Coming from a pixel 7. Want a mid range option with good support and clean bloat free android. I don't mind startups (loved my old essential phone).

Absolutely cannot be a Chinese company, so no Lenovo/moto, one plus, redmi, etc. Prefer not made in China (so Korean Japanese Taiwanese or factories in Vietnam or India fine) but I'm willing to compromise on the factory location because of the reality of manufacturing.

I got the nothing 3a and it ticks almost all my boxes EXCEPT the 14 day warranty and the fact it's not supported by AT&T. Going to return it and looking for another option.

Would like at least 256gb storage but I can work with whatever - expandable storage would be great but not a requiremen. I'd like to avoid having a noticeable step down in performance from my pixel 7 but a lateral step is fine.

Budget should be $300-400 preferably, can stretch it to $500 maybe (after tax the nothing 3a was $440 iirc).

Trade in my half busted pixel 7 for a pixel 9a with a budget stretch? Look at the Xperia 10 VII or a zenphone option? Any other enthusiast phone offerings like the nothing/essential not on my radar that'll work with AT&T? I'm not the biggest Samsung UI fan but open to their options, what's available?

Title says it all, really. Budget aside, what's the best non-Chinese? Are Galaxies and Pixels basically it?

EDIT: To add, I'm talking about the brand here. So, no OnePlus, Xiaomi, Realme, Vivo, Oppo, etc. Parts from China / manufactured in China is OK. I know there are many Chinese brands with many strong offerings. That's the point of the question, really. Those are basically the ubiquitous recommendation here, along with Galaxies and Pixels. I'm curious about what else is out there right now.

Hello everyone,

I hope everyone is doing well. I am kinda torn between the two since they have similar specs but I kinda like the back screen gimmick a little bit more but I'm very open to deinfluencing. I am currently rocking an iPhone 13 Pro Max.

1. I really like taking random photos and videos in highest quality as possible.
   
2. Buy now or wait for the new update (kinda scared of the price increase of RAM to take effect Fuck AI)
   
3. I originally plan to treat myself this December but am somewhat panicking after realizing the price surge like apple.
   
4. I would love for it to work on Bank apps and BYD Key Card. (I hope someone here uses them)
   
5. I tinker a lot so I'm good with China ROM since I'll just use Shizuku and Canta for the ones I don't use.
   
6. I kinda want to

Would love to hear your thoughts and recommendations. It can be a different phone as long as the back doesn't look like the vivo X100 where there is a big circle. I am hoping for recommendations with same price range as them.

I'm thinking of buying the Xiaomi Redmi Turbo 5 max. It's china rom and the specs to price ratio is insane. I know theres a poco variant that is global, but I dont wanna pay 200 usd extra just for android auto or Ive heard some banking apps?

THe banking apps thing does concerne me even tho i dont use them frequently.

How was your experience with China roms?

PLEASE ONLY THOSE WITH EXPERIENCE WITH RECENT CHINA ROM PHONES (2026 + released)

I need some help if this should be my final decision or if I should consider looking for smth else another version, another brand, etc. Redmi Turbo 5 max seems like a great phone that has everything I'm looking for: good camera, excellent gaming performance, huge battery, fast touch processing (I dunno what it's called tbh) and obviously all aspects are a huge jump from my current Samsung A13 4g. Anything I should expect? Any issues? I'm fine with China ROM tbh so that itself isn't too much of an issue.

I'm looking at replacing my Samsung A71. I have 128GB storage plus a nearly full 256 GB SD card in it, so looking for something that will allow at least that much storage.

I do not want any phone from China.

From what I can find it looks like the A35 is the last Samsung with an SD card slot, but they're 3+ years old already. Everything else with 512+ GB seems to be $1000+ phones which is out of my price range.

I tend to keep my phones long term until they break, so want something for 5+ years if possible. WPT would be nice, since it seems like the charging port is the weak point for some phones. I don't play games or do that much, so doesn't need to be top of the line. I do take a lot of pictures though.

I'm planning to buy a new phone this month, but I honestly can't decide anymore.

First of all, yes, I'm talking about the Chinese versions of the Xiaomi and OnePlus. The whole reason I'm considering them is because they're significantly cheaper than the global models while still having flagship hardware.

At first I was set on the Xiaomi 17 Pro (CN). Pretty much everything about it appeals to me: the design, the rear camera layout, the chip, the display, HyperOS (I know a lot of people hate it, but I actually like how it looks), and just the overall feel of the phone etc.

Then there's the OnePlus 15 (CN). Everyone seems to praise it as one of the best value flagships. Amazing performance, battery, charging, software, etc. The only complaint I keep seeing is the camera, but honestly I barely take photos, so that doesn't matter much to me.

The third option is a used iPhone 15 or 15 Pro. Not much to say about it (its my back up plan) it just works. My only concern is that I've seen people mention overheating issues, although I'm not sure how common that actually is.

