Emir BardakçıXiaomi’s device policies are a point of concern for users, as it becomes confusing when a particular Xiaomi device hits the End-of-Life stage earlier than other brands. This explanation will help users understand how Xiaomi selects the support time for their OS and how it differs from other companies like Samsung and Google. To gain further knowledge, you can refer to HyperOS, Xiaomi security updates, and Xiaomi device policies in related sections of your website.
Xiaomi’s Economics Model and Effects of OS Support
Xiaomi’s hardware company has a regulatory mandate that sets a limit of no more than a 5% net profit for all devices. Such a low-margin business model, though making devices more accessible, creates a limitation in generating funds for software development. Unlike other high-end smartphones that earn profits from their $800+ flagships, Xiaomi’s average selling price stays between $150-$300.
Moreover, every upgrade of the Android OS involves substantial engineering, certification, and testing expenses. With a low-margin device, it may take two to three OS generation cycles, which would be beyond the lifespan of profit value of that device. Therefore, Xiaomi focuses on feature updates of HyperOS and security updates, which provide a freshness experience without incurring costs related to OS development.
Fragmented Product Portfolio and Engineering Load
Xiaomi launches many models in a year compared to Apple and Google. Also, there are various ROMs for every device like Global, EEA, India, Indonesia, Türkiye, and China ROMs. This brings a huge maintainability matrix. Xiaomi software teams would have to prioritize their work in either high volume or flagship series, hence dropping priority for other devices.
Rebranding strategies, like a Redmi smartphone turning into a POCO worldwide or a similar Xiaomi T series model, further add variability in software. This enhances EOL projections as engineering efficiency declines.
SoC Dependency and BSP Limitations
Upgrading of the Android OS requires support from Board Support Packages (BSP) offered by manufacturers of the chips. Xiaomi cannot upgrade a device if Qualcomm, MediaTek has stopped releasing updates to drivers for key hardware components like GPU, ISP, and modem. Budget models offered by MediaTek are especially vulnerable since their support lifespan will be shorter than that of Qualcomm’s flagship chipsets like Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Without updated BSP components, Xiaomi can only offer backports for security fixes, which means no OS updates, causing early OS-level EOL.
HyperOS and “Decoupling” Strategy
To maintain a balance between costs and customer satisfaction, Xiaomi has classified the “Android Base Layer” and “HyperOS Experience Layer” as follows: This allows:
- New features without upgrading to a new version of Android
- Able to run on legacy hardware
- Decreased certification costs
Some models are updated with HyperOS 3, which is based on Android 16, while others get a backported version, either from Android 15. Thus, there is device uniformity in their software.
Regulator Influence and Shifts in the Future
The 2025 EU Eco-Design Directive will oblige producers to support their software for a longer period. There are signs of adjustment already, for example in new Xiaomi series, which are starting to support longer OS cycles, particularly in Europe, where it is obligatory.
