Huawei Watch GT 6 India Launch Leak: Two Sizes, Stylish Colors, Long Battery New Delhi – July 23, 2025 By Michael B. Norris, Senior Tech Correspondent When I ran my first half-marathon wearing the Huawei Watch GT 5, I didn’t expect it to outperform my chest strap monitor. It was early morning, cool winds cutting through Lodhi Gardens, and I’d just passed the 8km mark. That’s when I glanced down at the GT 5 - expecting some lag or off-reading. But no - it was spot-on, closely mirroring my Polar heart rate strap. Even after two hours, the battery barely budged. That experience marked a turning point in how I viewed Huawei's smartwatches. The Watch GT series has always leaned into endurance over extravagance. With the Watch GT 6 expected this fall, Huawei seems to be refining this formula - this time offering two case sizes and an array of bold new colors aimed at casual users and fitness-minded customers alike. But behind the color names and numbers lies som...
Xiaomi Android 16 Update Rollout Begins: Xiaomi 15, 14T Pro First to Get HyperOS 2.3
By Michael B. Norris New Delhi – July 19, 2025
Personal Story & Expertise
Back in early 2023, I found myself staring at the screen of my Xiaomi 13 Pro during a business trip in Shenzhen, waiting impatiently for the HyperOS beta to install.It was the first time I realized Xiaomi was quietly moving away from MIUI, and toward something more ambitious - HyperOS. Over the last two years, I’ve tracked this evolution up close, testing builds on everything from the Xiaomi 14 Ultra to the more modest Redmi Note 13 5G.
Today, with Android 16 now officially rolling out to select Xiaomi devices ahead of schedule, there’s a sense of déjà vu — except this time, Xiaomi isn’t playing catch-up. It’s leading.
While Samsung and OnePlus are still finalizing internal testing, Xiaomi has already pushed the first wave of stable Android 16 builds, paired with HyperOS 2.3, to its global users.
But what’s actually changed? Which devices are getting it, and when? And does this update matter for users still on older hardware?
Having tested two builds over the last week - one on a flagship and one on a mid-range model - I can say this isn’t a cosmetic refresh.
It’s a deep, infrastructure-level improvement, particularly around performance, privacy, and memory management.
Let’s break it down.
Xiaomi’s Android 16 Rollout: Fast, Quiet, Strategic
Google surprised everyone by releasing the stable build of Android 16 in June 2025, almost two months earlier than usual. Xiaomi was prepared.Developers working closely with Xiaomi’s China ROM division confirmed internally that Android 16 test branches had been merged into HyperOS repositories by early May.
By July 2nd, Xiaomi 15 users in select global regions started receiving Android 16 with HyperOS 2.3, making Xiaomi the first non-Google OEM to push a stable Android 16 update publicly.
Devices Already Receiving the Update:
Xiaomi 15
Xiaomi 14T Pro (spotted on firmware trackers in Europe and SEA)
Official announcements have been sparse, but OTA package hashes confirm the global stable build is now live for select users, with a phased rollout expected over the next month.
Eligible Xiaomi Devices for Android 16 (Expected)
Xiaomi hasn’t published a formal eligibility list yet. However, based on past update cycles, internal firmware branches, and Xiaomi’s publicly known update policy (3 Android versions for most flagships), the following devices are highly likely to receive Android 16:
Xiaomi Series:
Xiaomi 15 / 15 Pro / 15 Ultra / 15S Pro
Xiaomi 14 / 14 Pro / 14 Ultra / 14T / 14T Pro / 14 Civi
Xiaomi 13 / 13 Pro / 13 Ultra / 13T / 13T Pro
Civi 5 Pro / Civi 4 Pro / Civi 3
Xiaomi Pad 7 lineup
Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro / Max / 6S Pro
Redmi Series:
Redmi Note 14 (LTE / 5G) / Note 14 Pro / Note 14 Pro+
Redmi Note 13 (LTE / 5G) / Note 13 Pro / Pro+ / 13R
K80 / K80 Pro / K80 Ultra
K70 series
Redmi 14R / 14C / 13 / 13C / 13R
Redmi A4 5G / A3 Pro
Redmi Pad Pro, Pad SE 8.7, Pad 2
POCO Series:
POCO F7 / F7 Pro / F7 Ultra
POCO F6 / F6 Pro
POCO X7 / X7 Pro / X6 / X6 Pro
POCO M7 / M7 Pro / M6 (all variants)
POCO C75 / C71
Note: This list is based on historical policy + early code sightings.
A few budget devices, especially older Redmi A-series models, may only receive security updates.
Unlike the MIUI-to-HyperOS transition that changed the interface considerably, Android 16 paired with HyperOS 2.3 brings more under-the-hood refinements than flashy new features.
One standout in my Xiaomi 15 Pro testing: RAM efficiency. HyperOS 2.3 includes an improved memory compression engine.
What’s New in Android 16 + HyperOS 2.3 for Xiaomi Devices
Unlike the MIUI-to-HyperOS transition that changed the interface considerably, Android 16 paired with HyperOS 2.3 brings more under-the-hood refinements than flashy new features.
Performance and Responsiveness
One standout in my Xiaomi 15 Pro testing: RAM efficiency. HyperOS 2.3 includes an improved memory compression engine.
