Xiaomi 's commitment to strengthening its own operating system is accelerating with the arrival of HyperOS 4, a version that aims to become the cornerstone of the brand's ecosystem for years to come. This won't be a simple cosmetic change or a few 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 are still receiving HyperOS 3 and HyperOS 3.1 , the 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 operating system, internally codenamed Cinnamon Bun and identified with API level 37. Google has hinted that this iteration of Android will not bring a visual revolution, but will instead focus primarily on strengthening security, stability, and long-term maintenance on compatible 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 long operated with a degree of independence to differentiate its software, incorporating its own improvements in interface, performance, and connected functions that don't always reach other Android manufacturers.
One of the first confirmations to emerge from the official forums is that HyperOS's 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 to correct lag issues, occasional crashes, and minor graphical glitches that were still present on some models.
This commitment to a major release instead of several minor patches fits with the company's new roadmap, which prefers to reserve major internal modifications for major version numbering and leave intermediate updates, such as HyperOS 3.1, with 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 has already begun to reduce its dependence 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 aims to take the definitive step towards a "Zero-Legacy" architecture , meaning a system completely free of any trace of the old MIUI libraries, from the earliest versions to the most recent. This implies that the compatibility layer still present in HyperOS 3.1 will disappear, making HyperOS 4 the company's first truly independent operating system.
In practice, this means that applications and services will no longer rely on legacy structures and will instead communicate more directly with the new HyperOS framework. By eliminating 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 phones will lose a widespread habit: installing new HyperOS apps ported from other models onto unupdated devices. With the adoption of technologies like Flutter and Rust in certain applications, these recent versions will no longer be compatible with HyperOS 3 and earlier, effectively ending many of the workarounds that have been seen in the community until now.
Improved performance, especially in mid-range and entry-level models
Where HyperOS 4 is expected to make the most noticeable difference is in overall performance, especially in the mid-range and entry-level segments . On more powerful phones, equipped with the latest generation processors, some software inefficiencies are masked by the raw power of the hardware, so the gains will be more modest.
However, by eliminating redundant processes, overlapping services, and components that load in the background without contributing 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 simultaneously using messaging and social media in the background.
In Europe, where a large portion of Xiaomi's sales are concentrated in budget-friendly devices , these 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 for updating specific components without destabilizing the whole , which is key to incorporating improvements without always requiring a complete version change.
Multitasking, notifications, and AI: a more organized experience
Among the new features, one of the most striking is the new multitasking view , which Xiaomi has been promising for some time and which will closely resemble the one seen on iOS. The goal is to provide faster and more convenient access to recently used applications, with clearer cards and more precise control over what is kept in memory.
Another key feature of HyperOS 4 will be AI-powered notification management . The idea is that the system can organize alerts by relevance, group similar messages, and generate quick summaries of lengthy conversations —especially useful in chats with dozens of unread messages. This way, you could review the content of, for example, a long WhatsApp thread in seconds without having to read each message individually.
Users can also adjust the extent to which they want the system to "scratch" or silence less important notifications , such as advertising alerts or secondary notifications from apps they check occasionally. This aligns with the industry's general trend of reducing digital noise and prioritizing what's truly useful.
In terms of visual customization, HyperOS 4 will bring back one of HyperOS 3's key features: interactive widgets . While the current version already allowed users to fill their home screen with modules of varying sizes inspired by the Liquid Glass style, the next update will bring these widgets to the lock screen as well , 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 Android 17's capabilities to enhance its mobile gaming experience . Among the features being considered is the addition of a more integrated on-screen virtual controller , designed not only for casual games but also for more demanding titles where precision is key.
In addition, HyperOS 4 will allow users to remap Bluetooth controller buttons directly from the system settings, without needing third-party apps. This feature will be especially appealing to those who use their mobile phone as a portable console, connecting it to physical controllers for gaming at home or on the go.
Improvements are also expected in automatic resource optimization during gameplay . The system will be able to more finely adjust the CPU, GPU, and memory management to prevent performance drops, reduce heat, and maintain the most stable frame rate possible—something that will benefit both high-end and more affordable models.
In parallel, Xiaomi will continue to leverage the integration of HyperOS with its ecosystem of connected products , a particularly relevant area in Europe, where the adoption of affordable home automation is growing. HyperOS 4 is expected to improve coordination between the brand's mobile phones, tablets, televisions, smart home devices, and electric vehicles . Features such as controlling the car's climate control, checking its location, managing charging, and sending navigation routes from a mobile phone aim to be faster and more reliable.
Generative AI, proprietary apps, and visual changes
HyperOS 3 already made a strong commitment to generative artificial intelligence , so 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 email, messaging, and calendar management.
Xiaomi's pre-installed apps—Gallery, Notes, Weather, Security Center, and others—will also receive significant updates to adapt to the new framework . Beyond the internal changes, improvements are expected in content organization, editing tools, and cross-device synchronization, which will be of particular interest to those who use a Xiaomi phone with the brand's tablets or televisions.
Although HyperOS already underwent a major overhaul during its initial transition, leaks suggest that HyperOS 4 will include moderate visual tweaks : polished animations, 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 rather to 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 most recent models already benefit from up to five years of HyperOS and six years of security patches , something relevant for the European market, where more and more users value the lifespan of the software almost as much as the hardware specifications.
Expected schedule: when HyperOS 4 would arrive
Although Xiaomi hasn't officially announced the dates yet, the timeline of recent releases provides a fairly accurate estimate. Looking at what happened with HyperOS 3, the launch 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 was extended in waves between October and March , reaching different Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO models in stages. The final batch of updates was extended until March 2026, making it clear that the company prefers to proceed gradually to avoid serious problems on millions of devices.
If a similar strategy is followed, all indications point to HyperOS 4 being officially unveiled in the summer of 2026 , likely between late August and early September. Following that unveiling, the first developer previews 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 would be 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 during the first half of 2027 , always according to the plan that has been used with previous versions.
Mobile phones that could receive HyperOS 4 in Spain and Europe
There isn't an official, definitive list of compatible devices yet, but Xiaomi's update policy and leaks allow us to sketch out an initial picture. Currently, the brand offers four years of HyperOS updates and six years of security patches on many of its flagship models , a figure that extends to five years in some specific cases.
With that in mind, it's virtually certain that the upcoming Xiaomi 18 and the Xiaomi 17 series (17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and 17 Ultra) will be included. These would be joined by recent flagships like the Xiaomi 15, 15T, 15T Pro, 15S Pro, 15 Pro, and 15 Ultra , as well as the current 14 series (14, 14T, 14T Pro, 14 CIVI, 14 Pro, and 14 Ultra), models with a strong presence in the European market.
In the foldable and experimental segment, the Xiaomi MIX Flip and Xiaomi MIX Fold are also expected to receive the new version, reinforcing the brand's commitment to alternative form factors that are gradually arriving in Spain and other European countries. The Xiaomi 13 series remains to be officially confirmed, while the Xiaomi 12 family may 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 their 5G, Pro, and Pro+ variants), as well as models like the Redmi 15, 15 5G, 15C, Redmi 14C, and A5. For POCO, the rumors mention devices like the POCO F6, F6 Pro, F7, F7 Pro, F7 Ultra , and the upcoming POCO F8 series , along with more affordable models such as the POCO C85, C75, M7, and M8 in their various 5G and Pro configurations.
It's important to emphasize that these lists are still indicative and based on the general support policy and standard renewal cycles. We'll have to wait for official announcements to confirm which models sold in Spain and the rest of Europe will ultimately 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.
