Today (August 16) marks seven years since Xiaomi‘s MIUI was first released and Xiaomi is celebrating that with fans on the MIUI Forum. In the past 7 years, the Custom ROM has evolved right from the first MIUI V1 to the present lightning fast MIUI 9. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that in the last 7 years, MIUI has undergone nine different changes with the resulting changes in the icons and more features added.

The evolution of MIUI is captured in these pictures of the different icons of the interface from version 1 to 9. The difference could be seen, not only in the color scheme but also in the icons themselves which have seen some changes, even though some still retain their looks from previous versions.

The photos were released by Xiaomi today as part of celebrations for the 7th anniversary of MIUI. It should be noted that MIUI 1 was developed only for the Google Nexus One and came with more functionalities back then when compared to the Pure AOSP ROM. Version 2 came with support for more smartphones but MIUI, as we know it today, began with MIUI 3, released in April 2012. This marked a major milestone for MIUI ROM as themes were first introduced on Version 3 and it gave users the flexibility to customise how they want their ROM to look like. MIUI 3 was based on Google’s Android Mobile Operating System 2.3, named “Gingerbread” and the Mi 1 came pre-installed with MIUI 3.

In terms of the appearance of the icons, MIUI 5 had the largest changes in its looks as it underwent a major GUI redesign and revamp, from the addition of notification at a swipe-down shade menu to system animations and desktop beautification, but yet retain the similar users’ experience and operations. It was on MIUI 5 that all Google Services were removed due to new regulations in China.

Read More: Xiaomi Rolls Out Second MIUI 9 Closed Beta to 12 More Models

MIUI 6 also came with changes in the icons and saw a shift from flat icons to bold icons with a higher degree of recognition.  The icons have continued to get slight changes since then until the current version but most importantly, more and more features became available on MIUI with the latest version said to be lightning fast and smooth. We’ve got photos of the icons of the remaining versions below.

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The Mi Max 2 might not seem like much of an upgrade but it does bring a number of new features, one being Android Nougat. The original was stuck on Android Marshmallow for a while until now.

Android 7.0 is rolling out in form of a MIUI 8.5.1 update to the Mi Max. The report comes from a Facebook Group “Greek Xiaomi Lovers” with screenshots as proof. Apart from the bump in Android version number, the update also brings May’s security patch, a more efficient CPU allocation and some app lock features.

The screenshot also shows that the version with the update is the 3GB RAM variant with a Snapdragon 650 processor. We have no info about the 4GB RAM + Snapdragon 652 Prime version.

The Mi Max has a 6.44-inch display, a 16MP rear camera, and a 5MP front facing shooter. There is a hybrid dual SIM slot that accepts up to 256GB microSD card. There is also a rear mounted fingerprint scanner and an IR blaster.

READ MORE: Xiaomi Surge S2 Mass Production to Begin in Q3, May Power Xiaomi Mi 6c, 6s

Do you own the Mi Max or the Mi Max Prime? Have you received the update? Please let us know what you think of it in the comment box.

(Source, via)

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X users are now receiving MIUI 8.2.10.0 update. It also includes the security patch for the May month. The Note 4X users should be aware of the fact that only its 3 GB RAM variant is receiving the update.

The MIUI 8.2.10.0 update does not bring any new features to the Redmi Note 4X. It only brings some bug fixes such as issues related to status bar and notification bar in the lock screen. It also fixes some issues related with microSD slot. Xiaomi is yet to begin the roll out of Android 7.0 Nougat flavored MIUI for its devices even though the arrival of Android O is drawing near.

Read More: Redmi Note 4X Gets New Blue Variant, Sports 4GB of RAM, 64GB ROM & SD 625

Currently, users from Greece have confirmed on receiving the update. Redmi Note 4X users in other regions are also speculated to receive the update soon. The update’s notification will automatically show up on the device, but users can also manually check for its availability by to Settings. on Note 4X. There is no information on when the 4 GB RAM model of Redmi Note 4X will be getting the MIUI 8.2.10.0 update. Here is the entire changelog:

Lockscreen, Status Bar and Notification Bar

• Newly added Swipe to delete Lockscreen notifications.
• Newly added UI adjustments for toggles.
• Newly added Battery saver toggle can be added to the Notification shade.
• Optimized Lock screen PIN layout.
• Optimized changed icons for USB charging and switching keyboards.
• Updated floating notifications won’t appear in DND mode.
• Fixed notification shade issues during incoming call floating notifications.
• Fixed Wi-Fi page made the device freeze when it was opened for the first time.
• Fixed issues with opacity after using third party themes.
• Fixed the first notification couldn’t be removed by a swipe.
• Fixed landscape mode issues with third party themes. Homescreen
• New Added Home screen settings added to the Settings.
• Fixed Part of UI for deleting apps wasn’t visible on light backgrounds.
• Fixed Minor adjustments for animations in the Launcher. Virus Scan
• New Added Antivirus scans for the apps installed not from Google Play.

Homescreen

• New Added Home screen settings added to the Settings.
• Fixed Part of UI for deleting apps wasn’t visible on light backgrounds.
• Fixed Minor adjustments for animations in the Launcher.

Virus Scan

• New Added Antivirus scans for the apps installed not from Google Play.

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Xiaomi Mi 5 could be termed one of Xiaomi‘s old guards now due to the successors it has got. The 2015 flagship first got the Mi 5S and 5S Plus upgraded version and then recenty the stunning Mi 6 was launched. But the device is still one of Xiaomi’s best-selling Mi series models and that being so is still entitled to get regular upgrades. Besides, Xiaomi doesn’t forget its old guards. The has now gotten an upgrade to the latest MIUI 8.5.2.0 version China Stable ROM.

The MIUI 8.5.2.0 upgrade brings in a host of features and fixes several bugs that were plaguing the software on the model. Despite the large-scale upgrade and numerous fixes, some users still complain of a few bugs that weren’t covered by the new update. Among the new update is a  smarter and more efficient CPU allocation strategy. The update also comes with optimization of certain features which would make the phone more fun to use.

Read More: The One Week Old Xiaomi Mi 5C Gets Ripped Open

Other features include the use of search to select your time zone, separate app locks for dual apps, option for hiding the content of notifications on lock screen. Verification SMS are now only shown on the lock screen after the lock screen password is inputted. The auto brightness adjustments are also optimized and you can now identify recorded calls on the call history as they are now tagged. The new update is available for download on the MIUI forum.

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Xiaomi has revealed that it would be releasing a new MIUI 8 version which would bring in split screen function. A video demonstration of the split screen function was earlier shared by the company, showing how it works with the Mi Max 2. The update bringing in the awesome function had earlier been revealed to become available for Xiaomi models in July.

But in a new twist, Xiaomi has revealed that fans can have a feel of the function before it rolls out finally. The MIUI 8 update bringing split screen function will start rolling out next week but in a closed beta. What this means is that it is not going to be a stable ROM but the developer ROM which wold be available to just some selected users. You too can be a part of the testers by registering your interest on the MIUI forum. The closed beta program isn’t expected to last for long before an open beta may start rolling in and that would be followed by the release of the Stable ROM. This is most likely for the China ROM so, if you must express interest from outside China, you may need to be running the China ROM  of MIUI 8 on your device.

