I'm considering the options for a latest gen flagship Android with Snapdragon, but it looks like the only certified phone in Australia with the current Snapdragon is S24 Ultra.
The alternatives are either Tensor or Exynos. I've had the Oneplus 7 Pro in the past - an absolute beauty and a beast. I've read some tempting reviews about the Oneplus 12.
I was wondering if anyone on OzBargain has any experience getting the Oneplus 12 global rom?
Thank you fossilfuel, this is exactly the information I was looking for. I wasn't aware of the difference between global rom and global version. I'm surprised how expensive is to get the Oneplus 12 Global version in Australia.
I bought the Global ROM recently from AliExpress sale for around $860. The phone was great and all but the problem I faced was with third party launchers. Google has done something with Android 14 and installing Nova Launcher with gesture navigation made phone a bit laggy. I cant not have Nova Launcher so I sold it. If you are fine with using stock launcher and curved screen and can get it below $900 it's a great phone. Look for Global variant on AliExpress, everything works here. There is one great feature on this phone. it basically acts as a 2 phone. You can setup system cloner and setup different passcode and fingerprint for that clone system. That system will only open if you put separate passcode and separate fingerprint then the regular one. Great privacy.
That's twice as cheap as Amazon! Was it maybe the R version? Can you please share the seller on Aliexpress that you bought from? I'm not fuss about Nova at all.
Lots of stores are selling them on Ali for around $900-1000ish. Can get them cheaper with discount codes right now. I didn't have any issues but the Chinese Model with Global Rom doesn't allow eSIM to work so had to sell mine as well. I used Nova Launcher and didn't have any issues in the 1 day that I used it. I've just ordered a Global Version which cost me $1150 from Ali. Hoping it works perfectly fine for me here in Aus. Other sellers seem to be selling the global version upwards of $1400 which I don't think is worth it.
What are features are you looking for in a phone?
I had the same dilemma and spent about a month researching before settling in for a phone.
Be careful when you buy a chinese phone because there's the Global ROM and the Global Version. The Global ROM is the Chinese version of the phone flashed with a European/International ROM. Some important Android features are not available or may not work properly including RCS, Android Auto and banking apps.
The Global Version has the full features with Android working fine and additional phone bands (useful if you're in the country with Optus or Telstra). Global Versions are also significantly more expensive than Global ROMS. My phone was $400 more for the international version compared to the Chinese version with the same specs.
Amazon US sells the Oneplus 12 Global Version but the caveat is added import and shipping fees. If you want a Global ROM (Chinese version), then try Wondamobile. They ship from HK and I got my current phone from them, very seamless process.