In the smartphone world, the Xiaomi Mi 7 remains one of the most talked-about models, despite its release in 2018. The recent official confirmation from the manufacturer of support for wireless charging has rekindled interest in this flagship. While competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S9 and iPhone X have long offered this feature, Xiaomi has long been on the sidelines.
But what exactly is known about the implementation of wireless charging in the Mi 7? What are the technical nuances behind this update, and should owners of the old flagship wait for an update? In this article, we will analyze the official statements, analyze the technical capabilities of the device and give practical recommendations to those who plan to use the new feature, and compare the Mi 7 with modern Xiaomi smartphones to understand how relevant this update is in 2026.
Xiaomi Official Confirmation: What the Company Says
In late May 2026, Xiaomi released a statement on its official MIUI forum confirming that the Mi 7 will be supported for wireless charging through a software update, which came as a surprise to many users as it is usually only introduced to new models, but the company explained that the hardware was originally ready for wireless charging, but the feature was disabled at the firmware level.
According to the report, the update will be distributed in stages:
- π First wave β test deployment for a limited number of users (June 2026).
- π Global release β scheduled for July-August 2026.
- β οΈ Restrictions β the feature will only be available on devices with the version MIUI 15 and above.
Interestingly, Xiaomi did not specify whether wireless charging will work at full power (for example, 10-15 watts, as in modern flagships) or will be limited to the standard 5 watts.
β οΈ Note: If your Mi 7 doesnβt receive the update automatically, donβt try to install custom firmware with wireless charging support.This could result in loss of warranty or unstable device performance.
Technical features of wireless charging in the Mi 7
To understand how the Xiaomi Mi 7 will support wireless charging, you need to understand its hardware.
- π Battery capacity of 3350 mAh (non-removable, lithium-polymer).
- π Support for fast wired charging Quick Charge 4.0 (up to 18 watts).
- π± The back panel is made of glass Gorilla Glass 5, which is critical for wireless power transmission.
The main question is how much power wireless charging can provide. Analysis of test firmware shows that the Mi 7 is likely to receive support for the Qi standard with power up to 7.5 watts. This is lower than modern flagships (for example, Xiaomi 14 supports 50 watts), but enough for overnight charging.
| Characteristics | Xiaomi Mi 7 (2018) | Xiaomi 14 (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless charging | β 7.5 W (after update) | β 50 W. |
| Wire-based charging | 18 watts (Quick Charge 4.0) | 90 watts (HyperCharge) |
| Battery capacity | 3350 mAh | 4610 mAh |
| Back panel material | Glass. | Glass/ceramics |
Importantly, wireless charging will require a compatible charging station. Any Qi-enabled devices will do, but for maximum efficiency, it is recommended to use original Xiaomi accessories such as the Mi Wireless Charging Pad.
How to turn on wireless charging after the update
If your Xiaomi Mi 7 received an update with wireless charging, you can activate it in a few steps:
- Make sure your smartphone has the latest version of MIUI (at least MIUI 15). Check this in Settings β About Phone β MIUI version.
- Connect your smartphone to a charging station with Qi support.
- Wait for the notification to start charging. If it does not appear, go to Settings β Battery β Wireless charging and turn on the function manually.
If charging is not started, try the following steps:
Reboot your smartphone|Check the compatibility of the charging station|Update the firmware to the latest version|Reset the battery settings (Settings) β Battery β Reset)-->
β οΈ Warning: Some cases with metal elements or a thick layer of protection may block the wireless charging signal.
Comparison with modern Xiaomi smartphones: should you upgrade?
Even though the Mi 7 is still a 2018 wireless charging device, many users are still using it. But how relevant is it in 2026? Let's compare it to the newer Xiaomi flagships:
- π± Xiaomi Mi 7: Processor: Snapdragon 845 (8 RAM: to RAM: 8 GB LPDDR4X. Screen: AMOLED, 6,01 inch, 1080Γ2248. Camera: double 12 MPP + 12 MPP.