Read Also: UI Showdown: MIUI 8 vs Flyme 6 vs EMUI 5.0 vs Smartisan OS 3.0

As the name implies, the split screen function will give users the option of running two separate windows side by side on the same screen. This means you can access and view two apps on the same page. This functions will likely be available for Xiaomi phone users outside China but as usual, that update will only be available later after its official roll out in China.

(source)

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The Xiaomi Redmi 4X was introduced three months ago when the company announced its Pinecone S1 chip and Xiaomi Mi 5C smartphone. The budget phone had arrived with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow OS flavored with MUI 8. Xiaomi has now officially announced that Android 7.0 Nougat beta is now available for Redmi 4X.

The company has recently confirmed that MIUI Global Beta ROM 7.5.18 will be coming to a handful of Xiaomi phones such as Mi 5s, Mi MIX, Redmi 4, Redmi 4A and Redmi 4X this Friday. Now, the Chinese firm has confirmed on releasing Android 7.0 Nougat closed beta for Redmi 4X users. It will be available from May 26.

Closed beta also called as private beta are released to specific group of users for testing the firmware update by invitation. The Redmi 4X users can join the beta testing program can accessing this link to take advantage of Android 7.0 MUI 9 beta when its officially made available.

Read More: Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X Special JD.com Edition Starts At Just 799 Yuan ($116)

The Xiaomi Redmi 4X comes with a 5-inch HD screen with 2.5D curved glass. It sports a smooth metallic chassis along with rounded corners. It is running on Snapdragon 435 chipset. At launch, Xiaomi had introduced two variants for it such as 2 GB RAM + 16 GB storage and 3 GB of RAM + 32 GB storage. The Chinese firm recently introduced a third variant for it featuring 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB storage. These three models are respectively priced at 699 Yuan ($101), 899 Yuan ($130) and 1,099 Yuan ($159).

At the back, it features a 13-megapixel snapper and a fingerprint reader. Its front-facing snapper is of 5-megapixel. It is packed with a 4,100 mAh battery. It is available in colors like Cherry Blossom, Champagne Gold and Matte Black. This phone has a larger sibling called Redmi Note 4X. Around a week ago, Xiaomi had held its first event in Mexico. The event debut the Redmi Note 4X and Redmi 4X for the Mexican market with respective pricing of MX 5,499 ($285) and MXN 3,999 ($209).

(source)

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A new update for Xiaomi’s MIUI Developer ROM is now available. The update brings a major system optimization for CPU allocation, a feature expected to reduce lags experienced by users.

Android has come a long way in terms of performance. When Android 4.1 Jelly Bean was released it came along with new enhancements meant to reduce lags and improve experience, Google called it Project Butter.

In spite of that, manufacturers have seen that they can achieve more than what Project Butter offers in terms of performance and responsiveness. So developers working on custom Android versions like MIUI have been able to come up with ways to make their OS perform better.

The new CPU allocation feature is only available to MIUI 8 developer ROM based on Android 5.0 to 7.0. It is not yet available for MIUI based on Android 4.4 Kitkat and Android 7.1 Nougat (Xiaomi Mi 5C). The later will get the optimization later.

READ MORE: Xiaomi Denies Allegation of Using Sub-standard Chipsets in Devices in India

The fix is present in version 7.4.6 of the developer ROM and is available for devices like the Mi Note 2, the Mi 4i, the Mi 4, and the Redmi Note 4.

(Source)

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Xiaomi has announced that the Mi 5C will start getting upgrades which would push Android 7.1 Nougat upgrades to the new phone. This is in line with the company’s promise during the launch of the Mi 5C. The upgrades will be via OTA push but this one is meant for Xiaomi Mi 5C smartphones running the MIUI 8 developer ROM.

One good thing about Xiaomi’s MIUI is that it is constantly upgraded to offer users newer and more features and it is so flexible you can decide to stick with a Developer ROM or a Stable ROM, or even a Ported ROM developed by unofficial developers. Developer ROMs are usually updated every week (except for special occasions like Chinese national holidays), and they will get bug fixes and new features in every update. On the other hand, Stable ROMs don’t have a regular update frequency. They are updated once a month or two months or even longer.

In this case, Mi 5C users running the developer ROM will get OTA updates as from today. Alternatively, the update package can be downloaded from the MIUI official website. It must be noted, though, that the Xiaomi Mi 5C comes with the MIUI 8 Stable ROM by default and so will ordinarily not get this OTA update.

Read Also: Xiaomi Mi 5C is available at $239 on Giztop

However, if you are eager to get a feel of using Android 7.1 Nougat on your Mi 5C, you can download the Developer ROM from the MIUI Forum. But if you have no idea about flashing your phone and stuff, just chill. The Mi 5C running MIUI 8 Stable ROM will still get updates to Android 7.1 Nougat later on.

(source)

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Xiaomi first pushed the latest MIUI 8.2 stable version to select Xiaomi smartphones on February 16 with a promise to push updates to more models later on. The MIUI 8.2 updates for more Xiaomi smartphones is coming sooner than we expected and include a wide range of models.

Among the models included in the update is the recently released Redmi Note 4X as well as top models like the Xiaomi Mi Note 2, Mi 5S, Xiaomi Mi Mix, Mi 4S, Mi 5, Mi 5S Plus, Redmi Pro, Redmi 3, Redmi 4A, Redmi 3S, Redmi 3X, Redmi Note 3, Redmi Note 4 and a few others. The first OTA pushed to a total of 24 models making it the largest single OTA push. This is also an OTA push but users can also download updates manually from Xiaomi MIUI forum.

Read Also: UI Showdown: MIUI 8 vs Flyme 6 vs EMUI 5.0 vs Smartisan OS 3.0

The new MIUI 8.2 Stable version brings a new Smart Desktop Assistance feature enables users to quickly setup several features like e-book reading progress, traffic usage etc. Apart from the Smart Desktop Assistance, the MIUI 8.2 also comes with a new Security Centre and there are other noticeable changes like notification bar design, sound effects like camera focus, ringtones, automatic task management, screenshots, charging, lock screen etc.

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Xiaomi has announced today that the MIUI 8 has got an upgrade to MIUI 8.2 and that it has pushed the stable ROM of the MIUI 8.2 to Xiaomi smartphones. The upgrade brings a new desktop intelligence assistance by large data analysis in order to provide users with more intelligent services. There is also a new system sound and some new ringtones, as well as automatic task management and other functions. In addition, there is a change of the notification bar in the new version’s interface.

The new Smart Desktop Assistance feature enables users to quickly setup several features like e-book reading progress, traffic usage etc. Apart from the Smart Desktop Assistance, the MIUI 8.2 also comes with a new Security Centre and there are other noticeable changes like notification bar design, sound effects like camera focus, screenshots, charging, lock screen etc.

According to the information, the MIUI 8.2 will be pushed immediately using OTA online upgrade. There is also the option of upgrading manually at the MIUI Forum. A total of 24 Xiaomi phones would get the upgrade in the first instance, making this the largest single OTA upgrade in Xiaomi’s history. The phones include Xiaomi Mi 2, Mi 2S, Xiaomi Mi 3, Mi 3 Unicom version, Mi 4, Xiaomi Mi Note, Redmi Note, and lots more. Subsequent OTA push would integrate more Xiaomi models.

