The Xiaomi Mi Max 3 gets updated to Android 9/MIUI 10

Fans of truly huge phones may be glad to learn that the Xiaomi Mi Max 3 can now run an up-to-date official version of its OS. This build, MIUI 10, is based on Android 9.0 Pie. It will be particularly good news for the 6.9-inch behemoth's fans, as it had been left on an 8.1 (Oreo)-based build since its release in July 2018. In fact, Xiaomi had committed to a stable update for the first-generation Mi Max prior to its current roll-out for the more current device.

Those who owned the Mi Max 3 in China had had access to the new MIUI 10 build, at least. Now, however, it has been made available to customers elsewhere on Earth, as MIUI 10.2.1 Global Stable. It can be downloaded using either the MIUI Updater setting on the phone, or in recovery via a compatible version of TWRP.

Users who opt to install via these methods may expect to gain features such as gesture-based navigation, an updated UI and conserved app-opening times with the MIUI 10 update. Therefore, this update may make the Mi Max 3 a more compelling option for those in the market for a true phablet. On the other hand, its apparent successors, the Mi Max 4 and 4 Pro, are rumored to come with the even newer MIUI 11 out of the box.