Bet Xiaomi to strengthen its own operating system This process accelerates with the arrival of HyperOS 4, a version that aims to become the cornerstone of the brand's ecosystem for years to come. It won't be a simple cosmetic change or a couple of minor tweaks: everything points to a thorough overhaul of the software to improve stability, performance, and internal consistency.
While many users in Spain and the rest of Europe continue to receive HyperOS 3 and HyperOS 3.1The company is already working on the next major update. HyperOS 4 will be the turning point that definitively leaves behind the MIUI legacy, with a cleaner and more modern codebase that should translate into smoother mobiles, fewer strange bugs, and a more polished everyday experience.
A system based on Android 17 and focused on stability
HyperOS 4 will be Built on Android 17, the next major version of Google's system whose internal codename is Cinnamon Bun and which is identified with API level 37. Google has hinted that this iteration of Android will not bring a visual revolution, but will focus primarily on strengthening safety, stability and long-term maintenance on supported devices.
Building on that foundation, Xiaomi will add its own customization layer and exclusive features. While many of the new features will be dictated by Android, the Chinese brand has been moving with a degree of independence for some time to differentiate its software, incorporating proprietary improvements in interface, performance and connected functions which don't always reach other Android manufacturers.
One of the first confirmations to come out of the official forums is that the HyperOS System Launcher —the launcher that manages the home screen, app drawer, and icons— will receive a thorough overhaul with HyperOS 4. Instead of releasing a simple patch for HyperOS 3 or 3.1, Xiaomi has opted to tie these structural changes to the new version for Fix lag issues, occasional crashes, and minor graphical glitches which were still present in some models.
This commitment to a large release instead of several smaller patches fits with the company's new roadmap, which prefers to reserve major internal modifications for main numbering versions and leave the intermediate updates, such as HyperOS 3.1, to play the role of transition and polishing.
A final goodbye to MIUI: the "Zero-Legacy" project
To understand why HyperOS 4 is so relevant, we need to look at the immediate present: HyperOS 3.1 MIUI has already begun reducing its reliance on the old MIUI by removing parts of the SDK from apps like Weather and Gallery. For years, MIUI accumulated layers of legacy code, cross-dependencies, and workarounds that carried over from one update to the next.
With HyperOS 4, Xiaomi wants to take the definitive step towards an architecture “Zero-Legacy”That is, a system with no trace of the old MIUI libraries, from the earliest versions to the most recent. This implies that the compatibility layer that still exists in HyperOS 3.1 It will disappear, making HyperOS 4 the first truly standalone system from the company in the past.
In practice, this means that applications and services They will stop relying on old structures and will communicate more directly with the new HyperOS framework. By clearing this "technical debt," the system gains stability, reduces hard-to-reproduce errors, and makes it easier for Xiaomi to maintain and update its software for longer without having to deal with legacy patches.
The downside of this decision is that users with older mobile phones will lose a very widespread habit: Install on devices without updating the new HyperOS apps extracted from other models. With the adoption of technologies like Flutter or Rust in certain applications, these recent versions will no longer be compatible with HyperOS 3 and earlier, which will close the door to many "tricks" that were previously seen in the community.
Improved performance, especially in mid-range and entry-level models
Where HyperOS 4 is expected to make the most noticeable differences is in the overall performance, especially in the mid-range and entry-level segmentsIn the most powerful mobile phones, equipped with the latest generation processors, some of the software inefficiencies are masked by the raw power of the hardware, so the gains will be more moderate.
However, by eliminating redundant processes, overlapping services, and components that loaded in the background Without adding much, the system will free up key resources like CPU and RAM. This should be noticeable in scenarios where many Xiaomi users have been experiencing lag: intensive multitasking, rapid app switching, prolonged browsing, or gaming while using messaging and social media in the background.
In Europe, where a large part of Xiaomi's sales are concentrated precisely in affordable terminalsThese kinds of optimizations can make the difference between a phone that runs smoothly for years and one that starts showing signs of strain after just a few months. The brand's ambition is for HyperOS 4 to feel lighter even on devices with less RAM or modest processors.
In parallel, the cleaner integration between system apps and the new framework will allow update specific components without destabilizing the wholeThis is key to being able to incorporate improvements without always forcing a complete version change.
Multitasking, notifications, and AI: a more organized experience
Among the new functional features, one of the most striking is the new multitasking viewXiaomi has been promising this feature for some time, and it will closely resemble the one seen on iOS. The goal is to provide faster and more convenient access to recently used apps, with clearer cards and more precise control over what is stored in memory.
Another important aspect of HyperOS 4 will be the management of notifications powered by artificial intelligenceThe idea is that the system can organize alerts by relevance, group similar messages, and generate quick summaries of lengthy conversationsThis is especially useful in chats with dozens of unread messages. This way, you can review the content of, for example, a long WhatsApp thread in seconds without having to read each message individually.
The user will also be able to adjust the extent to which they want the system to... "Dismiss" or silence less important notificationssuch as advertising alerts or secondary notifications from apps that are checked occasionally. This aligns with the general industry trend of reducing digital noise and prioritizing what is truly useful.
In terms of visual customization, HyperOS 4 will return to one of the strong points of HyperOS 3: the interactive widgetsIf the current version already allowed filling the home screen with modules of different sizes inspired by the so-called Liquid Glass style, the next update It will also bring these widgets to the lock screen, offering more information and shortcuts without needing to unlock the device.
More focus on video games and connected ecosystem
The latest leaks suggest that Xiaomi will leverage the capabilities of Android 17 to strengthen the [specific area/features/etc.] mobile gamesAmong the functions being considered is the addition of a virtual on-screen controller Better integrated at the system level, designed not only for casual titles, but also for more demanding games where precision is key.