Read Also: UI Showdown: MIUI 8 vs Flyme 6 vs EMUI 5.0 vs Smartisan OS 3.0

Also, the MIUI 8.2 will be available for international users to upgrade and the first batch of phones supported include Xiaomi Max, Xiaomi 4i, Xiaomi Mi 4, Xiaomi Mi 3,  Mi Note, Redmi Note 4G, while more models will be supported subsequently. The MIUI 8 is Xiaomi’s latest interface which was released last year. Already, more than 2 million users representing 60% of users have upgraded to MIUI 8.

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There are indications that the Xiaomi Mi Mix will soon get the Android Nougat treatment as an Android 7.0 running Mi Mix was spotted recently on benchmark website Geekbench.

We won’t be surprised about this, though, because Xiaomi had hinted of its intention to start rolling out Android 7.0 Nougat upgrade to some of its smartphones soon. Top on the list to get the official upgrade is the Mi Mix. There is no specific date when the upgrade would roll out but the GeekBench listing is an indication that it would likely be sooner than later.

Related: Samsung Galaxy S8 Real Image Leaks, See How it Compares with Xiaomi Mi Mix

The Geekbench score is in line with the one posted on its previous showing on Geekbench attaining an average score of 1737 points on the single core test and 4117 on the multi-core test. The specs obviously didn’t change as the device is listed with a 6GB RAM.

(source)

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Xiaomi recently announced via its MIUI official Weibo page that the MIUI would soon bring a new screen recording feature which would be available at the end of February when the stable version of the feature would debut. The post did reveal that the feature has been on test on some devices like the Mi 3, Mi 4, Mi 5 and Xiaomi Mi Note.

Two videos demonstrating the latest feature has appeared on MIUI forum showing how it works. From the video, it can be gathered that the feature allows users to freely select the resolution size, picture quality, the numbers of frames, display touch points, as well as the ability to show or hide the physical buttons, and so on. Also, the feature allows the user to set the screen mode to vertical or horizontal when recording something playing on the screen. There is also the option of selecting an automatic mode as well.

Related: MIUI 8 Patch ROM Bringing MIUI 8 To Non-Xiaomi Phones Released

Another cool thing about the recording feature is that it doesn’t affect or obstruct the smooth operation of other features on the phone. As stated, the Xiaomi Mi 3, Mi 4, Mi 5 and Mi Note will get the feature first, while other Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI will join the fray later on. Here are the links to the demo videos in case you want to check them out.

Demo Video 1

Demo Video 2

(source)

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The advent of Chinese phones changed the smartphone market in no small way. Starting first as shameless rip-offs of other popular brands, they have now evolved into more refined devices that boast important features missing on the brands they used to imitate in the past. Most, if not all of these features are software-based and are built into the UI of each manufacturer.

Want to know how the top Chinese Android UIs compare against each other? Then you should read this to the end.

Xiaomi’s MIUI is in its eight iteration already and offers tons of features but how does it compare against Meizu’s recently announced Flyme 6 UI or Huawei’s EMUI 5? Can anyone of them even stand against Smartisan OS 3.0?

Home Screen

All four UIs lack an app drawer by default, leaving you with an homescreen packed full with all your apps. If you are coming from an iPhone this shouldn’t be an issue for you, however those switching from Samsung, LG, Motorola, Nexus or HTC phones will have a hard time adapting to this and might be forced to install a launcher with an app drawer. However, EMUI 5 has an additional setting that lets you choose app drawer mode.

From the image below, there is no much difference between MIUI and EMUI apart from the bottom row of icons which are lower in MIUI and still have texts beneath them. For Flyme OS, the icons are a bit bigger and are more spaced, making them cover more than half of the whole screen.

Smartisan OS on the hand differs completely, as its homescreen is filled with apps that reach the top of the screen, making it feel like you are still using an iPhone.

Another major difference is that while the other three UIs have texts beneath their icons, Smartisan OS gives you the option to toggle it on or off. This gives it a neater and more matured look compared to the other three.

Notification Drawer/Quick Settings Menu

The notification drawer and quick settings menu differ for each UI. Flyme 6 and MIUI 8 both use a single page system where you have the quick settings shortcuts at the top and notifications at the bottom. MIUI 8 is however more colorful and has more features such as a search box at the top.

EMUI and Smartisan OS use a two-page system which presents your notifications on one page and quick settings shortcuts on the other.  You can flip between both pages via a single tap.

Recent Apps Menu

The recent apps interface is another place where the UIs are different. Flyme 6 uses a 3D carousel design to list the recently opened apps and Smartisan OS uses a flat card system (four apps per screen). MIUI 8 and EMUI 5 both use the same 2D flat design but in a different way. Instead of grouping them in fours like you have in Smartisan OS, they are arranged in a horizontal line which you can scroll through. MIUI 8 even has the option to shrink the cards into small icons in case you do not want to get a preview of what is currently running in each app.

Special Features

Each UI has a unique feature of its own. Flyme 6 lets you customize what mode (a total of three modes) your phone unlocks to depending on the fingerprint you use to unlock the phone. MIUI on the other hand let’s you use two accounts for the same app on a single device, so you can have two Whatsapp accounts, two Facebook accounts, and two twitter accounts and so on and so forth. EMUI 5 does the same (App Twin) but is limited to only Whatsapp and Facebook.

MIUI 8 also let’s you create a second space on your phone which you can switch to with the tap of a button. This second space can consist of apps you use for work and you can customize what apps and files you want to show up from the main space.

EMUI’s version of second space is called PrivateSpace and works more or less the same way as that of MIUI 8. While split-screen multi-tasking just came to stock android, it’s been available on some other Android UIs like Samsung’s TouchWiz and now, EMUI 5. We believe the split-screen feature will be available to all the devices getting the EMUI update irrespective of their android version.

READ MORE: Huawei Honor Magic to Offer Surprises Through Its Customized Android OS, EMUI

Smartisan OS has its own special features too. There is a built-in screen recorder which even lets you annotate the video while recording. You can also use the front facing camera to record yourself in case you are making a tutorial video. Smartisan OS also has a feature called Big Bang which is basically like Google’s Now on Tap though not as feature rich.

Which UI is your favorite? Are there any features we missed? Do let us know in the comment box.

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Last month, we came to know that Xiaomi was working on the Android 7 Nougat update for the Xiaomi Mi 5. Now, the company has officially revealed that the Android 7 Developer ROM for Xiaomi Mi 5 has entered open beta. This means anyone can head over to the forums and install the update. However, note that the open beta is for the developer ROM and not the stable ROM.

If you are already on the developer ROM, then you can upgrade the ROM to the version 6.12.8 for getting Android Nougat onto your device. Or else, you will have to clean install this latest version of the developer ROM (make sure to backup your data).

READ MORE: Xiaomi Among Top Buyer Of US Patents

While you are officially updated to the Android 7 version, the MIUI 8 interface remains the same, so you will hardly notice any visual differences. Note that there are a few known issues with this ROM as well, like Wi-Fi and data disconnections, so better flash it at your own risk.

The update size is about 1.3GB, so you better be connected to a Wi-Fi network before downloading and installing this package. You can check out this link for all the details, change logs, as well as links to the package.