On devices with 8GB or less, app switching and background retention felt smoother - particularly noticeable while multitasking between Chrome, WhatsApp, and YouTube.
Apps resumed with fewer reloads, and animations appeared snappier without sacrificing battery life.
Android 16 introduces an upgraded version of the Privacy Sandbox, which is Google’s attempt to maintain ad effectiveness while improving user privacy.
Apps resumed with fewer reloads, and animations appeared snappier without sacrificing battery life.
Security and Privacy Boost
Android 16 introduces an upgraded version of the Privacy Sandbox, which is Google’s attempt to maintain ad effectiveness while improving user privacy.
Xiaomi has adopted this with native support in HyperOS, and the implementation seems less intrusive than Samsung’s One UI counterpart.
New toggles under Settings > Privacy also offer granular control over background data access — useful for identifying apps that still behave like data leeches.
Don’t expect a visual revolution - this isn’t a jump like MIUI 13 to 14.
New toggles under Settings > Privacy also offer granular control over background data access — useful for identifying apps that still behave like data leeches.
Design and UI Tweaks
Don’t expect a visual revolution - this isn’t a jump like MIUI 13 to 14.
However, animations are more fluid, with fewer janky transitions on lower-end models.
HyperOS 2.3’s quick settings panel now loads faster, and the notification shade feels less “heavy.” It’s hard to quantify, but daily usage feels lighter and less clunky than on the earlier HyperOS 1.5 builds.
On the Xiaomi 15 Pro (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3), the improvements were subtle but welcome.
HyperOS 2.3’s quick settings panel now loads faster, and the notification shade feels less “heavy.” It’s hard to quantify, but daily usage feels lighter and less clunky than on the earlier HyperOS 1.5 builds.
Flagship vs. Midrange: Who Benefits Most?
On the Xiaomi 15 Pro (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3), the improvements were subtle but welcome.
But the real test came with the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, where HyperOS 2.3 noticeably lifted system stability.
Battery efficiency improved by 8–10% over a 3-day test window. I played Asphalt 9 for 25 minutes, and the thermal performance was cooler than the previous build - something Xiaomi has quietly optimized with better background task handling.
In short: lower-tier hardware benefits the most from this update.
For those using older devices like the Redmi Note 12 series or Xiaomi 12, Android 16 is unlikely to arrive officially.
Battery efficiency improved by 8–10% over a 3-day test window. I played Asphalt 9 for 25 minutes, and the thermal performance was cooler than the previous build - something Xiaomi has quietly optimized with better background task handling.
In short: lower-tier hardware benefits the most from this update.
How This Affects Older Users
For those using older devices like the Redmi Note 12 series or Xiaomi 12, Android 16 is unlikely to arrive officially.
However, Xiaomi is expected to roll out HyperOS 2.3 Lite, which includes some of the memory and UI improvements without the full Android 16 base.
This will help users still on Android 14/15 maintain performance without full feature parity.
It’s now official: Xiaomi has sunset MIUI branding entirely. Internal app packages, including Themes, Security, and Gallery, are now marked with “HyperOS” tags across beta builds.
Side Note: MIUI is Fully Retired
It’s now official: Xiaomi has sunset MIUI branding entirely. Internal app packages, including Themes, Security, and Gallery, are now marked with “HyperOS” tags across beta builds.
While legacy devices still use older UI elements, HyperOS is now Xiaomi’s unified OS across phones, tablets, and IoT — and Android 16 cements that foundation.
Device Series Android 16 Eligible HyperOS Version Status
Quick Reference: Key Specs Table
Device Series Android 16 Eligible HyperOS Version Status
Xiaomi 15 / 15 Pro Yes 2.3 Rolling Out
Xiaomi 14 Series Yes 2.3 Soon
Xiaomi 13 Series Likely 2.3 Testing
Redmi Note 14 Series Yes 2.3 Phased Rollout
Redmi Note 13 Series Likely 2.3 Q3 2025
Redmi K80 Series Yes 2.3 Testing
Poco F7 Series Yes 2.3 Q3 Expected
Poco X7 / M7 Yes 2.3 Awaiting OTA
Older Redmi Devices No Security Only
Final Take
For Xiaomi users, Android 16 isn’t a flashy leap - it’s a stabilizing force. Paired with HyperOS 2.3, it brings balance, better privacy, and most importantly, renewed efficiency to a wide range of devices.
The real surprise? Xiaomi beat Samsung, OnePlus, and even Pixel A-series to the punch with the first stable Android 16 release.
That shows a shift in how seriously Xiaomi is investing in timely updates and OS leadership.
The next big test will be how long this rollout pace continues - and whether Xiaomi can maintain this momentum across lower-tier devices in real-world conditions.
If they do, 2025 could be the year Xiaomi officially steps out from Google’s shadow in the software game.
The next big test will be how long this rollout pace continues - and whether Xiaomi can maintain this momentum across lower-tier devices in real-world conditions.
If they do, 2025 could be the year Xiaomi officially steps out from Google’s shadow in the software game.
related article: Xiaomi 14T Pro HyperOS 2.3 Update: Android 16 Arrives with Big Battery Fixes & New Animations
Author expertise
Michael B. Norris is a mobile technology journalist with over a decade of experience covering Android ecosystems, OEM firmware strategy, and Chinese mobile innovation.His work has appeared in The Next Platform, DroidCon, and several major telecom analysis reports
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