Xiaomi has already set in motion what will be one of the most significant updates to its operating system in recent years. HyperOS 4, the new version of the customization layer that replaced MIUI, has begun its rollout with the beta version in China and promises profound changes both visually and internally. The company has opted for a clear strategy: tying this update to Android 17, a departure from previous generations that will have direct consequences for the list of compatible devices.
The launch schedule follows the pattern of previous years, with an official announcement on August 13th and testing beginning the next day. From there, the rollout is organized in several phases that will progressively incorporate the software into the brand's various models. Meanwhile, European users will have to be patient, as the stable version won't arrive on our continent for a few more months.
HyperOS 4 Release Schedule
The HyperOS 4 beta was officially announced on August 13, 2026, and, as usual, it began exclusively in China. The first phase of the rollout started the following day, August 14, and included the flagship Xiaomi 17 series, along with the tablets in the Pad 8 family. Specifically, the first devices to test the system were the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, Xiaomi 17 Ultra Leica Edition, Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, Xiaomi 17 Pro, Xiaomi 17, Redmi K90 Pro Max, Redmi K90 Pro Max Champion Edition, Redmi K90, Xiaomi Pad 8, and Xiaomi Pad 8 Pro.
The second phase began on August 28, expanding the list with models such as the Xiaomi 17 Max, Xiaomi 17T Pro, Xiaomi 17T, Xiaomi 15 Ultra, Xiaomi 15S Pro, Xiaomi 15 Pro, Xiaomi 15, Redmi K90 Max, Redmi K90 Supreme Edition, and the Redmi K Pad 2 tablet. The third and final phase of the beta is scheduled for September 17, when the Redmi K100 Pro Max, Redmi K100 Pro, Redmi K80 Pro, Redmi K80 Supreme Edition, Redmi K80, Xiaomi Mix Flip 2, Xiaomi Pad 7 Ultra, and Xiaomi Pad 7S 12.5 will be added.
If everything goes according to plan, the stable version of HyperOS 4 should arrive in China at the end of September. For the rest of the world, and following the company's usual timeline, users will have to wait until the last quarter of 2026 or the first few months of 2027. In Spain and Europe, the rollout is typically slower, so users will likely have to wait a few additional weeks after the global launch.
The bet on Android 17 and its consequences
One of the most talked-about decisions in this new version is that Xiaomi has decided to focus HyperOS 4 development on Android 17, abandoning the Android 16 base. Internal code inspections, performed using the Mi Code tool, have not found any builds based on Android 16, indicating a change in strategy compared to previous versions that did adapt to different generations of Android.
This measure directly affects some models that still had support remaining, such as the Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G, Redmi Note 14S, Redmi A5 4G, POCO C71, POCO M6 Pro 4G, and POCO X6 5G. These devices, which had received standard support with HyperOS 3, may be excluded from the new update. However, it's important to remember that not receiving HyperOS 4 doesn't mean losing support altogether: security patches will continue to be released for at least two years from each model's launch, according to Xiaomi's official policy.
The company aims to centralize its development efforts and offer a more optimized experience on a more recent foundation. However, this decision means that some users will miss out on the new features of HyperOS 4 before their devices reach the end of their support lifecycle, something to keep in mind when considering a future purchase.
New design features: Soft Light Glass and a new interface
The visual aspect is one of the areas that has seen the most changes in HyperOS 4. Xiaomi has dubbed its new design language Soft Light Glass, an interface that adapts to the light and content on the screen, with adaptive transparencies and lighting effects that respond to touch. This style is reminiscent of Apple's Liquid Glass, although with its own unique approach that seeks to differentiate itself.
The lock screen has also been completely redesigned, with a new customization system that lets you change the clock design, widgets, and visual effects all from one place. Notifications are now stacked compactly to avoid cluttering the entire screen, leaving more room for the background and essential elements. The home screen also features new functions such as widget stacking and swapping , new transitions, and improved folder organization.
The control center and Weather app have been redesigned following the Soft Light Glass aesthetic, with rounded buttons and tactile feedback. Other native apps like Files, Contacts, Notes, and Gallery have also received a facelift, although Xiaomi warns that the effects may vary depending on the device model.