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Xiaomi has released the MIUI 8 patch ROM, a third-party adaptation tool for MIUI 8, which brings the latest user interface’s firmware to other smartphone brands aside Xiaomi’s in an adaptable form. Although the earlier MIUI versions can be flashed on other smartphone brands like Samsung, HTC, LG etc, this seems to be the first officially available patch for the latest version of Xiaomi’s custom MIUI 8 ROM.

According to Xiaomi, the patch ROM development tools have been adapted for up to 496 models including about 274 domestic models and 222 phone models outside China. The MIUI  8 itself has been adapted for about 100 brands including those in China and abroad as well as popular brands.

A voting line has also been opened on the Xiaomi Mi community forum for fans to vote which of the models running Android 6.0 Marshmallow should get the MIUI third party ROM first and the options include the Samsung S7 Edge, OPPO R9s, vivo X9, glory 8, Huawei P9, music Pro3 Pro, Meizu Pro6, Nubian Z11 etc. Already Lenovo’s VP has expressed his excitement on Weibo that the expected ZUK Edge can have the MIUI 8 installed on it. The MIUI 8 would likely not feature on the ZUK Edge when launched because the device is rumored for next week but this is an indication of better days ahead for users of other brands who admire the innovative Xiaomi UI.

Read More: Top Chinese Flagships In 2016: Best Phones For Your Money (Year End Edition)

Meanwhile the Patch ROM can be downloaded from here, while you can join in on the voting from this link.

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Xiaomi is the Chinese company that constantly challenges the concept of flagship smartphones by producing some devices that have top-shelf specs, premium design and a very low price. The Mi 5s is one of those phones. How does it stack up against the  8 month old Samsung Galaxy S7 edge? Learn more in our comparison review.

VIDEO REVIEW

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YE0KJ4G7vy4[/embedyt]

PRICE

First of all, the price. The prices of the Mi 5s start at about $330 via the third part resellers. The Galaxy s7 edge still costs at least as twice as much despite the fact it was released back in March.

In addition, please check out our in-depth Xiaomi Mi 5s review and Samsung Galaxy S7 edge review for more details.

DESIGN

When it comes to the design, we have a little bit different approaches here but let’s talk about the similarities first.

Both phones look and feel premium but the Mi 5s has unibody metal design as opposed to the glass on the S7 edge, which attracts fingerprints and smudges very easily….but you can always wash those smudges out as the Galaxy s7 edge is water resistant.

Both devices have capable selfie shooters, notification LED lights and fingerprint scanners on the front. The Mi5 s is a clear winner when it comes to fingerprint security as it is simply faster and more reliable.

The Mi 5s ships with just 5.15” 1080p display but the S7 edge is not that larger despite the fact it has a 5.5” 2k resolution panel.

Speaking of those displays, both are great but the S7 edge has a better overall panel, which looks sharper, more punchy and more visible outdoors.

When it comes to optics, we have 12MP Sony shooters on both devices. The S7 edge has an edge since it has a built-in OIS and a much brighter f/1.7 aperture as opposed to f/2.0 aperture on the Mi 5s.

As for loudspeakers, neither phone will impress you. Still, the Galaxy device has a better sound quality. Keep in mind that that S7 edge uses the micro USB port whereas the Mi 5s uses the USB type C port.

HARDWARE and PERFORMANCE

When it comes to hardware, things are getting interesting since the Xiaomi Mi 5s is a more powerful phone, at least on paper.

I have the high-end model that sports a brand new Snapdragon 821 chip, 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM and whopping 128GB UFS 2.0-based storage.

You can also opt in for a lower-end model that has 3GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Keep in mind, however, that only the high-end model has a pressure-sensitive display.

The Galaxy S7 edge is already 8 months old but it still rocks some impressive hardware components.

My review unit is the EU model and it sports a home-brewed octa-core Exynos 8890 chip with the clock speeds of up to 2.6GHz, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage.

As expected, both phones can handle anything you throw at them and the latest 3D just fly.

USER INTERFACE

Xiaomi and Samsung have completely different approaches when it comes to the user interface.

The Mi 5s runs on the MIUI 8, which is based on Android 6.0.

As usual, we have a ton of customization options, various settings, tweaks and little features to make the phone look your own.

One of the key features is the pressure-sensitive display, which works great with certain apps. It is not a feature I can’t live without but hey, if you get used to using it, it may increase your productivity.

The Galaxy S7 edge runs on the very familiar Touchwiz skin.

If you’ve used a Samsung device before, you will feel pretty familiar with the user interface. We have a bit cartoonish looking icons, a lot of quick settings toggles and what has become usual to the South-Korean manufacturer, quite a lot of features and customization options.

One of my favorite features is the always-on display, which makes the best out the power-efficient Amoled panel.

Both phones are pretty similar in terms of the UI performance as everything has been running smoothly without any lag.

IMAGE QUALITY

Xiaomi Mi 5s:

Galaxy s7 edge:

When it comes to the image quality, the Galaxy S7 edge is a better performer in most of the situations as the pictures usually look sharper and have more detail.

The s7 edge also tends to perform better in low-light thanks to the faster lens and OIS. Also, the Samsung phone shoots 4k videos that one of the best on any phone.

Still, the Xiaomi Mi 5s does a fairly impressive job both in picture taking and 4k video recording, and it definitely has one of the best cameras in its price range.

BATTERY LIFE

When it comes to the battery life, both phones perform great.

The Xiaomi Mi 5s has a smaller 3100mAh battery that supports Quick Charge 3.0 but the phone does not ship with the fast charger. The phone will get you through the day even if you are a heavy user and you will get at least two full days if you are a light user. That translates to over 6 hours of screen-on time, depending on the usage.

The S7 Edge has a 3600mAh battery that can be charged using the supplied fast charger in just 1:15 mins. Also, you can charge the phone wirelessly, which is very convenient in practice.

The battery life is very similar on the Galaxy phone. You will get around 2 full days or around 5-6 hours of SOT, depending on the usage.

CONCLUSIONS

So, there you have it, Xiaomi Mi 5s vs. Galaxy S7 edge.

Obviously, the S7 edge is a better phone overall but the Xiaomi Mi 5s is no slouch at all.

Sure, the Galaxy phone has a better camera, water resistance, wireless charging, sharper display but when I say better, the gap is not always that significant.

The Mi 5s is comparable to the Galaxy S7 edge in some of the departments and it is even better in others like 128GB of on-board storage or more features in the UI.

Even though the Samsung phone has an edge, the Xiaomi Mi 5s is a very solid phone, for half the price.

The post Xiaomi Mi 5s vs Samsung Galaxy S7 edge: The $300 Difference appeared first on Gizmochina.

A couple of months after the MIUI 8 was released, it has emerged that Xiaomi is already has on its agenda the MIUI 9. According to insider sources right from Xiaomi’s headquarters, the MIUI 9 ceremony was held signifying the launch of the project.

The launch involved a big white board with the number 9 boldly printed on it in red and the text ” Hello MIUI written in Chinese below, followed by a few words by those in-charge of the MIUI research. No mention was made to the release date, though.

