Don't get your hopes up for a OnePlus 13T release in the US.

      The expectations for a notable smartphone from an Eastern brand entering the US market have taken another hit. OnePlus recently unveiled a compact flagship device in China, generating some excitement internationally, but the company has dashed the hopes of fans in the US and Europe.

      Celina Shi and Spenser Blank, marketing executives for the company's operations in Europe and the US, respectively, informed The Verge that the OnePlus 13T will not be available in these regions. Interestingly, the device is set to launch in India as the OnePlus 13s in the coming weeks.

      What sets it apart?

      The OnePlus 13T marks the brand's first small phone in years, following the OnePlus X, which was released a decade ago. It’s considered small only by Android standards, as the OnePlus 13T is still marginally taller, wider, and thicker than the iPhone 16.

      The differences are minimal, with widths of 71.7mm compared to 71.6mm and thicknesses of 8.15mm versus 7.80mm. Nonetheless, the OnePlus device provides several features that enhance its appeal despite its smaller size, surpassing the competition.

      It boasts an impressive 6,260 mAh battery with 80W fast charging, along with a 6.32-inch OLED display (larger than that of the iPhone 15) featuring a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 1,600 nits. The rear has two 50-megapixel cameras, while a 16-megapixel sensor handles selfies and video calls.

      Why won’t it be available in the US?

      OnePlus has not explicitly stated why it is not releasing this exciting phone in the US market, but various market dynamics might have influenced this decision. The company recently raised the price of its $330 OnePlus Watch 3 to $500 due to tariff-related issues, but has readjusted it to $350 for the US.

      The company's experience with its budget-oriented Nord series phones has been similar, with the majority of those devices sold in Asian markets and only a few variants making it to the US.

      In the case of the OnePlus 13T, while it is disappointing, the situation is not entirely unexpected. Notably, before committing to the phone's launch in India, the company published a report in partnership with Counterpoint Research that highlighted strong market demand for compact, powerful smartphones.

      Additionally, the US market's carrier-centric sales approach and the strong presence of major brands like Apple and Samsung complicate matters. The competition is tough, especially in the small phone segment, where the iPhone 16 and Samsung Galaxy S25 present a smaller size than the OnePlus 13T in all dimensions.

      Carrier agreements, trade-in offers, and substantial discounts create even more challenges for new entrants like OnePlus, even if their devices are highly competitive. It will be intriguing to see if OnePlus changes its strategy in the future.