As always. We just hope it’s optimised now for budget phones as well
Alongside the Xiaomi 12 series, Xiaomi has unveiled its latest version of MIUI that was also first seen on the two flagships. According to the company, MIUI 13 would also be live soon on other devices.
MIUI 13 focuses on fluid performance and an overall better user experience. According to Xiaomi, MIUI 13 has a 52% increase in fluidity and performance for third-party apps and 26% for system apps versus previous versions. The Xiaomi Mix 4 for example, can now hold 14 apps simultaneously without having to need to close to free up RAM and maintain optimum performance.
MIUI 13 is also now divided into three, depending on the handset. There’s regular MIUI 13, MIUI 13 for Pad, and MIUI 13 for Fold. As the name suggests, the regular MIUI 13 is for every device, the MIUI 13 Pad is for the Xiaomi Pad line and the MIUI 13 Fold is for their Mi Mix Fold. Their main difference is their compatibility as they need to adjust to the display they are entitled to.
Also, speaking of performance, Xiaomi said that MIUI 13 has 5% less read-write degradation over a 3-year period than previous iterations thanks to Atomized Memory and Liquid Storage technologies. This allows devices to retain longer shelf life.
MiSans Typeface
Speaking of design, Xiaomi is introducing a new typeface proprietary for MIUI 13 and beyond. It is simply called “Mi Sans” and it supports both Chinese script and Latin script. It is part of their Dynamic Font 2.0 System. The font is OpenType and the characters adjust their size automatically depending on the size of the screen. Older MIUI users can enjoy this font as it is readily available in the Themes app for download.
Widgets (China-only)
While widgets aren’t the most groundbreaking thing for Android (stock Android had widgets way before Android OEMs had decided to polish them), Xiaomi had decided to add a few more for Chinese users. These widgets may not reach international users as they’re intended for use in the mainland only.
These widgets have a similar look and style as those found in other Chinese OEM skins such as Vivo’s OriginOS and Oppo’s ColorOS 12. If you find it a bit confusing that’s because most Chinese Android skins look identical, and they strangely follow a familiar pattern: an iOS-like interface with saturated and colourful icons that can probably blind you. Though in recent years, Chinese OEMs have been simplifying them for the sake of performance and simplicity, so it won’t be too much of an eyesore.
Anyway, there are widgets that are intended for health, intended to notify you of different apps and games, as well as a countdown timer. For example, in the health section, there’s a notification widget that reminds you to stay hydrated, and there’s also a widget that could help you think about what you could eat for the day. Regular Android widgets are still available so you can add them to your home screen as you wish.
MIUI Super Wallpapers
Xiaomi has always been adding new wallpapers and third-party users can add their own to set as a theme for download in the themes store. For MIUI 13, Xiaomi has added the so-called “Super Wallpapers” that are recorded in 8K on timelapse. Today’s theme is scientific minerals that were recorded using a microscope.
Xiao AI Virtual Assistant and 3D character creator
Ever since Apple had introduced Memoji on the iPhone X, Android companies tried to be hip and cool and follow this quite a cringey trend that’s now present on major Android phone manufacturers. Hell, even Facebook implemented such a feature on their app and website.
Xiaomi is no stranger to this type of trend. Xiaomi calls their 3D avatar creator “Xiao AI” which includes both genders and over 50 different outfits. You can also have them do speech and create your own custom wake word. Xiao AI has also several different types of voices for users to choose from.
Security
MIUI 13 has more security certifications than MIUI 12.5 and Xiaomi has also revamped how their face unlock system works. This new system is simply called “Virtual ID”. Previously, only the face was part of the scanning system but now the new face authentication system is no longer just for your face alone, but also for half of your body. It’s more of a body scanner than a facial scanner really.
Users can optionally now add a watermark if they’re scanning important documents. There’s also enhanced protection for SMS messages including spam filters and blocking of messages which may contain malicious code.
MIUI 13 Pad:
MIUI 13 Pad brings full support to pen touch input and keyboard as well as floating windows natively. These windows can be freely resized as well allowing for multitasking when needed.
MIUI Pad is also bringing better app compatibility and optimization for both system and third-party apps. Xiaomi said they are targeting over 2000 apps to be compatible with their tablets by the end of 2021. The company has managed to make 3000 apps to be optimized and compatible with the Mi Pad series.
The MIUI 13 Fold has the same ordeal, except it’s intended for clamshell and normal foldable phones. MIUI 13 Pad would be available first in China with the Mi Pad 5 and Mi Pad 5 Pro. International markets would come later in January. MIUI Fold would also be available in China first with the Mi Mix Fold 4 while international markets would come soon, if the Mix 4 is available internationally that is.
AVAILABILITY:
The following devices are eligible for MIUI 13
First batch — MIUI 13 Stable
China (Late January 2022):
- Xiaomi 12 Pro
- Xiaomi 12
- Xiaomi 12X
- Mi 11 Ultra
- Mi 11 Pro
- Mi 11
International (Q1 2022):
- Mi 11 Ultra
- Mi 11
- Mi 11i
- Mi 11X Pro
- Mi 11X
- Redmi 10
- Redmi 10 Prime
- Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE
- Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G
- Redmi Note 8 (2021)
- Xiaomi 11T Pro
- Xiaomi 11T
- Redmi Note 10 Pro
- Redmi Note 10 Pro Max
- Redmi Note 10
- Mi 11 Lite 5G
- Mi 11 Lite
- Redmi Note 10 JE
Source: GizmoChina
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