What this news means is that Xiaomi has kick-started the process preceding the release of another operating system even when the MIUI 8 is yet to roll out on all Xiaomi smartphones. A lot of research and development goes into the process and we hope to see a beta version of the MIUI 9 sometime in the near future, perhaps early next year.

source

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The Redmi 4 was expected to launch alongside the Redmi Note 4 but it didn’t. It seems it’s launch is near as images have shown up on TENAA’s website.

The Redmi 4 appears to look more like a small sized Redmi Note 4, although it doesn’t seem to have that curve of the Note 4. It doesn’t seem like Xiaomi has any plans of changing the design of the capacitive buttons, so that remains the same. The speaker on the Redmi 4 has been removed from the back and will now be at the bottom flanking the charging port.

At the back, there is a fingerprint scanner below the rear camera which has the LED flash sitting on the left. The Mi logo sits a few inches from the antenna line at the base. Volume rocker and power buttons are still on the right and the SIM tray is on the left.

RELATED: Redmi Note 4 Unboxing Pictures

Specifications of the Redmi includes 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and a Full HD display which a lot of people are excited about considering its 699 Yuan ($105) price tag. The processor is clocked at 1.8 GHz which some have predicted to be the Helio P10. Though some say it is the Snapdragon 625. If it does come with a Helio P10 chip, trust Xiaomi to release a version with a SD 625 chip as well and tag it as the Redmi 4 Pro.

The Redmi 4 Pro will launch with MIUI 8 based on Android 6.0.1. There is no news on release date yet, but we believe it will get an official release soon.

The post Xiaomi Redmi 4 Images and Specs Appears on TENAA: FHD, 3GB RAM & 699 Yuan ($105) Price appeared first on Gizmochina.

Another set of live images for Xiaomi’s first curved edge display phone, the Mi Note 2, have been leaked on Weibo. The Mi Note 2 is one of the most anticipated phones from a Chinese manufacturer. A screenshot leaked early this week says the phone will come with 6GB of RAM, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 820, and 64GB of storage.

While the specs above are not unusual, the screenshot also says the phone is running Android 7.0 Nougat based on MIUI 8.6 and has September’s security patch!!! That’s really weird and sort of impossible. The latest security patch is that of August and MIUI 8 is still in version 8.0. Let’s not even talk about the version of android.

RELATED: Leaked Photos Reveal Xiaomi is Working on an AI Robot

Other rumours we have heard about the Mi Note 2 mentions a version with a 5.5” 1080p OLED display and another version with a QHD display. We have also heard news of a 4GB RAM version and another 6GB RAM version with 128GB of storage.

The launch is expected to be in September, only then can we confirm the specifications. So just take all these details with a pinch of salt.

The post More Live Images of Mi Note 2 Leaks appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi started to push updates to the latest and much anticipated MIUI 8 Stable version to over 200 million Xiaomi smartphone models around the globe. Models like the Mi Max standard 3GB, Mi 4S, Mi Note, Mi 4 China Unicom version as well as the Telecom 3G versions and many others have already received the update. Now, it’s time to check MIUI 8 vs MIUI 7 differences.

Most of the Xiaomi models, before the latest OTA update push, were running on MIUI 7.5 stable ROM. But the MIUI 8 brings in many new features when compared to the MIUI 7 and one of the very noticeable features is the user interface. MIUI 8 Stable version bring a more beautiful interface design in addition to having Xiaomi’s Lanting font and bringing in several features like mobile avatar, SMS fraud detection, and some other new features.

Xiaomi’s MIUI official website posted a comparison chart between MIUI 7 and MIUI 8’s graphics interface and the differences though mild but is noticeable. The difference in the interface design range from desktop settings, dial-up interface, notes, weather, notification bar, advanced Calculator app, tape recorders and system updates.

Read More: MIUI 8 Released: New Visuals, Features & Apps Detailed Here

Apart from the added features, the MIUI 8 vs MIUI 7 design differences in the interface may not look enticing enough to want to upgrade and there might be some out there who prefer holding on to their  MIUI 7. So, between MIUI 7 and MIUI 8 which do you prefer? Meanwhile, you can check out more photos of the MIUI 7 and MIUI 8 interface designs.

The post MIUI 8 vs MIUI 7 : Interface & Design Changes Compared (Pictures) appeared first on Gizmochina.

After a really long wait of a few months (MIUI 8 was announced back in May), Xiaomi finally started rolling out the MIUI 8 Stable update from August 23. We are definitely happy to get the new update, which brings lots of visual changes (mostly good) along with new features. In case you want to check ou the features of the Xiaomi’s MIUI 8 update, just read this article.

So, how’s the update so far? Is everything working smooth?

One question that we all have is what Android version is running on the Xiaomi models updated with MIUI 8. There are a few models which are scheduled to get the MIUI version based on Android M soon (Redmi Note 3 users read this article if you haven’t already). However, most of the models, especially the old ones are stuck on Android Lollipop or even Kitkat! 

READ MORE: Amazing MIUI 8 Upcoming Feature: Lost Mobile Tracking Without SIM

So, I just wanted to check out what Android version is your Xiaomi model running after the MIUI 8 update. I know there are a few old models like the Redmi Note 4G who are surprisingly still on Android 4.4.4 Kitkat.

You can vote the version on your phone (running MIUI 8) in the poll given below.

The post Xiaomi MIUI 8 Update Is Already Out! Which Android Version Are You Stuck On? appeared first on Gizmochina.

The MIUI 8 Stable version will be pushed in batches, first to 15 Xiaomi phone models and thereafter to all other Xiaomi models. The models the update will become available on include Xiaomi Mi 5, Mi Max, Redmi 4s, Mi Note, Redmi 2A, Redmi Note  2, Redmi Note 3, Mi 4 China Unicom version, Redmi 1S, Mi 2/2S, Mi 4i, Redmi Note 3G, Redmi Note 4G and some others.

Read More: Amazing MIUI 8 Upcoming Feature: Lost Mobile Tracking Without SIM

The second batch of OTA updates that would bring the MIUI 8 Stable version to the Redmi Pro, Mi 4C, Redmi 3S and 3X, Redmi 2, Redmi 1S and other models.

Xiaomi announced the MIUI 8 in China back in May and had made the beta version available on some select Xiaomi smartphones since July. The MIUI 8 is reputed to be the richest MIUI interface till date, bringing in a comprehensive breakthrough in visual design and innovative features.

Some of the features include an easy to use and good looking design, dual user interface, running same application more than once, Mi Bus payment ( available on Mi 5), comprehensive calculator with currency calculator, more fonts for better mobile reading experience, easier short cuts, new photo album, fashionable lock screen, easier text editing, new power saving mode NFC payment security, and lots more.

The post MIUI 8 Stable version Starts rolling out to Xiaomi’s phones today appeared first on Gizmochina.

Back in May when Xiaomi announced the new version of their MIUI ROM called MIUI 8 alongside the Mi Max, quite a number of people were excited about the new features it was going to come with.

Weeks later, the company started an open beta program for select devices and announced that the stable version should be released around August 16. Just before the date, they released another statement saying it has been pushed to August 23, which was followed by another statement saying end of August. But it seems the company has gotten their act together as they have confirmed that a stable version of MIUI 8 will start rolling out on August 23.

