First review of Pengpai OS 3: The UI has been significantly revamped and finally “reached the island”. Will it reverse the reputation this time?

Xiaomi's HyperOS might be the most polarizing selling point for Xiaomi phones: those who love it can't do without it, while those who don't think it's laggy and buggy.

As the editor in the Lei Technology editorial department who has used Xiaomi phones for the longest time, Xiaolei doesn't have a bad impression of HyperOS 2. Compared with the first generation, HyperOS 2 has improved a lot in terms of stability and fluency. However, Xiaomi has been slow to introduce some new features.

(Image source: Lei Technology)

Recently, Xiaomi released the latest HyperOS 3 Beta version. Lei Technology has conducted in - depth coverage of this, and you can search for it across the web. Xiaolei also upgraded his Xiaomi 15 Ultra to HyperOS 3 immediately. The following is our review based on the latest version 3.0.0.18.

Brand - new UI design: Is it moving towards iOS?

Xiaolei can't remember when Xiaomi last updated the icon UI. Xiaolei doesn't think highly of the old icons. Although their recognition level is indeed among the top in the industry, the design style doesn't match the overall design of HyperOS at all, giving a rather disjointed feeling.

(Image source: Lei Technology)

HyperOS 3 has made significant changes to the icons. The overall design of the icons is more realistic. For example, the camera icon has changed from the classic camera lens to a whole camera, and the details of the browser's planet icon have become more elaborate. The details, colors, and lighting effects of the overall icons have all improved significantly.

However, from Xiaolei's personal perspective, this UI design can only get a passing grade. Although the details are well - done, the recognition has declined a lot.

Regarding the desktop layout, HyperOS 3 has made some detailed adjustments. Previously, HyperOS 2 always gave Xiaolei the feeling that all applications were "crowded" together, and the blank space on the desktop was not utilized at all.

HyperOS 3 has solved this problem. At least at first glance, the apps are no longer so crowded, and it looks more natural and comfortable.

(Image source: Lei Technology)

The most unsatisfactory update in HyperOS 2 for Xiaolei was the photo album layout. Not only was the layout chaotic, but the operation logic was also not very natural. Although Xiaomi provided many custom - setting sections, it was still not as user - friendly as the old photo album. Fortunately, HyperOS 3 has also made changes to the photo album. Now, commonly used functions such as the camera, videos, and screenshots are all placed at the top, while secondary options such as people, album categories, and creation are placed below, which conforms to the natural operation logic.

Here are some other minor changes to the software, briefly listed as follows:

The weather animation in the Weather app is more natural and realistic;

More frosted - glass effects have been added to the search bar;

The display layout of the control bar has been optimized, and different colors have been added for distinction;

Previously used lock screens and wallpapers can be saved in the system personalization settings;

More versions of camera watermarks have been added, and each watermark has many setting options, greatly increasing the playability.

(Image source: Lei Technology)

From the UI design changes, we can see that Xiaomi's designers hope to let users feel something different. The advantage is that users can indeed feel it, but the disadvantage is that the aesthetic sense seems to have regressed.

HyperOS gets the "island" feature: Useful but still lacking a bit?

After years of updates and iterations, the Dynamic Island feature of the iPhone has improved a lot in terms of practicality and aesthetics. No wonder it has become a reference for many domestic manufacturers. However, Xiaomi didn't blindly follow. In HyperOS 2, Xiaomi launched the Focus Notification feature, which is somewhat similar to the iPhone's Dynamic Island in functionality but completely different in content display form.

In HyperOS 3, Xiaomi has finally "landed on the island". However, different from its competitors, Xiaomi's "Super Island" feature offers more interactive options.

(Image source: Lei Technology)

For example, when using the Didi Chuxing app, Xiaomi's Super Island feature can not only display the license plate information and estimated arrival time like the "ordinary island", and show more information after a single click, but also can be further swiped down to turn it into a small window.

Of course, it's not just Didi Chuxing. All "Super Islands" with a small horizontal bar at the bottom can be turned into small windows with one click.

What's more interesting is that you can long - press the "Super Island" and drag it to chat interfaces such as WeChat and QQ to share your itinerary with friends. This feature is quite considerate for female users.

(Image source: Lei Technology)

In addition, when there are multiple "Super Islands" at the top of the status bar, you can switch between them by swiping left or right. If you continue to swipe on the first or last "Super Island", all the "Super Islands" will be hidden. Swiping in the opposite direction will display them again.

