, which contains no Google apps as they are banned in China. The seller opens the box to install Google play etc.

I bought the case for mine from GearBest too and it is made for the Pad 3.

Here's what I bought and it took just a couple of weeks to arrive. IMHO it looks better in real life than it does on the screen. :smile:

gearbest.com/tab…tml

Fairly sure xiaomi come with play store? It came in the box with the xiaomi OS on it but can't say for sure if it was sealed. Had Play on though.

The tablets fantastic, no custom fees either though wish DHL hadn't used there yodel branch bleh.

Main big annoyance about this tablet is no asop ROMs or custom ROMs yet or likely soon.

Really pleased with this so far, grabbed one of these cases from Aliexpress which fits well and automatically turn the screen on when you open it.

aliexpress.com/ite…1tj

​They will all be unsealed. It will be opened so the seller can install Google play etc, as there is no global rom.

Also got mine yesterday, coincidentally the same day as my new OnePlus 5.

Didn't like MIUI, so installed Google Now launcher. Excellent. Two very nice devices in one day - I am a lucky boy.

I must, however, say I live in The Falkland Islands as far as Xiaomi are concerned.

I also ordered a couple of screen protectors and a case which arrived the same day. One screen protector (advertised as "2.5D") was shattered - the packaging design was not up to the job. The other one for about the same price is fine. The case is a bit crap, but offers good protection.

Got mine today. Very slight dent on back, but otherwise fine. Unsealed. I read that they configure it for the UK version, adding Play Store before they send it. Got a UK plug adapter with it.

Same here. I was more surprised it came all the way from China not in a bubble wrap package and is still in one piece.

Hi Folks, yes finally received my first Android device n setup process was a bit strange no UK, England or British option available-strange. Spent last 2hrs on GnT

Just had mine delivered, the original box was not factory sealed so maybe they took it out to check if it is working before dispatch.

Yodel said "be with us soon" since the 8th. But on the 16th I got some updates suggesting it was still in China.

2017-06-08 20:01:02 Parcel Data Received
2017-06-16 16:19:03 Parcel received at OWE Shenzhen Sorting Centre
2017-06-16 16:21:20 Parcel departure in Shenzhen Sorting Centre.

Looks like Yodel finally have it though
2017-06-21 06:47 Hatfield terminal, Your parcel is at our sort centre

Here's my update which may be of particular interest to anyone who would like GPS.

Relieved to report that with a free App called Bluetooth GPS and an external key-ring Bluetooth GPS receiver (not the tracker units) I have successfully used GPS with both Google Maps and TomTom MyDrive.

The 2 GPS units that I've tested are the Voda GPS (small and white and attaches to your key-ring) and the Holux iBT A+.

After that, once I'd installed Nova Launcher and changed defaults to use Firefox and GMail, I became a lot happier with my purchase.

I have some concerns with the US charger provided (comes with a UK adapter). It is rated at 2A and operates between 100 and 240VAC, which is fine. However plugging in a USB inline charge tester, shows the charging voltage and current to be all over the place and so I shall very likely replace it.

As to shipping and delivery, I am happy to report that my unit was shipped on the 8th June and arrived safely and surcharge free on the 16th.

​Pretty sure mine came from China. Arrived the same day as case and screen protector despatched from China warehouses.

makeuseof.com/tag…ew/


For those still on the fence (like me)

I have managed to get PES 2017 working now

bit more feedback. Still happy with the tablet, it has crashed once though when downloading additional data for a game.

I tested a few games as was thinking of getting one for my son, performance is varied. Bit of a summary below:

Asphalt Extreme - Wouldn't load
Broken Sword - All OK
Brothers - Took a while to get it to load and is quite stuttery when playing
Dragons Lair - All OK
GTA VC - All OK
MCS - All OK
NOVA 3 - All OK
Pac Man 256 - All OK
Reckless Racing 3 - All OK
TWAU - All OK
PES 2017 - Wouldn't load

So a bit patchy when it comes to gaming, no idea if a future ROM may fix some of the issues or if the EU ROM that is available would be better (although I'm not comfortable with how to flash that!)

