While Xiaomi is out there to change every feasible option and UI in the stock Android. Realme has taken a middle route to make a balance between stock and skinned Android. In this post, we are going to compare Realme UI to MIUI. The comparison will be based on UI, customization options, features, theming engine, and more. Let’s get started. Note: For the comparison below, I used Redmi Note 8 Pro running the MIUI based on the Android 10 and the Realme X, which recently received Android 10 based Realme UI 1.0.
User Interface
Here is where you will see the biggest difference between the two UI. Realme is slowly moving towards the stock Android look. The notification panel, notification toggles, settings menu, and the app drawer carries little to none changes compared to the vanilla Android. It’s a welcome improvement compared to the old Color OS days. MIUI has completely changed the look of the UI here. It resembles the iOS design elements throughout the UI. iPhone convertibles might appreciate that, but the stock Android fans won’t like the added elements. My biggest gripe with the MIUI is the notification panel. It’s doesn’t go well with the default Android design, and it isn’t as functional as others too.
Theming Engine
Both MIUI and Realme UI go hand to hand here. First, both the Android skin supports the Android 10 dark theme. The overall implementation is better than Google’s version. Both the MIUI and Realme UI force some third-party apps to adopt the dark theme. As for theming, both Realme UI and MIUI offer a dedicated theme store to change every detail of the UI. With a single install button, you can change the app icons, wallpapers, and overall UI of the home screen. One can also change the default device fonts with the theme store. I like Realme’s live wallpapers section. They are minimal, well-implemented, and fun to use.
Customization Options
There are lots of options to customize in MIUI and Realme UI. Let’s start with Realme UI. Long tap on the home screen and go to settings. Here, you can home screen mode, layout, app startup, and close animations, gestures, and even enable double-tap to lock option. As for the display, one can change the color temperature too. MIUI has added animation changes here. The user can change transition effects, home screen layout, lock home screen layout, and even change the launcher from the settings.
Gestures and Multitasking Menu
I prefer Xiaomi’s take here. Both the companies have added the Android 10 navigation gestures. As for MIUI, there are three options. You can go back to the classic Android buttons, use Android 10 gestures, and change the back/multitasking gestures. I like MIUI’s multitasking menu. It’s a card-based vertical scrolling menu, let’s you see and interact with four apps at a time. Blackberry 10 OS used to offer such a multitasking menu in the old days. Realme UI is has added Android 10 gestures with the ability to go back to the standard Android buttons for navigation. The multitasking menu is the same as the default Google. It only shows one big app card at a time and requires too much horizontal swiping to get through opened tabs.
Smart Assistant vs. MIUI Home
Realme has added Smart Assistant function in the side drawer. It’s mostly advertisements from the Realme store apps and games. There are two useful additions. Quick functions and Favorite contacts. Quick functions let you access useful tools like scanner, translator, Google search, or any app from just a swipe from the home screen. MIUI feed menu has integrated smart action shortcuts such as clear cache, calling a cab, check PNR, install apps with one tap, and more. The widget list includes Cricket score, calendar events, Twitter feed, Stocks data, etc. You can also use the top search bar to search for contacts, apps, and web information. I wish both the companies switch to the Google feed menu in the future updates.
Extra Features
Extra features are one of the biggest reasons why the majority prefers third-party Android skin over Google’s Android. MIUI has a neat second space function, which lets you create a separate profile on the device with added apps and files. You can also use the clone apps feature that makes a duplicate app on the phone. With its help, one can use multiple accounts on Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp. Other functions include a built-in screen recorder, dark mode, rich screenshot tool, Reading mode, and Screen recorder. Realme has added the sidebar function, which allows you to pin most-used shortcuts such as screenshot, record screen, and apps. You can change its position and transparency as well. I like the Smart Driving function. When enables, it switches on the DND when driving, blocks in-app voice and video calls, and auto-sends a message after rejecting a call.
Whose Android Take Is Better
Both the MIUI and Realme UI give plenty of reasons to choose one over the other. MIUI has better gestures, multitasking menu, while Realme UI hits it out of the park with smart driving, sidebar functions, and a better look at the user interface. Next up: Want to learn more about the Realme UI? Read the post below to see top tricks and tricks of the Realme UI.
