Xiaomi has officially confirmed that a selected group of 12 models of its smartphones will no longer receive interface and operating system updates after the arrival of HyperOS 4. The decision is part of the company’s strategy to optimize its development resources, focusing on the performance and security of the latest devices in its portfolio.
The measure aims to focus the engineering team’s efforts on optimizing the user experience on more modern hardware, which is capable of supporting the new features and security requirements of future versions of Android and HyperOS itself. Para owners of affected devices, the news means that they will not have access to new system features or significant visual changes that will be introduced from Android 17.
This update lifecycle policy is a common practice in the technology industry, where manufacturers need to balance supporting older devices with innovation and new product development. Xiaomi has sought greater transparency about its support timelines, allowing consumers to make more informed decisions when purchasing a new smartphone.
What does the end of security support mean?
Ending mainstream software support does not mean devices will immediately become unusable. Applications will continue to function normally and receive updates through Google Play Store for an extended period of time, as their compatibility depends more on the version of Android than on the manufacturer’s specific interface.
However, the main concern for users lies in digital security. Sem the periodic updates that accompany new versions of the operating system, devices can gradually become more vulnerable to new threats, such as malware and other security flaws that may be discovered.
Typically, Xiaomi continues to provide critical security patches for some time, even after major Android updates have ended. Contudo, the frequency of these fixes tends to decrease over time, leaving devices in a higher risk situation compared to models that receive ongoing, active support.
For this reason, users of these 12 models must pay extra attention to security, avoiding the installation of applications from unknown sources and maintaining good navigation practices to mitigate possible risks after the update cycle ends.
The evolution of HyperOS and the basis on Android 16
HyperOS was introduced by Xiaomi as a “full ecosystem operating system” designed to unify the experience across the brand’s smartphones, watches, tablets and even vehicles. Ele replaced the old MIUI interface with the promise of being lighter, faster and more integrated. Cada major version of HyperOS is intrinsically linked to a new version of Android, serving as Xiaomi’s customization layer on top of the Google codebase.
While HyperOS 1 was released on the basis of Android 13 and 14, subsequent versions followed the new system editions of Google. HyperOS 4, which will be the final point for the 12 models in question, will be built on top of the Android 16.
Which appliances are on the closure list?
Although the full list of 12 models has not yet been officially released for all markets, industry sources and code analyzes already point to some of the devices that will be included. The selection covers different market segments, from entry-level to mid-range models that have been popular in previous years.
Two names that have come up frequently in preliminary reports are the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G and the Poco M6. Ambos are devices that, despite being competent, have hardware limitations that would justify ending support in the near future, ensuring that the user experience is not compromised by heavier updates.
The decision of which devices enter the end of support list is based on a number of factors, including the launch date, processor capacity, amount of RAM and the popularity of the device in the global market. Xiaomi seeks to ensure a minimum of two to three major updates from the Android for most of its smartphones, a policy that aligns with that of many other manufacturers.
Implications for device owners
For owners of the 12 models that will have HyperOS 4 as their final update, it is important to understand that the device will continue to be fully functional. Atividades day-to-day activities, such as the use of social networks, messaging applications, banking services and games, will not be affected in the short term. The main change is the absence of new features and system improvements that will be released in the future.
The user experience will be “frozen” in the HyperOS 4 version. Embora third-party applications continue to be updated via Google Play Store, the operating system itself will not evolve. Isso may, over several years, generate compatibility issues with applications that require newer versions of Android to function. Contudo, this is a process that usually takes a long time to become a real problem.
Xiaomi’s software strategy in perspective
The decision to end support for a specific group of devices reflects a maturity in Xiaomi’s software strategy. By defining a clear lifecycle for its products, the company aligns itself with competitors like Google and Samsung, which offer transparent, long-term update policies for their flagship devices. Essa clarity helps build consumer confidence, who knows what to expect in terms of support when purchasing a new device. Essa approach also allows Xiaomi to focus its resources on quality rather than quantity. Instead of trying to adapt new versions of HyperOS to dozens of different hardware, many of them old, the company can guarantee a more polished and optimized experience on the latest and most popular models, which make up the majority of its active user base. Efficiency in the development and distribution of updates is a crucial factor for customer satisfaction in the competitive smartphone market.
System rollout schedule
The distribution of HyperOS 4 to eligible devices, including the 12 models that will receive it as a final update, should begin gradually. The launch process, known as “rollout”, generally begins after the official release of Android 16 by Google, scheduled to occur in the second half of 2025.
From there, Xiaomi will begin the rollout in phases, starting with the most recent and highest priority models, and expanding to others over the following months, potentially extending until mid-2026. Availability may vary significantly depending on the region and specific smartphone model.
The update scenario in the smartphone market
The software update policy has become an important differentiator for consumers. Fabricantes like Samsung stand out by offering up to seven years of security and system updates for their high-end models, while Google sets the standard with its own Pixel devices. Xiaomi, when refining its policy, seeks to find a balance between market competitiveness and development sustainability.