The move to a new version of the operating system is always a matter of interest to smartphone owners, and Xiaomi is no exception. When the company began rolling out the MIUI 13 shell, based on Android 12, many users faced confusion in the numbering of versions. It is important to understand that for the Chinese giant’s ecosystem, MIUI 13 became the visual embodiment of the twelfth version of Android for most devices, this step allowed to introduce many personalization features that were previously only available in stock Android or required root rights.
The update process has affected hundreds of devices, from the flagships of previous years to the budget models of the Redmi Note series. However, not all devices received the long-awaited update at the same time, and some were completely left out of the official support. The key point is that global versions of firmware often come with a delay of several months relative to Chinese releases. Device owners need to be clearly aware of the differences between the versions of MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11 and MIUI 13 based on Android 12, as this affects the compatibility of applications and the operation of system services.
In this article, we will discuss in detail which Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models received the update to Android 12. We will analyze the technical nuances of the transition, possible battery problems and new features of the interface. If you are planning to upgrade or just want to know the status of your device, this information will be critical for you.
List of flagship smartphones Xiaomi and Mi
The flagship lineup traditionally gets updates first. Owners of Mi 11 series and earlier models like the Mi 10 were the first to try out the new system. These smartphones have enough power of Snapdragon 888 and Snapdragon 865 processors to ensure smooth operation of new animations and widgets. Stability on top devices is usually higher than on budget devices, thanks to driver optimization.
However, even on flagships, there are situations where the update comes in parts. First, the device can get a security patch, and only after a week or two — a full change of the Android version. For the Mi Mix series, the situation was ambiguous: some models received an update, while others released in the transition period remained on the previous version. Always check the information in the update menu, as the status can change at any time.
⚠️ Note: When updating flagship models with unlocked bootloader through the recovery, be sure to do a full data backup, as the transition between major versions of Android can lead to the clearing of the Userdata partition.
Below is a list of the main flagship models that officially received the shell MIUI 13 based on Android 12 in the global version:
- 📱 Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra – received an update one of the first, improved camera performance.
- 📱 Xiaomi Mi 11 and Mi 11i — Stable operation, optimized energy consumption.
- 📱 Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro and Mi 10T — Significant improvement of the interface and widgets.
- 📱 Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro – for some regions, the update came last.
- 📱 Xiaomi Mi Mix 4 – received a system with a number of exclusive interface features.
Support for Redmi and POCO devices
The mid- and budget segments represented by the Redmi and POCO brands reach the largest audience of users. This is where the introduction of Android 12 caused the greatest resonance. The popular Redmi Note 10 and POCO X3 series received a new shell, which significantly refreshed the appearance of the devices. However, due to the huge number of modifications to the processors (Snapdragon, MediaTek Helio, Dimensity), the update schedule was greatly stretched over time.
MediaTek-based devices often update later than their Snapdragon counterparts, due to the need for additional driver adaptations by the chipset manufacturer. Redmi Note 9 and POCO M3 users had to be patient while waiting for stable builds to come out. In some cases, devices designed for the Chinese market were the first to receive updates, and global versions waited months for their turn.
Why is POCO updated longer?
Device owners should consider that switching to a new version of the system on budget smartphones can temporarily affect autonomy. The process of indexing files and optimizing applications in the background takes up the resources of the processor.
- 🚀 POCO X3 NFC and POCO X3 Pro – the most popular models, the update brought new widgets.
- 🚀 Redmi Note 10 Pro and Note 10S — Improved smoothness of animations and the work of the curtain notifications.
- 🚀 Redmi Note 9 Pro – for many devices, this was the last major update to Android.
- 🚀 POCO F3 — It was quickly developed thanks to a powerful iron".
- 🚀 Redmi 9T Redmi 9 Power – basic interface optimization.
Technical features of MIUI 13 based on Android 12
Visually, MIUI 13 is not much different from its predecessor, but under the hood hides a major change dictated by the transition to Android 12. One of the main innovations was the Material You system, which in the implementation of Xiaomi was called "Superbugs" and advanced customization. The color palette of the system can now automatically adjust to the colors of installed wallpaper, creating a single visual environment.
