Xiaomi appears ready to follow Apple’s lead once again, this time with a major branding change for its mobile software. 
Reports suggest the Chinese tech giant might abandon the expected HyperOS 3 naming and instead jump to HyperOS 26, aligning the version number with the calendar year-just like Apple may do with iOS 26 and macOS 26 later this year.
The change, if true, would debut in Xiaomi’s Android 16-based skin expected to arrive around October or November 2025. The calendar-based naming system is intended to simplify software identification for users and streamline marketing campaigns. On paper, it sounds smart-but not everyone is impressed.
Many long-time Xiaomi users see this as unnecessary, if not confusing. After all, HyperOS isn’t a standalone OS but an Android-based skin-essentially a rebranded MIUI. Critics argue that calling it an “OS” is a stretch and that the company should focus more on refining its user experience rather than playing branding games.
Users have been vocal about this, with complaints about bloatware, forced ads, and the lack of consistency in software updates. While some acknowledge that HyperOS has improved over MIUI in areas like UI animations and design fluidity, others claim it still suffers in key aspects like battery management and overall efficiency-especially on older devices.
This move also fuels the narrative that Xiaomi continues to imitate Apple instead of forging its own path. From design language to marketing strategies, the brand’s Apple-mirroring tendencies have led to accusations of being a follower rather than an innovator.
Still, for those interested in trying HyperOS, especially with new devices launching soon, the upcoming version could offer some refinements worth exploring. Whether or not renaming it to HyperOS 26 will actually help or just further blur the lines between originality and mimicry, only time will tell.