I ordered on 5th June. Think it's official MIUI. I've stuck Nova on over the top.

Mine's due to be delivered today.

​Your experience is identical to mine so far. Seems a good bit of kit.

Bought a case and glass screen protector that came today too. The case is pretty good, but there isn't a latch, and the screen protector was woeful (tried it on, but straight in the bin, had marks from the box imprinted on it!).

​Anyone interested?

Good to hear, keep us posted, if you don't mind, if you feel any different.

really good. Play Store installed and working, Netflix downloads working. It's running MiUi Global 8.2 Stable Rom Android 7. Only issue I have had it's in selecting region as UK was not available, so I opted for Germany and have set the clock to UK time manually. Downloading a lot of other apps and games now but so far so good.

Just had mine delivered, put through the letter box, no fee's to pay!

Question:
The Mi Pad 3 Tablet has the Google Play instaled? Thanks
Reply:
Hello Ivan,

The Google Play Store has installed.

Flash price is currently £177 (with paypal), discount code doesn't work with flash sales.

Not sure if you would get a better exchange rate using a credit card.

Also not sure if your bank/paypal will attach a one of charge on top for currency conversion.

Has anyone received this tablet yet? Could you please confirm whether it comes sealed or not? if not, I'd guess Gear best have their own custom ROM on it? if sealed, it probably wont have Play store and you will have to install it? Thanks

That's good to know, thanks for sharing. :smile:

Marked the same for me. I was just interested to note that I had a "live" Yodel tracking number.

Paid 6th June @ 10:07 and had shipped email today, 9th, timed 04:18. I chose free shipping and yet the shipped email included a Yodel tracking number which tracks on the Yodel site!!

Ordered on 6th of June and status is processing, is it same for you guys?

Flash Sale Price £174.24 Now.

I was in two minds about ordering this but ended up ordering it anyway! After some serious thinking about whether I really need a new tablet (as I already Nexus 7 2013 which I hardly ever use!), I decided/tried to cancel!

So I contacted Gearbest and the stupid idiots took a couple of days back and forth in responding to my request and in the end informed me that it has been shipped yesterday!!! So much for their 24/7 support!!!

Anyway, once I receive this if someone is interested in purchasing at cost price (hopefully I'll avoid customs) I'll gladly sell. Preferably cash on collection (I live in East Lancashire - PM me if interested)

It's running Miui 8, so it seems so

en.yibada.com/art…htm

Can you have multiple accounts on the same Pad?

Code has expired, is there another code avalaible ?

Thanks, bought one :sunglasses:

Wll, I have only actually, hard to explain why so I won't.

But you are very correct, DHL often sting you for custom fees.

You will be charged custom fees as expedited shipping is via DHL.

Wootage thanks, glad I resisted at $249 now.

£174.28 with shipping insurance and expidited shipping.

What?

Code expired again. Will keep checking. Should have bit the bullet instead of my indecisiveness.

Code works good now. Just used it 2 minutes ago.
many thanks @BUCKUM2

I chose that with another order and wasn't charged import duties. Think it's only the DHL option that definitely incurs charges. Other options are luck of the draw.

Excellent, thanks - ordered. Went for standard shipping for free rather than flat-rate shipping for 34p because flat-rate seemed to have a much longer delivery time. Any idea if that's likely to come through a channel where I'll be paying import fees? Avoided paying for express shipping.

​I did and it says despatch arranged

Just ordered, has anyone clicked on the dispatch faster option in my orders?

Thank You BUCKUM2. I'm new to this site.

I can't comment on the Battery life but remember there is a good reason the S2 is so light. This will be better for sure but at the expense of weight.

Hey Folks, how do you get it for £174 its showing approx £194. Is it also possible to install Kodi n Show Box?
Thank You in Advance!!