The Control Center and the Notification Panel have been significantly redesigned. Unlike stock Android, where these elements are separated, MIUI has integrated them into a single concept, but with the new privacy rules of version twelfth. The microphone and camera access indicator has appeared: if an application uses these resources, a corresponding point lights up in the corner of the screen, which is an important step towards the security of user data.
| Function | Changes to Android 12 / MIUI 13 | Influence on the user |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy Dashboard | Privacy panel showing application access | Controlling which applications use geolocation |
| One-Handed Mode | Improved One-Hand Mode | Convenient use of large smartphones with one hand |
| Live Caption | Automatic subtitles for media | Ability to read video without sound (depending on language) |
| Game Center | Updated Play Center with Boosters | Improved gaming performance and blocking notifications |
⚠️ Attention: After updating to MIUI 13 Android 12-based app "Security" can work in aggressive mode, closing the background processes.
How to check and install an update
The process of getting a new version of the software on Xiaomi devices can be automatic or manual. Most often, the notification comes by itself, but if you want to speed up the process, you can check for updates manually through the settings.
There are two main ways to update: through the menu in the phone settings and through the special Updater app, where you can choose a firmware file manually. The second method is suitable for advanced users who want to install a specific version or update before the official release in their region.
☑️ Checklist before update
To automatically check, go to Settings, select About Phone and click on the MIUI version logo. The system will contact the server and check for a new version. If the update is available, the Download and Install button will appear. In case the system says that there are no updates but you know that they are out for your model, try changing the region in the settings (Settings → Additional Settings → Region) to India or Global, check for updates, and then return your region.
Way to manually check: Settings → About Phone → (tap on the MIUI logo) → Three dots in the corner → Select a firmware filePossible problems and solutions
Switching to a new version of the operating system rarely goes perfectly smoothly on all devices. Users may experience accelerated battery drain in the first days after the update. This is a normal situation associated with background optimization of the system and re-indexing of media files. Usually after 3-5 days of use, the situation stabilizes, and the autonomy returns to its previous performance.
Another common problem is the malfunction of some applications, especially banking ones, which can respond to changes in system security libraries. GPS-In most cases, these problems are solved by the release of security patches, which Xiaomi releases regularly.
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If the phone starts to run out quickly after the upgrade, try resetting the network settings or resetting the application settings (not data) through the recovery menu.
In case of critical errors such as endless restart (bootloop), you may need to completely reset the device or flash through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility. Before any manipulation of the firmware, make sure that you download the correct version of the software that corresponds to your region and device type (Global, EU, CN).
- 🔧 Bootloop – often treated with reset via Recovery (Wipe Data).
- 🔧 Wi-Fi problems – Resetting network settings or flashing module helps.
- 🔧 Interface Lags – Cleaning the system cache and removing unused applications.
Performance comparison: before and after
Many users are wondering whether to upgrade an old smartphone, or will the new system only slow it down? benchmark analysis shows that Android 12 requires slightly more RAM resources for background processes, but better manages task priorities. On devices with 6 GB of RAM and more, the difference is almost not noticeable, and the interface becomes more responsive.
On devices with 4 GB of RAM and less, the situation is ambiguous. On the one hand, new animations can consume more GPU resources. On the other hand, the improved memory compression algorithm in Android 12 allows you to keep more applications open in the background. Owners of Redmi 9 or POCO M3 models should weigh the pros and cons, perhaps on the old stable version of Android 11, the device will work faster in everyday tasks.
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Upgrading to Android 12 on devices with 4GB of RAM could lead to more frequent downloading of apps from memory, but improve overall system stability and security.
In conclusion, the transition to Android 12 in the shell of MIUI 13 is an important milestone in the life of the smartphone, extending its relevance. New privacy features, updated design and improved performance make this step justified for most users, the main thing is to wait for a stable version for your region and properly prepare for the installation process.