Huawei, OnePlus, Oppo: 7 points to consider before buying

This story is part of Chinese generationCNET series that explores the technological ambition of the nation.

Some of the most attractive phones on the planet are made by Chinese brands: OnePlus, TCL, Oppo, Xiaomi, ZTE and Huawei. Many of these devices offer high-end features at prices that undermine premium phones by hundreds of dollars. Others are the first to use new technologies such as pop-up selfie camera, new photography tools and another awesome designs.

China leads the way in technology areas like 5G and artificial intelligence, and the quality of phones coming out of Chinese companies matches or even exceeds that of rival devices from Samsung, Apple or Google. Electric power plant Huawei even beat Apple As the world’s second-largest phone maker, in 2019, and had designs to steal Samsung’s crown as No. 1. In January 2020, Huawei claimed the title of the world’s leading 5G phone vendor. Meanwhile, OnePlus is now selling directly through three U.S. carriers, a huge win for the start of a smartphone.

Great value for money and expanded access are great reasons to buy one of these phones, but there’s also a darker side to consider. Huawei, and to a lesser extent, ZTE, are caught in a global trade war over 5G network equipment, not phones, and the FCC has designated national security threats. And if the phone you buy is not sold directly through your provider, you may miss certain features here and there.

You shouldn’t rule out buying from a Chinese brand, but there are important things to know before you start, including how to buy, what to look for, and what considerations to keep in mind when it comes to basics like whether you’ll need a new wall adapter, issues security and even where to buy.

1. Why buy a phone from a Chinese company?

A reason comes to mind: variety. You don’t have to settle for a phone offered by your provider. In fact, more brands sell through retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and their own online stores than you can find only at one operator. In many countries, buying an unlocked phone first and then adding carrier service second is the norm.

Brand phones you don’t see every day may also offer features not yet available on other devices. In fact, the first smartphone camera I used that had a dedicated night mode was on a Huawei phone, long before I used a similar camera feature on a Google, Samsung, or Apple device.

On CNET’s Huawei P30 Pro, reviewer Andrew Hoyle said it has the “absolute best camera on any phone.” That also agrees with my personal experience.

2. What is the best way to buy a Chinese phone?

It depends on the brand. OnePlus sells through T-Mobile, Verizon and pique. But because most brands in China have no relationship with carriers in the US (and haven’t undergone the strenuous certification process), you’ll have to stick to online shopping. Amazon is naturally an option, but it’s worth taking a look at sites like AliExpress and eBay.

Going directly through the company’s website is also a good idea, if the brand has a specific country history. There may be obstacles. For example, Xiaomi’s American store sells electronic products, but not phones, and its UK site refused to accept my American address.

Huawei still announces phones in the US with its Honor brand, but apart from the details and specs, you won’t find a single buy button on the site.

However, ZTE and TCL have online stores that link to carrier websites or offer drop shipping.

3. How do I know if the phone will work with my provider?

A good rule of thumb is that most Chinese phones will work on AT&T or T-Mobile because they use compatible GSM technology for their networks. However, Verizon and Sprint use a combination of GSM and CDMA for data and voice, and any imported phone will most likely not work with either carrier.

Even if your phone allows you to make calls, send messages, and use data, it is likely that not all features that are optimized for the operator will work, for example Wi-Fi calling and any other operator-specific benefits.

Pay close attention to the listing. Most name the compatible carriers or at least the different carrier bands that a phone supports. Once you have that list, you can search for your operator’s compatible bands and compare the two.

4. Will you have access to all your applications?

Again, it depends on the phone you buy.

Google’s search and services are blocked in China, so unless a Chinese manufacturer builds two versions of a phone, one for within China and one that integrates Google for the rest of the world, you may have to learn to live without Google Services on your Android phone.

That means you won’t be able to install apps and services like Gmail or YouTube, let alone run them. You also won’t have access to the Google Play Store, where you normally download all of your apps.

Phone makers often have their own Android app store. But even then, finding apps that work properly can be frustrating. If you’re tech savvy enough, there are guides and tutorials available for most phones that guide you through the installation of Google Play Services.

If not, you’ll need to trust each phone manufacturer’s app store. At the beginning of this year, Reuters reported that Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo are working for app developers to upload their apps to their four app stores at the same time.

When you buy a new phone, pay attention to the list of devices and see if it mentions whether or not it includes support for Google Play Store or Google services. But be careful: sometimes that means getting a phone that someone else has installed or using a workaround to get Google services on a device that you otherwise shouldn’t have.

Check out this listing on AliExpress for the P40 Lite. The second photo is a giant warning stating that after the vendor installed Google services, a software update broke it. Instead, you’ll need to use Huawei’s workaround.

5. Are Chinese brand phones safe?

Any phone you buy directly from a provider has been certified in accordance with strict FCC regulations. Major brands will also support your devices when you buy direct, but be on the lookout for warranty information. With any device you buy second-hand or through a third-party market, you take a greater risk because the manufacturer doesn’t verify your purchase.

For example, if a third party has installed alternate or modified solutions on a phone you purchase, it is a security risk. There is no way to know exactly what was installed on the phone before you received it, and factory reset is not an option if you want to keep Google service alternative solutions intact.

Side loading of applications or the use of modified files could cause your phone and the data it contains more susceptible to malware and data theft. When Huawei released the P40 line, Google warned users Do not try to download or install Google applications or services on the phones. There could be a political aspect to that warning: Google could be taking U.S. sanctions into account. It could also be aimed at reducing Google’s liability if something goes wrong and an injured party wants to sue.

6. Will the charger have the right wall adapter for the US?

Any phone you buy from a local provider or manufacturer’s website for your market will provide compatible accessories. You will need to pay more attention to third party purchases. I’ve seen listings on AliExpress indicating that the phone will come with the right adapter for US stores, while other listings don’t mention it.

If your phone comes with the wrong adapter, any charger with the proper cable will work.

7. What about a warranty?

It depends on where you buy the phone. The list should indicate if there is any kind of warranty in the US Check this Amazon page for Xiaomi Redmi Note 9S. Near the bottom of the highlighted features, “Unsecured in the United States” clearly reads. So, you are alone if it breaks or starts acting.

On AliExpress, the listings don’t directly mention a warranty, but the company does offer a 90-day Money Back Guarantee for Purchase Protection. Reading the fine print, it looks like you will have to contact the seller and request a refund if the item is not what you ordered or is defective. 90 days is not a long time, but it is better than nothing.

Phones aren’t the only thing worth paying attention to when it comes to China. the country has great ideas for the internet, including leading the way when it comes to 5G connectivity. And hopefully we’ll finally see Huawei products available in the U.S..