MIUI 12 launched with major visual redesign, Dark Mode 2.0, and more

Source: Xiaomi

Xiaomi has announced a new version of its Android skin MIUI. Succeeding MIUI 11, the latest MIUI 12 software will bring a number of UI and visual improvements to eligible Xiaomi phones. It also gets new features such as a revamped dark mode, improved privacy and security tools, new animations, new wallpapers, and much more.

At its MIUI 12 reveal event, Xiaomi also noted that MIUI now has 310 million monthly active users and that the latest version is the first mobile operating system that has passed TÜV Rheinland’s “Android System Enhanced Privacy Protection Test.”

Let’s break down all the new features of MIUI 12 along with details about phones eligible to receive the update.

Dark Mode 2.0

The new Dark Mode 2.0 on MIUI 12 will bring wallpaper dimming to Xiaomi phones. The feature will work in tandem with the time of day and will gradually dim the wallpaper as daylight changes to night time.

Xiaomi is also tweaking the way text is displayed as users switch between light and dark modes. In MIUI 12, the phone will automatically adjust the weight and boldness of the font to reduce glare when the dark mode is turned on. Font contrast will also be adjusted depending on the user’s ambient environment. This should vastly improve legibility of text in low-lit conditions.

Sensory Visual Design

In MIUI12, Xiaomi has visualized the core system information, allowing you to see the status of the system at a glance. Xiaomi is calling this the new “Sensory Visual Design.” What this basically means is that now when you visit the Settings page on your phone or check out things like storage availability, you will see the system information presented in the form of graphs and visual diagrams, making it easier to understand and consume. You can see examples of Xiaomi’s new design in the images above.

Super Wallpapers

MIUI 12 Super Wallpapers

Source: Xiaomi

Xiaomi has also introduced “Super Wallpapers” with MIUI 12. The company has created high-precision animated 3D models of Mars and Earth based on available space exploration data. You will be able to set these Super Wallpapers on both your locked and unlocked phone screens. When the dark mode is turned on, the planet chosen by you for the wallpaper will also enter night time, thereby enhancing your visual experience.

New animations

Xiaomi has focused a lot on visual redesign when it comes to MIUI 12. The new skin will bring realistic weather animations and show real-time weather changes displayed in the form of a time-lapse movie on your screen.

The animation of app icons also gets a refresh. App icons will now generate real-time feedback based on your gestures. Xiaomi says changes in gesture direction and speed will cause application icons to react differently.

For instance, when you delete an application, the ripple animation will also affect the surrounding app icons. Opening and closing apps will also generate new animations now.

Enhanced privacy

MIUI 12 also brings enhanced privacy features to Xiaomi phones. For instance, you can now choose to grant permissions to apps only once or only while you’re using them. Permissions will be revoked once you’re done using an app. For apps that don’t clarify the use of permissions on your phone, the “Always Allow” option will not be provided.

MIUI 12 will also help users keep track of app behavior. You will be able to view a record of how an app behaves on your phone, the information it collects, the other applications it uses, etc, all in one place.

Photo sharing will also be safer. Xiaomi says sensitive information such as device details will be removed from image files before you share them with anyone.

Apart from the above mentioned features, MIUI 12 brings a number of other enhancements. This is a developing story and so watch out for more updates.

MIUI 12: Release date and availability

Xiaomi says that it’ll start rolling out the stable version of MIUI 12 by the end of June, 2020. Meanwhile, it’ll open the beta testing program in China today at 6AM ET.

Eligible MIUI 12 update phones

The Xiaomi and Redmi phones eligible to receive the stable MIUI 12 update starting June include the following devices:

First batch

Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro
Xiaomi Mi 10
Xiaomi Mi 10 Youth Edition
Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro
Redmi K30 Pro
Redmi K30
Redmi K20 Pro
Redmi K20

Second batch

Mi Mix 3
Xiaomi Mi 8 series
Redmi Note 8 Pro
Redmi Note 7, 7 Pro

Third batch

Mi Mix 2
Redmi 8, 8A
Redmi 7, 7A
Mi CC9, CC9 Pro, CC9e

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