The Xiaomi 18 Pro’s back screen can now build its own apps

Yesterday, Xiaomi teased its next flagship with a cryptic image showing the word “Generating” on the rear display, and we now know what it really means. It’s aptly named “Versatile Back Screen,” and it can do more than show wallpapers or widgets.

The rear display on the Xiaomi 18 Pro series can now run its own AI-generated apps, which users can create and use directly from the back of the phone.

No prize for guessing, the new system gives much more flexibility than the previous generation. Xiaomi’s official teaser video shows off several examples, including an egg-cooking timer, a water-drinking reminder, a Pomodoro timer for staying focused, an English vocabulary tool for memorizing new words, and a recipe recommendation card.

Rather than choosing from a fixed list of widgets, users can create small apps for specific tasks when they need them. They can then pin the ones they use most to the rear screen.

Xiaomi 18 Pro builds on last year’s rear screen

The feature builds on Xiaomi’s MiShare back screen, which debuted with the Xiaomi 17 Pro last year. According to Xiaomi, users interacted with its app cards more than 4 million times a day and added over 3.5 million wallpapers daily. Those figures appear to have encouraged Xiaomi to expand the feature instead of simply making small changes to the existing system.

Lu Weibing, Partner and President of Xiaomi Group, President of the Mobile Phone Division, and General Manager of the Xiaomi brand, said back-screen needs can vary from one user to another. He said Xiaomi is using more advanced solutions this year to expand what users can do with the rear display, rather than treating it as just an extra screen.

The Xiaomi 18 Pro series is confirmed to launch this month, with Xiaomi calling it the biggest upgrade in the Xiaomi digital series‘ history. Along with the new rear-screen features, the phones are expected to bring upgrades to performance, cameras, battery life, and AI capabilities. More details should arrive as the launch gets closer.

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