The specs look nice, but then you have to factor in zero support! Not a high volume device, so even the modders will not be much help, Add to the fact you can get a Nexus for $309, If I am paying that money, I will pay extra for piece of mind! I have blown $50 on the odd Chinese doodad (those android sticks are awesome) but $200 is real money, I will miss if the phone craps out!

It is always the case for these xxx bashing. I remember in the early 70s, made in japan meant bad quality, then taiwan/hong/korea then now china.

would i buy this particular one ? probably not when a S2X on Koodo is running lower than it at local store with good return policy. But no-name made in china === bad ?

I'm sure a lot of people will make fun of me for this, but here is what I use: http://android-sale.com/goopho.....phone.html
It has been a great phone since day one and there are a few REALLY good custom roms for it. For $200, I couldn't be happier. The antutu test for mine is 3600. Its an extra $30 for 32gb (which is what I have).

I'm not laughing, but I do chuckle when people say all Chinese no-name stuff is junk. Some might be, but a lot of no name stuff comes down the same line the name stuff comes down, the name just doesn't go on. Apple's junk is made by Foxconn. In the PC world, Foxconn makes unexciting, entry level OEM stuff that will probably work OK for a few years but not much more than that. So how is that Apple's hardware would be so great but unbranded stuff coming down the same line would be junk? It's like people who buy Japanese stuff, because conventional wisdom says it's better, then they're shocked to find out that a lot of Japanese electronic and gas powered equipment is now made in, wow, China! The Chinese aren't stupid, they know they can't make junk and continue to get work from the Apples and Hondas of the world. They also know they can make more money selling this stuff direct, which is going to continue to expand through places like Deal Extreme. The way of the world today. Not a good way, and not my choice, but there it is.

how many phones that are not made in china ? all apples stuff AFAIK are all made there(well assembled there)

Maybe so, but I'm talking about the no name phones like the OP mentioned that he saw on Ebay.

Thanks everyone

Ppl are selling Samsung galaxy 2 and waiting for the nexus 4 so you may find a cheap sg2

You can easily find a sg2 for only 250 or even cheaper

Pretty risky purchase spending $280 for a no-name brand phone without any idea about it's quality or reliability. Buy name brand.

Your wife has some pretty basic needs so for $280 you can get some pretty good phones locally. You can buy from Futureshop or Best Buy a Virgin Mobile Samsung Galaxy II for $99 or LG Optimus L5 for $29 with the balance on SuperTab of $150. Sign up for a no-contract monthly plan at FS or BB and before the month is up call up Virgin and ask to convert to prepaid and pay off the $150 Tab. Unlock phone online for $15 from FastGSM.com.

Total cost $265 for Galaxy II or $195 for L5 not including the $50 gift card.

Get your phone there

That phone is probably from dealextreme anyways, and just drop shipped.

And you get that websites warranty, and you get product reviews.

The phone is for my wife. Her needs are
- low talk minutes/month, maybe 10-15 minutes/month
- interested in being able to browse and check email when out and about
- touch screen, doesn't care for a hardware keyboard
- I might be able to sell her on some apps, like Navigation though she's not a techie
- otherwise her go-to device is an iPad with wifi but no 3G
- she has a prepaid non-smartphone now at $10/month with Telus
- her preference is an iPhone but that's too expensive to acquire even used

Any flaws in my plan to bring an unlocked Chinese Android 4.1 phone to SO's data plan? Anyone else had success with this approach?

thanks.

P.S. Example of Android phone from China on eBay.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/2710702.....554wt_1056