Xiaomi has officially announced the software support end schedule for a number of popular smartphones, with discontinuations scheduled throughout 2026. The measure will directly affect high-volume models from the Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco lines, including the successful Redmi Note 12 and Poco F5. Essa decision means that devices will no longer receive new versions of the HyperOS interface and, more critically, will no longer have access to essential security patches.
The Chinese manufacturer’s support policy provides for a limited life cycle for devices launched before its recent strategic change, which began offering extended updates. The models that will end support were launched between 2022 and early 2023, operating under the old policy of three to four years of updates, a period that is now coming to an end for many of them.
The end of the software life cycle impacts a base of millions of consumers around the world who still use these smartphones in their daily activities. The absence of security patches makes devices progressively more susceptible to vulnerabilities and digital threats that are continually discovered, raising concerns about the protection of personal and financial data.
Models from the Xiaomi 12 line with support ended
The Xiaomi 12 series, which represented the brand’s top-of-the-line models in 2022, will be one of the first to feel the impact. The Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro devices, which marked the peak of the company’s technology at the time, will have their support ended in the first quarter of 2026.
The more affordable variants in the same family, the Xiaomi 12X and the Xiaomi 12 Lite, will follow a similar schedule. Ambos the models, which attracted consumers by offering a premium experience at a reduced cost, will no longer receive security patches from March 2026, according to information released on the company’s official channels.
Launched at the end of 2022, the Xiaomi 12T series, made up of the 12T and 12T Pro models, will have a slightly longer lifespan. Support for these smartphones, known for their performance and advanced cameras, is scheduled to continue until October 2026, offering a few additional months of protection to their users.
This timeline segmentation reflects the different launch dates and market strategies for each device, but the end result is the same: planned software obsolescence, which forces users to consider migrating to newer devices to stay secure.
The impact on the popular series Redmi Note 12
The Redmi Note 12 line is one of the most successful in the history of Xiaomi, especially in emerging markets such as Brasil and Índia, where millions of units have been sold. The end of support for this series is particularly significant due to its huge user base. The most robust models, such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G and the Redmi Note 12
However, the entry-level versions of the family will have a shorter end of cycle. The Redmi Note 12 5G will end support in the first quarter of 2026, while the extremely popular 4G version will receive its last update in April. The balance between affordability and capable features is what drove the massive sales of this line, but it now exposes a vast number of consumers to security risks that will accumulate over time as new flaws in the operating system are discovered and not fixed.
Changes for users of Poco devices
The Poco sub-brand, known for focusing on performance with aggressive pricing, will also have important models discontinued. The Poco F5 5G, a device praised for its Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 processor and aimed at gamers, will receive its latest security patch in May 2026.
Meanwhile, the models in the X5 line, the Poco X5 Pro 5G and the Poco X5 5G, will face an even faster end of support. Ambos the devices, which stood out in the intermediate segment, will stop being updated in the first quarter of 2026, completing a relatively short life cycle.
The interruption of updates for these Poco models could impact the brand’s perception of value in the long term and will certainly accelerate the depreciation of devices in the resale market, where software security is an increasingly relevant factor.
The risks of using an outdated smartphone
The main consequence of ending software support is exposure to security vulnerabilities. Sem monthly or quarterly patches, smartphones become easy targets for malware, exploits and other cyber threats that exploit known holes in older versions of the Android system. Essas threats can result in the theft of personal data, banking credentials and other sensitive information stored on the device. Over time, a lack of updates can also lead to compatibility issues, especially with applications that require a minimum level of security to function, such as those from financial institutions and digital payment services. In corporate environments, outdated devices are often blocked from accessing company networks and emails because they do not comply with security policies, affecting professionals who depend on their cell phones for work.
The evolution of Xiaomi’s support policy
It is important to note that Xiaomi has already revised its update policy for newer devices. In a move to align itself with competitors such as Samsung and Google, the company has significantly expanded the support cycle for its premium models launched from 2023 onwards.
This strategic change benefits consumers who purchase the most recent launches, ensuring a longer and safer useful life for their investments. However, the new policy is not retroactive, which means that owners of older models, such as those that will be discontinued in 2026, do not benefit from this extension, instead being stuck with the support cycle defined at the time of its launch.
Options available to homeowners
For users of affected devices, the main recommendation is to ensure that all available security updates are installed before the deadline. Após the end of support, it is essential to take extra care with digital security, avoiding downloading applications from untrustworthy sources and opening suspicious links or attachments.
An alternative for technically advanced users is to install custom ROMs, such as LineageOS. Esses Alternative, community-developed operating systems may provide newer versions of Android and security patches for devices that are no longer officially supported. Contudo, this process is complex, can void the warranty and, if not done correctly, can render the device unusable.
Planning for the future
Although the devices’ hardware remains functional for basic tasks such as calling and using social networks, the lack of security makes their daily use risky in the long term. The Xiaomi decision reflects the natural cycle of the technology industry, where manufacturers need to focus resources and efforts on developing and supporting their newer generations of products. Para affected consumers, the safest and most practical solution is to start planning the migration to a newer smartphone, which offers an extended support cycle and guarantees protection against the digital threats of the future.
