Aggressive pricing is great but if HyperOS 2 excludes global users from amazing features, what then?
The global version of the much-awaited HyperOS 2 is now available in many regions. In this article, let’s explore some of the pros and cons of the first build for POCO devices.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the POCO X6 Pro. The information here solely represents the opinion of the author based on their experience of the firmware version 2.0.1.0.VNLMIXM of HyperOS 2. Read without prejudice.
The HyperOS 2 upgrade was so hyped after the announcement last year. But it waned so quickly because first, Xiaomi has been slow in launching the stable version. Not many realized, including myself, that the announced rollout date included the “beta” build.
Second, the massive upgrade of nearly 6GB delivered “invisible” features mainly since Xiaomi limited the availability or access of these features to the Chinese ROM. Why? It’s disappointing and infuriating at the same time.
But alas, as long as the music plays, we dance… So, here are the good, the bad, and the ugly about this HyperOS 2 firmware build.
The Good
1. Theater Mode
If you’ve used MIUI or HyperOS 1 before, there’s a dedicated sidebar for viewing videos found under Settings > Additional Settings > Floating Windows.
The new Theater Mode modifies the audiovisual experience to mimic the vibe at cinemas. Unfortunately, no screenshot can capture the visual change because it is like an overlay when watching.
It’s all about preference and you should give it a try. You’re allowed to manually set which apps can take advantage of the new mode, whether they are streaming apps or just the browser.
Unfortunately, Theater Mode won’t work alongside other changes because it’s a preset. Although it says that it’ll consume more power, it didn’t really have a significant impact on battery life. The video resolution, brightness, and volume levels will still be the big consumers here.
2. Revamped Game Turbo
Game Turbo is a thing on Xiaomi devices but comparing the versions between HyperOS 1 and HyperOS 2, I choose the latest. This is because some of the handy tweaks are now accessible on the toolbox.
Swipe from the left and pick your presets and other things. If your smartphone isn’t using Performance Mode, the Game Turbo uses its Balanced mode; WildBoost is no longer the default.
Easy-to-access tweaks found on Performance Settings (of the toolbox) include:
- Picture Priority, Frame Rate Priority, or custom
- Enhanced Visuals
- Enhanced Touch Controls
- Network Speed Boost
The only real change here is bringing those tweaks to the front. You can still lock the FPS at 90 for games on Game Turbo if 120Hz or dynamic refresh rate is enabled.
3. 60Hz Feels Real
On HyperOS 2, no 90Hz was added so you’re stuck between 60Hz and 120Hz, again. However, I noticed that 60Hz on this version feels 60Hz compared to HyperOS 1, which felt 45Hz in some instances.
Why am I using 60Hz? To avoid overheating the device. With the GPU going full force and the typical ambient temperature of the tropics, the smartphone becomes a steam engine.
No qualms about the 120Hz and when I tested it, it seemed better than HyperOS 1. There’s one thing weird though: the refresh rate counter doesn’t show the dynamic refresh rate.
The previous implementation goes like this: crank up the brightness while on dynamic refresh rate and the refresh rate drops from 120Hz to 60Hz if the brightness level is above 50%. That’s observable using the native refresh rate counter prior to upgrading. On HyperOS 2, the counter doesn’t show it anymore so I’m unsure where’s the bug, if there’s any.
4. New, Smoother Animations
Personally, I find the animations on HyperOS 2 a lot better than HyperOS 1. Even the fingerprint reader is more responsive than before. The smoothness is definitely there either on 60Hz and 120Hz. Just keep in mind that if the panel supports 120Hz, going down to 60Hz will be too obvious compared to a panel with 60Hz max refresh rate. Nothing can be done on this matter.
What I liked in the improved animations is the transition between the notifications panel and Quick Settings when swipe left to right and vice versa. It’s more accurate at detecting the gesture command than before.
What I disliked is the responsiveness when you pull down notifications shade, Quick Settings, and other elements on the screen, gesture wise. The system is like demanding more input from you as if asking, “are you sure you want to pull down the notifications shade?”
5. Home Button and Google Gemini
Circle to Search didn’t arrive with HyperOS 2 and the consolation prize if Google Gemini ready to fire using the Home button. You have to enable the classic three-nav buttons though.
