These are the things Xiaomi should have looked into more during the HyperOS 2 development.
Can’t wait for HyperOS 2? Same here! While waiting, I decided to list down 10 of the many changes that Xiaomi users should get from this major update. These changes don’t necessarily require AI and could work on eligible, lower-end devices.
Disclaimer: This article only contains 10 of the many desirable changes users of HyperOS should get. Words here are solely expressed by its author, not necessarily the publication. Read without prejudice.
1. Optimal Refresh Rate
It’s irritating to see 120Hz on higher-end models, as if the brands attached a car battery to them. Some even go near 200Hz like they’re large desktop monitors. Xiaomi should stop doing this unless there’s an optimal choice added.
Give users the freedom to select between 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz because the global ROM forces either 60Hz or 120Hz. Users have to download third-party apps and must do this and that (too complicated for most people) just to unlock 90Hz.
Let them decide to save or waste their phone’s battery. A 90Hz refresh rate gives the best of both worlds: smoother than 60Hz and less taxing than 120Hz.
2. Wallpaper Generator
Choosing a wallpaper for some is a migraine. First, some are just very picky like me. Second, that wallpaper must result in the desired color of the status bar. Remember, the status bar will display either black or white based on the brightness or darkness of the wallpaper.
And third, the resolution because 1.5K is getting more common on mid-rangers. If you don’t know, images with 720p and 1080p resolutions will look pixelated when turned into wallpapers.
We need a wallpaper generator, AI-powered or not, to give us something we want. The Themes app is good but sometimes, nothing clicks. Users will wait again or find something elsewhere for partial satisfaction.
3. Dark Mode but Gray
Dark Mode isn’t easy for everyone. If you have vision problems, this mode may make things worse. For example, the Halo effect on some individuals with astigmatism. The bleeding of the white color over black background can be a nightmare and for what, miniscule power saving?
It’s true that Dark Mode on OLED screens can extend your phone’s battery but the benefit is insignificant if the brightness level isn’t over 50%. Are we telling everyone to dial up the brightness level to 60% or higher? Why not tell them to burn away their OLED phones while we’re at it? Absurd!
Users deserve a third option between Light and Dark modes – the Gray. While it won’t save as much as pure black, it’ll be easier on the eyes and less expensive than visiting an eye doctor soon. Besides, it’s a choice and that’s what we’re asking here.
4. Somewhat Customizable Status Bar
HyperOS is more customizable than some Android skins out there, but even so, it has its limitations. The status bar, for instance, is stuck between white and black and the only way to change it without root is via themes.
Why not give the users, at the very least, the ability to change the color of the status bar to better match their homescreen wallpaper? Not sure if this is already available on the first build of HyperOS 2 but it’s certainly not on HyperOS 1.
5. Side Panels
C’mon Xiaomi! Quick Ball is fancy and all but how about some panels? Samsung is popular for this and it’s both convenient and unobstructive than that silly ball of error. Transsion did a better job in bringing this to lower-end devices with a touch of Android.
Quick Ball vs. Side Panels? Simple. Quick Ball has five shortcuts and can be displayed as a transparent circle or a half-circle at the side. If you’re using gestures, good luck!
Side Panels are friendly to all users, whether they love gestures or the classic 3-button navigation. Transsion’s version includes 10 shortcuts of the user’s choice.
6. Utility Widgets
The first build of HyperOS had no Android widgets, you know, the ones from MIUI where you can place handy widgets for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, torch, etc. It eventually arrived in a later version.
HyperOS 2 promises new widgets but is it going to revamp the old ones for enhanced convenience? That I don’t know since I haven’t received the upgrade.
The Quick Functions from MIUI on HyperOS are exactly the same! No additions and no grouped widget version for the more than two functions. I don’t know about you, but more Quick Functions should be added for:
- Reading Mode
- Dark/Light Mode
- Focus Mode
- Battery modes
- More???
Sure, you can pull down the status bar to tap those yet we forgot that Quick Function widgets are designed for quick access, tailored for specific users. Minor for some, but a big deal for those individuals because it’s all about user experience at the end of the day.
7. Battery Health
My goodness! HyperOS 2 with AI without battery health data is lame. Xiaomi didn’t have to display the exact value, just something to represent the current state of things. Don’t they want to sell their genuine batteries? Oh, wait! The data could be self-serving here, but whatever.
Battery health is necessary since many users tend to abuse their smartphones, particularly those with powerful chipsets. Play demanding games while rapid charging without a care about the motherboard.
It’s ironic that Xiaomi added smart charging technologies and failed to include a transparent battery health monitoring system.
8. Temperature Monitor
HyperOS features a cute temperature monitor. It’s so cute that I’m smiling sarcastically. It only says “cool” and “normal” based on my experience.
But if I use third-party monitoring apps like Battery Guru and Thermal Monitor, hardcore gaming and rapid charging can push the temp to 42℃, and the native temperature says it’s still “normal.” The max “normal” is so near to overheating.
Regardless, you can’t rely on it because you have to dig deeper into the Settings > Battery > Battery Protection just to know the “estimated” temperature. Xiaomi should have added a native temperature widget to Quick Function, right?
9. Flexible Charging
Some Redditors revealed the 80% charging limiter on HyperOS 2 and I really hope it’s available to every eligible device, flagship or not. I’m sure the 80% charging limit versus the 80% battery health will surface again here.
However, my experience on my laptop with an 80% charging limiter suggests that it works big time on delaying battery degradation. If you’re at home most of the time or tend to sleep while your phone is charging, that limiter is handy. But no one’s stopping you from charging it to 100%, which is a must if you’re going out.
Here’s something else Xiaomi: how about charging modes? Transsion did it why can’t you? Another ironic decision of putting a limiter but not giving users a choice to turn off rapid charging.
10. Solid Bug Fixes
Fixing bugs from the old version is one thing and polishing the new version is another. HyperOS 2 is expected to bring two things: new stuff and new bugs. That’s the reality and it happens to all types of software, apps, games, and whatnot.
Patching up and reducing the odds of bringing new problems after every update are challenging, but if there’s one thing users want is that the brand should listen and acknowledge feedback.
No Android skin is perfect, heck, Android itself is fragmented for decades. But that’s not an excuse to launch a faulty piece of software, especially a major upgrade.
