How long Xiaomi plans to support its 2025 flagship

When buying a high-end phone like the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max, long-term software support matters just as much as performance or design. Xiaomi has recognised this, and with its latest flagship, the company is finally stepping up its update commitment to compete with Samsung and Google. For UK buyers, this means a phone that stays fast, secure, and relevant for years instead of feeling outdated after just a couple of cycles.

Xiaomi officially promises four years of major HyperOS (Android) updates and six years of security patches for the 17 Pro Max. That’s a massive improvement over the brand’s older approach, where flagships received three years of Android support at best. With this new commitment, owners can expect their phone to remain supported through at least 2031, spanning multiple Android generations and several major HyperOS feature upgrades.

In practice, this means that if the 17 Pro Max ships with Android 16 and HyperOS 3, it will likely receive updates through Android 20 (or equivalent). Each of these updates brings new system features, UI improvements, and optimisations to battery and performance, helping the device stay modern for much longer. Security patches will continue for two additional years after major updates end, keeping the phone protected from vulnerabilities even as newer devices replace it in the lineup.

For UK buyers, it’s worth noting that the full update policy applies only to global or UK-stock variants. Imported Chinese versions may follow a different schedule, with slower rollouts and occasional delays in feature availability. Regional firmware differences can mean that updates appear weeks later for imports, which can be frustrating for users expecting prompt support. Choosing an official UK version ensures smoother and faster updates delivered directly through Xiaomi’s global HyperOS channels.

The company’s recent focus on software consistency is part of a broader effort to build brand trust in premium markets like the UK. Historically, Xiaomi phones were known for impressive hardware but lagged behind competitors in long-term reliability. This change brings Xiaomi closer to Samsung’s six-year policy and Google’s seven-year promise, narrowing the gap between Chinese and Western flagship update standards.

Beyond OS upgrades, Xiaomi has also pledged more frequent security and system stability updates. Users can expect quarterly security patches and occasional maintenance updates that fix bugs, improve power management, and fine-tune camera performance. The company’s HyperOS rollout framework also promises smarter over-the-air (OTA) updates that minimise disruption and preserve user data, making software upgrades smoother than before.

Long-term software support adds more than just convenience—it strengthens resale value. Phones with extended support typically hold their value longer, as buyers feel confident that the device will continue receiving security patches and system improvements. In the UK’s second-hand market, that means the 17 Pro Max is likely to depreciate more slowly than previous Xiaomi flagships, offering better trade-in or resale potential over a three-to-four-year ownership period.

Of course, Xiaomi’s update promises cover duration, not exact timing. While updates are expected quarterly, delays may still occur, especially for feature-rich versions like the Pro Max. However, early signs suggest that Xiaomi has improved its global coordination, with recent models receiving updates far more promptly than before.

In the end, the Xiaomi 17 Pro Max delivers not just flagship hardware, but a genuinely extended lifespan. With four major HyperOS upgrades and six years of security patches, it finally joins the ranks of long-lasting Android phones. For UK users planning to invest in a premium device that will stay fast, secure, and supported well into the next decade, this is Xiaomi’s most future-proof offering yet.