People are keeping their phones for longer, so long-term software support is becoming increasingly vital. Keeping that in mind, the only way to know whether a company will seed software updates to a specific device—and for how long—is to check its update policy.

If you wish to buy a Xiaomi device for long-term use, these select smartphone models will have your back with their four years of guaranteed security updates.

Xiaomi Tweaks Its Update Policy

Like many smartphone companies, Xiaomi wants to be the best in matters of software updates. This is important for two reasons. One, it's a way to make their phones compete well on the market and, secondly, to ensure users' data on their devices is safe.

In September 2021, the Chinese tech company tweaked its update policy, adding one more year of software support and an extra Android update. According to the updated policy, Xiaomi will provide three major Android updates and four years of security updates to its devices. Smartphone security updates are crucial as they patch various software bugs and flaws.

But as you would expect from a company that makes a wide range of devices in a year that target different types of consumers, not all phones are equal. And they don't get the same treatment either. This is true on many fronts, not just on software support.

And while Xiaomi's policy is good, some smartphone companies offer even better software support.

These Xiaomi Phones Will Get Four Years of Security Updates

Xiaomi's Mi 11 Ultra smartphone

While Xiaomi's latest update policy only applies to Xiaomi phones introduced in 2021 and later, not every recently launched device from the company gets the privilege of extended support.

Here are the select Xiaomi phones that will receive long-term software support from the company:

  • Regular Xiaomi series: Xiaomi 11T, 11T Pro, 11 Lite 5G NE, 12X, 12, and 12 Pro.
  • Redmi Note series: Redmi Note 11, 11s, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro 5G.
  • Redmi K series: Redmi K50 and K50 Pro.

Buy Smartphones With Long Term Software Support

While it's easy to recommend everyone buys a device with long-term software support, it's only fair to recognize that these devices don't come cheap. However, that's the cost you should be ready to incur if you want to use a phone that will have your back for an extended period.

The good news is that even budget devices receive some standard software support mandated by Google (two years of security updates). The only difference is the support period and the pace and frequency of those updates. If you love Xiaomi's phones and wish to continue using their devices, buy any mentioned model above.