What I like probably the most about Android is the range; each producer has its distinct tackle the interface, and this makes issues thrilling. Whereas Samsung and Xiaomi supply an analogous caliber of {hardware}, they’re essentially completely different in the way in which they strategy software program.
You additionally get plenty of selection in customizing the appear and feel of your cellphone, and there is the choice to root your cellphone and set up a completely completely different UI in the event you’re not happy with what comes out of the field. We did not get a lot in the way in which of pleasure with Android 14 — the replace was tame even by Google’s requirements, however it was rather more secure out of the field, and it led to modest battery life positive aspects.
In that context, 2024 guarantees to be very fascinating. Samsung ought to roll out sizable positive aspects to One UI, and Xiaomi’s overhauled interface is slated to make its world debut. I used all the key Android interfaces extensively in 2023, and this is what I need to see in 2024.
Google continues to be enjoying catch-up
Google is sluggish so as to add options which are commonplace in different interfaces into its imaginative and prescient of Android, however to its credit score, it’s getting higher on that entrance. An enormous addition in Android 14 is lock display customization, and whereas you aren’t getting as many options as One UI 6, it’s a respectable begin. With Android 15, I need to see the power so as to add widgets to the lock display, similar to iOS.
And with regards to customizability, Google must do extra with regard to icon sizing and shapes, together with fonts. And it actually must kind out themed icons; it has been over two years now, and the function nonetheless does not work seamlessly. Google wants to start out implementing the function as an alternative of creating it non-obligatory.
On that word, Google wants to provide customers the power to decouple Wi-Fi and mobile information into particular person toggles. The mixed Web toggle that exists at present simply does not make a lot sense, and I need to have the ability to change off information with out having to enter the settings. I get that these are all small tweaks, however they make an enormous distinction in every day use.
One other space the place Google must do extra is the predictive again gesture. I am glad that it’s accessible in Android 14, however it’s restricted in its usability and does not work outdoors of Google’s personal apps — or on different Android skins. Speaking about annoyances, Google wants to start out facilitating exterior show assist on its units; I do not know why the corporate limits this function, however it wants to alter.
One UI wants higher optimization
Samsung has probably the most feature-rich interfaces on Android, and whereas One UI 6 did not convey a drastic visible refresh, it seems to be a bit cleaner than in earlier years. The most important situation with Samsung’s software program efforts is the advertisements; the model continues to be aggressive at sending push notifications peddling its units, and probably the most annoying half is that they usually present up on one of the best Samsung telephones — the units being marketed.
One UI 7 additionally wants higher optimization. The Galaxy S23 Extremely has one of many quickest {hardware} packages accessible at present, however it does not have the identical fluidity because the OnePlus 11 and even the Xiaomi 13, and that’s all the way down to software program optimization. Samsung must tweak the interface — much like what Xiaomi did with MIUI 14 — to make it smoother in every day use.
There are many annoyances with Samsung’s software program — the dearth of a vertical scrolling app drawer continues to be irksome — however most of those will be addressed with Good Lock, the highly effective customization utility that is accessible on all Galaxy units. Actually, Samsung ought to set up Good Lock out of the field, because it serves a lot better utility than many of the bloatware that is pre-installed on its units at present.
OPPO and OnePlus must step it up with gaming
I’ll use ColorOS and OxygenOS interchangeably on this part, as there’s just about no distinction between the 2 as we head into 2024. OxygenOS 14 is similar to ColorOS 14, and whereas I might level to some software program options that had been unique to the previous in earlier iterations, that’s not the case now.
My largest frustration with OxygenOS proper now could be that it does not enable excessive refresh price gaming. I keep in mind the time when OnePlus made an enormous deal of unlocking 120fps gaming in titles like Name of Responsibility: Cell a number of years in the past, however following the change to the ColorOS codebase, gaming has been restricted to 60fps. As greatest as I can perceive it, that is finished to handle thermals and make sure the system does not overheat, however that is not the case on all different units that allow you to play video games at their supposed framerates, so I do not actually see the issue.
I’ve actually bugged the ColorOS software program staff about this sufficient occasions and was informed that the model is contemplating permitting 120fps in choose video games beginning subsequent 12 months, however I am going to comprise my pleasure till it truly turns into accessible.
Aside from that, I might prefer to see ColorOS supply higher lock display customizability, up to date icons, and for OPPO to proceed the work it began on the foldable entrance. Oh, and well timed updates — notably on OPPO telephones.
Xiaomi’s HyperOS ought to retain one of the best of MIUI
I haven’t got a lot to say about Xiaomi as a result of the model is switching from MIUI to a “human-centric” ecosystem that may energy its telephones, good house merchandise, and vehicles. HyperOS sounds thrilling, and Xiaomi says it determined to overtake the UI to repair errors made with MIUI. Consequently, it’s designed to be lighter, quicker, and rather more environment friendly.
Whereas the visuals that Xiaomi has shared thus far recommend the brand new interface will not be too completely different from MIUI, the under-the-hood modifications needs to be fascinating. With a worldwide rollout slated for Q1 2024 on units just like the Xiaomi 13 Extremely and Xiaomi 13 Professional, we do not have to attend too lengthy to see what Xiaomi has to supply on this space subsequent 12 months.
That stated, I do not need Xiaomi to go away out one of many defining options of MIUI: unlockable bootloader. Xiaomi telephones at all times stood out amongst energy customers for the relative ease with which the model allowed the bootloader to be unlocked, and this paved the way in which for in depth customization through distinctive skins. This might go away following the transfer to HyperOS, and that may be a disgrace.
