Xiaomi Mi Note Review Update: SIM troubles


xiaomi mi note

A few weeks back I posted my Xiaomi Mi Note review and gave it a good old thumbs up, but now I am faced with annoying issue.

The Xiaomi Mi Note remains one of my favourite phones of all time, but is now relegated as being my second device. The reason is partly due to the face the LeTV Le1 is so damn good and feels a little less fragile, but another reason is due to a failed SIM reader.

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The Xiaomi Mi Note has dual SIM support for LTE SIM cards, There is room in the SIM tray for a Micro and Nano SIM and from the day I received it I used the micro sim slot with my Vodafone LTE SIM card, but not anymore.

For some reason now the micro SIM tray has failed on my Mi Note. The phone still sees that there is a SIM inside but it will not connect to data or even allow phone calls to be made. Testing another SIM replicates the issue, yet those SIMs work fine in my LeTV Le1.

At present the Nano SIM in my Mi Note is still working fine. I will keep you updated with any other issues that might arise. Has any other Mi Note owner had a similar issue, or am I the only one?

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42 Comments

  1. SnowyCat
    August 4, 2015

    aww poor mi note 🙁

    • Slav
      August 10, 2015

      Problem is with bandwitch used with Your second sim The problem with mi note is can work on 4g only with one of the sims Second sim only work in 2g.
      If MiNote dont use correct bandwitch for 2g sim card not will be connect to network.
      Is not realy dual 4g
      For me dual 4g is when both sim cards working in same time in 4g
      U can swap 4g by switch data connection from sim 1 to sim 2 and opposite
      My and my girlfriend was has to work with 2 O2 UK network sims but was cuse problem only one sim was visible by network
      We was has to swap second sims for EE
      So both of us have now O2 UK AND EE UK SIMS

  2. Rob
    August 4, 2015

    Thats odd as my Lenovo z2 pro won’t connect to the 3G network on Vodafone but was fine on my ‘3’ sim, but even that is playing up on me now. I can only make calls/texts on it occasionally yet the sim works fine on the wifes xshot. Seller is adamant is a problem with the sim and not the phone, but I think the sim slot has developed a fault (about 2 weeks old). Perhaps the problem is more common than we realise!

    • August 4, 2015

      Ive tried 3UK, Vodafone Spain and China Unicom. It did work but not any more 🙁

      • Rob
        August 4, 2015

        Thats odd because mine worked perfectly on 3UK, put the Vodafone sim in and only 2G (when it felt like it). now the 3 sim only works sporadically on 3G and 4G has stopped working altogether. Went into the boot menu and run a 3G antenna test and it failed, suggesting the fault is with the phone and not the SIM (which I already knew). As usual Chinese resellers are reluctant to accept these issue even after sending them proof..

    • August 4, 2015

      Hey @disqus_UoWSAuyU5w:disqus, apart from the SIM reader problem, how is the Lenovo performing? Generally and even in gaming (if you do play games). I am still trying to figure out a 5.5″+ device to purchase that wont require me to break a bank.

      • Rob
        August 4, 2015

        Hi Michael, the phone itself is brilliant. I really am loving it, it’s very compact (no bigger than a 5.5″ phone) with excellent sound through the speaker. Apart from the sim issue and the music player constantly stopping I can’t really fault it. There is no lag and games are smooth as silk, I would say the phone does get quite warm but not uncomfortably so. Don’t know what I’m gonna do when I send it back as I will be phoneless again! Hopefully some decent helio X20 phones are on the horizon.

        • August 4, 2015

          I think I am gonna hold on some more for the Helio X20 phones to come out before deciding what to buy. Though I have my list of phones I am considering for purchase.

          Still holding on …

          • Rob
            August 5, 2015

            I think we’ll both still be holding on this time next year with manufacturers seemingly reluctant to release anything that isn’t 5.5″!

