Every manufacturer in the Android camp has its own skin based on Google’s OS. But they differ a lot. In this sense, there is a myth that Xiaomi’s MIUI is the best among all Chinese UIs. For us (Xiaomi lovers), it’s quite difficult to recognize other UIs. But the truth is that every brand fan likes what uses. So we decided not to compare MIUI with other UIs such as Oxygen OS (OnePlus), Realme UI, FunTouch OS (Vivo), Color OS (OPPO) and others, but compare the latest version of MIUI 12.5 with the Stock Android in order to understand what differences Xiaomi has added.
Stock Android
Perhaps you have heard the name Stock Android, but do you know what is it? Stock Android, also known by some as Vanilla or Pure Android, is the most basic version of the OS designed and developed by Google.
As we know, Android is an open-source operating system. To clarify, it means that the big companies can modify the Android skin to their preferences. Some skins, like Huawei’s EMUI, change the overall Android experience quite a bit. For example, until EMUI 5.0 came along, owners of Huawei smartphones didn’t have an app drawer. All the apps installed on a device were placed on the home screen, just like on iPhones.
Stock Android advantages
One of the biggest advantages of the Stock Android is fast updates. Smartphones running Stock Android are among the first smartphones to get updated to the latest version of OS. At the same time, owners of the giant companies’ smartphones like Samsung, LG and other have to wait a bit to get an update. The reason is that this kind of manufacturers need to modify the software before they can release it.
Another advantage is that they do not come with pre-installed apps that you’ll perhaps never use. Some handsets, as we know, come with their versions of calendar, fitness apps, and any other. In addition, they are already on the device courtesy of Google, or you can install them from Play Store. But what’s worse is that these apps, in general, cannot be deleted from a device unless you root it.
When it comes to overall smoothness, the heavy skin of MIUI starts to lag. Stock Android is a clean and uncluttered software. However, if you compare two phones on the same hardware, you can clearly see Stock Android will be faster and smoother than any custom ROM.
Google Camera has always been a favorite among users. Its HDR+, Portrait and other features make your pictures even attractive and clear. So GCam of Android is considered to have no equals on the market.
The next advantage is the storage. In simple words, the Stock Android typically occupies less space on your device compared to modified versions of the OS.
So, to sum up, the advantages of the Stock Android are the followings:
- Fast updates
- Absence of pre-installed apps
- Large storage capacity
- Overall smoothness
- Google Camera
MIUI 12.5
The new MIUI 12.5 will offer faster and smoother performance over the predecessor. So, the MIUI 12.5 version will essentially be the base update before MIUI 13 releases.
As the first advantage, it is worth mentioning that Xiaomi has claimed it will be using 20 percent fewer cores than before with 35 percent less background memory and 25 percent less power consumption.
Here we have newly uninstallable (which may be a disadvantage for some users) System Apps including Mi Calculator, Notes App, Weather, Compass, Scanner, Mi Recorder. On the other hand, you can hide these system apps not uninstall them: Mi Music, Themes, Mi Video, Downloads, and Mi File Manager.
In comparison to Stock Android, MIUI themes are better. And the main reason is that there is no way to change the themes without using third-party apps on Stock Android. In addition, MIUI has a theme store, where you can find Samsung, iPhone, and Pixel themes. Moreover, the ringtones and fonts are also included. Interestingly, you can also mix different themes. For example, you can set a lock style of Redmi Note and keep the Pixel status bar.
On the other hand, on MIUI you can find the Dual Apps option under Settings. It lets you run two different accounts of any app. And it is not only about Xiaomi, Samsung and Huawei also support this function. So, Stock Android is emperor in this aspect.
There is also a call-recording function on MIUI. When making a phone call, you can see a “record” button on the right side of the screen. Once pressing it during the call, it will record the conversation’s both sides and save it in the recording app on your phone.
WiFi password sharing is the next advantage compared to Stock Android that is worth mentioning. On your Xiaomi device, simply tap on the WiFi name and it’ll generate a QR code. Only scanning the QR code is left, and WiFi will be automatically connected.
Have you ever experienced a situation, when there is a need to screenshot a long text or a conversation and you make a couple of images? Well, MIUI has the solution. The scrolling screenshot feature lets you do a single screenshot that contains the whole text or conversation. Just use the 3 finger swipe and tap on the scroll option to generate a long screenshot.
Read also: How To Downgrade From MIUI 12.5 To MIUI 11?
A really important feature of the MIUI 12.5 is that the company is also focusing more on privacy. There’s Clipboard Protection, File Storage (Sandbox Mechanism), and Browser. Moreover, Xiaomi App Store from MIUI 12.5 has special instructions for privacy including risks, avoiding malicious contents, and security tampering.
The advantages of MIUI 12.5 include the followings:
- 20 percent fewer cores and 25 percent less power consumption
- Newly System apps (though they are uninstallable)
- Improved privacy policy
- Better themes
- Dual Apps
- Call recording
- WiFi password sharing
- Scrolling screenshot support
To sum up
Which operating system is better? There is no certain answer because it depends on the user’s preferences. Xiaomi is paying attention to every small need of its users and it had enormous features like call-recording without third-party apps, WiFi password sharing, dual apps, and better themes, which make it better than Stock Android. At the same time, if you do not want to have any pre-installed apps at all on your phone, prefer fast updates, and high-quality images then Stock Android is better.
So, if performance and stability are your departments, then Stock Android is the boss. If themes, app locks, and similar customization options are important to you, then MIUI is your perfect companion.
Which OS does your phone run on?