Xiaomi is Testing Android Oreo on the Xiaomi Mi 5 and Xiaomi Mi Mix

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Xiaomi tends to be diligent when it comes to rolling-out updates for MIUI, its custom Android ROM. However, it has a less than stellar track record when it comes to rolling out major Android software updates. The Redmi Note 3, for example, has received a stable update of MIUI 9.2, but that update is based on the outdated Android Marshmallow as it hasn’t received a MIUI update base on Android Nougat. Moreover, the company still hasn’t rolled-out a stable Android Oreo update to any of its MIUI-based phones, even though beta programs are underway for the Mi 6 and the Mi Mix 2.

Even the newly launched Redmi Note 5 and the Redmi Note 5 Pro have been launched with Android Nougat, instead of the newer Android Oreo. Things are set to change though, as we have written about the upcoming Mi Mix 2S and the Mi 7, which are upcoming Xiaomi flagship smartphones. They will ship with Android Oreo out of the box. Now, we also have information that Xiaomi is testing Android Oreo updates for the Mi 5 and the Mi Mix.

This information is based on firmware files obtained by @FunkyHuawei, the man behind the FunkyHuawei.club service, which allows users to update, unbrick, or rebrand Huawei and Honor phones for a fee. He has provided access to these firmware files exclusively to XDA-Developers.

The Mi 5 was Xiaomi’s 2016 flagship smartphone for international markets. It launched with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 system-on-chip, 3GB/4GB of RAM with 32GB/64GB/128GB of storage, 5.15-inch Full HD (1920×1080) IPS display, a 16MP rear camera, a 4MP front camera, and a 3,000 mAh battery. The phone shipped with MIUI 7 on top of Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and it received an update to Android Nougat. It also recently received an update to MIUI 9, though that was also based on Android Nougat.

The Mi Mix, on the other hand, was Xiaomi’s first smartphone with a full-screen display with extremely small bezels. Launched in 2016, it had limited availability as it was never launched in international markets. It had the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 system-on-chip, 4GB/6GB of RAM with 128GB/256GB of storage, a 6.44-inch Full HD (2040×1080) 17:9 aspect ratio IPS display, a 16MP rear camera, a 5MP front camera, and a 4,400mAh battery. The phone shipped with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and Xiaomi has rolled-out the Android Nougat-based MIUI 9 update for the device.

The firmware files we are looking at indicate that Xiaomi is testing the Android Oreo update for both of these 2016 flagship smartphones (code-names gemini and lithium). However, it is possible that the update may never be released, as the company could merely be evaluating the upgrade and later decide not to release it. Here’s hoping that the Mi 5, the Mi Mix, and other Xiaomi smartphones do receive the Oreo update, and receive it soon.