As with most updates, they usually roll out in batches starting with some devices first and others later. MIUI 8 is no different. The first set of devices to get the update on the first day are the Redmi 1S, Mi 2/2S, Mi 4i, Redmi Note 3G and Redmi Note 4G. Other phones such as the Redmi 2, Redmi 2 Prime, Redmi 3, Redmi 3S/Prime, Redmi Note 2, Redmi Note 3 (Qualcomm version), Redmi Note 3 (Special Edition), Redmi Note Prime, Mi 3, Mi 4, Mi 5, Mi Note, and Mi Max (32GB model) will get the update later.

There’s one device that’s not on the list of phones getting MIUI 8. The Redmi Note 3 (Mediatek Version). I have no  idea why Xiaomi left it out. It uses the same processor as the Redmi Note 2 which is getting the update by the way, so there’s no reason why it should not get updated.

Another thing about the MIUI 8 update is the android version. Xiaomi is known to push out newer versions of their ROM but not update the android  version.

READ MORE: Xiaomi Working on A More Sophisticated VR Headset

MIUI 8 will come with new visuals and features like split-screen multitasking, a redesigned gallery app,video editing tools, a new calculator with built-in currency conversion, and scrolling screenshot. The MIUI update should also bring the newly announced Mi Pay NFC payment to the Mi 5 .

You should get a notification telling you an update is available, or you can open the Updater app and check for updates then proceed to download.

The post UPDATED: MIUI 8 Will Start Rolling Out To Devices on August 23 appeared first on Gizmochina.

We’ve just got official confirmations about Redmi Pro, one of the devices that will be launched on 27th July 2016. Earlier in the day, Xiaomi confirmed that the Redmi Pro will indeed have an OLED display. Although there are hundreds of other devices with OLED screen in the market, for Xiaomi, it is going to be their first device featuring an OLED screen.

Xiaomi, today, released new official teasers and in one of the teasers, celebrity Chef Liu Shi Shi is shown cooking an “OLED PING”. Other teasers reveals that Liu Shi shi is going to make “ten nuclear double stem head”, and “Mentor” Liu Hao is going to make “brushed gold potato” (literal translations from Chinese).

RELATED: Xiaomi Redmi Pro Confirmed! Coming on July 27

With these two dishes, which will be revealed in detail in the next two days, Xiaomi could be trying to say that the Redmi Pro comes with a Deca-core processor (Helio X25) and dual cameras. Well, that’s exactly what we will take from the teaser as these features have been revealed before.

What we already know is that Redmi Pro will come with a 5.5-inch 1080p display, 4GB RAM, up to 128GB native storage, would support dual SIM dual standby full CNC and MIUI 8 based on Android 6.0. In terms of pricing, your guess is as good as ours ! But earlier reports have said that it could be higher than other Redmi models.

The post Xiaomi hints the Redmi Pro Features Dual Cameras & Deca-Core Processor appeared first on Gizmochina.

While the MIUI 8 OS comes with a lot of new upgrades and visual changes such as new fonts, redesigned apps etc, the company executives have confirmed that there will be additional features rolled out in the future updates. Things like split screen multitasking are going to be added later.

READ MORE: Amazing MIUI 8 Upcoming Feature: Lost Mobile Tracking Without SIM

Another good news is that the company has confirmed that it will soon start working on MIUI 9 and it should most likely be based on Android N version. Considering that MIUI is usually stuck on old Android versions, this is welcome news to millions of fans around the globe.

The post MIUI 8 Stable Release Rolling out from August 23 appeared first on Gizmochina.

MIUI 8 was announced alongside the Mi Max and is still in its testing stage for other Xiaomi devices. The Global Developer ROM was just made available for download yesterday (the MTK version of the Redmi Note 3 is omitted) with a stable release slated for next month.

Xiaomi however posted a teaser about the MIUI 9 on their Weibo page earlier today. The teaser indicates that the company is currently at the stage of receiving suggestions from fans. So if you have got suggestions on what new features the upcoming ROM should have, you should head over to Xiaomi’s page and air them.

MIUI 8 will be bringing some much needed changes and new features such as split-screen multi-tasking, scroll-able screenshots, duplicate apps: which for example lets you use 2 Whatsapp accounts on the same phone; cloud photo sync, new video editing tools, and a colourful UI.

The post Xiaomi Will Soon Begin Development of MIUI 9 appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi announced the MIUI 8 in China back in May and later, last month, at the launch of the Mi Max phablet in India, the company hinted that the beta version will hit some select Xiaomi smartphones publicly by July.

The public beta which will be released on July 11, will be made available on the Xiaomi Mi 5, Mi Max, Mi Note, Mi 4i, Mi 4, Mi 3, Mi 2, Redmi Note 3, Redmi Note 2, Redmi Note Prime, Redmi Note, Redmi 2 Prime, Redmi 2, and Redmi 1s. But obviously, that is not the big news which many fans have been waiting to hear.

Anticipations have continued to heighten about the release date of the MIUI 8 stable ROM which promises an awesome array of all new features. The anticipation has been put to rest with the official statement from Xiaomi that the MIUI 8 stable ROM will be rolling out publicly by August 16, 2016.

READ MORE: MIUI 8 Comes With Lost Mobile Tracking Without SIM card

Already, we have the MIUI 7.5 stable ROM which comes with some of the features the MIUI 8 will come with but then it isn’t MIUI 8 and at the end of the day, we all want to experience all the features the MIUI 8 offers as soon as possible.

In addition, we have been told in previous statements that the MIUI 8 will later feature a split screen, screen recording, fingerprint payment and other functions but these features may not be available on the MIUI 8 stable ROM from the August 16 release date.

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However, MIUI officials have come out with a somewhat great news that a new feature is being developed for the latest MIUI 8. The official revealed that the current Mi Cloud services will soon combine the phone lookup feature with virtual SIM feature to detect a phone even without a SIM card.

What this implies is that Mi Cloud would be able to detect the phone’s location even if the smartphone’s SIM card was pulled out by someone. As soon as the phone is booted, regardless of the presence of a SIM card inside, Mi Cloud would detect the device and pinpoint the location.

If this news is true, then it becomes very easy recovering lost or stolen phones and that would be a big boost to Xiaomi phones running the MIUI 8. More so, the feature will join other amazing features like fingerprint payment, split-screen and screen recording functionalities which are currently under development for the MIUI 8 version.

MIUI 8 also builds in several technology breakthroughs such as being able to clone apps and manage multiple accounts on the same phone and a host of other amazing features.

The post Amazing MIUI 8 Upcoming Feature: Lost Mobile Tracking Without SIM appeared first on Gizmochina.

The major complaint with respect to the OS is the presence of ads baked into the system. Testers of MIUI 8 have complained that the new version still has ads in most of the default system applications such as the file explorer. While the advertising isn’t bad, it’s annoying when an advert pops up when doing serious work. Although, you can just manually close the ads, there is no place within the system where you can turn off ads completely.

RELATED: Lei Jun Responds To Criticism about MIUI’s Annoying Ads

MIUI 8 is expected to bring a ton of new features such as split screen multitasking, a new call screen, redesigned notification menu and fonts, and a more colourful overall UI. But before then, Xiaomi is pushing out a MIUI 7.5 update that started with the Chinese variant of the ROM last week. The 7.5 update is expected to feature some of the new additions expected in version 8.

