Xiaomi ends Android 16 updates as HyperOS 3 takes over for select phones
Xiaomi ends Android 16 updates for several POCO, Redmi, and Xiaomi 12 devices, shifting focus to HyperOS 3 and a tighter ecosystem vision.
Xiaomi is drawing a line under Android 16.
The company confirmed that a wave of its devices — including popular POCO, Redmi, and even flagship Xiaomi 12 models — will finish their update journey with HyperOS 3, the system based on Android 15. It’s a routine move, but one that signals how Xiaomi’s priorities are shifting.
POCO phones hitting the update ceiling
For POCO users, the list is short but familiar: POCO C65, F5 5G, F5 Pro, M6 Pro, and X6 Neo all stop at Android 15. POCO has typically offered two major OS updates, and it’s sticking to that promise. The F5 Pro still runs smoothly, but its feature roadmap ends here — and that’s fine for most users who value reliability over version numbers.
Redmi series reaching the same limit
Several Redmi 12 and 13 variants, along with Note 12 and Note 13 models, also top out at HyperOS 3. Even the K50 Ultra and K60 won’t advance further.
It’s a bit surprising, especially for the newer Note 13 line, yet Xiaomi seems to be saying that the experience inside HyperOS matters more than chasing Android labels.
Flagships stepping off the track
Yes, even premium phones like the Xiaomi 12, 12 Pro, 12S Ultra, and 12T Pro are bowing out of Android 16. For owners of the 12S Ultra — still an excellent camera phone — this might sting. But Xiaomi will continue providing security patches, so these devices won’t lose relevance overnight.
What HyperOS 3 brings
The update rolling out from September 2025 promises smoother animation, lighter visuals, and deeper ecosystem control. Xiaomi calls the design a “liquid-glass” look, pairing Apple-like polish with the brand’s flexible customization. More than an Android skin, HyperOS is evolving into Xiaomi’s own system language — one that connects phones, tablets, and smart-home gear under a single visual and functional identity.
Why it matters
Ending Android 16 support for multiple models might seem like a loss, but it marks a strategic pivot. Xiaomi is clearly prioritizing ecosystem consistency over yearly version races — betting that users care more about how their devices interact than about the number on the settings page.
