Software bugs plague the rollout
Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2.0 rollout carries technical risks that undermine its attempt to replace the long-standing MIUI. The first devices to receive the update globally include the Xiaomi 14 and the 13T Pro, which both received the HyperOS 2.0 Android 15 update in China previously. Users on the Xiaomi 13 report that Dolby Vision fails to function on the new ROM. The Xiaomi 13t experiences a black screen after fingerprint unlocking attempts following the update. On the Xiaomi 13t and 13t Pro, the gallery editor fails to apply Leica professional watermarks, which triggers an error stating that only images from Leica-designed products are supported. The Redmi Note 12 faces issues where the App Vault remains unclickable through swipe gestures and the speaker emits sound even when users set the volume to zero. The redesigned control center in HyperOS 2.2 also contains flaws, as tapping the music player on the Poco F5 or F5 Pro fails to expand the interface, which prevents users from managing their audio playback effectively. I find these software regressions unacceptable. The HyperOS 2.1 update targets flagships like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, 14T Pro, and 13 Pro, as well as the Pad 6S Pro 12.4 and the POCO X6 Pro 5G. The wider release includes mid-range models such as the Redmi 13 and POCO F6, which receive updates in early 2025.
| Device Model | Reported HyperOS Bug |
|---|---|
| Xiaomi 13 | Dolby Vision failure |
| Xiaomi 13t | Black screen after fingerprint unlock |
| Xiaomi 13t / 13t Pro | Leica watermark error |
| Redmi Note 12 | Unclickable App Vault; speaker noise at zero volume |
| Poco F5 / F5 Pro | Control center music player failure |
EU regulation threatens AI features
The European Commission’s implementation of the Digital Markets Act creates a regulatory environment that challenges Xiaomi’s AI-heavy strategy. The Commission seeks to ensure that gatekeepers provide access to hardware and software features to competitors, including the ability for third-party services to use real-time sensors like the microphone and camera. Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2.0 uses large foundation models to power its Xiaomi AI Assistant and enable real-time transcription. However, the Commission’s demand for interoperability regarding invocation and context could hinder Xiaomi’s integrated ecosystem. Specifically, the rules regarding the Digital Signal Processor (DSP) present a technical risk. Since DSPs have fixed memory banks and limited parallelism, the Commission’s push for concurrent multi-app hotword detection might create performance bottlenecks. If the EU mandates that Xiaomi provides the same access to competitors as it does to its own services, the company may struggle to maintain its unified experience. The Commission also monitors for dark patterns in user consent flows to ensure that users can choose alternative assistants without undue burden. The EC’s Draft Measures require that any third-party app, such as a rival AI assistant, receives the possibility to use features to receive the same data and overlay content on the screen. How will Xiaomi maintain its AI advantage if the European Commission forces total interoperability?
Samsung dominance in the enterprise space
Samsung offers a formidable challenge to Xiaomi through the maturity of One UI 7 and its hardware dominance. While HyperOS 2.2 focuses on AI-driven speed and customization, it often closes background apps too aggressively to manage resources. Samsung’s One UI 7 wins in multitasking, providing superior split-screen views and pop-up windows for productivity. Samsung also dominates the hardware supply chain, as its HBM4 chips drive the global demand for AI infrastructure. Samsung’s Co-CEO Jun Young-hyun noted that the industry is entering an unprecedented supercycle driven by AI investment. Samsung’s shares have increased 62% since January, reflecting its strong position. You already know that Xiaomi prioritizes hardware specs, but I find the stability of Samsung’s One UI 7 much more compelling for daily use.