Along with this, HyperOS 4 will allow Remap the Bluetooth controller buttons directly from the system settings, without having to use third-party apps. This feature will be especially useful for those who use their mobile phone as a portable console, connecting it to physical controllers to play at home or on the go.
Improvements are also expected in the automatic resource optimization during gamesThe system will be able to fine-tune the CPU, GPU, and memory management to prevent performance drops, reduce heat, and maintain the most stable frame rate possible, which will benefit both high-end and more affordable models.
In parallel, Xiaomi will continue to exploit the integration of HyperOS with its ecosystem of connected productsThis is a particularly relevant field in Europe, where the adoption of affordable home automation is growing. HyperOS 4 is expected to improve coordination between mobile phones, tablets, televisions, smart home devices, and also electric vehicles of the brandFunctions such as controlling the car's climate control, checking its location, managing charging, or sending navigation routes from the mobile phone aim to be faster and more reliable.
Generative AI, proprietary apps, and visual changes
HyperOS 3 already made a strong commitment to the generative artificial intelligenceSo the challenge for HyperOS 4 will be to go a step further without overwhelming the user with features they won't use. The expectation is that Xiaomi will refine these tools to make them more practical: better-integrated contextual assistants, more natural image generation and editing, and above all, AI functions applied to everyday tasks such as mail, messaging, or calendar organization.
Xiaomi's own pre-installed apps—gallery, notes, weather, security center, and others—will also receive Important updates to adapt to the new frameworkBeyond the internal changes, improvements are expected in content organization, editing tools, and synchronization between devices, something that is of particular interest to those who combine a Xiaomi mobile phone with tablets or televisions from the brand.
Although HyperOS already underwent a major facelift in its initial transition, leaks suggest that HyperOS 4 will include moderate visual enhancementsAnimation refinements, icon adjustments, minor menu changes, and new styles for widgets and shortcuts. The intention is not to make it look like a completely different system, but Refine what already worked well and correct what was causing confusion.
All these changes are supported by an update policy that Xiaomi has been expanding in recent years: several of its latest models already benefit from Up to five years of HyperOS and six years of security patchesThis is relevant for the European market, where more and more users value software lifespan almost as much as hardware specifications.
Expected schedule: when HyperOS 4 would arrive
Although Xiaomi hasn't officially announced the dates yet, the release schedule of recent launches provides a fairly accurate estimate. Looking at what happened with HyperOS 3, The presentation in China took place in the summer, followed by a testing phase with closed and open betas, first in the local market and then in other Asian countries.
The stable rollout of HyperOS 3 gradually expanded in waves between October and MarchThe update is being rolled out gradually to various Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO models. The latest batch of updates was extended until March 2026, clearly demonstrating the company's preference for a phased approach to avoid serious issues affecting millions of devices.
If a similar strategy is repeated, everything points to the fact that HyperOS 4 will be officially unveiled in the summer of 2026probably between the end of August and the beginning of September. Following that presentation, the first developer betas would be released in China, followed by public betas for a handful of key models.
In this scenario, the arrival of the first stable versions globally It would be released in the last quarter of 2026. Users in Spain and the rest of Europe would see the update arrive in batches for the most recent models, while lower-end and slightly older devices would be incorporated gradually. first half of 2027, always according to the planning that has been used with previous versions.
Mobile phones that could receive HyperOS 4 in Spain and Europe
Currently there is no official, closed list of compatible devices, but Xiaomi's update policy And the leaks allow us to draw an initial picture. Currently, the brand offers it in many of its main models. 4 years of HyperOS updates and 6 years of security patches, a figure that in some specific cases is extended to 5 years of operating system.
With that in mind, it's virtually certain that future Xiaomi 18 and the Xiaomi 17 series (17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and 17 Ultra) are included in the list. These would be joined by recent flagship models such as the Xiaomi 15, 15T, 15T Pro, 15S Pro, 15 Pro and 15 UltraIn addition to the current 14 range (14, 14T, 14T Pro, 14 CIVI, 14 Pro and 14 Ultra), models with a strong presence in the European catalog.
In the foldable and experimental segment, it is expected that The Xiaomi MIX Flip and Xiaomi MIX Fold They will also receive the new version, reinforcing the brand's commitment to alternative formats that are gradually arriving in Spain and other European countries. The Xiaomi 13 series is pending official confirmation, while the Xiaomi 12 family will have more difficulty accessing HyperOS 4 based on current support cycles.
In the Redmi range, leaks point to the Redmi Note 13, 14 and 15 (including its 5G, Pro, and Pro+ variants), as well as models like the Redmi 15, 15 5G, 15C, Redmi 14C, and A5. In the case of POCO, devices such as POCO F6, F6 Pro, F7, F7 Pro, F7 Ultra and the upcoming series POCO F8, along with more affordable ranges such as POCO C85, C75, M7 and M8 in their various 5G and Pro configurations.
It is worth emphasizing that these lists remain indicative and based on the general support policy and the usual renewal cycles. We'll have to wait for the official announcements. to confirm which models sold in Spain and the rest of Europe will finally be included in the rollout and in what order they will receive the update.
Based on everything known so far, HyperOS 4 is shaping up to be a key update for Xiaomi: less flashy on the surface than other version jumps, but much more ambitious in what isn't visible, from cleaning up the code inherited from MIUI to reorganizing the system to gain stability, get better use out of the hardware and strengthen integration with the brand's product ecosystem, something that will directly affect millions of European users when the rollout becomes a reality.
