Xiaomi turns 10 this year, and during this time it has become one of the most famous Chinese brands. Interestingly, the company initially did not deal with smartphones, and its first product was a shell for Android called MIUI. The pilot version of the innovative software for that time was released on August 16, 2010 - almost a year earlier than the first Xiaomi gadget. Ten years later, a completely redesigned MIUI 12 is released, which can rightfully be considered the pinnacle of thought among the company’s developers. From this material you will learn about the main innovations of the shell, and also understand whether it is worth upgrading.
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On topic: Where did Xiaomi come from: the company with the cheapest flagships
How MIUI 12 differs from MIUI 11
Before proceeding with the review itself, first let's compare MIUI 12 and MIUI 11. Look at this image, which includes the main screens of both the new Xiaomi skin and its predecessor.
Can you find the differences? As you can see, in terms of static appearance there are not many real differences. These include only the status bar at the top of the screen, the location of the icons, and the weather widget. However, this is only the first impression. Yes, the appearance of many menus has not undergone major changes, but the animations and transitions are more than different. This is confirmed by Xiaomi, whose representatives say that the main focus of MIUI 12 is the new animations. Not only do they look impressive, but they also work much smoother than any other Android skin.
Apart from a completely redesigned weather application, there is virtually no new software in the shell. However, it’s even strange to see how MIUI 12 with so many visual effects works no worse than MIUI 11, which is considered one of the fastest shells for Android. It is amazing.
SIM cards and mobile networks
Here you should optimize the network type.
For example, you have a Megafon card installed, but you know that 4G does not connect. The coverage in your area is not very good, set it to 3G. Thus, you will have less battery consumption and less battery life.
Select the tab with the current network operator and find the line “ Preferred network type ”, select the desired one.
New system appearance architecture
The appearance of MIUI 12 fully corresponds to its slogan:
“Touch the dream and feel it!”
To implement such impressive effects into a system, you need to create a super-powerful core architecture for this. The MIUI 12 developers managed to do this - they rethought the display of animations and created truly advanced technology for this. The complete set of tools used in the new version of the Xiaomi shell is called Miyou Light Cone Motion Effect Architecture. And he's impressive.
The optimization of the MIUI 12 interface also deserves special attention, which makes interaction with the shell much more pleasant and natural. It relies on real physical laws, which makes interaction with various elements of the system as intuitive and natural as possible. The engine of this architecture is designed to transfer real light and shadows into the virtual world. It improves color combinations and allows you to control the blur level in real time. Moreover, it takes anti-aliasing to a new level. The corners of the screen are a prime example of anti-aliasing from MIUI 12.
The work of these technologies is especially clearly visible when changing the screen orientation from vertical to horizontal and back. It provides the smoothest animation of this process, which is not available even in the pure version of the Android operating system.
Five-layer dynamic elements
Yes, the fundamentally new dynamic elements that are used in MIUI 12 really deserve special attention. They are multi-level, and each of them can be divided into five layers that correspond to user actions. For example, when you exit an application completely, the system shows one effect, another one turns on when you go to the multitasking menu, and a third appears while swiping through recent applications.
Animation available by clicking
Since all modern Xiaomi smartphones have rounded corners, MIUI 12 uses noticeably more elements that follow them as smoothly as possible. This increases the naturalness of the perception of the device as a whole.
Animation available by clicking
Advanced settings
In the “ Dates and times ” subsection, those who do not use double clocks, remove them.
Because with double clocks, Always on display styles will not be available on your desktop.
Next “ Language and input ”, click “ Keyboard management ”, “ Gboard settings ”.
Here go to “ Advanced ” and turn off the following items:
- sending statistics
- personalization
- input improvements
Animations for each part of the interface
The number of effects that are used in the interface of the new Xiaomi shell is truly surprising - it is literally filled with them. There are animations even for the smallest elements - be it an icon in the top curtain, dynamic display of energy consumption statistics graphs, or effectively turning Wi-Fi on and off. What can I say, even deleting applications in MIUI 12 is implemented extremely visually.
