For one short-lived moment in 2016, Xiaomi smartphones were available to buy from a US carrier. Not through some sketchy importer or Amazon listing — we’re talking about a real wireless provider, with things like plans and warranties. US Mobile, a small MVNO that runs on T-Mobile’s network, briefly added Xiaomi and Meizu phones to its online storefront and declared itself the first legitimate US carrier to sell them.
That lasted about a day, followed by some awkward press statements and hasty backpedaling. With both Xiaomi and T-Mobile making dissenting noises, US Mobile was quickly forced to reverse its bold move and yank them offline almost immediately.