Why buying a Xiaomi smartphone from China is no longer worth it in 2026

Just a few years ago, buying a flagship Xiaomi smartphone directly from China was considered a smart way to save money. The powerful hardware, top-tier processors, and impressive batteries looked especially attractive compared to the inflated prices of global versions. However, by 2026, the situation has changed dramatically. Today, "saving" with a Chinese version increasingly leads to persistent problems with software, connectivity, and ecosystem integration. This compromise has become too costly.

The locked bootloader: The era of custom ROMs is over

The main change is the effective death of bootloader unlocking. Previously, buyers could wait for permission from Xiaomi, flash a Global ROM, and get a fully functional international smartphone. Now, that path is closed. The company has tightened its rules: unlocking is only available for Chinese residents with a high "activity rating" in its official community.

For everyone else, this means one thing: the Chinese HyperOS 3 firmware will remain permanently. Removing pre-installed services, replacing the system, or adapting the device for your region is no longer possible. The smartphone becomes tied to a software environment focused exclusively on China's domestic market.

Connectivity issues: The Band 20 trap

One of the most frustrating hardware drawbacks of Chinese versions is the lack of support for LTE Band 20 (800 MHz). This frequency is used in Europe and many regions for stable connectivity inside buildings and on highways between cities. Without it, the smartphone starts losing signal in stores, elevators, and outside dense urban areas.

Even if there's technically a connection, the modem constantly "searches for a network," leading to increased heat and faster battery drain. This isn't a software bug but a physical limitation that can't be fixed with updates or settings.

Google services: They're there, but they don't work

Yes, Google Play can be installed manually. But that's where the good news ends. Android Auto on Chinese firmware either doesn't work at all or fails to connect to car infotainment systems due to missing system components.

Banking apps and Google Wallet increasingly mark such devices as "uncertified." In a world where smartphone payments and biometrics have become standard, this turns an expensive flagship into a device with limited capabilities. Additional Android features like Circle to Search are often disabled or replaced with Chinese AI services that are useless outside China.

Aggressive battery saving at the cost of notifications

HyperOS 3 in the Chinese version was originally designed for an ecosystem without Google Push Services. As a result, the system aggressively closes background apps. Even with manual autostart settings and restrictions lifted, messengers and email can remain "silent" for hours.

For users who rely on timely notifications—from work, banks, or family—this is critical. The smartphone technically saves battery but practically stops performing its primary function: being a real-time communication tool.

The Xiaomi ecosystem: Regional walls

New Xiaomi devices, including fitness bands and smartwatches, are increasingly tied to specific regions. Using a Chinese smartphone forces you to set the region to "China" in apps, leading to interfaces with Chinese characters, malfunctioning weather apps, and voice assistants that don't support English or other languages.

Moreover, HyperConnect features, which are supposed to link smartphones with Xiaomi smart devices, often fail to work between Chinese and global versions. Instead of a "smart home," users end up with a collection of incompatible gadgets.

The global version—a sensible choice for 2026

The good news is that global versions of Xiaomi flagships haven't disappeared. The Xiaomi 17 Ultra for the international market is expected to launch in early 2026. Yes, it will have a smaller battery—about 12% less than the Chinese version. But in return, users get far more important advantages.

These include full Google service functionality, stable notifications, Android Auto, compatibility with banks and payments, and an official international warranty. If it breaks, you won't have to send the smartphone back to China and wait weeks for repairs.

In 2026, buying a Xiaomi smartphone from China is no longer a worthwhile strategy. The locked bootloader, connectivity issues, unstable Google services, and regional restrictions turn a powerful device into a constant source of frustration. Paying extra for the global version today isn't a luxury but an investment in comfort, stability, and normal smartphone functionality where you live.