Animation available by clicking
The weather application from MIUI 12 also deserves special attention, which very realistically replicates the real situation outside the window: clouds, rain, snow - all this looks really amazing in the moment. You can literally feel the weather changing under your fingers.
Animation available by clicking
Picture in Picture
This is what another new option looks like – a floating window. It is activated via the background menu:
- Enable background menu.
- Select an application from the list.
- Press and hold the icon until the menu opens.
- In the tab that opens, find the “square within a square” icon.
- Click on this icon.
After this, a small window with the selected application will appear on top of the shell. It works exactly the same as in full screen mode. It is called a floating window because it can be moved to any location on the display. If you move it to a corner, the size of the window will decrease.
A floating window is launched from the application menu by clicking on the button of the same name. After clicking on it, a window with 10 applications opens. The user creates the list of applications independently by selecting icons and clicking on them.
More graphic elements and less text
One of the tasks that Xiaomi set itself during the creation of MIUI 12 was minimizing text in favor of graphic elements. Information about the current battery charge, remaining storage space and a whole range of other data is presented visually with minimal use of letters and numbers.
On the one hand, the visual display of information simplifies its perception on the screen of a mobile device. On the other hand, by abandoning the abundance of text data, the interface becomes more concise and minimalistic in favor of modern design trends.
Animation available by clicking
New effect for changing screen orientation
MIUI 12 has also made adjustments to the animation of changing the screen orientation of Xiaomi mobile devices. In MIUI 11 it was not so smooth and often stuttered, which is simply not the case now. Interestingly, in the new version of the company’s shell, for the first time, you can open the application immediately in horizontal mode. Previously, it opened in vertical mode and instantly changed orientation - it didn’t take too much time, but with MIUI 12 you can save a few seconds a day.
Animation available by clicking
Focus Mode
Focus mode is designed to select a time when the user will have limited access to the main functions of the phone. This is relevant for those who struggle with digital addiction or want to minimize the time they use a mobile device. Focus mode allows you to make emergency calls and open the Camera app.
When the function is activated, a screensaver with a countdown timer appears on the display. For an hour, all the main features of the gadget are in a blocked state, and rebooting and other methods of deactivating the mode are absolutely ineffective.
Super wallpaper - a new trend in Android skins
MIUI developers are confident that the smartphone screen should become part of its design. This is probably why they added a new feature to the new shell - super wallpapers. MIUI 12, for example, has a screen saver starring Mars, which is probably the best thing the Android world has seen to date.
Animations available by clicking
Interestingly, the elements of the other planet are based on research on Mars and high-precision 3D modeling, which allows us to reconstruct the Martian terrain. The kit gives you the opportunity to choose the landing location, and MIUI 12 will do the rest absolutely independently. By the way, after activating the dark interface design mode, the planet will also turn into night, which will significantly improve the experience of visual interaction with the gadget.
Animation available by clicking
Oh yes, in addition to Mars, users in super wallpaper mode will also be able to select Earth.
Despite the fact that super wallpapers are initially slightly different from regular wallpapers, they blur the line between the smartphone desktop and the lock screen, so the experience of activating the gadget is truly fantastic. If we take Mars as an example, in standby mode you can see the entire planet, and after unlocking the camera moves closer to a specific place and makes it possible to examine even small nuances of the relief.
By the way, all such effects are processed in real time based on the Unity 3D level game engine. According to official NASA data, the state of Mars has been worked out with high precision, which makes the development process even more amazing.
Speeding up games
For those who like to play games, a speedup function has appeared. To launch this function, you can use the “ Security” or go to “ Settings ” - “ Special Features ” - “ Game Acceleration ”.
For acceleration to work, you need to add a game.
