Jumping ship. I cannot recommend this phone at present

[Papamalo]

Basically it was a great deal on paper, and had the specs I wanted in a new phone.

Minimum 5.8 inch bezel-less display
Minimum 6GB RAM
Snapdragon 835, or comparable
Minimum 12 MP camera
Minimum 3400 MaH battery
Minimum 64 GB internal storage
Quality build

But in the end, lousy google app integration runed everything, and unless some miracle ROM appears, or people in the four forums I am begging in become more interactive with me, (XDA, MiUi, Android Central, and here) I plan to return the phone and I am looking into the OnePlus 5T because it has all those specs, but at a higher price.
For my money, Xiaomi really mucked this one up.
OnePlus Here I come. (I hope)

 

[bcrichster]

I was wondering about those devices, plus the Custom ROMs scene for them seem plagued with issues and bugs..

 

[Dannydet]

China phones are bad news

 

[Deleted User]

Judging by the activity in this forum, you seem to be in a very small minority of owners.
I think your plan of going for something more mainstream is a good one, if you're not happy with it. At least you'll get more support.

 

[lunatic59]

But in the end, lousy google app integration runed everything

Xiaomi really mucked this one up.

Unfortunately you're going to find this on most phones intended for the Chinese market. China doesn't Google.

 

[mikedt]

Of course when I buy and use China phones in the PRC, Google app integration is not exactly a priority for me and is never considered.

I have Play Store and Google Maps and that's it, both of which require a VPN to use them though.

 

[dontpanicbobby]

OT: What do you teach @mikedt?

 

[mikedt]

OT: What do you teach @mikedt?

I teach English in middle school, and have been teaching 7th grade for the last 2 years. English is a core mandatory subject, in addition to Mandarin, Maths, Science, Marxist Theory etc.