29 Sept 2025
Xiaomi introduces HyperOS 3, an operating system colloquially dubbed 'iOS 26 Chinese' due to its notable resemblance and replicated features from Apple's iOS and iPhone. This new iteration aims to deliver enhanced performance and a cohesive ecosystem experience across Xiaomi's diverse device portfolio.
HyperOS 3, also referred to as 'iOS 26 Chinese', demonstrates Xiaomi's profound inclination towards replicating features and design elements from Apple's iOS and iPhone.
HyperOS 3 is supported by a select range of Xiaomi devices, including Poco X6, 13T, and other newer models from approximately the last 1.5 to 2 years, such as Poco X5 and 12T, though older models like the 11T are explicitly excluded from receiving the update.
HyperOS has evolved from MIUI, which was previously a mix of features from Samsung's One UI and iOS, now presenting a cleaner and more refined experience while retaining extensive customization options blended with iOS-like tidiness.
Super Island is Xiaomi's direct copy of Apple's Dynamic Island, offering similar functionality and appearance but with increased interactivity and support for over 70 exclusive Chinese services, along with extensive customization for font and color.
HyperOS 3 introduces over 100 new, smoother animations and new transparent glass-like shaders, enhancing the overall fluidity and aesthetic appeal of the user interface.
HyperOS 3 extends beyond smartphones to create a unified ecosystem, integrating with Xiaomi cars, televisions, and other smart devices, offering a consistent experience across the brand's product range.
Significant performance improvements have been implemented in HyperOS 3, including a 15% boost in gaming performance, 10% reduction in GPU energy consumption, and 21% faster application opening times, focusing on stability, speed, and lightness.
Android phones, particularly mid-range models, tend to slow down over time due to users installing many third-party apps, older memory technologies (not UFS 4), and system updates that become heavier for less powerful chipsets.
Xiao AI is an intelligent assistant within HyperOS 3 that includes a 'Circle Screen' feature, similar to Circle to Search, but its availability is restricted to China due to specific government regulations concerning AI services and data.
The lock screen in HyperOS 3 offers extensive customization options, mirroring iOS 16, allowing users to personalize elements like clock placement (behind wallpaper) and live photo animations.
The App Gallery has been completely redesigned to resemble Apple's Photos app, featuring a two-tab interface, improved album management, and automatic categorization of photos, such as those containing pets.
Unlike Apple, which restricts Dynamic Island to specific notch hardware, Xiaomi's Super Island is available on all devices with a punch-hole camera, including tablets and even monitors like the 70-inch and 77-inch Ultra TVs, promoting wider accessibility.
The HyperOS ecosystem enhances user interaction by providing integrated experiences, such as displaying cycling activity data from a Xiaomi watch directly on the phone's screen while the user is simultaneously recording a video.
Xiaomi's HyperOS 3 unapologetically showcases a 'sick obsession' with copying various features and functionalities from Apple's iOS and iPhone, even directly mimicking design elements like the 'Super Island'.
| feature | description | comparison_or_impact |
|---|---|---|
| Super Island | Xiaomi's version of Apple's Dynamic Island, offering similar functionality with enhanced interactivity and customization. | Supports over 70 exclusive Chinese services and user-defined font/color changes, accessible on all punch-hole devices (phones, tablets, monitors). |
| Performance Optimization | HyperOS 3 focuses on improved stability, speed, and efficiency. | 15% better gaming performance, 10% less GPU energy consumption, 21% faster app opening. |
| Xiao AI Assistant (Circle Screen) | An intelligent assistant with a 'Circle Screen' feature for quick search and summarization. | Exclusively available in China due to regulatory restrictions on AI services and data outside the country. |
| Ecosystem Integration | HyperOS unifies user experience across Xiaomi's diverse product range. | Connects phones, cars, TVs, and wearables, providing context-aware information (e.g., cycling data during video recording). |
| UI/UX Design | Significant changes in user interface, animations, and app designs. | Over 100 new animations, glass-like shaders, redesigned App Gallery mirroring iOS Photos, and iOS 16-like lock screen customization. |
| Device Compatibility | Supports recent Xiaomi devices for HyperOS 3 update. | Includes Poco X6, 13T, newer models from the last 1.5-2 years; Poco 11T not supported. |
