If you’ve been hanging onto an older Xiaomi phone and wondering whether it still has a place in 2025, you might be surprised by the answer. A lot of them do — and not in a nostalgic, “it turns on at least” kind of way. Some still feel unexpectedly capable. The twist is that their biggest challenge isn’t the hardware aging; it’s the changing rules around Android, banking apps, and security checks that now decide whether a phone can truly remain practical.
A few years ago the conversation was simple: strong chip = long life. Today it’s more like a negotiation between old silicon and new software policies. That’s where things get interesting.
Snapdragon 778G Phones: Still the Easiest to Live With
The 778G has quietly become the “safe zone” for anyone using an older Xiaomi in 2025. Not because it’s the fastest chip ever made, but because these phones launched late enough to get longer update cycles. That timing matters.The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE, for instance, reached end-of-life this year but still runs HyperOS based on Android 14. Using it now feels surprisingly normal — light, consistent, almost invisible in the best sense. I know a couple of people who still rely on it daily, and none of them seem in a hurry to replace it.Then there’s the POCO X5 Pro 5G, which is still officially supported. If someone asked me for an older Xiaomi that “just works,” this would probably be the one I’d hand them. It has that steady, slightly boring reliability that tends to age well.
Snapdragon 865/870: Great Hardware Trapped by Old Software
Now, the story changes when you look at the 865 and 870 lineup. These chips are still fast — faster than plenty of 2025 midrange devices, in fact. Models like the Mi 10, Mi 10T, POCO F3 and F4 can outperform phones that cost twice as much today.
But most of them hit the software ceiling at Android 12 or 13, and that ceiling is getting lower each year. Financial apps, for example, are slowly refusing to run on older versions. It’s not that the phones slow down; they simply become incompatible.
POCO F2 Pro
Unless — and here’s the exception — you’re comfortable with custom ROMs.
A properly maintained POCO F2 Pro running Android 15 through a community project can feel surprisingly new. It’s impressive work. The downside is that relying on unofficial software always comes with trade-offs, especially if you depend on features like Google Pay.
Snapdragon 855/860: For Enthusiasts, Not Casual Users
Some of Xiaomi’s cult favorites live here: the Mi 9T Pro, the Redmi K20 Pro, the POCO X3 Pro. These phones still have active ROM communities pushing Android 15 and even Android 16 builds. They’ve become part gadget, part hobby.
The POCO X3 Pro
But using them today isn’t as carefree as it used to be. Unlocking the bootloader breaks Google’s security checks. That means some banking apps won’t run unless you resort to patches or modules — and those can break after updates. It’s doable, but it requires a level of patience that casual users usually don’t want to invest.
The Meaning of “Usable” Has Changed
What’s interesting is how the definition of a “usable phone” has shifted. Hardware can last four, five, even six years these days. It’s the software rules, API levels, and security frameworks that now define a device’s lifespan.
Older Xiaomi models with the 778G still feel straightforward and dependable. The 865/870 generation remains powerful but requires work. And the 855/860 crowd has crossed into enthusiast territory.
Still, it’s impressive how many of these devices hold their ground in 2025. Longevity isn’t dead — it just demands the right combination of hardware, updates, and a bit of user awareness.
- Many older Xiaomi phones in 2025 remain usable, but software support now matters more than hardware strength.
- Snapdragon 778G devices like the Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE and POCO X5 Pro are the safest “plug-and-play” choices.
- Snapdragon 865/870 phones still deliver high performance but depend heavily on custom ROMs for modern app compatibility.
- Snapdragon 855/860 models survive thanks to community ROM support, but require technical effort and may break banking apps.
- The real challenge for old Xiaomi devices is meeting new Android security, banking, and API requirements — not raw speed.
