The best Chinese Android smartphones in 2024
China? Oh, they make cheap knock-off phones there, right? Honestly, I wouldn't blame you if you thought so. But consider this: OnePlus is by all means a Chinese phone maker. And that suddenly shifts perspective a bit, doesn't it?
Plus, there's the fact that a lot of components for a lot of non-China brands also get manufactures on the eastern shores, but I digress.
Here's the deal: like with anything in the world, there are two sides to Chinese phones. On one of them, you can view and experience some of the best, most affordable and oddly creative Android phones on the market and on the other... Well, you'd be proven right on your initial assumptions.
But that doesn't mean that you should outright evade checking out tech from China, especially when it comes to phones. With brands such as OnePlus, Xiaomi, Redmi, Honor, Oppo and, of course, Huawei, you're bound to find something that to jive with.
Which was my way of saying that considering getting a Chinese phone in 2024 isn't just understandable: it's kind of unavoidable, given the tech landscape. Want to know why? We've done the digging, so you do the reading!
What are the best Chinese phones in 2024?
- OnePlus 12 — We actually think that this is the best OnePlus phone ever made. No, really!
- Xiaomi 14 Ultra — Stylish, powerful and most importantly: going global!
- Huawei Mate P60 Pro — Impressive, fluid and exceptional in terms of cameras. Yet, no Google services still.
- Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus 5G — Another year, another impressive Redmi flagship worth considering.
- Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus — An upgrade that isn't for everyone, but some will end up appreciating a lot.
- Nubia Red Magic 7 — A gaming phone that not only looks the part, but also acts the part and maybe a bit on top!
- Oppo Find X6 Pro — The best periscope zoom and video quality on a phone, with an awesome display too!
- Oppo Find N2 — The next-gen iteration of a creaseless foldable, capable of rivaling Samsung's Galaxy Fold.
- Oppo Find N2 Flip — An absolute bang for your buck with a display that no other foldable can offer (as of now)!
Well, we can't really have a solid list, without representing phones from all categories. We've got flagships, we've got midrange phones, we've got a few budget-friendly options and of course: foldable. Which, as some of you may know, are actually exceedingly impressive in recent times.
OnePlus 12
There have been numerous times over the years when we've wanted to say "OnePlus is back!" and if there was ever one that felt deserved, it would be marked by the release of the OnePlus 12. The latest flagship from this prominent brand doesn't cut any corners, making for a stylish, feature-packed and pretty powerful device.
A quick camera comparison between the OnePlus 12 and one of the most prominent flagships of 2024: the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
That being said, we couldn't help but notice that the market is shifting towards a way longer software support cycle, so we must ask: the good old (or rather, bad and should be replaced) four years model again, OnePlus?
For a device like this, it may be worth it, but it could only leave you wanting more at the end of that period, because the phone is actually that reliable.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra
Image credit — Xiaomi
Hopeful: that's what the Xiaomi 14 Ultra has gotten us. The decision to let this beast of a device roam globally couldn't have come at a better time and that's partially because this latest Xiaomi flagship feels modern as can be.
It seems rather capable — impressive even — in the camera department and with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in there, those impressions may very well extend beyond photography.
Oh, and obviously: it's a looker. I mean, look at it! And, by the way, you can continue looking at it for up to six years if you get it, since it we're expecting it to be supported up until 2029. See, OnePlus? This is how it's done.
Huawei Mate P60 Pro
Honestly, a lot of what has been said about previous Huawei phones in the last couple of years could easily be said about the Huawei P60 Pro as well. Such as: it doesn't have Google services and apps. Bummer!
Image credit — PhoneArena
And when you consider that it comes with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip and with no 5G, given that we're up to Gen 3 now, things start getting a little... Wonky. But you know what? The P60 Pro still manages to impress with fluidity, incredibly fast charging and an impressive set of cameras.
The question is: what are you willing to sacrifice in order to get that?
Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G
Stop us if you've heard this one before: this is a great phone, so long as you can bear with the software experience. Cute little "quirks" to some and annoying bugs to most, we can't deny: MIUI showcases some great ideas.
Image credit — PhoneArena
But even on a beast of a phone like the Redmi 13 Note Pro+ 5G (what a mouthful!), it struggles to keep up with the competition. And that's a shame, because there is competition to be had, given how beautiful and powerful of a phone this latest Redmi flagship is.
Oh, and speaking of things being a shame: only four years of software support and three promised OS upgrades. Total bummer! But hey: it may be worth it, if you're into quirky Android variants.
Redmi Note 12 Pro+
So, in terms of specs, the primary difference between the Note 12 Pro and the Note 12 Pro+ is the quantity of RAM. But the true power of the Plus variant comes from its exceptionally capable camera array.
Image credit — PhoneArena
It doesn't sound like much when you read about it and in its basic mode, it performs admirably. But when you switch to manual, the photography geek in you will awake and you'll wonder where did the last three hours go (and why is 20% of your storage taken up by random photos).
The camera is truly a joy to use and if you are looking for a budget-friendly phone with a truly capable camera, then this one is for you.
Nubia Red Magic 7
Image credit — PhoneArena
I mean, just by looking at it, you should be capable of telling that this is a gaming phone! But you can't really appreciate the 165Hz OLED panel through pics alone. Or the power of the 12GB of RAM that the phones come with.
It also has incredibly fast charging, an active cooling system for your heaviest gaming sessions and, of course, RGB lights for extra framerate! Well, those don't actually improve the framerate, but they sure do look awesome! Oh, and it has a 3,5mm headphone jack. Do you need anything more, really?
Oppo Find X6 Pro
Just after taking a look at this phone, you know that you are in for a treat. The design is unique and it has a strong camera-centric vibe. And wouldn't you know it? The Find X6 Pro is that type of phone!
Image credit — PhoneArena
In our testing, we found that the video results and periscope camera performance from this phone is truly capable of rivaling some of the best smartphone camera tech. And then you've got all of the other things, like it actually being a great phone with a resilient battery life and an impressively bright display!
Oppo Find N2
Foldable smartphone tech is still on the rise. While that means that foldables aren't perfect yet, it also means that each next iteration is exciting, because new things are happening. And one of the phones with the most new things was the Oppo Find N2.
Image credit — PhoneArena
Crease? What crease? Okay, there is a crease, but hopefully that joke served its purpose. If you've seen older folds, then you know why this one is impressive. But beyond that: it is thin, it is bright, it has solid cameras and it is powerful enough to enjoy it being a foldable.
Oppo Find N2 Flip
We can't wait for foldable flip-phones to become the go-to variants for those of us still passionate about the idea of a compact phone. And The Find N2 Flip certainly made one of the most solid steps in that direction, thanks to its big outer screen, capable of getting quite a lot done.
Image credit — PhoneArena
Said screen also services as a viewfinder, which means extra-crispy selfies too and you might get hooked on taking those, because the camera on the N2 Flip is a joy to use. If you've ever wanted to get a clamshell foldable, then this one is certainly among the best ones that you can get in 2024!
All that being said, I'm sure that our selection of the best Chinese smartphones of 2024 has managed to impress you. Given that some of these phones are notably cheaper than your typical western flagship, it's easy to get so impressed that you decide to invest. And once again: we wouldn't blame you if you do that.
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