What I like probably the most about Android is the variety; each producer has its distinct tackle the interface, and this makes issues thrilling. Whereas Samsung and Xiaomi provide an identical caliber of {hardware}, they’re essentially completely different in the best way they strategy software program.
You additionally get a variety of selection in customizing the feel and appear of your cellphone, and there is the choice to root your cellphone and set up a wholly completely different UI if you happen to’re not glad with what comes out of the field. We did not get a lot in the best way of pleasure with Android 14 — the replace was tame even by Google’s requirements, however it was way more steady out of the field, and it led to modest battery life good points.
In that context, 2024 guarantees to be very attention-grabbing. Samsung ought to roll out sizable good points to One UI, and Xiaomi’s overhauled interface is slated to make its international debut. I used all the foremost Android interfaces extensively in 2023, and here is what I wish to see in 2024.
Google remains to be enjoying catch-up
Google is gradual so as to add options which are customary in different interfaces into its imaginative and prescient of Android, however to its credit score, it’s getting higher on that entrance. A giant 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 wish to see the flexibility 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 characteristic nonetheless would not work seamlessly. Google wants to begin implementing the characteristic as a substitute of constructing it elective.
On that be aware, Google wants to offer customers the flexibility to decouple Wi-Fi and mobile information into particular person toggles. The mixed Web toggle that exists right this moment simply would not make a lot sense, and I would like 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 obtainable in Android 14, however it’s restricted in its usability and would not work exterior of Google’s personal apps — or on different Android skins. Speaking about annoyances, Google wants to begin facilitating exterior show assist on its units; I do not know why the corporate limits this characteristic, 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 subject 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 typically present up on the finest Samsung telephones — the units being marketed.
One UI 7 additionally wants higher optimization. The Galaxy S23 Extremely has one of many quickest {hardware} packages obtainable right this moment, however it would 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 might be addressed with Good Lock, the highly effective customization utility that is obtainable on all Galaxy units. Truthfully, Samsung ought to set up Good Lock out of the field, because it serves significantly better utility than a lot of the bloatware that is pre-installed on its units right this moment.
OPPO and OnePlus have to step it up with gaming
I will 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 may level to a couple software program options that have been unique to the previous in earlier iterations, that isn’t the case now.
My largest frustration with OxygenOS proper now could be that it would not permit excessive refresh charge gaming. I bear in mind the time when OnePlus made an enormous deal of unlocking 120fps gaming in titles like Name of Obligation: Cell a number of years in the past, however following the change to the ColorOS codebase, gaming has been restricted to 60fps. As finest as I can perceive it, that is performed to handle thermals and make sure the machine would not overheat, however that is not the case on all different units that allow you to play video games at their meant framerates, so I do not actually see the issue.
I’ve actually bugged the ColorOS software program workforce about this sufficient instances and was informed that the model is contemplating permitting 120fps in choose video games beginning subsequent 12 months, however I am going to include my pleasure till it really turns into obtainable.
Aside from that, I might wish to see ColorOS provide 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 — significantly on OPPO telephones.
Xiaomi’s HyperOS ought to retain the very 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, sensible dwelling merchandise, and vehicles. HyperOS sounds thrilling, and Xiaomi says it determined to overtake the UI to repair errors made with MIUI. In consequence, it’s designed to be lighter, quicker, and way more environment friendly.
Whereas the visuals that Xiaomi has shared to date recommend the brand new interface will not be too completely different from MIUI, the under-the-hood modifications needs to be attention-grabbing. With a world 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 depart out one of many defining options of MIUI: unlockable bootloader. Xiaomi telephones all the time stood out amongst energy customers for the relative ease with which the model allowed the bootloader to be unlocked, and this paved the best way for in depth customization through distinctive skins. This might go away following the transfer to HyperOS, and that will be a disgrace.
