Android 5.0 Lollipop Update for Xiaomi Mi3 Imminent; When Will Redmi 1S Owners Get New OS?

Chinese mobile phone makers, Xiaomi, surprised many by announcing Android 5.0 Lollipop update for its devices even before many major smartphone manufacturers could do. The fact is Xiaomi Mi3 will get the software update very soon and Redmi 1S is also very likely to receive it in a few weeks time.

Xiaomi recently surprised many by rolling out Android 5.0 Lollipop update for Mi2 and Mi2S on the manufacturer-driven official MIUI blog, where it posts software updates, bug fixes, patches and other information, while several big smartphone makers are still waiting for the new software.

However, it had recommended users not to opt for dual boot while getting the latest update, to avoid dual system and warned not to make and receive calls through Bluetooth headsets after the update, indicating that the software update was still in beta-phase.

Some reports suggested that the new software would be rolled out to Redmi and Mi series devices. Xiaomi hasn't revealed the Lollipop update schedule for its devices, but will arrive before the end of this year.

Meanwhile, Xiaomi Mi3 is likely to get the candy flavoured update in a few days' time, as a photo of the device running the new software has surfaced on social networking sites.

According to a report by Skytechblog, @Ivan秋叶随风, a developer working in Xiaomi, has posted a picture showing Mi3 running on Android 5.0 lollipop on Weibo. Ivan is the same person who made Android 5.0 ROM for Mi2 and Mi2S, and he is said to be currently working on Android 5.0 ROM for Mi3. 

The website went on to say that the ROM is for the WCDMA variant of Mi3, which is available outside China, and it is expected to arrive within a week or two though the exact release date is unknown. It added that Xiaomi has released the MIUI V6 stable version for the Chinese market and is currently working for a global release.

Google released Android 5.0 Lollipop OTA (Over-The-Air) update to Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (2012 & 2013 editions), and Nexus 10 last week. Google Play Edition devices, including Sony Xperia Z Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One M7, M8, LG G Pad 8.3 and Moto G will also get the software update soon.