Next in the settings you can customize the game mode for yourself:
- set orientation
- enable processor acceleration
- run optimization
- set exceptions (hands-free answering, limit some functions, disable buttons and gestures
- turn off notifications
And for each game individually you can apply Advanced settings:
- Sensitivity to gestures and pressure
- increase or decrease non-sensitive areas (where you need to hold the device)
- adjust the improvement of contrast and detail of game images
Global mini-window mode for the entire system
MIUI 12 takes multitasking operating system to a new level. The new Xiaomi shell makes it possible to show any application in miniature mode, which will allow you to view information in the form of a small window on top of any program. For example, when you're playing and you get a notification, you can slide it down and see everything you need.
Animation available by clicking
You can use two different interfaces simultaneously in real time. To expand a miniature window to fill the entire screen, just pull it down from the bottom.
Animation available by clicking
Optimization of the “Confidentiality” section
In this subsection, scroll down and start optimization with “ Location History ”. If you don't want Google to constantly know and record all the places you've been with your device, turn it off.
It will also track all your online activities. What sites were visited, what programs were used, what games were played, and all this is accompanied by time points. Don't you need it? Feel free to turn it off.
Deactivate all the switches in the “” subsection and Google will leave you alone.
diagnostic settings , which will constantly check something and send data to an unknown location.
Disabling these features will reduce the load on the battery.
Separating the control center and notification area
In MIUI 11, the control center and notification area were combined, but in MIUI 12, Xiaomi decided to separate them. Swiping down from the top will open the shell to new messages, while swiping from the top right side will open a menu with toggles.
Using the latter, you can adjust most of the necessary parameters without having to go to a full-fledged settings section: check the networks used, switch the Internet.
Animation available by clicking
MIUI 12 has been redesigned to use a separate notification menu, so many messages from one application can now be combined into a common stack. Moreover, the system automatically identifies the contextual information of notifications and aggregates all those that can be considered irrelevant. We are talking about advertising, marketing messages and other similar information. In this case, all this can be closed with one simple action.
Full screen indicator
Xiaomi specialists borrowed from iOS not only the design of the control center, but also the full-screen indicator on the display. It looks like a small bar at the bottom and is displayed when the user selects gesture navigation in the settings.
Swiping the indicator to the right or left edge switches between active applications. If the indicator is not needed, you can hide it:
- Enter "Settings".
- Select "Advanced Settings".
- Next, go to the “Unlimited Screen” tab.
- Click on “Hide full screen indicator”.
After it disappears from the desktop, switching between applications will be available by swiping your finger from the bottom up, and then to any side of the screen.
Xiaomi has completely redesigned dark mode
MIUI 12 makes it possible to use Xiaomi smartphones more comfortably in the dark - the new shell has been modified for this.
Thanks to a special non-linear system, the shell can automatically adapt applications to work in dark mode. Moreover, when using the night theme, MIUI 12 also adapts the font display. White text on a black background appears denser, so the shell automatically rearranges it for visual consistency. By the way, MIUI 12 also optimizes the contrast so that the image against a dark background does not look so bright and is more pleasing to the eye.
Additional restrictions for applications
MIUI 12 has become much more secure and private. The new version of the shell checks all suspicious behavior of applications and issues requests to control them: the right to record geolocation, permission to use the camera.
By default, apps are not allowed to activate the camera in the background. You can give permissions to enable it when using the application or in the background. If the app doesn't make it clear that you need to always have access to your camera, the Always Allow option won't be available.
By the way, applications that cannot fully function without any permissions can be given empty information. On the one hand, this will preserve their functionality, on the other hand, it will increase the confidentiality of your data.
Another important point that few people pay attention to is photo sharing. When you take a photo, MIUI 12 captures location information, but erases it if you decide to share the image with someone.
Artificial intelligence for health monitoring
After installing MIUI 12, Xiaomi devices will automatically record your walking, track your cycling, record your physical activity when you run or climb the stairs.
Animation available by clicking
Thanks to the use of artificial intelligence, Xiaomi will record movement with minimal power consumption and maximum security of the received data. And MIUI 12 can record everything that happens to you in your sleep: unconscious conversations, snoring.
Artificial Intelligence for Voice Communication
This feature currently only works with Chinese, but the prospects are exciting. For example, artificial intelligence can translate text into voice to answer selected incoming calls.
