Xiaomi presented MIUI 13 at the Xiaomi 12 series launch event in China.
The new version does not bring significant news, as MIUI 12.5 and MIUI 12.5 Enhanced Edition have already introduced some changes. Furthermore, almost all of the new features will likely remain exclusive to China.
Unlike previous generations, Xiaomi now has three MIUI branches for its Android devices. they are called MIUI 13, MIUI 13 Pad and MIUI 13 Fold.
As the names suggest, the software is now specifically optimized for smartphones, tablets and folders, respectively. For collapsible ones, MIUI is a combination of normal MIUI for MIUI Pad.
What’s New in MIUI 13
MiSans font
MIUI 13 brings a new font called MiSans. Xiaomi claims it is a simple font optimized for Chinese and English languages ​​to provide clear visibility and comfortable reading.
The font is part of the 2.0 dynamic font system. Because it inherits OpenType characteristics, the height of hyphens is automatically case-sensitive.
This minimalist font is now available for download in the China MIUI Themes app for devices running previous MIUI iterations.
Widgets
Xiaomi has also joined the dynamic widget race with MIUI 13. The company has been testing this feature since August 2021.
The MIUI 13 widgets are more or less similar to those found in Vivo’s OriginOS Ocean and OPPO’s ColorOS 12.
These widgets are offered by major Chinese apps, so we probably won’t see them around here. In addition, Xiaomi is offering mini-game widgets, countdowns, water reminders, suggestions for what to eat today, etc.
scientific beauty wallpapers
MIUI 12 raised the bar for live wallpapers with the introduction of MIUI Super Wallpapers. For MIUI 13, the company has partnered with Beauty of Science for a new set of wallpapers.
These latest wallpapers show the crystal structure of various minerals. The new wallpapers are the result of an 8K time-lapse photography using a polarizing microscope.
Like the MiSans font, Beauty of Science wallpapers can also be downloaded in China.
Customizable Xiao AI Virtual Assistant
Users can create their own custom avatar of Xiaomi’s Xiao AI virtual assistant in China. They can choose from over 50 sets of clothes and accessories.
That’s not all, users can also choose between different voices and set a custom trigger word.
Privacy
MIUI 13 is certified by even more agencies than MIUI 12 when it comes to privacy. The cool new feature in the last iteration was the ‘Virtual ID’. MIUI 13 brings changes to the facial authentication system.
Previously, only the face was scanned by the system. But now the upper body is included in the scan to get more data. Additionally, users can opt for a watermark when scanning important documents.
The system also protects users from spam calls/messages, malicious applications and harmful file transfers.
Optimizations
MIUI 13 brings improvements to Focus Computation, Atomic Memory and Liquid Storage. These three self-developed technologies were released in MIUI 12.5 Enhanced Edition.
Xiaomi claims that the fluency of system apps and third-party apps has improved by 20-26% and 15-52%, respectively, compared to MIUI 12.5 Enhanced Edtion.
Devices like Xiaomi Mix 4 can now easily maintain an average of 14 apps in the background. Finally, read and write performance drops by just 5% on endpoints like the Mi 11 Pro after 36 months of use.
My Magic Center
The new Mi Magic Center is Xiaomi’s answer to Huawei’s HarmonyOS Super Device. Users can manage their Xiaomi ecosystem products in this one place.
The MIUI 13 Mi Magic Center can stream / stream screen content or music from one device to another simply by dragging. Unlike Huawei, Xiaomi also allows users to customize their devices with stickers to add a personal touch and make them easy to recognize.
Only some devices are compatible with My Magic Center.
Eligible Devices and Upgrade Plan
The MIUI 13 and MIUI 13 Pad stable update will be available for the first batch of devices in China from the end of January 2022. On the other hand, it will be available in the international markets from the first quarter of 2022.
As for the stable MIUI 13 Fold update, it will be released at the end of April 2022.
Devices eligible for stable MIUI 13 update – first batch
China – end of January 2022
Xiaomi 12 Pro
Xiaomi 12
Xiaomi 12X
My 11 Ultra
My 11 Pro
Wed 11
International Markets – 1st Quarter 2022
My 11 Ultra
Wed 11
my 11i
My 11X Pro
my 11x
Redmi 10
Redmi 10 Prime
Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE
Xiaomi 11 Lite NE 5G
Redmi Note 8 (2021)
Xiaomi 11T Pro
Xiaomi 11T
Redmi Note 10 Pro
Redmi Note 10 Pro Max
Redmi Note 10
My 11 Lite 5G
My 11 Lite
Redmi Note 10 JE
Devices Eligible for MIUI 13 Pad Stable Upgrade – First Batch
China – end of January 2022
Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro
Xiaomi Pad 5
International Markets – 1st Quarter 2022
Xiaomi Pad 5
Devices Eligible for MIUI 13 Stable Fold Update
China – end of April 2022
My MIX Fold