Insights At a Glance:

Apple just switched all its OS names to year-based versions (iOS 26, macOS 26, etc.) — and I’m betting Xiaomi will copy the idea with HyperOS 26 or newer versions.
Xiaomi has a long, well-documented history of copying Apple — from UI design and gestures to even keynote outfits and naming schemes.
This time, though, it actually makes business sense for Xiaomi to adopt year-based naming as it positions them as more professional and established, while Apple has essentially done the market research for them.

If you’ve ever looked at a Xiaomi product and thought, “Hmm, this looks suspiciously familiar…” — you’re not alone. For years, Chinese tech giant Xiaomi has danced (or rather, two-stepped) on the edge of Apple’s innovation shadows. From UI design to product naming and even marketing language, Xiaomi has long mastered the art of “Apple, but make it cheaper.”

And now, the internet’s buzzing with the next “inspiration” Xiaomi might just run with. Apple’s shift to year-based naming for all its operating systems – iOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, iPadOS 26, and watchOS 26 – has tech enthusiasts placing their bets on the usual suspect: Xiaomi.

The Apple Effect: Now Featuring Numbers

Just recently at WWDC 2025, Apple did a bit of rebranding. Instead of going with the usual names like iOS 19 or macOS 16, they’ve now embraced the clean-cut, no-nonsense approach of year-based versions — iOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, and so on.

Minimalist? Yes.
Predictable? Kind of.
Copyable? OH, absolutely.

So naturally, tongues are wagging. Will Xiaomi do it too? Will we one day see a new “HyperOS 26” gracing our phones, tablets, cars, and smart home (IoT) devices?

Now, before you roll your eyes and mutter “not again,” hear me out. This isn’t just baseless speculation from keyboard warriors with too much time on their hands. We’re talking about Xiaomi here – the company that has turned following Apple’s playbook into an art form so refined, they could probably teach a masterclass on it.

The Track Record Speaks Volumes

Let’s take a little trip down memory lane, shall we? Remember when Apple introduced the notch with the iPhone X? Xiaomi said “hold my tea” and delivered the Mi 8 with a notch so similar, you’d think they shared the same design team. The company didn’t just stop there – they went full throttle with promotional materials that eerily mirrored Apple’s aesthetic, right down to the camera angles and lighting. But it doesn’t end here:

MIUI’s earliest versions? Nearly a carbon copy of iOS, right down to the icons and the lack of an app drawer.
Xiaomi’s “Memoji” clone? Meet “Mimoji” — a digital twin that was so unapologetically similar, it became meme-worthy.
Gesture controls? Apple introduces swipe-based navigation, and Xiaomi goes: “Cool story bro, we’ll take that!”
Product events? Xiaomi’s CEO Lei Jun once literally wore the same black shirt and jeans combo as Steve Jobs during a launch event. Coincidence? Yeah, sure.
The AirDots debacle? When Apple dropped AirPods, Xiaomi wasn’t far behind with their AirDots. Same white, stem-like design, same charging case aesthetic. Sure, they were cheaper, but the “inspiration” was too loud. I can go on and on.

The HyperOS 26 Crystal Ball

So here’s where things get interesting. Apple’s decision to adopt year-based naming isn’t just a cosmetic change – it’s a statement about longevity, consistency, and brand evolution. It’s the kind of move that screams “we’re here for the long haul, and we’re making it easy for everyone to keep track.”

Now, put yourself in Xiaomi’s boardroom for a moment. You’ve got a relatively new operating system in HyperOS that you’re trying to establish as a serious player in the market. Apple just handed you a naming convention that’s clean, professional, and suggests annual innovation cycles. It’s like they’ve done the market research for you.

The question isn’t really whether Xiaomi will adopt this naming scheme – it’s when. Will it be HyperOS 26 to directly match Apple’s timeline? Or will they play it slightly less obvious and start with HyperOS 25 to at least maintain some semblance of originality?

My money? I’m betting on Xiaomi making this switch, and sooner than most people expect. They’ve never been shy about borrowing Apple’s homework, and this time, the homework comes with a perfectly logical business justification attached.

Why This Actually Makes Sense (For Xiaomi)

Here’s the thing that makes this prediction more than just internet banter – it actually makes business sense for Xiaomi. Year-based naming helps consumers understand product lifecycles, creates anticipation for annual updates, and positions the brand as forward-thinking and organized.

For a company that’s constantly fighting to be taken seriously in premium markets outside of their price-conscious base, adopting a naming convention that screams “professional” and “established” is a no-brainer. It’s the kind of move that says “we’re not just budget phone makers anymore” without having to actually prove it through innovation alone. Plus, let’s be honest – HyperOS 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 feels so… 2010s. Year-based naming feels contemporary, confident, and most importantly, it’s what the cool kids (read: Apple) are doing now.

Poll: What Do You Think?

This is where you come in, dear readers. I’ve laid out my case for why I think Xiaomi will inevitably follow Apple’s lead (again), but I want to hear from you. Are you team “Xiaomi will definitely copy this” or are you more optimistic about their commitment to originality?

Here’s what we’re asking:

The Bottom Line

Look, I’m not here to bash Xiaomi entirely. They make solid devices, their pricing strategy is brilliant, and they’ve genuinely innovated in several areas. But when it comes to following Apple’s lead, they’ve got a long track record.

Whether it’s HyperOS 26, HyperOS 25, or some other year-based variant, I’m willing to bet that within the next couple of years, we’ll be looking at Xiaomi’s announcement and having that collective “called it” moment. The real question is: will they at least try to make it subtle this time, or will we get another presentation that feels like Apple’s keynote ran through Google Translate twice?

We love Xiaomi. We really do. But let’s not pretend the company hasn’t treated Apple like a cheat sheet at exam time. So when you see HyperOS 26 splash across the screen at Xiaomi’s next flashy launch, remember this article. And remember: imitation is the sincerest form of flattery… until it starts looking like parody.

Drop your predictions in the comments below, and let’s see if the Techish Kenya community can collectively predict Xiaomi’s next move. Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned from watching this company over the years, it’s that their next move often rhymes with whatever Apple just did.