Xiaomi HyperOS 3 finally arrives on iPhones. Does it turn Xiaomi phones into alternatives to iPhones?

I believe many of you already know that today, Xiaomi held an online press conference, not quietly but rather grandly, to officially launch its new operating system - "Xiaomi HyperOS 3".

Previously, when Xiaomi released a new operating system, it was usually bundled with new mobile phone models. It rarely presented the system separately. Even when Xiaomi switched from MIUI to the newly self - developed HyperOS, it was introduced alongside the Xiaomi 14 series.

This time, however, Xiaomi held a dedicated press conference just for the system. This level of attention is truly remarkable...

Since such a big event has been made, I'm sure you're curious about whether there are any real improvements in Xiaomi HyperOS 3 this time.

Coincidentally, I've had an early taste of the HyperOS 3 beta version on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. Now, let me tell you in detail - what exactly has been updated in this major version of HyperOS and what new features it brings to us.

Let's start with the most interesting part - the "island" feature!

As we all know, since Apple introduced the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro, the Android camp has followed suit, creating a "Dynamic Island craze". OPPO developed the Fluid Cloud, vivo launched the Atomic Island, and even Honor introduced the Dynamic Capsule.

Among the so - called "Big Four domestic smartphone brands", Xiaomi was the last one to join the "island" trend. This time, Xiaomi HyperOS 3 finally fills this gap, and its "island" is called - "Xiaomi Super Island".

On the surface, the Xiaomi Super Island doesn't seem very different from the "islands" of other brands. They all display three types of information - "important notifications", "app services", and "device status" - in the form of an "island" that stays on the system's foreground.

However, the Xiaomi Super Island has an extra feature. Besides supporting the co - existence of three "islands", it can also be pulled down to expand into a small window.

For example, when you're using your phone and want to know how long it will take for the Didi taxi you ordered to arrive, you can simply pull down the "island" on any screen to see the real - time location. After checking, just push it back, and it will shrink back into the "island". You don't need to switch apps at all during this process.

You can even drag the content from the "island" to share. For instance, if your friend asks where you are, just long - press the Xiaomi Super Island and drag it into the WeChat chat box, and the Didi trip information will be sent. You don't need to switch apps or take a screenshot manually.

Well, it seems that being late to the game has its advantages. Other brands have paved the way for Xiaomi, and now Xiaomi can learn from their strengths and avoid their weaknesses.

The Super Xiaoai in HyperOS 3 has also been enhanced. To put it simply, it has incorporated almost all the advantages of current mainstream AI assistants. It basically has the same functions as others, although some are still in the planning stage.

When I reviewed the Honor Magic V5 before, I shared with you the YOYO intelligent agent on its MagicOS. With just a voice command, it can help me order a taxi, order takeout, and even create a PPT.

In the Super Xiaoai of Xiaomi HyperOS 3, there is a similar "One - Step Access" feature. With just a voice command, it can understand your intention, plan the steps on its own, and even open the app to perform the task.

For example, if you want to pay for a medical visit, just say "Open the Alipay medical insurance code", and it will handle it for you immediately. If you want to use a group - buying coupon at a restaurant, just say "Open the Meituan/Dianping group - buying coupon", and it will automatically jump to the relevant page and show the QR code.

Other tasks like "Check the Taobao return pick - up code", "Open JD.com to check price protection", and "Open Weibo/Red Book/Photo Album to search for XXX" can also be done with a single voice command.

However, when I tested it on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, I found that currently, the Super Xiaoai can only jump to the corresponding app and cannot perform further actions. The official says that it will be gradually optimized. This feature gives me the feeling of a more advanced shortcut command.

However, in well - optimized scenarios, the "One - Voice - Command" experience is really convenient. I suggest that in the future, phone manufacturers should launch a version of "One - Step Access" that supports various local dialects. This way, it will be even easier for the elderly at home to use their phones.

Moreover, like OriginOS and ColorOS, the wake - up methods of the Super Xiaoai have become more diverse.

In addition to long - pressing the power button for voice input, you can now double - click the gesture line for text input, and long - press with two fingers to perform screen recognition. When you encounter something you don't understand, you can just tap "Ask Xiaoai". In different scenarios, there are various ways to trigger it.

Now, the Super Xiaoai also supports "providing suggestions based on the scenario".

For example, when you're reading an article, it will ask if you need to generate a summary. When you open a map, it will recommend destinations in advance. When you open Didi, it supports one - click taxi - ordering. Although these suggestions are not always useful, they can be quite convenient when you need them.

Other features like answering questions through photos, object recognition, and answering mobile phone usage knowledge questions have also been added to the Super Xiaoai. I would call it a "Cyber Swiss Army Knife".

To be honest, currently, whether it's Vivo's OriginOS, OPPO's ColorOS, or Honor's MagicOS, they have all implemented similar functions. So far, there isn't a decisive gap between them.

What can really make users feel the difference depends on the subsequent adaptation breadth of the third - party ecosystem and the continuous improvement of the accuracy of AI intention understanding. It remains to be seen which brand can turn these functions from "usable" to "indispensable".

In terms of interconnectivity with Apple devices, Xiaomi HyperOS 3 has also introduced many interesting features.

Take the "Tap - to - Share" feature as an example. When you tap two phones together head - to - head, photos, videos, files, and Wi - Fi passwords can be transferred instantly. Moreover, it's not only possible to transfer between Xiaomi phones, but also between iPhones and Xiaomi phones.

However, you need to install the Xiaomi Connectivity Service app on your iPhone, and there is a pairing step every time. It's definitely not as convenient as using it between Xiaomi phones. What really excites users who own both Xiaomi and Apple devices is the newly added "Notification Transfer" feature.

Now, as long as you log in to the same Xiaomi account on both your Xiaomi and Apple devices and connect to the same Wi - Fi, phone calls, text messages, WeChat, and QQ notifications from your Xiaomi phone can be synchronized to your iPhone, and you can even reply directly on the iPhone.

Believe it or not, Xiaomi has also opened up features such as cloud photo album, hotspot sharing, device search, cross - device unlocking, and desktop sharing to Apple devices.

This means that you can now mirror your Xiaomi phone or tablet directly to your Mac, unlock and control your Xiaomi phone/tablet with Touch ID, connect to the Xiaomi hotspot with one click on your iPhone or iPad, and search for your Xiaomi devices on your iPhone.

To be fair, other brands try their best to make their own devices the primary ones and relegate Apple devices to secondary status. In contrast, Xiaomi goes the other way around and actively tries to become a good "backup" for Apple devices. This kind of thinking really broadens the horizons...

Besides the new features mentioned above, HyperOS 3 has also made many changes to the "aesthetic aspects" - that is, the desktop, lock screen, wallpapers, widgets, etc., which you see and interact with every day.

The new one - stop lock - screen editor now offers many customization options. You can freely set the font style and personal signature, and then save them as templates for easy switching whenever you want. Some of the built - in templates also have good aesthetics.

The desktop icons have also been redesigned, making them look more unified and refined.

In other words, this update of HyperOS 3 has improved both the functionality and the aesthetics. There are "substantial features" like Super Xiaoai and interconnectivity that improve efficiency, as well as "eye - catching features" like the desktop and wallpapers that enhance visual pleasure.

I know that compared to these, you may be more concerned about whether Xiaomi HyperOS 3