this post was submitted on 19 Jan 2025
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Yeah, so my phone is pretty much breaking and I need a new one. My mom convinced me to upgrade from my iPhone 8 to an iPhone 15 because we got a really steep discount, but goddamn I fucking hate this phone. I’m still using my iPhone 8 just because I really can’t stand the 15 at all, and the 8 was already a downgrade from the phone I had had before.

Well, I’ve wanted to get out of the Apple ecosystem for years and I think now might be the time. I feel okay about it since I really did get this iPhone 15 at a really nice discount so it’s not the hardest loss (also I’m pretty sure I can still return it, but even if not). But I know nothing about non-Apple phones. Is it possible to get a Xiaomi phone in the USA? Does Samsung still have issues with their phones exploding? Any insight is appreciated.

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[–] Inui@hexbear.net 11 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (9 children)

If you're looking at Xiaomi anyway, look at getting a OnePlus. The 13 just came out, but the 12 and 12r are very good phones.

The 12 has all the US WiFi bands, I'm not sure about the rest. Its the best phone I've ever owned. The 12r has significantly more custom ROM support.

They sell them direct to US markets through their website.

But thats the main issue with importing a Chinese version of those phones or importing a Xiaomi is that your signal will be terrible when everyone else is fine. Then some carriers may have trouble activating the phone for you.

I really don't recommend buying a phone without US carrier support or WiFi bands to save yourself a lot of trouble.

The main problem with Google is their phones are objectively worse hardware wise to just about every other brand at the same price, whereas their cameras are really good and they lean hard into AI software and are very custom ROM friendly.

Samsung doesnt explode anymore but has frequent camera issues (look for Banana gate) and is very locked down. They have excellent hardware and their expensive phones lean into the stylus.

[–] rootsbreadandmakka@hexbear.net 2 points 2 months ago

Damn thanks for this answer. Yeah I really really want to go with Xiaomi, but that was my worry, that it’d be difficult to get working in the US. I’ve been researching people who have been able to use it in the us, but being that I sort of just need a phone at this point since this one is pretty much dead, I don’t really have the time to figure all that out.

Unfortunately I think I am in the end going to stay with Apple. One of my main issues with the 15 was that I found the screen very difficult to look at, even with low brightness. After poking around online it seems there are other people who have this issue, and it seems to have something to do with an OLED screen vs the lcd screen I have now. Apple does still have phones with an lcd screen (the se) so I think I’m just going to do with that.

However oneplus is also recommended for people with issues with OLED so I think right now I’m just going to stay in the Apple ecosystem, and then just try to be proactive about keeping my tech updated next time so I’m not trying to replace my phone when it’s pretty much broken, and probably go with oneplus. I’d prefer a Chinese phone anyway. Staying with Apple rn is just easier for my situation though.

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