HyperOS 4 might not arrive on phones with older Android. Xiaomi seems to be changing update rules

Xiaomi has launched a new overlay, and now we are learning about the first major inconvenience. While previously the company usually provided a new system version even to phones stuck on an older Android, with HyperOS 4 this may not be the case. According to internal testing data, the new overlay is currently exclusively targeting devices that will receive Android 17 – owners of cheaper and older models will likely miss out.

Why might HyperOS 4 skip older phones?

The first clue was highlighted by Ximitime, a website that delves into Xiaomi’s internal code. According to its findings, out of 112 devices slated to receive Android 17, 108 have already joined internal testing. However, not a single device with Android 16 is among the tested phones, and nothing so far indicates that the manufacturer is preparing a version based on this older foundation.

HyperOS 4 might not arrive on phones with older Android. Xiaomi seems to be changing update rules Adam Kurfürst News Adam Kurfürst News

Until now, Xiaomi had provided the new overlay to some phones that remained on the previous Android version. Last year’s HyperOS 3 thus reached many devices with Android 15, albeit with a trimmed-down offering of new features. The successor, which Xiaomi officially launched in China only in mid-August, as we reported, was expected to follow the same path. However, internal tests so far indicate the opposite.

Which phones are apparently out of luck?

Officially, no specific names have been confirmed yet, but it will mainly concern cheaper models and some mid-range devices. According to available information, models that have not yet joined the testing include:

• Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G and Redmi Note 14S
• Redmi A5 4G
• POCO C71, POCO M6 Pro 4G, and POCO X6 5G

These phones will not be completely without updates. They will continue to receive security patches – for the Redmi Note 13 Pro series and POCO M6 Pro until approximately early 2028, and for the Redmi A5 4G even until April 2029. However, they will likely miss out on the major transition to the new overlay with all its features.

HyperOS 4 might not arrive on phones with older Android. Xiaomi seems to be changing update rules Adam Kurfürst News Adam Kurfürst News

Why is Xiaomi changing its strategy?

Xiaomi has not officially confirmed anything yet, and XimiTime’s information may, of course, not be entirely accurate. However, a logical explanation presents itself – adapting a new overlay to older Android versions costs both time and money. Developing the system directly only for Android 17 is simpler and cheaper for the manufacturer, and other Chinese competitors are heading in a similar direction, trying to curb development costs.

For users, this has two aspects. While Xiaomi has long promised longer software support, “longer support” might now primarily mean security patches, not necessarily a jump to the latest system with all its features. However, until Xiaomi confirms anything, there’s no point in drawing specific conclusions.

Do you own any of the cheaper Xiaomi or POCO phones? Do you believe HyperOS 4 will eventually reach it?

Sources: Ximitime, Gizmochina