[vxNsr]

But is Xiaomi available in the US and what is version is their is based on?

I haven't seen an authorized seller for Xiaomi and I was under the impression that they are still using marshmallow or earlier. Also all their phones are 4.5"+ which is much larger than the comparably compact SE.

I'd love to get a xiaomi phone (esp. based on the price and alleged build quality) but it's just not worth the tradeoffs.

[milkytron]

Xiaomi can be used in the US if you get it shipped over, but it's hard to find the right band coverage for the best experience.

I found that despite not always being on the latest version of Android, they had enough polish and stability on their OS to make it worth being a version behind. I used their ROMs back before they made hardware, and if there was ever a bug, it was usually fixed within a week (or at least acknowledged).

And I agree, I'd love for Xiaomi to sell phones, but like everyone else is stating, the iPhone SE is arguably one of the best compact phones. I hope to have mine for many years.

[e2e4]

A very happy xiaomi note 4 user here; have switched from nexus (after battery on three nexus phones in my family became unsuable 2 hours of charge ...); I thought I'd miss nexus more; but xiaomi has been great.

To make sure that phone's frequency will work: https://www.frequencycheck.com/

Listings of great phone: https://www.kimovil.com/en/