MIUI It is a ROM, and Android It is a platform. MIUI belongs to a Chinese electronics company known as Xiaomi – The company behind the popular smartphone brand. Xiaomi MIUI and AndroidOS. If you have questions about Xiaomi mobile software, you've come to the right place. In this article, you'll learn everything you need to know about how MIUI differs from Android.
MIUI wallpaper
Xiaomi's flagship product was MIUI (Mi User Interface). The company based its product on Android 2.1 Eclair. After raising millions of dollars, Xiaomi launched its first smartphone in 2011. It was called the Mi 1. When the device was released, it resembled Apple's iOS, and users felt it lacked originality.
Xiaomi didn't give up and continued to improve MIUI. The modern MIUI looks more like a variant of Android with some iOS features. Xiaomi's creativity and ability to turn MIUI into a native product has earned the company a lot of recognition. Additionally, Xiaomi owns smaller brands that manufacture phones such as Redmi, Blackshark, and Pocophones. These phones use the same Android look and feel as Xiaomi's mobile devices.
Why MIUI is not Android?
Android is a long-standing platform, like Apple's iOS and Microsoft's Windows. It's the foundation upon which Xiaomi builds its MIUI (Mi User Interface) look. MIUI originated from Android, making it a separate product on the same platform. Simply put, it's a modified version of Android, just like HTC Sense, Samsung, and other related brands.
All of these brands use their own version of the Android skin to provide a unique experience for their users. Ultimately, it's difficult to compare stock Android versus MIUI. Even though MIUI runs on top of Android, it has a host of features not found in stock Android. Xiaomi adds these additional features to enhance the Android user interface.
What is the new MIUI version now?
The latest version is called MIUI 14 and runs on Android13The Xiaomi 13 series of smartphones are the first to use MIUI 14. Xiaomi currently doesn't update its phone software often. Therefore, purchasing an older Xiaomi phone may leave you with outdated Android and MIUI software. Focus on the latest models to enjoy advanced software updates and phone features.
How to find MIUI and Android version numbers
You may not know the exact MIUI and Android version numbers for your Xiaomi phone. Here's how to find out:
- On your phone, select Android Settings.
- Locate the option About the phone At the beginning of the list, touch it. Here it will display “The MIUI version number of your device.”
- Section displays About the phone Also Android version number.
How to Check for Software Updates on an Older MIUI/Android Phone
If you own a phone running an older version of MIUI/Android, you should check for any pending updates.
- Open Android Settings By clicking on Gear icon.
- Choose a section About the phone.
- Click on “MIUI Build Number” to install the latest updates.
- If you missed the link "Update" Your Xiaomi phone is running the latest MIUI/Android software. No link may mean your device is outdated or that updates haven't arrived yet.
Should you buy a MIUI or Android phone?
Everyone wants something unique when looking for a suitable phone. One person might prefer a phone with a blank user interface that runs faster. Another will look for a slower phone with many attractive features and themes. When choosing between MIUI and StockAndroid Focus on your needs. Also, consider the pros and cons of each version.
MIUI has the following pros and cons:
Positives
- Many features and animations
- Free and paid themes from Xiaomi Theme Store
- Save battery power with a dedicated feature
- Advanced Dark Mode
Floating apps and app cloning
Negatives
- Many features slow down the user interface.
- There are no regular software updates.
- Attracts many insects
- Lots of bloatware
Stock Android has the following pros and cons:
Positives
- Simple user interface with fewer features
- Fast user interface
- Open apps with one click
- Advanced stock battery performance and lifespan
- No bloatware
- Stock Android is the native platform.
- QS Board
Negatives
- Fewer features than MIUI
- You cannot customize appearances.
- Unless you're using Android 12, other phones lack animations.
- No game mode and floating apps
FAQs
Q1: Is it easy to customize AOD style in MIUI?
The answer: MIUI's AOD mode supports Super Wallpapers and third-party themes. You can customize these themes by adding a step count. MIUI beats stock Android, which offers some live elements on the AOD screen.
Q2: Is Xiaomi's operating system Android?
The answer: Xiaomi's operating system is Android. However, Xiaomi has created a proprietary user interface (MIUI) with additional features and animations. Thus, your Xiaomi phone runs on the Android OS, but its user interface includes some iOS features and several custom themes.
Q3: Can you tell the difference between them now?
The answer: MIUI draws power from the Android software but offers a host of practical features and attributes. If you don't mind slower navigation speeds, MIUI is a great fit. You can also see if you have an older MIUI/Android version by checking for updates.
Did you know that MIUI wasn't an operating system before reading this article? Can you spot the differences between the two now? Let us know in the comments section below.
