Xiaomi to Drop Traditional HyperOS Naming Scheme

Xiaomi appears to be planning a rebrand of its custom Android skin: instead of the expected HyperOS 3, the company may unveil HyperOS 26 — mirroring Apple’s possible move to iOS 26.

The change is aimed at making it easier for users to understand which year the firmware corresponds to. Why 26 and not 25? It’s all about timing: flagship devices will start receiving the update in fall 2025, while the broader rollout is expected in 2026.

HyperOS 26, likely based on Android 16, is expected to debut in October or November. The new naming system is more convenient from a marketing and version-tracking perspective — but it also puts added pressure on Xiaomi to stick to deadlines so version numbers align with the calendar.