What I like essentially 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 analogous caliber of {hardware}, they’re basically completely different in the way in which they method software program.
You additionally get lots of selection in customizing the feel and appear of your telephone, and there is the choice to root your telephone and set up a wholly completely different UI in case you’re not glad 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, nevertheless it was far more steady out of the field, and it led to modest battery life positive factors.
In that context, 2024 guarantees to be very fascinating. Samsung ought to roll out sizable positive factors to One UI, and Xiaomi’s overhauled interface is slated to make its world debut. I used all the main Android interfaces extensively in 2023, and here is what I wish to see in 2024.
Google continues to be enjoying catch-up
Google is sluggish so as to add options which might be customary 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 screen customization, and whereas you do not get as many options as One UI 6, it’s a respectable begin. With Android 15, I wish to see the power so as to add widgets to the lock display screen, 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 type out themed icons; it has been over two years now, and the function nonetheless does not work seamlessly. Google wants to begin implementing the function as a substitute of creating it non-compulsory.
On that observe, Google wants to offer customers the power to decouple Wi-Fi and mobile knowledge into particular person toggles. The mixed Web toggle that exists at the moment simply does not make a lot sense, and I would like to have the ability to change off knowledge with out having to enter the settings. I get that these are all small tweaks, however they make a giant 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 out there in Android 14, however it’s restricted in its usability and does 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 function, nevertheless it wants to alter.
One UI wants higher optimization
Samsung has one of the crucial feature-rich interfaces on Android, and whereas One UI 6 did not convey a drastic visible refresh, it seems a bit of cleaner than in earlier years. The most important challenge with Samsung’s software program efforts is the adverts; the model continues to be aggressive at sending push notifications peddling its units, and essentially the most annoying half is that they usually 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 out there at the moment, nevertheless it does not have the identical fluidity because the OnePlus 11 and even the Xiaomi 13, and that’s right down to software program optimization. Samsung must tweak the interface — just 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 out there on all Galaxy units. Truthfully, 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 the moment.
OPPO and OnePlus must step it up with gaming
I’ll use ColorOS and OxygenOS interchangeably on this part, as there’s nearly no distinction between the 2 as we head into 2024. OxygenOS 14 is similar to ColorOS 14, and whereas I might level to a couple 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 fee gaming. I keep in mind the time when OnePlus made a giant deal of unlocking 120fps gaming in titles like Name of Obligation: Cellular 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 achieved 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 definitely bugged the ColorOS software program crew about this sufficient occasions and was informed that the model is contemplating permitting 120fps in choose video games beginning subsequent yr, however I will comprise my pleasure till it really turns into out there.
Apart from that, I might prefer to see ColorOS provide higher lock display screen 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 most effective 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 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 far more environment friendly.
Whereas the visuals that Xiaomi has shared thus far counsel the brand new interface will not be too completely different from MIUI, the under-the-hood adjustments ought 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 yr.
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 by way of distinctive skins. This might go away following the transfer to HyperOS, and that may be a disgrace.
