【Objective】 This study aims to explore the key characteristics of quality, yield, and disease resistance and other key traits of Xinjiang extra-long staple (ELS) cotton varieties in the hope of providing scientific evidence for improving the approval standards and optimizing breeding directions for ELS cotton. 【Methods】 26 Xinjiang ELS cotton varieties approved by the Xinjiang Crop Variety Approval Committee were selected for a total of 6 times between 2016 and 2024, and their key trait indicators such as maturity, boll weight, lint percentage, lint yield, fiber quality (upper fiber length, strength, micronaire value, length uniformity index), and disease resistance (Fusarium wilt and Verticillium wilt disease index) were systematically evaluated. 【Results】 The results showed that the average values of the key traits for approved varieties were as follows: growth period of 131.9 days, boll weight of 3.4 g, lint percentage of 33.3%, lint yield of 1,708.1 kg/hm2, upper half mean fiber length of 39.0 mm, strength of 45.3 cN/tex, Micronaire value of 4.1, and length uniformity index of 89.0%, Fusarium wilt disease index of 4.1, and Verticillium wilt disease index of 8.6. Machine-picking adaptability, as well as resistance or tolerance to high temperatures and drought, were only sporadically described qualitatively. Compared with those between 2016-2018, the varieties approved during 2021-2024 showed significant or highly significant differences in growth period, fiber upper half mean length, and length uniformity index, all of which developed in a positive and improved direction. But there was no significant difference in other trait indicators. 【Conclusion】 Xinjiang ELS cotton varieties are typical early to mid maturity long staple cotton varieties, with overall excellent quality indicators, high yield trait indicators, and good disease resistance. However, the approval standards still need to be adjusted and optimized. It is recommended to adjust the threshold values for key trait indicators of approved varieties: growth period ≤133 days (preferably ≤130 days), boll weight >3.2 g, lint percentage ≥32.5%, lint yield ≥1700 kg/hm2, fiber length >37 mm, breaking strength ≥45 cN/tex, length uniformity ≥88.5%, micronaire value <4.2, Fusarium wilt disease index ≤5.0, and Verticillium wilt disease index ≤10.0. Additionally, new indicators, such as machine-picking adaptability (e.g., initial fruit node height for machine-picked ELS cotton), heat tolerance, and drought resistance, should be included, thus ensuring the total number of approved varieties should be reduced to at least two-thirds or even half of the current number, thereby promoting the breeding and approval of breakthrough ELS cotton varieties and fostering a new framework for the development and approval of new varieties.