It may sound a bit complicated, but in fact, you can figure out all the operation logic within a minute or two after using it.

Finally, let's talk about the drawbacks. Although Xiaomi is the last domestic manufacturer to introduce the "island" feature, it still has some minor problems: for example, when displaying the food delivery app, the area of the "island" is a bit too large, wasting at least 40% of the space; also, the drag - and - share function currently only supports a few apps such as Didi Chuxing and Baidu Map's car - hailing service.

Although the Super Island feature has just been launched, Xiaolei's tests show that most apps can use it. Coupled with more detailed information display and flexible switching methods, it is one of the most user - friendly "islands" in the industry.

Super Xiaoai evolves again: Smarter and more user - friendly

To be honest, Xiaolei was very satisfied with Super Xiaoai on HyperOS 2. Whether in terms of functionality or personalization, it was among the top in China. Super Xiaoai on HyperOS 3 has evolved again. Xiaolei will explain a few points that he is particularly interested in.

First, the Screen Recognition function has evolved. Previously, Xiaoai's Screen Recognition simply listed the text on the screen, while on HyperOS 3, Xiaoai can not only recognize the content but also actively pop up relevant guidance cards.

(Image source: Lei Technology)

For example, when Xiaoai recognizes address information on the screen, it will automatically pop up a navigation button. You can simply click on the card to enter the navigation interface, without having to open the map app and enter the destination address separately. Another example is that when you copy an express delivery number, Xiaoai will pop up the relevant app to help you track the express.

(Image source: Lei Technology)

In addition, if you are not familiar with the destination, you can also ask Xiaoai to list a detailed tour guide, such as which subway line to take, how much it costs, and how much time it will take, making everything clear at a glance.

For the elderly user group, the current Super Xiaoai also supports voice - controlled operations such as opening the bus card and Meituan group - buying vouchers. Many previously cumbersome operations can now be done with just one sentence.

(Image source: Lei Technology)

With the powerful linkage of Super Xiaoai, we can now accurately search for the photos we want in the photo album. For example, when Xiaolei previously wanted to search for the photos of snow - capped mountains he took, many related pictures would pop up. Now, we can further refine the search terms, such as "snow - capped mountains in the summer of 2024", and Xiaoai will help us find the photos we want.

(Image source: Lei Technology)

The most obvious improvement of Super Xiaoai on HyperOS 3 for Xiaolei is that it has become "more proactive". In different scenarios, it can actively give us suggestions and tell us what to do next. Even if you have no idea what to do next, Xiaoai can set an example for you.

Stronger personalization elements: Truly "a thousand people, a thousand phones"?

Since the MIUI era, Xiaomi's operating system has always been the most playable in the industry. You can customize everything from the status bar style to the lock - screen time style.

Obviously, Xiaomi's system team knows this is their advantage. Therefore, in HyperOS 3, we can see more customizable options.

Starting with the major changes, HyperOS 3 has added many new lock - screen styles, and each lock - screen style has more customizable options, such as the calendar, clock, weather, font, depth of field, etc.

However, the most interesting feature is the AI dynamic wallpaper function. The HyperOS 3 system can not only make static photos move but also add AI stylization effects. Xiaolei simply counted, and currently, the official provides a total of 7 style effects.

Among them, Xiaolei likes the Healing Anime and Felt styles. The former is very useful for stylizing some portrait pictures, while the latter is suitable for cute pet themes.

(Image source: Lei Technology)

If HyperOS 2 simply added some animation effects to static wallpapers, HyperOS 3 allows users to independently choose the video style. Coupled with various special - effect adjustments, as long as you are patient enough, you probably won't meet anyone with the same lock - screen as yours in your lifetime.

Regarding the stability that users care about the most, HyperOS 3 has transferred the rendering of the app window animation effects to the system layer to ensure fast and continuous rendering responses. Xiaolei's actual tests show that the animation has improved a lot compared with HyperOS 2. However, considering that HyperOS 3 is still in the beta version, Xiaolei doesn't recommend that you update to it. It's better to wait for the official version.

Conclusion: Is this the start of a turnaround for HyperOS's reputation?

Overall, Xiaomi's HyperOS 3 has made various degrees of optimization in terms of stability, fluency, functionality, and aesthetics, which users care about the most. Now, all the new features that