The 6 Best Phones You Can’t Get in the US (2025)
▼ Summary
– The Xiaomi Poco F7 offers high-end specs like a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, a 6,500 mAh battery, and an IP68 rating for $366.
– The Oppo Find N5 is the world’s slimmest foldable with excellent displays and top-tier hardware but is not available in the UK or Europe.
– The Realme 14 Pro+ provides premium features like an IP68/69 rating and a 6,000 mAh battery for €530, though it has a limited chipset and no wireless charging.
– The Honor Magic 7 RSR, designed with Porsche, includes upgrades like 24 GB RAM and 1 TB storage but doesn’t justify its high £1,550 price.
– Phones to avoid include the Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G and Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 due to issues like bloatware, underwhelming cameras, or limited availability.
For mobile enthusiasts looking beyond the usual US offerings, the global market holds some truly compelling devices that never make it stateside. From powerhouse performers to innovative foldables, these phones deliver impressive features and value, even if acquiring them requires a bit more effort.
Xiaomi’s Poco F7 stands out as a remarkable package for around $366. It pairs a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor with a vibrant 6.83-inch AMOLED display and a massive 6,500 mAh battery. The device doesn’t cut corners, offering Wi-Fi 7, an IP68 rating, and 256GB of fast UFS 4.1 storage. Its 50MP Sony main camera impresses, though the ultrawide and selfie sensors are less remarkable. Available in silver, white, or black, it’s a solid step up from its predecessor.
The Oppo Find N5, priced near $1,265, is the world’s slimmest book-style foldable at just 3.6mm when open. Its 6.62-inch outer and 8.12-inch inner screens are superb, and it’s loaded with top-tier specs including a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, 16GB RAM, and 512GB storage. Battery life is strong at 5,600 mAh, with 80W wired and 50W wireless charging. The triple camera setup is capable but not class-leading, and software issues along with regional unavailability may deter buyers.
Xiaomi also offers the Poco F7 Ultra and F7 Pro, priced at £569 and £449 respectively. The Ultra model introduces flagship traits like the Snapdragon 8 Elite, a high-res 120Hz display, and 50W wireless charging. The Pro is more conventional, with a older chipset and fewer premium features. Both run HyperOS 2 with noticeable bloat, though Xiaomi promises four Android upgrades.
Realme’s 14 Pro+ at €530 features a playful color-shifting finish and a spec sheet that includes a 6.83-inch OLED, IP68/69 rating, and a 6,000 mAh battery. Its Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip and lack of wireless charging hold it back somewhat, but it remains a stylish and capable mid-ranger.
The Xiaomi 15 (£899) offers a compact alternative to the Ultra model, with a 6.36-inch screen and high-end internals. Its design is understated, and it shares the same software drawbacks as other Xiaomi devices.
Honor’s Magic 7 RSR, a Porsche-designed variant priced at £1,550, upgrades the 7 Pro with more RAM, storage, and a larger battery. The hexagonal camera module and improved telephoto lens are nice, but the premium is hard to justify.
Oppo’s Find X8 Pro (£800) marks a return to Western markets with a quad 50MP camera array, strong battery performance, and robust build quality. However, it feels like a slight step down from previous Ultra models and carries some bloatware.
The Honor 200 Pro has dropped to £360, making its capable triple-camera system and useful AI features much more appealing. Battery life and charging speeds are also strong points.
Xiaomi’s first flip phone, the Mix Flip, is now £629, far more reasonable than its original £1,099 price. It offers bright screens, good battery life, and smooth performance, though it lacks some flip-specific software enhancements.
Nubia’s Z70 Ultra (£649) is a powerhouse with a Snapdragon 8 Elite, huge battery, and versatile cameras, but inconsistent imaging and mediocre software support temper its appeal.
The Xiaomi 14T Pro (£465) is a well-rounded device with a large display, reliable performance, and good battery life, though it lacks wireless charging and has some pre-installed apps.
OnePlus’ Nord 4 (£310) features a metal unibody, excellent screen, and handy AquaTouch functionality. It’s held back by no wireless charging and a mediocre ultrawide camera.
Some phones, however, are best avoided. The Oppo Reno 13 Pro 5G (£620) offers a bright screen and useful AI tools but can’t match the performance of similarly priced rivals. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 ($1,399) is sleek and powerful but held back by a visible crease and software not optimized for global use.
The Realme GT7 Pro ($529) has a great screen and chipset but must be imported and lacks wireless charging. Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 14 Pro+ (£309) has a high-megapixel camera and fast charging but offers little real improvement over last year’s model.
The Poco F6 (£270) remains a budget option with decent specs but limited long-term support. Motorola’s Edge 50 Pro (£285) is compact and affordable but underpowered and near the end of its update cycle. Finally, the Nubia Flip 5G (£346) is an inexpensive foldable but suffers from mediocre performance and poor software support.
(Source: Wired)
