Xiaomi Mi 5
Xiaomi Mi 5Screenshot from Xiaomi Website

It is confirmed that several Xiaomi devices like the Mi 5, Mi Max, Mi Note, and Redmi Note 3 will receive Android 7.0 Nougat update, but what still remains unsure is when it will start getting the firmware.

Google has released Android 7.0 Nougat update to the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, Pixel C and Android One, but OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) are yet to start seeding the OS to its eligible handsets. Some OEMs may start rolling out the firmware in the next few weeks but it appears it will not come to Xiaomi devices anytime soon if one is to go by its tradition.

[READ: Android 7.0 Nougat update schedule for Samsung Galaxy S7, Note 5]

A screenshot of MIUI 9 operating system based on Android 7.0 Nougat has been leaked on Weibo, sparking off speculations among Mi fans that the firmware would be released soon but there is no guarantee in it. There are reports doing the rounds that the OS would come first to the Xiaomi Mi 5, Mi Max and Note 4 devices, perhaps before the end of this year.

But the fact is mobile phone manufacturers like Samsung and Xiaomi haven't been prompt in seeding new OS update to their devices. Xiaomi released Android Marshmallow to its handsets months after Google, Motorola, HTC and others rolled it out. So, it won't come as a surprise if the company releases the OS to its devices in 2017 and not this year as speculated.

The Chinese technology company is expected to release the firmware to the Mi 5, Mi Max, Note 4, Redmi Pro, Mi 4s, Mi 4c, Redmi Note 3, Redmi Note 4, Redmi 2 Prime, Redmi 3, Redmi 3s, Redmi 3A, Mi Note, Mi Note Pro, Mi Pad 2, and Mi 4i.

Google's new operating system comes with features like multi-window, direct reply notifications, extra power efficiency, Google Assistant, VR interface, seamless updates, screen zoom, clear all, data saver, improved file browser, instant apps, app switch, bundled notifications, improved Java 8 language support, and new emojis.