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| A specific Turnip driver might solve the issues for some users. Pictured: a gaming promo of the Poco X6 with HyperOS 3 logo. |
Xiaomi’s latest software rollout, HyperOS 3 based on Android 16, is making its way to a growing list of phones and tablets. Promising a lighter, faster, and more responsive experience, the update has been welcomed by many users. However, a growing chorus of reports from the emulation community suggests that for mobile gamers who enjoy retro titles, upgrading might come with a significant downside: degraded performance and graphical glitches.
The Promise of HyperOS 3
On paper, HyperOS 3 sounds like a solid step forward. Xiaomi has focused on optimizing system weight, aiming for snappier animations and better overall performance. The company has also been praised for a relatively swift and broad rollout, bringing Android 16 and its new features to a wide array of compatible devices quickly. For the average user, the update appears to be a net positive.
The Emulation Dilemma Emerges
The trouble seems to surface in a specific niche: Android emulation. Emulators allow users to play games from classic consoles like the PlayStation 2, GameCube, Nintendo Switch, and others on their mobile devices. For enthusiasts, this is a major use case, often involving powerful hardware like the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro.
The issue was notably highlighted by a user on the popular r/EmulationOnAndroid subreddit. In a post titled “Dawg, do not update to HyperOS 3,” the user shared video evidence of severe flickering and performance issues while running emulators on a Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro after installing the update.
This user isn’t alone. In the discussion that followed, others chimed in with similar experiences across different Xiaomi models, reporting new stutters, frame drops, and instability in emulators that ran flawlessly on the previous OS version. It’s worth noting that some users—often with different devices—reported no problems at all, indicating the issue may be specific to certain hardware or chipset combinations.
(Interested in the original community report? You can see the detailed user experiences and video proof here on Reddit.)
A Potential Fix with Caveats
For those already on HyperOS 3 and facing these issues, the community has pinpointed a potential solution: custom GPU drivers. Specifically, the Turnip v25.3.0 - Revision 5 driver has been cited as a fix for stuttering and performance woes on some Xiaomi devices running the new OS.
However, this workaround comes with a major asterisk. Custom Turnip drivers are generally not available for devices powered by the latest flagship processors, like the Snapdragon 8 Elite or newer SoCs. This leaves owners of Xiaomi's most powerful devices in a bind—they can’t use the primary fix the community recommends.
Should You Upgrade?
So, what does this mean for you?
- For the general user: If you don’t use emulators, HyperOS 3 appears to deliver on its promises of a smoother, more responsive system. The update is likely safe and beneficial.
- For the emulation enthusiast: The decision is trickier. If your device is your primary platform for retro gaming, you may want to pause before hitting the update button. Check community forums for your specific device model to see if others have reported issues.
- If you’ve already updated and have problems: Investigate if custom GPU drivers like Turnip are available for your specific chipset. This requires technical knowledge and voiding warranties, so proceed with caution. Otherwise, you may need to wait for an official fix from Xiaomi or emulator developers.
The Bottom Line
Xiaomi’s HyperOS 3 is a broadly successful update that has stumbled in a specialized but passionate corner of its user base. It highlights the complex challenge of optimizing a single OS for a vast range of hardware and use cases. While the company excels in rolling out new software, this situation shows that niche performance can sometimes be overlooked.
For now, emulation fans might want to hold off or research thoroughly, while others can likely enjoy the new features without a second thought. As always, it’s a reminder that with major updates, waiting a few weeks to see how the landscape settles can often save a lot of hassle.
*P.S. For those deep into mobile emulation, a good controller is key. A popular choice like the emulation-friendly 8Bitdo mobile controller is* currently available on Amazon for $39.99.
Dawg do not update to hyperos 3
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