Are you currently testing MIUI 8? We sure do want to know what the experience is like, so please share with us in the comment box below.

The post MIUI 8 Still Plagued by Ads appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi will release the MIUI 7.5 China Stable ROM today. While we all are waiting for the new MIUI 8 stable update, the 7.5 ROM is also an important update since it comes with a few features that will be inside the v8.0. So, if you wanted to try out a couple of features early, upgrading your phone to MIUI 7.5 China Stable ROM would be a good idea. You can either wait for the OTA update or download and flash the ROM package on to your Xiaomi smartphone.

So, the new MIUI 7.5 brings some new features onto your smartphone like shortcut menus, Mi Lanting system font, app protection, card design for notification messages, redesigned weather app, major optimizations for cleaner app, wallpaper carousel etc.

RELATED: Xiaomi confirms MIUI 8 Stable ROM is coming in August

The update will be rolled out in two batches. The first ones to get the MIUI 7.5 Update include Mi Max 32GB / 64GB / 128GB versions and Xiaomi Mi5. The next batch will get the update starting around July 4 and includes Redmi 3, Redmi Note Prime etc. The entire list of supported devices in both the batches are given as below.

First Set Of Devices getting MIUI 7.5 China stable build are:
Mi Max 64GB/128GB, Mi Max 32GB, Mi 5, Mi 4S, Mi Note Pro, Mi Note, Mi 4c, Mi 4i, Mi 4, Mi 3, Mi 2/2S, Mi Pad 2, Mi Pad 1, Redmi Note 4G (Single SIM) , Redmi 1S

Second Set Of Devices Who Will Get MIUI 7.5 China stable build later (around July 4th)
Redmi 3S/3x, Redmi 3, Redmi Note Prime (4G, Dual SIM), Redmi Note 3 MTK, Redmi Note 3 Qualcomm, Redmi Note 2, Redmi 2A, Redmi 2, Redmi 2 Prime, Redmi 1

If you are too excited to get the new update, then head over to this link. You’ll find all details to download and flash the MIUI 7.5 ROM for your model.

Meanwhile, MIUI 8 will start rolling out sometime in August.

The post MIUI 7.5 Stable China ROM Rolling Out Today, Comes With Some MIUI 8 Features appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi’s MIUI OS is one of the popular ROMs available in the market right now and all Xiaomi smartphones come with the OS pre-installed. The company released the brand new MIUI 8 OS about two months ago and the OS is already in beta. The final version should be up and ready in a few weeks, after which you can expect Xiaomi phones to start receiving the update.

The new MIUI 8 version brings a lot of visual changes, and now, the colors on the OS change according to the month or even the weather. The company has included more young colors to make it look more vibrant and alive. There are a lot of feature additions as well, and today, we received information that the MIUI 8 will also add split screen multitasking.

In fact, MIUI seems to have confirmed that split-screen multitasking will soon come to MIUI 8. However, it doesn’t look like the feature will be available in the first release. So, we don’t know exactly when the feature will be available to the users, but it should be sometime later in the future minor updates to the ROM.

RELATED: MIUI 8 Enters Open Beta

Other features of the new MIUI 8 include recording live screen as well as support for fingerprint payments, like its own wallet service as well as Alipay (in the future).

MIUI 8 brings a lot of new features, and all of them have been detailed in this article. Check it out for more details.

The post MIUI 8 Will Add More Features Like Split Screen Multitasking appeared first on Gizmochina.

MIUI is one of the world’s popular ROMs, and it is found inside all the Xiaomi smartphones that are sold globally. The ROM has been praised for its simple design and features, however, it also gets a fair share of criticisms, especially about the advertising policy of the company inside MIUI. If you have ever used the UI, you would notice that there are advertisements displayed in the interface. In fact, the company’s UI has been often criticized in China for putting advertisements everywhere, and some even calling it the ADUI. Yesterday evening, when Xiaomi CEO’s Lei Jun was live, a couple of questions about MIUI’s advertising issues were raised. At that time, he revealed his views regarding this issue.

According to Lei Jun, users don’t usually hate advertising, rather, they hate the “annoying” kind of ads. This is similar to what some of the Xiaomi employees had to say about this topic earlier. Also, to be honest, we have to understand that Xiaomi makes little money from selling its smartphones, so it tries to make it up via other channels like ads in MIUI. However, Lei Jun further added that the new version of MIUI comes with a lot less ads, and if you think they are annoying, you can report it to the company.

We will have to wait and see whether the company has reduced the ads on the new MIUI 8 version. It comes with a lot of new features, most of which are listed in detail in this article. The ROM is currently in open beta and soon will be released to most Xiaomi smartphones.

Do you think the ads in MIUI are annoying?

The post Lei Jun Responds To Criticism About MIUI’s Annoying Ads appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi officially released the MIUI 8 OS, the next generation version to the MIUI 7 OS developed by the company. The release is a good three months ahead of schedule, which isn’t surprising given that in this competitive world, the release cycle has reduced drastically. Now that the MIUI 8 OS is released and its features detailed, it is time to look at what this new operating system brings to the table. Read on to know more about this newly announced OS.

Xiaomi kicked off the event by revealing that MIUI had reached 200 million users worldwide which is an amazing feat for the company. With so many users hooked to the OS, it becomes necessary to upgrade features as well as visuals regularly to keep everyone interested. To make things simple and organized, let’s take a look at the changes in different categories.

VISUALS:

One of the biggest changes in the new MIUI 8 OS is the visuals. The company has used rich and young colors for the OS, which reportedly provides more information to the user in a pleasant, comfortable and natural way (these were the exact words used by the company at the event!).

So, what new visuals can we expect to see on MIUI 8?

First up, the color changes as the month changes. So, for one month, you might see a yellow shade and a purple shade for another. Then, the colors change as the weather changes as well. And finally, you will also see changes in colors according to the surrounding sounds. For example, when recording, the color in the app can change according to the tone of the sound. So, the OS can change colors based on emotion, perception of temperature and sound understanding.

The dial pad is also changed a bit as compared to the MIUI 7. The notes app gets a new delete animation — paper shredder effect. When you have connected to Wi-Fi successfully, there’s a new colorful animation as well.

Mi Lanting Font

Since users read a lot on their smartphones nowadays, it becomes necessary for the phone to have the right font that won’t hurt your eyes even after reading for 6 hours on it. This is why Xiaomi has developed a new font for its MIUI 8 OS called as the Mi Lanting. The company says that they have used a new concept called “center of gravity of fonts” to design the perfect fonts for the new OS.

MIUI 8 FEATURES:

Lock Screen

Xiaomi has partnered up with over 50 different media outlets to bring high-quality lock screens for your MIUI 8 powered smartphone every day. The basic design seems to be the same, but there are going to be a lot more screen lock images at your disposal.

Gallery

Xiaomi has redesigned the new Gallery app to make it more user-friendly and feature rich. For example, there are three main changes. First, you will be notified whether your photos have been synced directly in a more friendly manner. Also, similar pictures will be grouped together instead of showing you individual ones in the gallery. GIF photos will have a “Gif” logo on them to identify them directly from the gallery app. There’s a new feature as well which will keep the thumbnail of the HD photo on your smartphone and the original one will be available on the cloud. This reportedly saves up to 90% of gallery storage.

