As Android’s support cycle becomes increasingly standardized, many devices now receive major updates for only about two years though flagship models tend to last longer. Xiaomi has just confirmed this trend by officially excluding 31 models from receiving the upcoming Android 16 update.
This news comes from XiaomiTime, which reports that several popular devices including flagship smartphones and newer models from the Redmi and POCO lines won’t be part of the Android 16 rollout under HyperOS.
Why Are These Devices Being Left Out?
Like many manufacturers, Xiaomi follows a structured update policy:
- Flagship Devices: Typically receive 3–4 years of major Android updates and an equal period of security patches.
- Redmi Series: Get around 2–4 years of Android updates, with up to 6 years of security support.
- POCO Phones: Usually receive 2 years of Android upgrades and 3 years of security patches.
Given this timeline, some devices released in 2022 and 2023 are nearing the end of their official OS support. However, this doesn’t mean they’re being abandoned entirely.
Final Update: HyperOS 3 Based on Android 15
Here’s the silver lining: Instead of Android 16, affected devices will receive HyperOS 3, built on Android 15. This update will be the final major upgrade for these phones and will include performance optimizations, UI enhancements, and new features.
According to XiaomiTime, the absence of Android 16 is “no reason for concern.” Most of the changes in Android 16 are expected to be incremental, without drastic innovations. In contrast, HyperOS 3 is shaping up to be a visibly impactful update especially in terms of smoothness, interface polish, and system security.
Devices Not Receiving Android 16
Xiaomi Phones
- Xiaomi 12
- Xiaomi 12 Pro
- Xiaomi 12S
- Xiaomi 12S Pro
- Xiaomi 12S Ultra
- Xiaomi 12T
- Xiaomi 12T Pro
- Xiaomi Civi 3
- Xiaomi MIX Fold 2
Redmi Phones
- Redmi 12 / 12 5G
- Redmi 13C / 13C 5G / 13R
- Redmi K50 Ultra
- Redmi K60
- Redmi Note 12 4G / 12 NFC 4G / 12R / 12S / 12T Pro / 12 Turbo
- Redmi Note 13 4G / 13 4G NFC / 13 5G / 13R Pro
POCO Phones
- POCO C65
- POCO F5 5G
- POCO F5 Pro
- POCO M6 Pro
- POCO X6 Neo
Should You Be Worried?
If your device is on this list, there’s no need to panic. HyperOS 3 will still bring modern performance, a refreshed user interface, and the latest security patches. And since Android 16 doesn’t promise revolutionary changes, your phone will remain relevant for at least another year or two.
When the time does come to upgrade, you’ll likely find new models running HyperOS 4 or even Android 17 out of the box.
