TECNO HiOS 16 Update: Official Rollout Timeline and Eligible Devices
Tecno has finally unveiled the roadmap for the HIOS 16 skin for select Tecno devices, which will start in Q2 2026.
For years, Tecno has excelled on the hardware front, consistently delivering premium designs, capable chipsets, and impressive cameras. However, their software experience has historically been the brand's Achilles' heel.
Older devices were notoriously bogged down by bloatware, and the company's track record for providing long-term software updates left much to be desired.
This is all changing as Tecno has finally released the software update roadmap for its phones from the Camon lineup, Pova, and the Phantom.
In this article, I am going to cover all the Tecno phones that are getting the new HIOS 16, which will be skinned on top of Android 16.
Which TECNO Phones Will Get HiOS 16? (The Official Roadmap)
The following are smartphones that will be getting the new HIOS 16. These devices have been confirmed by Tecno, posted via their social media platforms.
| Eligible TECNO Device | HiOS 16 Rollout Timeline |
|---|---|
| TECNO CAMON 40 | Q2 2026 |
| TECNO CAMON 40 Pro | Q2 2026 |
| TECNO CAMON 40 Pro 5G | Q2 2026 |
| TECNO CAMON 40 Premier 5G | Q2 2026 |
| TECNO CAMON 30 | Q3 2026 |
| TECNO CAMON 30 5G | Q3 2026 |
| TECNO CAMON 30 Pro 5G | Q3 2026 |
| TECNO CAMON 30 Premier 5G | Q3 2026 |
| TECNO CAMON 30S | Q3 2026 |
| TECNO CAMON 30S Pro | Q3 2026 |
| TECNO POVA Slim 5G | Q3 2026 |
| TECNO POVA 7 NEO | Q3 2026 |
| TECNO POVA 7 | Q3 2026 |
| TECNO POVA 7 5G | Q3 2026 |
| TECNO POVA 7 Ultra 5G | Q3 2026 |
| TECNO POVA Curve 5G | Q3 2026 |
| TECNO POVA 7 5G Pro | Q3 2026 |
| PHANTOM V Fold2 5G | Q4 2026 |
| PHANTOM V Flip2 5G | Q4 2026 |
Phase 1: Q2 2026 (The Camon 40 Series)
The first batch to get the update is ofcourse the recently launched Camon 40.
List
Tecno camon 40
Tecno Camon 40 Pro
Tecno Camon 40 Pro 5G
Tecno Camon 40 Premiere 5G
Phase 2: Q3 2026 (Camon 30 & Extensive POVA Series)
This is the largest wave of updates that will cover older flagships, including their gaming-focused Pova lineup.
List
Camon 30
Camon 30 5G
Camon 30 Pro 5G
Camon 30 Premier 5G
Camon 30S
Camon 30S Pro
Pova Lineup
POVA Slim 5G
POVA 7 NEO
Pova 7 5G
Pova 7 Ultra 5G
POVA Curve 5G
Pova 7 5G Pro
Phase 3: Q4 2026 (The Foldables)
Last on this list are two of Tecno’s most premium smartphones, and even though they will not be getting future OS updates, despite their capable hardware, they will nonetheless receive HIOS 16 skinned on top of Android 16.
List
PHANTOM V Fold2 5G
PHANTOM V Flip2 5G
Important Disclaimers: What You Need to Know
The official version will not roll out at once; it will roll out in phases, and it will be available to all users globally over time.
Also, keep in mind that the timeline can vary by region and carrier constraints, and not all HIOS features will be available on every single device. For instance, some features will be available on Premium models but will be lacking in budget models.
How to Check for the HiOS 16 Update on Your TECNO Device
If you own any of the above Tecno models and want to check if the software update has arrived in your phone, you can do so by going to settings>system>system update.
You might see the new update, the information about what has been fixed and added, and you will simply tap on download and restart your phone to apply the update.
Conclusion
I am very happy to see that Tecno is finally taking the step to update its phones. This is a great move. I was the one person who has been advocating for this, and I can now finally recommend Tecno phones to my friends who intend to keep their smartphone sfor a long time.
Which device model are you using, and are you excited about the update? Let me know in the comments section.