Then there are new editing features on the gallery app as well. You can add doodles, graffiti, and other filters on photos. Also, you can edit videos in the gallery, and perform functions such as cropping, adding filters, captions or even music. Finally, there is a new SWIPE to share feature for easy sharing of your photo.

MIUI 8 Scanner

The new scanner comes with Quick QR code generation for WeChat Wallet and Alipay in China. You can also scan barcodes to search and purchase products online. The scanner also converts information in images to text at any angle. Another interesting feature is the ability to solve maths problems with step by step solutions.

MIUI 8 Calculator

The new OS adds support for advanced calculations and conversions in the calculator app. Your everyday calculations like mortgage, currency conversion etc are simplified in the new app.

Long Screenshots Feature

The new OS comes with a better long screenshot feature which makes it easier to take long screenshots. It also helps you to cut the portion of the screenshot required without much hassle since you can get a preview of the background image during the process.

MIUI 8 Notes

The new notes app comes with passcode and fingerprint lock options. There are a few templates options for the new app. Also, the notes can be viewed in grid view mode for easier navigation.

Hovering Options Menu

The MIUI 8 OS comes with a semi-transparent hovering options circle which you can position it anywhere on the screen. You can set common functions as well as applications in the menu and drag it anywhere. It will help in one-handed operation of the device as well as to perform quick functions.

Two Different Passwords

You can set two different passwords on your MIUI 8 powered smartphone. Each password will take you to a different desktop on the device and the information on each desktop will be different. So, you can dedicate a desktop for a particular function like entertainment, work etc. Also, it looks like a single phone can run two copies of an application at a time. And the data of the app on one desktop won’t interfere with the other.

New Text Selection & Translate Tool

MIUI 8 comes with a new text selection tool which offers word translation options. So, when you select a word on the screen, you get the option to translate from Chinese to English or vise versa. Further, if your selection contains important details like phone numbers or contact details, you will also get options to call or save as contact.

New Power Saving Mode

The company has tweaked the way the chain of applications interacts with each other. This reportedly helps to increase the battery life of the device by around 2-3 hours on its power saving mode. This mode freezes background applications and suspends sync to add more battery life to your device.

SMS Fraud Detection

The MIUI 8 OS comes with inbuilt SMS fraud detection system to ensure that your important personal details remain safe. The OS can analyze the SMS received by your phone and can pop up a warning if it suspects that the SMS is fraudulent. Further, when clicking on the link inside such messages, it will remind the user of the risks. And finally, even when you are in the browser with the URL about to open, it will give you a final warning to ensure that you do not give out any details to fraudulent websites.

So, this seems to sum up all of the important features of the MIUI 8 OS.

What are your first thoughts on this new version?

Meanwhile, check out the supported models and release schedule of the new OS from here.

The post MIUI 8 Released: New Visuals, Features & Apps Detailed Here appeared first on Gizmochina.

We all know that Xiaomi will release the new version of its popular MIUI OS alongside the Xiaomi Max phablet next week. The company has been teasing some of the features of the device for the past few days, and earlier today, it released a new teaser for the MIUI 8 OS. Now, two more teasers have been released by the official Weibo account of the OS and the company has asked users to guess what they mean.

Check out the teasers from above. Can you guess what the company is trying to hint with these three images?

The company could be adding new color schemes on the new MIUI 8 version and some of them might be revealed in the images above. So, along with new additions in gestures and features, it looks like the new version will also bring a fresh and colorful look to the device. But these images could be hinting at much more than just colors. Some of the users on Weibo say that these posters hint at a dual OS setup, while other say that it is for split-screen multitasking feature. What do you think it indicates?

As mentioned above, the new MIUI 8 OS is not just about design upgrades, but also adds new gesture and feature upgrades. For example, it will add new gestures for calls, notes and even the drop down notification menu is getting a feature and design refresh.

Looks like the new update is going to be interesting. May 10 is less than a week away, so stay tuned for more details.

The post New Colorful MIUI 8 Teasers Released, Can You Guess Their Meaning? appeared first on Gizmochina.

MIUI 8 seems to have improved a lot in terms of functions, fonts, UI and visual effects.

The look and feel of MIUI 8 have completely changed from MIUI 7 as we saw in the first video that was released along with the official announcement, the notification bar, especially, has been redesigned totally.

Today, Mi cofounder, Hong Feng, shared a sneak peak of MIUI 8 in a video on Weibo. This video showed how one can create notes using an app called Mi Notes. Using a finger swipe downwards, a user will be able to create a new note and with two fingers swipe upwards, the notes can be deleted.

As for the visual effects, it’s really impossible to describe, you must watch the video here to feel the difference.

The post MIUI 8 New Features leaked (Video) appeared first on Gizmochina.

According to new rumors, the Xiaomi Max will come in two versions. The top-end variant will be powered by the Snapdragon 820 chipset and there will be other features to play around as well. For example, the phablet is said to come with an all metal body with a fingerprint sensor. Now, while the company hasn’t revealed any features of the device, it is rumored that this could be Qualcomm’s Ultrasonic sensor. If true, it would join the likes of a few handsets announced that come with this sensor like the Le Max Pro and Le Max 2. Other rumored features of the Xiaomi Max include 3D Touch like pressure sensitive display with a lot more options than Apple’s iPhone 6S Plus.

RELATED: Watch Xiaomi Mi 5 Scratch, Burn & Eventually Break In A Video

It is said that Xiaomi could be planning to call the high-end version as the Xiaomi Big and the standard version as Xiaomi Max. Further, it is rumored that a Redmi phablet is also in the works and could end up being called as the Redmi Note 4.

So, this was about the high-end Xiaomi Big. But what about the standard version? This particular model should most likely feature a less powerful processor like the Snapdragon 650, as revealed by a recent GFXBench listing. Other features are unknown but considering the chip inside, it should be mid-range.

Remember that most of the details leaked today come via rumors, so take this with a pinch of salt.

Xiaomi will officially unveil the Max, Mi Band 2 and MIUI 8 on May 10. So, looks like its going to be a busy day for Chinese tech fans.

Stay tuned for more details.

The post More Xiaomi Max Details Leaked: Two Versions, One With Snapdragon 820 appeared first on Gizmochina.

Xiaomi has added more spice to the upcoming launch event scheduled on 10^th May. Xiaomi will not only introduce Mi Max and Mi Band 2 but also will bring the long awaited MIUI 8.

An update on Weibo account of Mi announced, “MIUI 8 will be released on May 10, along with Mi Max,  you always wanted new features, there are a whole lot of new designs, new experiences. ” Later Xiaomi also tweeted from Xiaomi Global account and an update on MIUI forum confirmed the same too.

Compared to the current version, MIUI 8’s design has changed all-together. It not only has the material design, but the overall look and feel is refreshing.

In addition to the new design of the UI interface, we also found some interesting features. In the notification bar, apart from a few commonly used notifications, we found a small Cloud music application. In previous versions of MIUI, this app wasn’t there.

This announcement goes in line with morning announcement of Mi Max where Mi had hinted about the launch of a range of new applications and services.

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