MIUI 12.5 was released together with Mi 11. The new version of MIUI comes as an intermediate update after MIUI 12, but offers a list of new features and improvements. MIUI 12.5 is touted to improve privacy protection with transparency and controls that seem to be inspired by Apple’s iOS 14. Xiaomi’s custom skin also includes MIUI +, which allows users to integrate their smartphone with a Windows PC to view mobile notifications, apps, or even clipboard data directly on their computer screen.
MIUI 12.5 Deployment Program, Compatible Models
Xiaomi has already started taking registrations for a closed beta of MIUI 12.5 and plans to release a public beta in batches in mid-January 2021. Initial beta versions are limited to 21 devices in total. These are: Mi 10 Extreme Commemorative Edition, Mi 10 Pro, Mi 10, Redmi Note 9, Redmi K30, Redmi K30 Pro, Redmi K30 Extreme Commemorative Edition, Redmi K30 5G, Redmi K30S Extreme Commemorative Edition, Redmi K30i 5G, Mi 10 Youth Edition, Redmi 10X, Redmi 10X Pro, Xiaomi Mi CC9 Pro, Xiaomi Mi CC9e, Mi 9 SE, Mi 9, Redmi K20, Redmi K20 Pro, Redmi Note 7 and Redmi Note 7 Pro.
After the beta releases, Xiaomi has scheduled the first batch of the stable version of MIUI 12.5 for the end of April 2021. This will be initially implemented in China for the Mi 11, Mi 10 Extreme Commemorative Edition, Mi 10 Pro and Mi 10. Launch plans for other global models and markets will be announced at a later stage.
MIUI 12.5 Features
Xiaomi claims that MIUI 12.5 is designed to consume up to 32 percent less memory for system operations and provide a 17 percent decrease in power consumption. The new skin also optimizes memory usage in core scenarios by up to 20 percent. Furthermore, it is promoted to optimize system applications and offer better graphics rendering over MIUI 12.
MIUI 12.5 continues with the presence of animated Super Wallpapers, with the addition of Snow Mountain and Geometry. These come alongside existing Super Earth, Super Mars, and Super Saturn wallpapers that are available with MIUI 12. Xiaomi also claims that Super Wallpapers consume 40 percent less power on MIUI 12.5.
Similar to the new additions in Super Wallpapers, the latest MIUI update brings additional nature-inspired sound effects, featuring special tracks from the Amazon and African jungles, as well as the Arctic ice desert. There are also enhanced haptics and notification sound effects to bring a fresh feeling. You will also notice the sounds of the stereo system on compatible devices. Additionally, MIUI 12.5 includes a new motion effects architecture to provide an improved animation experience. It also brings an enhanced immersive touch with the integration of a completely new touch library.
More on the front of the interface is the introduction of floating windows that allow you to quickly reply to a message or look at maps without leaving your active screen. The MIUI update also brings a new ‘Ripples’ animation for downloading apps and a ‘Burst’ animation for uninstalling apps on the home screen. The MIUI 12.5 also brings a vertical design for the ‘Recent’ screen.
In terms of enhanced privacy, MIUI 12.5 comes with the ability to alert you with a pop-up window when an application tries to access your clipboard data. You can grant access or deny it. There is also an option to automatically deny access after a waiting time. This all sounds pretty similar to how iOS 14 provides notifications for clipboard data access. The MIUI 12.5 update also offers an option to share the approximate location instead of the exact location with certain applications. Again, something that we have already seen in iOS 14.
MIUI 12.5 shows you a message when an application accesses your clipboard data
MIUI 12.5 also comes with sandbox support to isolate third party photo albums and private information. The new update also highlights web page behavior logs to give you details on which websites could steal your data. And like iOS 14, My App Store on MIUI 12.5 also provides privacy details for each app listed.
Xiaomi has also brought updated Notes and Mi Browser to MIUI 12.5. There are also specific updates for Xiaomi Health and Mi Cloud services to provide an improved experience. Also, Xiaomi claims not to offer bloatware on MIUI 12.5, with fewer apps pre-installed than other custom ROMs.
MIUI 12.5 also includes MIUI + which works like Microsoft’s Your Phone app and allows you to integrate your Xiaomi phone with a Windows PC. Once integrated, it allows you to view notifications, text messages, and photos from your phone right on your computer. You can also access your phone’s clipboard data and some applications on your computer screen.
MIUI + is initially available in beta version and is limited to Mi 10 Extreme Commemorative Edition, Mi 10 Pro, Mi 10, Mi 9 Pro 5G, Mi 9, Redmi K30 Ultra, Redmi K20 Pro and Redmi K30 Pro. Phone must run MIUI 12.5 to enable the integration. Xiaomi recommends Mi Notebook Pro 15 Enhanced Edition, Pro 15.6-inch 2020 model, Redmi G gaming notebook, RedmiBook 16, RedmiBook 14 II and RedmiBook Air 13 as the computers that can take full advantage of the new user interface. The company says that due to driver and hardware limitations, it wouldn’t guarantee the same experience on other laptops.
Is My 10 an expensive OnePlus 8 or a budget budget S20 Ultra? We talked about this on Orbital, our weekly tech podcast, which you can subscribe to via Apple Podcasts or RSS, download the episode, or just hit the play button below.
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