Xiaomi
Xiaomi Announces End of Life (EOL) for Several Older Devices
Xiaomi has updated its list of devices that will no longer receive firmware updates including MIUI and Android updates. The announcement impacts selected models from Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO brands which are now considered to be at the end of their support lifecycle. Generally, these are models released over two or three years ago.
List of Xiaomi Devices No Longer Receiving Updates
The update affects seven models:
- Xiaomi MIX 4
- Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro 5G
- Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro
- POCO F3 GT
- POCO F3
- Redmi K40
- Redmi Note 8 (2021)
- Redmi Note 10 5G
These devices will not receive the new version of MIUI expected later this year or early next. They might still get minor updates for bug fixes or minor improvements but will no longer receive major firmware updates.
Interestingly, Xiaomi listed some models with the suffix “-DEMO” like XM-ENUMA-DEMO and XM-ELISH-DEMO despite these being actual models, namely Pad 5 Pro and Pad 5 Pro 5G. This redundancy has puzzled users and tech enthusiasts alike.
Xiaomi EOL List
The name of the list was changed from EOS to EOL which is more commonly recognized. EOS was lesser known compared to EOL.
With no new Android security patches, these devices may face increased security risks and software performance issues. Users of these models will remain on MIUI 14, the last version they received, without further security enhancements or new features.
Users of the affected models will not see new features or improvements and will not receive critical security updates which protect against new threats.
What should you do if your device comes into this ist?
Following are a few steps that might be helpful in case people were affected by Xiaomi’s announcement of stopping updates for particular models of its devices. First: Keep Yourselves Updated. It is highly recommended to stay updated regarding the distribution of various critical updates or patches at the end of it all by Xiaomi. These updates might be the key to letting your device remain usable and safe.
Time to Upgrade: If you want the latest features and updates, it’s time for an upgrade. Newer devices will enjoy continuous support and enhancements, promising better performance and security.
Protect Your Device: Since you won’t have new security patches coming from Xiaomi, security applications are recommended. These can protect your device against those possible vulnerabilities and keep it safe.
The Poco X7 is launching on January 9 with top-tier features, including IP68 and IP69 ratings for water and dust resistance. This information was confirmed by Flipkart, an Indian online retailer, through promo pages for the Poco X7 and X7 Pro.
The Poco X7 will sport a 1.5K 3D curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and an impressive peak brightness of 3000 nits. The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+. A fingerprint scanner is embedded under the display for easy biometric authentication.
Flipkart also shared details about the Poco X7 Pro’s cameras. It features: A 50MP primary camera with the Sony LYT 600 sensor and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultrawide camera for wide-angle shots,a 20MP selfie camera for crisp photos. The Pro model will also support 4K video recording at 60 FPS with both OIS and EIS. A special Director Mode will let users create cinematic videos.
The Poco X7 Pro will pack a Dimensity 8400 Ultra SoC, LPDDR5X RAM, and UFS 4.0 storage. It also includes HyperOS 2 for a seamless user experience, 90W fast charging, and a massive 6000 mAh battery (increased to 6550 mAh for the Indian market).
The Poco X7 Pro will have a base price of under INR 30000 ($350/€340), making it a competitive option in its segment. Poco will also launch a special Poco X7 Pro Iron Man Edition next Thursday.
In January 2025, Xiaomi began rolling out the HyperOS 2 update for its 12 series devices in China. The update will expand to global markets later this month. The HyperOS 2 update is based on Android 15 and introduces new features while improving existing ones.
The following Xiaomi 12 series devices are set to receive the update:
- Xiaomi 12
- Xiaomi 12 Pro
- Xiaomi 12S
- Xiaomi 12S Pro
- Xiaomi 12S Ultra
Release Timeline
China: All eligible devices will receive the update by January 15 2025.
Global: The international rollout will be completed by the end of January 2025.
Key Features of HyperOS 2
Android 15 Foundation: Better performance, security and app compatibility.
New Multitasking UI: Inspired by iOS with a revamped “Recent Apps” layout for smoother app management.
AI Tools: Advanced photo and video editing powered by artificial intelligence.
Redesigned Game Turbo 6.0: Offers improved performance and customizable gaming settings.
Improved Animations: Enhances user experience with smoother modern animations.
Storage Sandbox: Provides better file management and privacy controls.
HyperOS 2 not only makes Xiaomi devices faster and more visually appealing but also introduces smarter features for everyday use. By leveraging Android 15’s capabilities, the update promises a seamless and intuitive experience for users.
Xiaomi has updated its bootloader unlock policy, limiting users to unlocking just one device per year per account. This change, first reported by XiaomiTime, marks a significant shift from the previous limit of three devices annually per account.
Unlocking the bootloader is a crucial step for users looking to install custom ROMs, a practice that has been a cornerstone of Xiaomi’s strong community support. The update adds to the existing challenges, such as the mandatory seven-day waiting period before the unlock process can begin.
This new restriction is expected to affect developers and third-party ROM communities significantly. Xiaomi, along with its sub-brands Redmi and POCO, has traditionally been a favorite among developers for creating custom ROMs. However, the new policy could slow down development efforts and force developers to focus only on the most popular devices.
The custom ROM community has already faced setbacks in recent years, partly due to Google’s Play Integrity API, which complicates modifications. Additionally, many manufacturers, including Xiaomi, now offer more than four years of Android updates, reducing the necessity for custom ROMs.
For custom ROM fans and users dissatisfied with Xiaomi’s default software, the policy change is frustrating. Many see it as an indirect move against the custom ROM community. Enthusiasts are urging Xiaomi to roll back the policy and continue supporting the vibrant developer community.