Performance and efficiency: HyperCore and AI
Under the hood, HyperOS 4 incorporates the new HyperCore layer, which, according to official data, reduces the total number of instructions by 14,4% compared to HyperOS 3. Artificial intelligence plays a key role, with a memory preloading system that predicts the user's next task and frees up RAM in advance. Xiaomi claims this allows for more than 27,2% of memory to remain available after eight hours of use.
App launch times are 17,5% faster in a test with 30 apps open consecutively after nine hours of use, and frame rate drops are reduced by 28,9% during extended sessions. The gallery has also improved significantly, with a 90% reduction in the time required to scroll through tens of thousands of thumbnails. Battery life improvements are more modest, with an additional 15,6 minutes in the Double Time Out (DOU) battery test.
AI also extends to system applications. The Recorder can recognize meetings, extract key points, and generate summaries, while the Super XiaoAi 2.0 assistant takes a significant leap forward by leveraging Xiaomi's own AI models , moving from responding to single commands to completing multi-step tasks. Features like Inspiration Ball, HyperIsland, and Expert Mode expand the system's capabilities, although many of them will be limited to high-end devices and, in some cases, the Chinese market.
Ecosystem and connectivity: HyperConnect and dual mobile
HyperOS 4 also pays special attention to the device ecosystem. The new Fusion Device Center redesigns the connected device control center, with a clearer layout and the option to pin frequently used devices. It also allows you to switch between multiple homes with a single tap, provided you have HyperOS 4 and Mi Home 11.6 or later.
One of the most interesting new features is the Xiaomi dual mobile function. If you have two Xiaomi phones with the same account, you can synchronize calls, SMS messages, and verification codes in real time, allowing you to reply from either phone even if they're not connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This feature is available for the Xiaomi Digital, Flip, MIX, CIVI, Redmi K, and Redmi Turbo series, although for now it has only been confirmed for China.
HyperConnect is also being expanded, allowing users to use another device's camera, share their mobile connection with a tablet, control their phone from a computer, or project the screen onto a TV with picture-in-picture. Compatibility for transferring files between Xiaomi and iPhone is also mentioned , representing a significant advance in interoperability.
Privacy and security: control over AI
Xiaomi has introduced a privacy framework called end-cloud privacy computing, which aims to ensure that user data is used only to complete the requested task, especially in AI functions that handle sensitive information. In Expert Mode, the system will request confirmation before the AI ​​performs actions that modify, delete, or send data externally.
An automatic memory control has also been added, allowing users to manage the source of what the AI ​​memorizes and delete that stored content within Expert Mode conversations. These measures aim to give users greater control over their data, which is especially relevant at a time when generative AI is at the center of the privacy debate.
HyperOS 4 compatible devices
Although Xiaomi hasn't published the official list of compatible devices, information gleaned from betas and update policies allows us to compile a fairly reliable provisional list. In the high-end range, the Xiaomi 17, Xiaomi 15, and Xiaomi 14 (including the Pro, Ultra, and T variants) will be the first to receive the update. The foldable Xiaomi MIX Flip and MIX Fold 4 are also on the list.
In the Redmi range, the Note 15, Note 14, and Note 13 Pro 5G, along with the Redmi 15, Redmi 15C, and Redmi A5, should receive HyperOS 4. As for POCO, the latest F, X, and M series, such as the POCO F8 Ultra, F7, X7 Pro, and M8 Pro 5G, are on the provisional list. However, it's best to wait for official confirmation from Xiaomi, as some models might be left out due to the decision to base the system on Android 17.
In short, HyperOS 4 is presented as an ambitious update that combines a deep visual redesign with performance improvements and new AI features. The decision to tie it to Android 17 marks a turning point in Xiaomi's strategy, which seeks to optimize its resources but leaves some mid-range models behind. Spanish users will have to wait until late 2026 or early 2027 to see the system on their devices, although the Chinese beta is already giving hints of what's to come.