The pros and cons of importing foreign phones to the US
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There's a lot to consider before buying a new phone from abroad.
Key facts
- It also costs less (the equivalent of about $1,640 currently), but you'll need to buy it abroad if you want to use it in the US
- Xiaomi's foldables like the Mix Fold, Honor's Magic series and OPPO's Find X phones are a few examples that offer unique designs or features not generally seen in the US
- Also, some Chinese phones are not compatible with Google Play Services, which are a core part of the Android experience most people expect
- There are plenty of smartphone options to choose from in the US, from the iPhone to the Pixel
Summary
There are plenty of smartphone options to choose from in the US, from the iPhone to the Pixel. While phones like these are harder to find in the country, it's possible to import them, but bringing a phone from abroad has its downsides. Buying an imported phone has become a lot easier in recent years. Still, some phones may not work with those used by your US carrier. Carrier-specific features can cause issues too. Network requirements may also change, so a model that works fine today may run into problems in the future.