Animations available by clicking
On the one hand, artificial intelligence will help users with speech disorders. On the other hand, it will provide the opportunity to communicate even for those who have hearing problems.
Special system use mode
MIUI 12 also comes with a special lightweight mode for older Xiaomi users. It enlarges the font and makes the layout of icons on the screen more convenient. Moreover, it also uses handwriting by default, as well as additional confirmations that will prevent unwanted actions.
Summing up: overall verdict on MIUI 12
MIUI 12 has received an impressive number of optimizations and updates that make the system smoother, safer and simpler. Of course, those who have used Xiaomi smartphones before are unlikely to feel that they are looking at a completely new shell. However, an impressive number of new effects will definitely give them a new experience. Yes, super wallpapers and animations really look impressive - this is definitely a new trend in the development of skins for Android. But for those who have not previously dealt with Xiaomi, MIUI 12 will definitely surprise. It is easy to use, as well as simple, flexible and easily customizable to suit any preferences.
In terms of user experience, MIUI 12 is comparable to iOS and in some ways even surpasses Apple's mobile operating system - for example, it does not have split screen, nor does it have such fantastic effects.
Which phones will receive the update?
To understand which smartphones will be updated to MIUI 12.5 (some of them immediately to Android 11), just look at the MIUI 12.5 closed beta testing schedule in China:
- First batch of beta test: Mi 10, Mi 10 Pro, Mi 9 SE, Mi 9, Redmi K20 Pro, Mi CC9e, Redmi Note 7, Redmi Note 7 Pro, Redmi K30 Pro / POCO F2 Pro, Redmi K30 5G, Mi 10 Youth Edition, Redmi K30 4G / POCO X2, Mi Note 10 / Mi CC9 Pro, Redmi K20 / Mi 9T, Mi 10T / Redmi K30S Ultra, Mi 10 Ultra, Redmi K30 Ultra, Redmi 10X 5G, Redmi 10X Pro, Redmi Note 9 5G/9T, Redmi K30i 5G.
- Second batch of beta test: Mi 9 Pro 5G, Mi 9 Lite / Mi CC9, Mi CC9 Meitu Edition, Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G / Mi 10i / Mi 10T Lite, Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi Note 8, Redmi Note 9 4G / Redmi 9T / Redmi 9 Power.
Smartphones Mi 9, Mi 9 SE, Redmi K20 Pro / Mi 9T Pro, Redmi Note 9 5G, Mi 10T / Redmi K30S Ultra received MIUI 12.5 based on Android 11!
The list above is official, but the note on it says that plans to release the shell for other models will be announced in the future. Stay tuned to this material as the list of Xiaomi smartphones supporting MIUI 12.5 changes periodically.
So, Xiaomi may cancel the release of previously promised updates for some models, as happened with MIUI 12 for Redmi 6, 6A, 7 and Y3. Or include other smartphones in the list, for example, Mi 11 or earlier models that were not included in the beta test.
The rollout of the final version of MIUI 12.5 began with Mi 11, Mi 10T, Mi 10T Pro, Mi 10, Mi 10 Pro in the second quarter of 2022. The Redmi Note 9 series is also in the queue for an early update to MIUI 12.5.
But perhaps the most interesting addition is the Redmi Note 8 and Note 8 Pro: as part of the MIUI 12.5 update, the duo will be updated to Android 11. Xiaomi usually only releases one OS update to Redmi devices, but the update to Android 11 will be the second for the Note series 8.
After the premium Mi 10 and Mi 11 receive MIUI 12.5, Xiaomi will work on Mi 10 Lite, Mi 10T Lite, Mi Note 10 and Mi Note 10 Lite.
The above list is not complete. Xiaomi will later add more devices to the MIUI 12.5 release schedule.
By analogy with how we do this with MIUI 12, we maintain a table of official MIUI 12.5 firmware. This is not a release schedule, but a great opportunity to find out what stage the development of the operating system for your phone is at.