Google Gemini via the Home button is somewhat convenient when you want to search deets online. You can submit queries, perform voice commands, or use the Camera and Gallery apps for image references.
But what’s missing is the straightforward detection for translating text on the screen. For me, it’s easier to take a screenshot, share to Google Search, and get it translated there than using Gemini.
The Bad
1. No AI Dynamic Wallpaper
This is the reason why I wanted to get HyperOS 2, but to my disappointment, it wasn’t included in the first build. Based on video clips that surfaced online, AI Dynamic Wallpaper uses an AI engine to turn a static wallpaper into something dynamic, giving it life and acting like a live wallpaper.
The POCO X6 Pro is powered by Dimensity 8300 Ultra and if you don’t know, it has a dedicated neural processor: the MediaTek APU 780. It means it should be able to use the feature.
Right now, AI Dynamic Wallpaper is exclusive on the Chinese ROM of HyperOS 2.
2. Theme Incompatibility
I don’t know about you but when I downloaded and installed themes on Themes store, I got prompts of incompatibility. Okay, I get it: HyperOS 1 to HyperOS 2 is a “big leap.”
Xiaomi definitely missed this part because downloading a theme won’t prompt incompatibility. It usually appears after you’ve made the effort to browse and download that beautiful theme. Also, why were HyperOS 1 themes not ready for HyperOS 2? Backward compatibility not supported? So weird, Xiaomi.
3. No 90Hz, expected!
No 90Hz from the first global build and it should have been added. Why? Everyone deserves the option to choose between smoother scrolling or overheating their device. The GPU has no problem rendering 120Hz but the temperature is difficult to manage during gaming or scrolling through media on different social feeds.
4. Bye, Bye Long Press Home Button
As mentioned, Google Gemini is now the default response when you press and hold the Home button. It has no effect for those who prefer gesture navigation. Regardless, users should have been given the ability to choose. Xiaomi did that on HyperOS 1, so why take it away like that?
The Ugly
1. Resetting Home Screen
This is a major bug on HyperOS 2. I thought it would be fixed by factory reset but no! Based on my experience, these are the triggers for this bug:
- Activating Xiaomi HyperAI Engine in the Accessibility option.
- Changing Themes
- Rebooting the device
When the bug happens, the home screen goes back to the OG layout. Avoiding the triggers keeps your layout intact and locking the home screen layout won’t prevent this bug.
2. Gallery App AI Expansion Bugs
It’s cool that the Gallery App received a dedicated plug-in for AI Expansion, AI Erase, and AI Sky effect. While they aren’t perfect, they are handy tools for personalizing any image.
Here’s the problem. An error may occur when saving an expanded image. Can’t tell the reason behind but it usually happens from downloaded images. Screenshots on the device and snapshots from the camera app are perfectly fine with AI image expansion.
Another bug is that the changes from AI image expansion won’t reflect on the newly saved file. You just have to try again.
3. Memory Extension Resetting
I’ve found this bug only once and I still haven’t discovered the trigger. After upgrading to HyperOS 2, I performed a factory reset to ensure a clean start. Once I’m done with the troublesome first setup, I deactivated the memory extension because my device has a lot of physical memory.
But then, I noticed it was enabled back and the only thing I could recall was applying two or three themes. Hence, I switched back to the default POCO theme and just changed my wallpapers (home screen and lockscreen) and turned that thing off.
The randomly turning on memory extension doesn’t seem to happen when you reboot your device.
Verdict
HyperOS 2 is honestly lackluster as a whole. It definitely hyped but that’s about it as far as the global ROM is concerned. It’s just a renamed MIUI with the same layout, same icons, and same features overall.
Sure, the performance and animations are better than version one, but I prefer to call it HyperOS 1.5. It’s one thing that the UI feels heavy and cheap, it’s another thing where it represents non-inclusivity.
No one knows if Xiaomi will eventually roll out those Chinese ROM-exclusive features to the global version. But the brand is certainly working on polishing the new firmware because 2.0.4.0 has been seen already. So, more versions are expected to come out.
Xiaomi introduced aggressive pricing to keep its hold in many regions, allowing more users to get access to powerful chipsets for a bargain. But if the brand continues with this faulty OS release pattern, many may shift to other brands with more polished software like OPPO, OnePlus, and realme, even though they are more expensive.