- π± Xiaomi 13T Pro (2023): Processor: Dimensity 9000+ (4 RAM: to RAM: 12 GB LPDDR5. Screen: AMOLED, 6,67 inch, 1440Γ3200, 144 Hz. Camera: triple 50 MPP + 50 MPP + 12 MPP.
Obviously, the Mi 7 is far inferior in performance and capability to today's models, but it has its own advantages:
- β Compact β 6.01-inch screen against 6.67-6.8 inches for the new flagships.
- β Lightness - 168g vs 200+ d modern smartphones.
- β Price - on the secondary market Mi 7 can be found for 10-15 thousand rubles, while the new flagship will cost 60-80,000.
If you want wireless charging but donβt need top-end specs, the Mi 7 might be a good budget option after the upgrade, but for gaming, 4K video or multitasking, itβs better to consider more modern models.
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If you plan to use the Mi 7 for a few more years, replace it with a new battery, and in 6 years of use, it could have reduced its capacity by 30-40%, which will negatively affect battery life, especially when charging wirelessly.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Users who have already tested beta versions of wireless charging firmware have encountered several typical problems, including the most common ones and ways to fix them:
- The smartphone doesn't detect the charging station. Check if your station supports Qi. Some cheap models can run unstable. Also try moving the smartphone over the station surface, sometimes you need precise centering.
- Charging is interrupted or too slow Make sure there are no foreign objects between the smartphone and the station. Also check the temperature of the device - when overheated, the Mi 7 automatically reduces the charging power.
- After the update, lags appeared This may be due to unoptimized firmware. Try clearing the cache (Settings β Storage β Clear Cache) or perform a factory reset (don't forget to make a backup!).
If none of these methods worked, contact Xiaomiβs support team or the official forum, and your problem may be related to a hardware defect, such as a malfunctioning coil of wireless charging.
How to check the efficiency of the coil of wireless charging?
Alternative wireless charging methods for Mi 7 (before update)
If you donβt want to wait for an official update or your Mi 7 wonβt get one for some reason, there are a few alternative ways to add wireless charging:
- π§ In some service centers offer to install an additional module under the back cover. the cost of such a service is about 2-3 thousand rubles. However, this requires disassembling the smartphone and can affect the tightness of the device.
- π± Use of adapter sticker There are thin adapters that glue to the back panel and connect to the connector USB-C. They allow you to charge your smartphone wirelessly, but they look unaesthetic and can fall off over time.
- π On AliExpress and other sites, you can find the rear panels for the Mi 7 with a built-in wireless charging coil. However, installing them will require a complete disassembly of the device, which is risky without experience.
Each of these methods has its pros and cons: For example, installing a module in the service is more reliable, but more expensive, and an adapter sticker is cheaper but less convenient. Before choosing an alternative method, evaluate how much you really need it.
β οΈ Warning: Self-disassembly of a smartphone to install a wireless charging module is warranty-free (if it is still valid) and can damage internal components. If you are not sure about your skills, you should wait for the official update.
The future of the Mi 7: what else to expect from Xiaomi
The confirmation of wireless charging for the Mi 7 is not only a nice bonus for owners, but also a signal that Xiaomi continues to support its older devices. In recent years, the company has been actively updating even models released 4-5 years ago, which favorably distinguishes it from many competitors.
What else can we expect for the Mi 7 in the future?
- π Update to Android 14 Now the smartphone runs on Android 10 with a shell MIUI 12.Thereβs a chance Xiaomi will release an unofficial firmware with a newer OS version, but thatβs unlikely.
- πΈ Some users report that photo processing has improved after the updates, especially in night mode.Maybe Xiaomi will continue to optimize the algorithms.
- π Old batteries lose capacity, and Xiaomi may release a patch that will extend battery life by optimizing the background.
But donβt expect revolutionary changes. The Mi 7 remains the 2018 device, and its hardware is limited, and if you want modern features like 5G, high-frequency screens, or an improved camera, you should consider switching to a new model.
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Xiaomi Mi 7 is one of the few smartphones that has received a new feature 6 years after its release, which proves that even older devices can become more relevant thanks to software updates.