      • Sprime
        August 4, 2015

        have you looked into the Huawei Ascend Mate 7? I have no experience with it, but reviews say it’s really good, and every so often I play around with one in a store, and it feels glorious

  3. Kiswum
    August 4, 2015

    p.s. on the Redmi 2 it was a software failure in the Weekly release.
    This was solved in the Stable release.
    You can reply if you need more information about Xiaomi products, help, support and advise 😉

  4. Tim Watts
    August 4, 2015

    I´ve been an avid reader / lurker for a long time and just signed up to get your opinion Andi
    I´ve had a oneplus one since it first came out which I´ve really enjoyed but am now looking to change, I was interested in the oneplus two but like others am not really blown away with what’s on offer and the daft invite system, I gave up last time and bought direct from China.

    I´ve looked at the mi note and really like the look but have held off when reading that you prefer the Letv, this also looks a good choice but being a smaller brand and the few minor issue reported are keeping me from buying this now.

    I am not a gamer or heavy user but would like to have an improvement in the camera and quality of screen if possible from the oneplus one, which would you buy today given the choice ?
    Letv One
    Xiaomi mi Note

    Or wait for the oneplus two ?

    • August 4, 2015

      I’ve not tried the OP2 yet (hoping it will come next week) so far I would say the LeTV Le1 is to go for. That said I should have a LeTV Max waiting for me at the office which might sway me 😀

      Update: I have also read that initial impressions of the Op2 camera aren’t great.

      • Hoàng Vững
        August 4, 2015

        I follow you to choose Chinese smartphones 😛

      • amirexpressir
        August 5, 2015

        letv max is much more better…I had seen in chinese reviews…by the way,again another topic I mentioned..if you also like to see reviews and may consider adding points to your own later review, the review in chinese is 评测
        If you knew, you may use their reviews as reference for telling people how is each device before you getting it

      • Tim Watts
        August 5, 2015

        Thanks Andi
        I will wait for your review of the Op2 before jumping, just read the review about the MX5 which also looks good but way to ugly to be an option at least in my opinion.

  5. SnowyCat
    August 4, 2015

    aww poor mi note 🙁

    • Guest
      August 10, 2015

      Problem is with bandwitch used with Your second sim The problem with mi note is can work on 4g only with one of the sims Second sim only work in 2g.
      If MiNote dont use correct bandwitch for 2g sim card not will be connect to network.
      Is not realy dual 4g
      For me dual 4g is when both sim cards working in same time in 4g
      U can swap 4g by switch data connection from sim 1 to sim 2 and opposite
      My and my girlfriend was has to work with 2 O2 UK network sims but was cuse problem only one sim was visible by network
      We was has to swap second sims for EE
      So both of us have now O2 UK AND EE UK SIMS

  6. Rob
    August 4, 2015

    Thats odd as my Lenovo z2 pro won’t connect to the 3G network on Vodafone but was fine on my ‘3’ sim, but even that is playing up on me now. I can only make calls/texts on it occasionally yet the sim works fine on the wifes xshot. Seller is adamant is a problem with the sim and not the phone, but I think the sim slot has developed a fault (about 2 weeks old). Perhaps the problem is more common than we realise!

    • Andi Sykes
      August 4, 2015

      Ive tried 3UK, Vodafone Spain and China Unicom. It did work but not any more 🙁

    • Rob
      August 4, 2015

      Thats odd because mine worked perfectly on 3UK, put the Vodafone sim in and only 2G (when it felt like it). now the 3 sim only works sporadically on 3G and 4G has stopped working altogether. Went into the boot menu and run a 3G antenna test and it failed, suggesting the fault is with the phone and not the SIM (which I already knew). As usual Chinese resellers are reluctant to accept these issue even after sending them proof..

    • Andi Sykes
      August 4, 2015

      very odd

    • Michael Ogbonnaya
      August 4, 2015

      Hey @disqus_UoWSAuyU5w:disqus, apart from the SIM reader problem, how is the Lenovo performing? Generally and even in gaming (if you do play games). I am still trying to figure out a 5.5″+ device to purchase that wont require me to break a bank.

    • Rob
      August 4, 2015

      Hi Michael, the phone itself is brilliant. I really am loving it, it’s very compact (no bigger than a 5.5″ phone) with excellent sound through the speaker. Apart from the sim issue and the music player constantly stopping I can’t really fault it. There is no lag and games are smooth as silk, I would say the phone does get quite warm but not uncomfortably so. Don’t know what I’m gonna do when I send it back as I will be phoneless again! Hopefully some decent helio X20 phones are on the horizon.

