One UI, EMUI, and MIUI are different versions of Android. The variations exist because Google’s operating system is open source and allows manufacturers to develop customized visual interfaces for their phones. Therefore, some smartphones with the same system can have differentiated functions and interface modifications.
Open source may have been a crucial factor for Android to be present in several brands of smartphones and reach 2.5 billion users as of 2019. However, this configuration makes the phones have some negative features. System upgrades, for example, arrive at devices at different times, as the distribution is left to each manufacturer.
Also, as creating specific versions of Android takes time and cost, some brands may decide to terminate support and stop offering new versions for older phones. The action may leave smartphones vulnerable, without the security fixes of updates.
The numbers revealed by Google indicate the diverse distribution of Android on phones that use the operating system. According to the latest data released by the company, 21.3% of Android smartphones still run the Oreo version (8), released in 2017.
At the time of data collection, only 8.2% of all mobile phones were already upgraded to Android 10. In comparison, Apple, which maintains control of iOS with its “closed” code, has 92% of devices launched in the last four years running iOS 13. So, let’s talk about some of the variations in One UI, EMUI, and MIUI.
One UI (Samsung)
The One UI variation was launched in 2018 by Samsung along with the Android Pie (9) update. In its first version, One UI 1.0, the system already had Dark Mode, which was only introduced later in mobile phones from some other manufacturers, with the releases of iOS 13 and Android 10. According to the South Korean giant, the interface details are created to offer a consistent and pleasant appearance.
Based on Android 10, the latest version of the system, One UI 2.1, is available for the most modern mobile phones such as the Galaxy S20, Z Flip, Fold, and Note 10, in addition to some previous models such as the S10, S9, and Note 9 lines. One of the features of the upgrade is the interface development aimed at large screens.
One UI 2.1 still has minimized notifications that take up less screen space; improved dark mode with battery-saving benefits; and a dynamic lock screen, which allows the configuration of the home screen to display different images every time the user unlocks the phone.
EMUI (Huawei)
The Android version of the Chinese brand Huawei called “Emotion UI” was released in 2012, based on Android Ice Cream (4.0). With an organized look, EMUI seeks a more complete system optimization. The variant presents expressive interface changes compared to the basic Android.
The most recent update of the variant is the EMUI 10.1, inspired by Android 10. The interface will reach at least 16 models of the brand, including popular mobile phones like the Huawei P30 Pro. The version features a system-specific video conferencing application with several features – including screen sharing.
EMUI 10.1 also features multi-screen collaboration, allowing the user to access a web address or edit files on their phone with computer applications. In addition, with the multiple windows function, it is possible to reply to messages through a floating window without having to leave the open application.
MIUI (Xiaomi)
Developed by Xiaomi, MIUI is a version of Android that offers several functions for users, and being one of the most popular operating system variants on the market. The system interface is one of the most modified, presenting visuals and functions more similar to the iOS rival than the basic Android.
The variant has, for example, a native screen recorder, a known function of the iPhone. Xiaomi’s smartphones, however, only received the drawer of apps, the traditional feature of Android, in version MIUI 11.
MIUI 12 is the most recent version of the operating system. The update has already been released for mobile phones like Mi 9, Mi 9T, Redmi K20, and Redmi K20 Pro, but the variant will be available for more models of the brand in the second distribution round. MIUI 12 features renewed applications of its own, floating windows and pictures in full-screen mode.
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