Xiaomi commits to extended Android updates, but there's a catch

Xiaomi is set to introduce a new Android update policy alongside its forthcoming 11T series. The company confirmed that the Xiaomi 11T and 11T Pro would receive three Android system upgrades and four years of security patches when they officially arrive later this month.

Xiaomi believes this change will better serve the longer lifecycle of smartphones while improving the long-term security of those who hang onto them.

The move also puts Xiaomi at par with Samsung’s Android upgrade commitment, which allows its newer devices four years of security updates with three major Android upgrades. The likes of OnePlus, and more recently OPPO and vivo, commit to three-year upgrade periods for specific models, too.

More reading: Dear OEMs — Your Android update policy should have nothing to do with PR

What about older Xiaomi phones?

There is a caveat, though. The new policy does not apply to current Xiaomi smartphones. At least not yet. Xiaomi explicitly states that only the 11T and 11T Pro will benefit from the move. It did, however, confirm it would “evaluate the possibility” of extending the policy to more devices in the future. This could prove a tough task given Xiaomi’s extensive smartphone offerings. That said, data from a recent poll suggests our readers demand that a three-year upgrade commitment should be the standard for all devices across the industry.

What else can we expect from the Xiaomi 11T series? Thanks to several leaks and early confirmations, we have a fairly good idea of what the phones will bring. Xiaomi recently confirmed the Pro model would support 120W charging. Rumors also mention a 120Hz display, a 5,000mAh battery, and the Snapdragon 888 SoC.

We won’t have to wait too long for concrete details, though. Xiaomi will launch the 11T series on September 15.