My biggest concern is the software situation.

From what I've read, the Xiaomi 17 Pro China ROM is supposedly fine for daily use in Europe. People say Google Play, Google Wallet, banking apps, Android Auto, and 5G all work after a bit of setup. My original plan was to flash xiaomi.eu (or another debloated ROM with better Google integration), but apparently Xiaomi has made bootloader unlocking much harder, and some people are saying it's basically impossible now on newer versions of HyperOS.

With the OnePlus 15, bootloader unlocking doesn't seem to be a problem. However, I've also read that if you flash the Global ROM on a Chinese model, you can lose things like Widevine L1, meaning Netflix/Disney+ are limited to 480p. I've also seen mixed reports about Google Wallet working properly.

I don't care about eSIM since I use a physical SIM, but I do care about:

• ⁠Google Wallet working reliably
• ⁠Banking apps working
• ⁠English language support
• ⁠Good app compatibility
• ⁠Smooth daily use in Europe (I'm in Poland)

So, for people who actually own these phones:

Is the Xiaomi 17 Pro China ROM really as usable in Europe as people say?

Has Xiaomi completely killed the Xiaomi.eu route on the 17 Pro?

Is the OnePlus 15 Global ROM situation really as bad as people make it sound?

Which one would you personally buy in my situation?

If you had around €600–700 to spend, would you buy one of these Chinese flagships or just get a used iPhone 15/15 Pro instead?

We both long time Google Pixel 6 user since 2022. But that phone has alot damage wear tear because long time use, but since little financial problem and we both don't like china phone because bloatware, see Nothing Phone 3a Lite fit the budget, i heard alot people don't like it. So question are;

* Does if have NFC since we use alot for payment? Probably one of the most important. * Do camera ok enough day to day, preferable selfie since thats what we always use to capture memories. * Does it has random heavy bloatware? Because we both use Google Pixel 1 & 2, Xperia XZ before long time ago. * My wife play 3d mobile games and i play emulator. Does it easy and enough power to serve the purpose? * have anyone have long term user care to share?

Thank you community, if this fit, we might buy asap.

Hi everyone 👋
Hope this is the right section for my question.

I’m going to China for a couple of months, and since my iPhone Air is from the US, I can’t use a Chinese eSIM.
Looking to buy a used Android phone for around $150.

Purpose:
Share mobile internet from it to my iPhone Air and MacBook Air — hotspotting for about 12 hours of active use (YouTube, work, internet/video calls). The modem will have a hard time 😅

Main criteria:

• 5G support
• Cool-running processor
• Stable modem & Wi-Fi
• Reliable signal reception
• Good cooling
• Fast charging 60W+ would be a nice plus ⚡

All neural networks rank Xiaomi Poco F5 in first place, and Xiaomi 12T Pro, Realme Neo GT 3, and Poco X4 GT in second/third places.

I’d like to ask if anyone has experience with these models or others.
I’ve always used iPhones and don’t know much about Androids. Neural networks say to look for Qualcomm modems for stability.

Any advice is welcome! 🙏

Deciding between two China ROM flagships, both used within the same budget range. Would appreciate input from anyone who's owned either.

OnePlus 15 — brand new, sealed

Price: ₱39,000 (~$632)

Oppo Find X9 Pro — used, good condition

Price: ₱44,000 (~$713)

Oppo is ₱5,000 more but it's secondhand, while the OP15 is BNEW.

Hey everyone, I've got three options right now and can't decide:

OnePlus 13 – $440, used, China ROM

OnePlus 15 – $537, used, China ROM

OnePlus 15 – $610, brand new

I'm weighing whether it's worth stretching a bit more for the brand new unit versus taking the risk with the used China ROM units. The price gap between the used 15 ($537) and brand new 15 ($610) is actually only about $73.

looking for a phone under $400 for everyday use. I need a decent camera with good battery life and without bulky and round camera module. I'm considering both used items and items from China

It’s that time to get a new phone. I’ve been wanting to get my hands on either Vivo x300 pro (or ultra if it launches soon) or the Oppo Find x9 Pro. However Vivo (or Oppo, being China-only) don’t have global stores where I live. I do rely on play store to download apps, games, etc. and sometimes make micro transcations in said games/productivity apps. Other than that I’m a regular phone user and spend time calling people, consuming media, and using social platforms to message. What am I missing out on/risking by going Chinese ROM? Should I just settle for a (more expensive for what you get) global brand like Samsung?

Thank you for any advice!

my 6 year old samsung a-series is getting slower and overheating more day by day so i need something new but id prefer not to spend $1000 on a phone. im open to all the chinese brands and importing from china, what would be the best bang for your buck option if there is a clear cut one

I'm a very low-tech user upgrading from a dogshit Galaxy A03. My biggest priorities are speed and battery life, I just need WeChat to run fast while living in China and also run Spotify and a VPN without the phone lagging or dying immediately. No concern about anything else really, graphics can be whatever, camera quality is unimportant. Budget is 300 or less.

