Four Chinese smartphones I wish were offered in the US.

Four Chinese smartphones I wish were offered in the US.

      I’m concluding a two-week journey in China that has taken me to two cities, allowed me to attend the Oppo Find X8 Ultra launch, and visit Huaqiangbei, the most dynamic technology market in the world. During my time at Huaqiangbei, I encountered $9 AirPods Pro, which were surprising, and a $12 Apple Watch Series 10, which was quite strange.

      This trip also gave me the chance to explore numerous smartphones that aren’t readily available globally. Brands like Xiaomi, Huawei, Oppo, and Vivo are not present in many countries, and even when they are, their top models often don't reach Western markets, being exclusively for local Chinese consumers.

      Here are four Chinese smartphones that I wish were accessible worldwide.

      **Huawei Pura X**

      Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends

      The most distinctive phone is also the most recent. Introduced a few weeks ago, the Huawei Pura X reimagines the design for premium flip phones. Devices like the Motorola Razr and the Galaxy Z Flip 6 have substantial front displays that unfold into conventional smartphone-sized screens.

      The Pura X offers a refreshingly novel design: its cover display is smaller than those of Samsung and Motorola at 3.5 inches, yet it is intended for horizontal use, with the cameras entirely separate from the display. Upon unfolding, it reveals a 6.3-inch screen that is smaller than its competitors but crucially, it is significantly wider.

      Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends

      Before trying it, I initially thought it might not be very practical. However, it's the perfect design, especially for those who enjoy watching films, reading, or browsing social media. While a wider display might not be the most ergonomic, it's the first time we've seen a company try to merge the flip and book-style folding phone designs.

      Its uniqueness warrants it a place among the best folding phones, simply for that reason.

      **Oppo Find N5**

      Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends

      I have already reviewed the Oppo Find N5, and it’s the folding phone I consistently carry with me. Its main drawback? It’s only available in China and Singapore.

      As the world’s thinnest folding phone, it builds on the successful OnePlus Open, adding numerous improvements, including a triple camera setup (with two 50MP sensors), stylus compatibility on both screens, and IPX8/IPX9 water resistance. It boasts the largest main display on a folding phone at 8.12 inches, powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, and features a 5,600 mAh battery with 80W wired and 50W wireless charging capabilities.

      Nirave Gondhia / Digital Trends

      All of this is housed in an incredibly slim body measuring just 4.21 mm when unfolded and 8.9 mm when folded. For context, the latter is over 3mm thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and less than 1 mm thicker than the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra. The Find N5 demonstrates that compromises aren't always necessary with folding phones.

      **Xiaomi 15 Ultra**

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      Moving from folding devices to non-folding models, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a camera powerhouse. Announced at MWC 2025 in February, it is the latest in a series of Xiaomi Ultra phones focused on photography.

      It features a total of five cameras: a 50MP main camera, a 50MP ultrawide camera, and a time-of-flight 3D depth sensor. Additionally, there's a 50MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom, along with a secondary 200MP periscope telephoto lens providing a unique 4.3x optical zoom.

      Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      The most intriguing aspect is the optional photography kit, which encases the phone in protective housing, turning it into a handheld camera complete with zoom triggers and a metal camera ring. Among the phones on this list, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is accessible in the most countries, including the UK, but it is not available in the US.

      **Vivo X200 Pro**

      Tushar Mehta / Digital Trends

      Next up from one photography champion to another: the Vivo X200 Pro. It will soon be joined by the Vivo X200 Ultra, but the X200 Pro brings together the best features of other Ultra phones in a more affordable Pro model.

      It includes a 50MP main camera paired with a 50MP ultrawide camera and a 200MP periscope telephoto camera that delivers 3.7x optical zoom. This unique focal length is interesting, and while I haven’t spent enough time with it to evaluate the camera performance, the rear finish on the blue version is notably different.

      Vivo X200 Pro Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

      Its glass finish features a wavy underneath pattern that

Four Chinese smartphones I wish were offered in the US. Four Chinese smartphones I wish were offered in the US. Four Chinese smartphones I wish were offered in the US. Four Chinese smartphones I wish were offered in the US. Four Chinese smartphones I wish were offered in the US. Four Chinese smartphones I wish were offered in the US. Four Chinese smartphones I wish were offered in the US. Four Chinese smartphones I wish were offered in the US.

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Four Chinese smartphones I wish were offered in the US.

The US offers some excellent smartphones, but many of the top models are exclusive to certain regions or only available in China. Here are four Chinese smartphones that I wish were offered in the US.