It’s high time Xiaomi stopped copying Apple iOS

Xiaomi was considered one of many Chinese language manufacturers copying Apple iOS within the early 2010s, and this was an comprehensible development on the time. It created a well-known expertise for former iPhone customers whereas additionally giving folks an identical expertise with out paying a premium. Even in the present day, iPhone 14 Professional customers would really feel proper at residence switching over to Xiaomi.

Actually, I distinctly bear in mind this iOS-like aesthetic upon first utilizing the Xiaomi Mi 4 and Mi Pad within the mid-2010s. I undoubtedly excused it on the time as a result of the truth that these have been low-cost units. “Who cares? I’m getting an ideal Android pill with a Tegra chipset for beneath $250,” I believed upon shopping for the Mi Pad in China in 2015.

Now that we’re in an period of ultra-premium Xiaomi telephones although, I actually can’t excuse an Android pores and skin that copies Apple’s iOS aesthetics.

There’s no scarcity of Chinese language manufacturers with visually distinct, feature-rich Android skins within the international market in 2023, similar to OPPO, HONOR, Motorola, and vivo. In any case, an authentic or stock-like visible fashion is the best way to face out in international markets. So I discover it irritating to see Xiaomi’s MIUI proceed to crib from iOS as an alternative.

Along with the general visible fashion, use of skeuomorphism, and comparable toggle designs, maybe essentially the most notable means Xiaomi copies iOS is with the Management Middle. The Chinese language model’s take is eerily just like Apple’s display, all the way down to the identical coloration scheme and comparable sliders for brightness and quantity. Examine the gallery out under.

Xiaomi additionally adopts a really comparable settings menu in comparison with iOS, that includes black textual content on a white background and comparable icons. We additionally see a “end organising your gadget” immediate within the settings menu on Xiaomi telephones. The precise settings objects differ between the 2 units, however the total similarities are nonetheless plain to see.

Even the MIUI digicam app seems similar to the iPhone digicam app. Now, many smartphone manufacturers provide a rotating carousel of modes of their digicam app, so some skeptics may argue that Xiaomi is within the clear right here. Nevertheless it’s evident that Xiaomi has aped Apple’s structure, that includes the carousel immediately under the viewfinder. In contrast, Google gives a unique digicam UI structure, that includes the carousel on the backside of the app and zoom controls under the viewfinder moderately than contained in the viewfinder.

The iOS trappings was much more overt till a couple of years in the past. I hated the shortage of an app drawer in earlier MIUI variations. There wasn’t even an choice to allow one again then, however more moderen MIUI variations have this characteristic now, fortunately. Moreover, the worldwide MIUI pores and skin are extra authentic than the Chinese language pores and skin, which matches all-in on the iOS-style residence widgets.

However, it’s an actual disgrace to see MIUI sticking with the iOS aesthetic at giant, as I really feel it’s nonetheless one of many extra feature-packed Android skins outdoors of Samsung One UI. A few of my favourite present options embrace per-app quantity controls, tremendous wallpapers, and notification pulse lights. The Xiaomi pores and skin additionally helped popularize different options like themes, twin apps, and scrolling screenshots.

It pains me to confess that MIUI continues to be impressed by Apple’s software program, as I’d argue that no model has executed extra to democratize the fashionable smartphone than Xiaomi. Units just like the Redmi Be aware collection, particularly, redefined the mid-range market within the mid to late 2010s, delivering a ton of bang in your buck.

In any occasion, this closely impressed visible design is especially disappointing on condition that Xiaomi expenses €1,300 for the Xiaomi 13 Professional. Moreover, the Xiaomi 13 Extremely was not too long ago introduced, and it’ll probably exceed the €1,300 mark when it launches in international markets. You’d actually anticipate extra originality for that type of cash.

Copying options is often a two-way road within the cellular area, as varied manufacturers regularly crib from one another. Actually, Apple pinched two Xiaomi {hardware} options for the iPhone 14 launch. However copying total aesthetics exhibits a disappointing lack of originality. First impressions depend, and fewer tech-savvy shoppers may have a look at the €1,300+ Xiaomi flagship price ticket, then have a look at the software program and ask why they’d pay that a lot money for a cloned or spinoff expertise.

Me? I do know what I’m entering into at this level when shopping for a Xiaomi telephone, however I might nonetheless want the combo of Xiaomi {hardware} and OPPO, Google, or Samsung software program.

This dramatic change to Android additionally has sensible implications. Xiaomi makes a great deal of modifications to Android, which has resulted in additional bugs. This was significantly notable in our Poco F3 and Poco X4 Professional critiques. Colleague C Scott Brown reviewed the previous and encountered every little thing from random reboots and notification glitches to random brightness drops. In the meantime, I reviewed the Poco X4 Professional and located a number of bizarre points, such because the digicam app typically capturing thumbnail-sized 108MP pictures and music/podcast apps slicing out for no cause.

That stated, some latest units didn’t endure from main bugs in any respect, and Xiaomi launched an MIUI working group that seems to have helped ship a extra polished expertise. Nonetheless, I can’t assist however really feel we wouldn’t see practically as many glitches if the corporate took a extra restrained method to MIUI.

This raft of modifications additionally means an extended timeline for releasing system updates. Then once more, Samsung makes equally sweeping modifications to Android and nonetheless manages to ship a great deal of updates at a sooner tempo.

Both means, I’ve spent sufficient time with OPPO and Samsung handsets to know that Android telephones can have an authentic appear and feel with out alienating customers. I significantly appreciated my time with the OPPO Reno 8 Professional owing to the sheer degree of customization on faucet.

There are successfully two routes forward of Xiaomi if it desires to make MIUI a extra authentic Android pores and skin. It might provide two visually distinct MIUI skins (one for international customers and one for China) or ship one main visible overhaul to rule all of them.

The primary choice implies that every market will get what they need, so an authentic or stock-like pores and skin for international markets and an iOS-like method in China. This route does have the potential for extra bugs and slower replace speeds although, owing to sources being unfold extra thinly.

Xiaomi wouldn’t be the primary to supply two Android skins, as vivo gives Origin OS for China and the stock-like Enjoyable Contact OS for international customers, as an example. I’m not the largest fan of Enjoyable Contact OS on the subject of bloatware and different system additions, however the stock-like aesthetic could be very a lot appreciated.

A single overhauled MIUI pores and skin for each markets might allow sooner updates and fewer bugs, as Xiaomi would theoretically not should unfold its sources as thinly as a two-pronged method. Nonetheless, the draw back is that every market may not get precisely what they need.

Regardless of which route Xiaomi takes, the tip outcome can be that international customers would now not should put up with an Apple iOS-like Android pores and skin.

Xiaomi can now not afford to supply an Android pores and skin that appears like a closely impressed model of Apple iOS if it desires to entice clients in in the present day’s crowded flagship market. Particularly when it’s anticipated to cost upwards of €1,300 for the Xiaomi 13 Extremely. I sincerely hope the corporate takes cues from rival manufacturers and delivers that overdue visible overhaul.

I’ve at all times beneficial Xiaomi telephones to family and friends, even shopping for Redmi Be aware 8 telephones for my instant household a couple of years in the past. However these suggestions and purchases got here regardless of the iOS-like MIUI software program moderately than due to it. So it’s excessive time for Xiaomi to show considered one of its biggest weaknesses into a significant energy.