New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…….

Original story (published on August 1, 2019) follows:

Pocophone F1 is undoubtedly one of the most popular devices ever produced by Xiaomi. The phone was launched with Android 8.1 Oreo and subsequently got Pie OTA. Although the frequency of updates is decreasing with time, the phone is entitled to get Android Q in near future.

poco_f1_android_q_miui_beta
Xiaomi started a beta tester recruitment drive some days ago

Notice the list of devices in the screenshot. Mi 6, the flagship of 2016 from the Chinese OEM, already got stable Android Pie update after some controversies.

On the other hand, both Redmi 6A and Redmi 6 have something in common. Unlike the other two phones in the list, they are based on MediaTek platform. FYI, Xiaomi’s track record of updating their MediaTek SoC based phones was literally horrible.

redmi_6_rose_gold_front_back
Redmi 6

However, the phones actually received a set of beta builds based on Android Pie back in the first half of July. The phones are sold globally, yet Xiaomi only provided the Pie beta to Chinese Redmi 6/6A units.

The initial beta featured July security update for the phones while the stable MIUI for them are still based on June patch level. The long anticipated systemwide dark mode made an appearance, although Xiaomi is planning to do a proper release of this functionality with MIUI 11.

redmi_6_china_beta_9.7.4_dark_mode
Dark mode toggle in Pie based MIUI

Apparently the feedback from these beta builds are largely positive, as the OEM is now pushing the first stable update of Android Pie based MIUI to Redmi 6A. For some reason, the regular Redmi 6 has not received the same treatment as of yet.

The build number of the new update is MIUI V10.4.3.0 – a big jump from the previous 10.3.40 branch. As the base Android version is changed, the size of the update is quite large (~1.7 GB).

redmi_6a_china_miui_10.4.3.0_ota

As you can see, the changelog mentions absolutely nothing besides marking the arrival of Android Pie. Similar to the beta chronicle, the build is intended for Chinese Redmi 6A units. Cross-flashing the package on Indian Redmi 6A can be fatal, so hold your breath!

  • Device: Redmi 6A
  • Codename: cactus
  • Channel: China Stable
  • Version: V10.4.3.0.PCBCNXM
  • Android: 9.0
    • Type: Recovery
      • Download: Link
      • MD5: 9a4aa642d20bfc5743a4b384f6bc7c81

According to the members of MIUI China forum, July security patch and dark mode support are present in this build. We will update this article as soon as Redmi 6 gets the Pie OTA.

Talking about July patch, yet another phone from Xiaomi is receiving new monthly update. We are talking about the European edition of Mi MIX 3 5G – the only 5G capable device inside Xiaomi’s portfolio at this moment.

mi_mix_3_5g_front_back
Mi MIX 3 5G

The beast got June update at the beginning of last month. Right now, the Europe specific variant is receiving July security patches along with persistent lock screen support after Face Unlock in the form of MIUI 10.3.18.0.

The official changelog is as follows:

System

– Updated Android Security Patch to July 2019. Increased system security.

Lockscreen, status bar, Notification shade

– New: Use your fingerprint to open Home screen once you unlocked the device using face data and stayed on the Lock screen

The download link of the full update package is shared below:

  • Device: Mi MIX 3 5G
  • Codename: andromeda
  • Channel: Europe Stable
  • Version: V10.3.18.0.PEMEUXM
  • Android: 9.0
    • Type: Recovery
      • Download: Link
      • MD5: abc501ede2a7c69f5aeb6745c8dc7367

I like to thank my friend yshalsager and the Xiaomi Firmware Updater project for tracking the OTA update URLs.

Update 1 (August 3)

Redmi 6 owners in China are now getting the stable Pie update. The version number of MIUI is slightly different though – it’s 10.4.2.0 instead of 10.4.3.0 in Redmi 6A.

  • Device: Redmi 6
  • Codename: cereus
  • Channel: China Stable
  • Version: V10.4.2.0.PCGCNXM
  • Android: 9.0
    • Type: Recovery
      • Download: Link
      • MD5: 274827537282c589dfe6c8791f9591db

Update 2 (August 26)

Xiaomi pulled back the Pie update for Redmi 6 & Redmi 6A. Both phones are now getting a new Oreo based update (MIUI 10.3.6.0) with August security patch. Details here.

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Kingshuk De
896 Posts

I came from a mixed background of Statistics and Computer Science. My research domains included embedded computer systems, mobile computing and delay tolerant networks in post-disaster scenarios. Apart from tinkering with gadgets or building hackintosh, I like to hop on various subreddits and forums like MyDigitalLife and XDA.

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