Emir BardakçıThe past ten years have seen the world of smartphones shift towards radical ecosystem integration and high-end brand focus. Xiaomi, one such key catalyst in this transition, has deliberately narrowed down its product offerings by halting the production of some erstwhile iconic series, such as the Mi Max series, the Mi Note series, and the Mi A series.
Mi Max series
The reason why Xiaomi stopped the Mi Max series was mainly because of the convergence of display sizes in the mobile industry. When Xiaomi brought out their first Mi Max with a display size of 6.44 inches, they brought out a product which belonged to a new ‘phablet’ category altogether. The new generation of smartphones and even entry-level models have displays of up to 6.8 inches. Xiaomi brought out their new Xiaomi Pad 7 and their Mix Fold series, and therefore, the need for a ‘phablet’ series became obsolete.
Mi Note series
Historically, the Mi Note line has provided a premium extension to the normal digital line. However, with the evolution of the main flagship line to include “Pro” and “Ultra” models, there has been a level of competition within the company. This particular segment has already been filled by the Number line of Xiaomi smartphones, while the more design-oriented Civi line has taken over.
Mi Android One series
The discontinuation of the Mi A series, which ran on the Android One platform, is also a drastic change in the business ideology. Unlike the MIUI or the Xiaomi HyperOS, the Android One did not allow the incorporation of the Xiaomi services. With the brand growing into the internet services company, the presence of the series that did not contribute to the Xiaomi ecosystem would have resulted in losses.
MIX series
Although many lineages have been discontinued, the Mix series remains the epitome of innovation. After the release of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, rumors have been circulating that the non-foldable MIX 5 may make a comeback in 2026. It will come equipped with innovative under-display camera tech and a ceramics unibody to continue its lineage as a “concept” flagship smartphone.
Brief Comparison of Cancelled Xiaomi Series
| Series Name | Core Value Proposition | Reason for Discontinuation | Modern Spiritual Successor |
| Mi Max | Enormous Screen & Battery | Screen size standardization | Every phone |
| Mi Note | Premium Design & Camera | Overlap with Digital Pro/Ultra | No |
| Mi A | Stock Android Experience | Ecosystem and revenue conflict | No |
| Mi CC | Youth & Selfie Focus | Rebranding for global markets | Xiaomi Civi / Lite Series |
| Mi Play | Budget Data-Centric | Cannibalization by Redmi/POCO | Redmi A and POCO C series |
The retirement of these legendary lineups was not indicative of failure, but rather the beginning of the journey towards integration. Rather than holding on to specialized models, Xiaomi adopted the strategy to become the top technology company with the Xiaomi HyperOS, as well as the “Human x Car x Home” ecosystem. The Mi Max and Mi A series are nostalgic “old golds” for Xiaomi enthusiasts, while the legacy continues with the advanced Xiaomi Pad 7 and the revolutionary MIx Fold series. As we enter the year 2025, the impending comeback of the MIX 5 series with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 performance capabilities epitomizes the continuously strong passion for innovative experimentation by Xiaomi.