    • Sprime
      August 4, 2015

      have you looked into the Huawei Ascend Mate 7? I have no experience with it, but reviews say it’s really good, and every so often I play around with one in a store, and it feels glorious

    • Michael Ogbonnaya
      August 5, 2015

      I think I am gonna hold on some more for the Helio X20 phones to come out before deciding what to buy. Though I have my list of phones I am considering for purchase.

      Still holding on …

    • Rob
      August 5, 2015

      I think we’ll both still be holding on this time next year with manufacturers seemingly reluctant to release anything that isn’t 5.5″!

  7. Guest
    August 4, 2015

    p.s. on the Redmi 2 it was a software failure in the Weekly release.
    This was solved in the Stable release.
    You can reply if you need more information about Xiaomi products, help, support and advise 😉

  8. Tim Watts
    August 4, 2015

    I´ve been an avid reader / lurker for a long time and just signed up to get your opinion Andi
    I´ve had a oneplus one since it first came out which I´ve really enjoyed but am now looking to change, I was interested in the oneplus two but like others am not really blown away with what’s on offer and the daft invite system, I gave up last time and bought direct from China.

    I´ve looked at the mi note and really like the look but have held off when reading that you prefer the Letv, this also looks a good choice but being a smaller brand and the few minor issue reported are keeping me from buying this now.

    I am not a gamer or heavy user but would like to have an improvement in the camera and quality of screen if possible from the oneplus one, which would you buy today given the choice ?
    Letv One
    Xiaomi mi Note

    Or wait for the oneplus two ?

    • Andi Sykes
      August 4, 2015

      I’ve not tried the OP2 yet (hoping it will come next week) so far I would say the LeTV Le1 is to go for. That said I should have a LeTV Max waiting for me at the office which might sway me 😀

      Update: I have also read that initial impressions of the Op2 camera aren’t great.

    • Hoàng Vững
      August 5, 2015

      I follow you to choose Chinese smartphones 😛

    • amirexpressir
      August 5, 2015

      letv max is much more better…I had seen in chinese reviews…by the way,again another topic I mentioned..if you also like to see reviews and may consider adding points to your own later review, the review in chinese is 评测
      If you knew, you may use their reviews as reference for telling people how is each device before you getting it

    • Tim Watts
      August 5, 2015

      Thanks Andi
      I will wait for your review of the Op2 before jumping, just read the review about the MX5 which also looks good but way to ugly to be an option at least in my opinion.

  9. August 5, 2015

    My wife uses 2 SIM (china unicom and china mobile) on the Mi Note and they both work well.

  10. Kiswum
    August 5, 2015

    My tips for you were removed, but I’m wondering if it helped you to get the answer.
    Were you able to check if the problem is solved with another software release?

  11. mike
    August 5, 2015

    My wife uses 2 SIM (china unicom and china mobile) on the Mi Note and they both work well.

  12. Guest
    August 5, 2015

    My tips for you were removed, but I’m wondering if it helped you to get the answer.
    Were you able to check if the problem is solved with another software release?

  13. Frank Wu
    August 6, 2015

    Andi
    Just don’t understand why you pick the LeTV Le1 as a good buy since there are many complaints from other forums regarding GPS, Calls, Contacts, etc., Are you using the stock ROM or a third party one?

  14. Frank Wu
    August 6, 2015

    Andi
    Just don’t understand why you pick the LeTV Le1 as a good buy since there are many complaints from other forums regarding GPS, Calls, Contacts, etc., Are you using the stock ROM or a third party one?

  15. Andi Lam
    August 30, 2015

    Andi
    Have you tried the p8 max? I think that will be my next choice. Currently using a mi note and a G4 dual, personal I think the mi note is much better for every day use.

  16. Andi Lam
    August 30, 2015

    Andi
    Have you tried the p8 max? I think that will be my next choice. Currently using a mi note and a G4 dual, personal I think the mi note is much better for every day use.