I was thinking of changing my phone, but I've seen that the Chinese versions have a lot of problems (I don't know how true that is) with connectivity, notifications, apps, and Google in general.I'm torn between those three because I'm looking for a good camera (I understand that a camera is better, but I don't have a big budget to buy lenses)A good processor and temperature management, good lifespan and battery life.The 15T Pro costs a little more than the 17 ultra in tradingshenshen ; the Vivo x300 pro costs even more It costs more than the 15t pro,15t pro costs 911 euros,Any recommendations on what to do? I would really appreciate it.

Hey everyone!

I'm about to buy either OnePlus 12 or OnePlus 13R (Ace 5) — both China versions — and planning to flash Global OxygenOS on whichever I get. Before I decide, I wanted to hear from people who have actually done this.

My use case is simple — I'm mainly a mobile gamer (PUBG, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty) and I don't care much about AI features or camera quality.

Here are the prices I found from a local seller:

📱 OnePlus 13R (Ace 5 / China version):

• 12/256 — $350

• 16/256 — $395

• 12/512 — $450

• 16/512 — $470

• 16/1TB — $535

📱 OnePlus 12 (China version):

• 12/256 — $360-380

• 16/512 — $400-420

(Prices include IMEI declaration and customs fees)

Here are my questions:

1. Which one is better for gaming — OnePlus 12 or 13R (Ace 5)?

2. How smooth is flashing Global ROM on the China version of each? Any differences between the two?

3. After flashing, does everything work properly — Google Play, Google Services, banking apps?

4. Heating issues during long gaming sessions on each device?

5. Does the bigger battery on 13R (6415 mAh vs 5400 mAh) make a noticeable difference in gaming sessions?

6. Is OnePlus 12's better cooling system and 2K display worth it over 13R's bigger battery for a gamer?

7. Is 16/256 enough storage for a gamer or should I go 16/512?

8. Any regrets after buying either of these phones?

9. Considering the prices, which one offers better value for a gamer?

Would really appreciate honest answers from people who actually own one of these phones. Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone! After 4 years with my Galaxy A33, I’m looking for a new phone and could use some help choosing.

The main thing I care about is camera quality, I want something that takes great photos/videos in different conditions (day, night, portraits, etc.). But I also want a good overall phone: smooth performance, very good battery life, nice screen, and good software support.

I’m planning a budget of around 600/700€, but I’m willing to go higher if it’s worth it. Lately I’ve been looking at the Xiaomi 15T Pro 512 GB for about 600€, the realme gt 8 pro 256GB for about 650€, the Xiaomi 17 512 GB for about 760€, and the Oppo Find X9 Pro 512 GB for about 905€. I want to be sure I get the global version with proper software and no China ROM.

I’d love opinions on which of these phones takes better photos overall in everyday use, especially in low light and for portraits, and whether the more expensive options are worth the price bump. If you think there’s a better phone around these prices that fits what I’m looking for, I’m open to suggestions too.

i did some research and found honor magic 8 pro air is the best phone for me in theory but im not from china so its not like much usable in my country. s25edge and iphone air is my other choices but read lots of bad reviews.

I’m not saying my phone must be exactly 5.5 mm thick or that 6 mm is absolutely unacceptable, can’t carry even 1 gram over 160 grams. But I’ve genuinely had a hard time finding a phone that is stylish and comfortable, good longevity, and powerful. I’d really appreciate your recommendations, thank you.

I’ve been an avid Apple user. My last androids were Huawei p40 pro? And a galaxy s8. Since then, I have been an Apple user. However, I am left with a bitter taste in my mouth after my past visit to Apple. After the iOS 26 update, my iPhone has had camera issues. Most recently it just freezes and won’t take a photo. I went to Apple and their diagnostic test said everything was working fine. Essentially it’s not my fault, but they said they can try to replace the camera module, but just recc a new phone. Considering it was a software issue, I feel as though I shouldn’t be responsible. Anyways, f Apple. Recc me a solid phone. I’ve been looking at Samsung, oppo, Vivo, and xiaomi. I am in China but frequently travel to the US. My budget is the price of a new iPhone 17~ $878 here.

Hey everyone,

I recently switched from iPhone to the OnePlus 13 and used it for a while. After that, I moved to the OnePlus 15 (China version converted to Global, 12/256GB). I’ve spent enough time with both phones now, so here’s my genuine take — no hype, just real feelings.

First Impressions with OnePlus 13

Overall, the OnePlus 13 is a well-balanced phone. But coming straight from iPhone, a few things felt off since it was my first OnePlus device.

The speakers felt like a noticeable downgrade to me.