Hm, the coupon code seems to change the price from £198 to £265 for me. Not much of a saving :thinking:

EDIT: Claims coupon expired so maybe expired deal? Thanks for posting though, good price if you were able to get it.

EDIT2: Looks like at 5pm it went onto a flash deal for 24 hours at £198 and the coupon isn't valid in conjunction with that. Maybe worth trying at the same time tomorrow?

I managed to get this yesterday @£174.24 plus quidco not bad deal thanks op.

Thanks mate, will give this a miss then.

Shame though as the specs, size and build tick all the right boxes but plain android would be nice as the pre installed version appears buggy from reviews.

these are under £100 on the wish app

I accept your apology. I have no idea if your strange brand of flippancy and sarcasm travels well in real life. Please don't bother making anything clearer.

​It was just a flippant comment, I thought it obvious that I was not being serious, of course I don't expect someone to buy it and sell it to me at cost price. I am soooooooo very very very sorry to have caused you pain and suffering by my comment. I will try and make it clearer for you next time when I am being sarcastic.

I would have gone for this if it had a Snapdragon processor but as richstroller commented, it will be seriously limited in terms of custom firmware because of the Mediatek processor.

I dont think so, and it's unlikely to receive much third party support because of the mediatek processor. I've bought one, nonetheless because the price is cracking for the spec.

Can someone please tell me I REALLY do not need this? Preferably in quite strong terms.

Paid for shipping for a few electrical items from Gearbest and never been charged on customs. Just luck of the draw.

On these tablets, is it possible to put vanilla Android on them any way??

You will more than likely get charged customs with DHL.. Cancel quick!

You are more than welcome to mollycoddle the person by providing fake assurances and regurgitating the same advice, but it will not make the incoming request for charges from DHL go away!

​+1

Harsh...

Hows this compared to the galaxy s2 tablet which i have? Battery life isn the best on the s2

​Always free. You are least likely to be charged when it gets to the UK.

​If you chose DHL, there will almost certainly be customs charges.

From my orders with dhl the answer would be yes you will always use free mail.

Something to note: A factory sealed Mi Pad 3 will have China ROM with no Play Store. Gearbest mention it having Play Store and the screenshots suggest it's unofficial vendor ROM installed so the box will be opened. There is no Official Global ROM and considering there was never one for the Mi Pad 2, I'm not sure if there'll be one released in future. However, Xiaomi.eu have Mi Pad 3 ROM support which will be better than a vendor ROM.

I bought 2 with the DHL but there is any customs charges?

Within 24hrs

Which shipping option should I select? Standard (which is free) or flat rate shipping which is £0.37? Do you know which is most likely to avoid customs charges? Thanks

You need to drop a email here [email protected]geekbuying.com and with your order number and request a cancellation.

WANT! i am such a noob when it comes to ordering from china though, i will probably end up paying the extra and getting a galaxy s2 tablet :disappointed:

Cancelled my geekbuying order and ordered this instead hot.

Super hot ordered!

My quidco tracked not sure how much?

​certainly is, chuffed to bits :stuck_out_tongue:

​oh OK, I'm not a new customer, I just bought through topcashback & I got email saying tracked... no loss eh n good if you get it :grin:

Do gearbest have European distribution normally?

thanks just ordered got £15.43 tracked through topcashback too :wink:

Nice one

Link to previous deal

hotukdeals.com/dea…312

code worked for me huge saving.

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/zte-axon-7-4g-phablet-gray-185805105-android-6-0-5-5-inch-msm8996-quad-core-2ghz-2679198
A Gearbest HK warehouse deal posted by you for a £300+ phone. No mention of customs and VAT anywhere. Don't forget to also comment on that, letting others know to add those charges, since you haven't included them.

Don't forget to add customs and VAT as link points to HK Warehouse not EU Warehouse.

if someone bought this for me, set up a pop up shop i could walk into then i would buy it #scaredofchina

AHPAD3 only seems to work for Hong Kong shipping.