According to their Product Software Support Information page, Xiaomi has officially announced the end of security updates for some of its most popular products, marking a significant milestone for its fans throughout the world.
Although there is a strange silver lining for Xiaomi 11 Ultra customers, this move affects thousands of users who have been using these smartphones for their everyday digital demands. The decision represents the latest development in Xiaomi’s ongoing controversy surrounding its software support policy, which is ongoing despite the company’s success in maintaining older devices while giving priority to newer product lines.
Xiaomi devices reaching EOS
The Redmi 10C and Redmi 10 that have attained end-of-life (EOL) status running MIUI 14 based on Android 13 are among the devices on the list that would no longer receive security updates. For most users, that means they are no longer protected against recently found vulnerabilities, which may raise questions about long-term device security.
In a similar vein, HyperOS 1 based on Android 13 has reached the end of life (EOL) of the Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G, Redmi Note 11E Pro, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G, and POCO X4 Pro 5G. Updates in the form of security patches will no longer be available for mid-range phones, which were highly popular when they were first released due to their great specifications at low costs.
The impact on Xiaomi 12X
The Xiaomi 12X, which was marketed as a lightweight flagship model, is now among the phones that will not be receiving any more security updates. The 12X ends its update cycle with HyperOS 1, which is based on Android 13, just as the previously mentioned Redmi Note 11 series. Despite being ready for an upgrade, the Xiaomi 12 Lite will not get the HyperOS 2 update.
Xiaomi 11 Ultra Receives HyperOS 2
However, Xiaomi has revealed that the Xiaomi 11 Ultra would receive HyperOS 2 even though it has stopped receiving regular security upgrades, which is a welcome surprise for the majority of Mi enthusiasts. With the impending Android 15, this 2021 flagship luxury device—which was praised for its superb camera setup and high-end specs—will receive an update based on Android 14, but not HyperOS 2.
The terms for Xiaomi’s update strategy are called into doubt by this special treatment of the 11 Ultra. The fact that the 11 Ultra comes with HyperOS 2 indicates that Xiaomi may be offering prolonged software support for its flagship premium phones, maybe to keep its premium user base happy, even though the majority of the devices on the list are mid-range or low-cost phones.
It is advised that users of the impacted devices take extra security precautions, include exercising more caution when downloading apps from unidentified sources and maintaining strict protection for sensitive data.
