A sleek, compact smartphone that doesn’t skimp on power, boasts a vibrant screen, and packs a battery that outlasts its bulkier competitors. Sounds like the kind of device that’d fly off shelves in the US and Europe, right? Well, hold off on the excitement. OnePlus, the brand known for delivering high-spec phones at wallet-friendly prices, has confirmed that its latest darling, the OnePlus 13T, won’t be landing in North America or Europe anytime soon. If you’re in the US or across the pond, your OnePlus options remain firmly in “big phone” territory.

Launched last week in China, the OnePlus 13T has already turned heads with its 6.3-inch display—a refreshing departure from the supersized screens dominating the market. For context, that’s noticeably smaller than the 6.8-inch displays on the OnePlus 13 and 13R, the brand’s current flagship and midrange offerings. But don’t let the smaller footprint fool you; this phone is no lightweight when it comes to specs. It’s got a beefy battery, cutting-edge silicon-carbon tech for better power efficiency, and the kind of performance OnePlus fans have come to expect. So why are we being left out of the party?

The OnePlus 13T isn’t entirely confined to China. It’s also hitting shelves in India, where it’s being marketed as the OnePlus 13S. This dual launch initially sparked hope among fans in the West that the phone might make its way to other markets. After all, OnePlus has a history of tweaking names and specs for different regions—remember the OnePlus Nord series, which has seen various iterations globally? But those hopes were quickly quashed.

In an email to The Verge, Celina Shi, OnePlus Europe’s chief marketing officer, broke the news: “Currently, we have no plans to launch the OnePlus 13S in Europe. That being said, we have noted the interest in the product from our European users, and we will keep it in mind as we make product launch decisions going forward.” Spenser Blank, head of marketing for OnePlus North America, echoed the same sentiment, swapping “Europe” for “the United States and Canada.” Translation? Don’t hold your breath.

This isn’t the first time OnePlus has kept a promising device out of Western markets. The company often tailors its release strategy based on regional demand, manufacturing costs, and market competition. But the decision to skip the 13T in the US and Europe feels particularly stingy, especially when compact phones are having a bit of a moment.

Let’s talk about what makes the OnePlus 13T so intriguing. At a time when most flagship phones are creeping toward tablet territory, the 13T’s 6.3-inch AMOLED display hits a sweet spot. It’s large enough for streaming, gaming, and scrolling through social media, but small enough to comfortably fit in your pocket or wield with one hand. For those of us who’ve grumbled about the trend toward gargantuan phones (looking at you, iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S25 Ultra), the 13T feels like a love letter to practicality.

Then there’s the battery. Despite its smaller size, the 13T packs a 6,260mAh battery—larger than the 6,000mAh cell in the OnePlus 13. How’d they pull that off? OnePlus is leaning on silicon-carbon battery technology, which allows for higher energy density without increasing the physical size of the battery. In plain English, you get more juice in a smaller package, which could translate to better endurance for all-day use.

Under the hood, the 13T is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. It’s a beast that can handle everything from Genshin Impact to multitasking with a dozen apps open.

The decision to limit the 13T to China and India likely comes down to market dynamics. In the US and Europe, large-screen phones dominate. Manufacturers like Apple and Samsung have leaned hard into this trend, with their Pro and Ultra models pushing screen sizes ever upward. OnePlus itself has followed suit, with the OnePlus 13 and 13R catering to the big-screen crowd.

But there’s a growing chorus of consumers—clamoring for compact phones. The iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini, despite their modest sales, developed a cult following for their pocketable size. More recently, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip series has carved out a niche by offering a compact form factor when folded. Even Google’s Pixel 9, with its 6.3-inch display, has been praised for being more manageable than its Pro siblings. The OnePlus 13T could’ve been a contender in this space, especially with its competitive pricing, CNY3,399 (around $466).

So why the cold shoulder? OnePlus might be wary of the risks. Launching a new model in the US and Europe involves navigating carrier certifications, local regulations, and marketing costs—all of which eat into margins. If the demand for compact phones isn’t guaranteed (and historical sales of smaller devices suggest it’s a niche market), OnePlus may have decided it’s not worth the gamble. In China and India, where smaller phones still have a foothold and OnePlus has a strong presence, the 13T makes more sense.

If you’re in the US or Europe and craving a OnePlus phone, your options are the OnePlus 13 and 13R. Both are excellent devices, with gorgeous 6.8-inch displays, top-tier Snapdragon chips, and cameras that punch above their weight. But they’re undeniably large, and for some, that’s a dealbreaker. The OnePlus 12 and 12R, still available in some markets, are similarly sized, so there’s no compact alternative in the current lineup.

Could you import the 13T? Sure, but it’s a hassle. You’d need to buy from a Chinese or Indian retailer, deal with potential import duties, and ensure the phone’s software and network bands are compatible with your carrier. (Pro tip: Check the 13T’s 5G bands against your carrier’s requirements, as Chinese models often lack full US compatibility) Plus, you’d miss out on local warranty support. For most people, it’s not worth the headache.