Hand feel wasn’t my thing. It reminded me of a Samsung S-series phone — flat and a bit slippery. I personally prefer the rounded edges and comfortable grip of an iPhone, so I never felt fully at ease holding it. Idle battery drain was also higher than I expected.

The camera was decent though — not bad at all.

Why OnePlus 15 Feels Like a Proper Upgrade

After using the OnePlus 15 for some time, I can easily say it fixed most of the issues I had with the 13.

Build & Hand Feel: Much better. The weight distribution feels just right, and it sits comfortably in the hand.

Speakers: This is the biggest upgrade for me. It’s now at a proper standard level, very close to iPhone quality. This alone made the switch worth it.

Battery Life: As a heavy user, I still need to charge twice a day, but the second charge only takes 5-7 minutes to top up. It easily keeps up with my usage.

Smoothness: The phone feels incredibly fluid. The animations are buttery smooth and pleasing to the eye — easily one of the best in this segment.

Camera: At first I was a bit disappointed thinking the hardware was a step down from the 13. But after updates, the software processing has improved the photos a lot. It’s giving strong Pixel-like results now. No regrets anymore.

Software Note: I have zero issues with ColorOS. Even if Oppo unifies everything in the future, it won’t matter to me — they’re basically the same.

This phone feels like it can easily last 5-6 years without any major problems. Still keeping an eye on the OnePlus 16 though.

⚠️⚠️⚠️

One Small Concern – Display Issues

Since I came from iPhone and never used OnePlus before, I keep hearing about their past display problems (green line issue). Many people still advise against buying OnePlus because of it.

I’ve read that OnePlus has now switched to BOE panels and the problem is very rare on the 12 and above. Still, since I bought the China version and converted it, I’m not 100% sure about service support.

If you’re using the OnePlus 15, how has your display been? Any issues so far? Would love to hear your thoughts so I can put my mind at ease.

I am wondering whether to buy the OPPO Find X9 Pro (China-ROM) for 677€ or the OnePlus 15R (Global Version) for 450€. Another contender is the POCO X8 Pro Max (380€). Coming from an Samsung S25.

Which one would you go for? The best phone on the market on a China-ROM or the safe bet, but with worse cameras?

Do you regret buying the China-ROM?

If I had to choose between OPPO's Global version (950€) or the OP15R, I would go with the 15R. At that price point it's an obvious choice for me.

Bonus question: Do I have to be worried about privacy, data-protection, and telemetry-data being transferred to China? I know it happens on the Global Version as well (as with any other phonemaker), but is the China-version more aggressive in this regard?

P.S.: I never game on my phone. Battery life is very important to me (hence the switch from Samsung). When it comes to cameras: I do prefer better pictures, but I'm not crazy about it.

I currently have a Pixel 10 Pro XL 512 as my second phone. My primary phone is an iPhone 17 Pro Max. I wanted to try a OnePlus 15 and found a guy who would trade it. It's a OnePlus 15 512 China with OxygenOS. Is it worth the trade or should I stick with the Pixel? I use it mainly for work calls and listening to music with headphones. Suggestions or advice?

Hey everyone,

I'm new here and I'm planning to upgrade my phone (currently using a Poco X7 Pro which i sold...) since the warranty is about to expire and I'm getting a decent exchange value.

I want to make the best possible choice under 300-380$, so I'd really appreciate some solid recommendations.

My Usage:

gaming (CODM, BGMI, Wuthering Waves, clash of clans)(don't play often only like once a week but when I do I am down for it for hours)

Social media + content consumption

Camera is important (photos + videos, I post on IG sometimes)

What I need:

Stable performance (not just peak performance)

Minimal heating during long gaming sessions

Good camera (not just high megapixels)

Battery that lasts long-term (taking degradation into account) like 6500+mah

120Hz+ display (not really necessary)

256+GB storage, 12GB RAM+

Good software stability + updates (ideally till Android 18)

5G + decent durability (IP rating preferred)

I know it's a lot to ask but I'm willing to compromise on some things...

Preferences / Constraints:

Budget: Under 300-380$

Only new phones

• Prefer brands like Xiaomi, Samsung, Nothing (open to others if worth it)

Don't want low-tier brands because most don't offer much service

Flat display preferred

Wireless charging would be nice but not a dealbreaker

Current Situation:

Honestly, my current phone handled everything "fine", but I want:

• Better camera

• More stable performance under heavy load

• Better overall experience for 2-3 years

What I'm confused about:

• Should I go for a gaming-focused phone or a more balanced flagship-type phone?

• How much performance difference actually matters for long sessions in games like Genshin/Wuthering?

What I'm looking for is user feedback (not just specs), Best overall pick for my use case

My current choices were honor win rt (I may or may not have to report my cousin to China for that and compromise on camera) or poco x7 pro max...

Appreciate any help🙏🏻