Two of the most popular manufacturers are Huawei and Xiaomi which have two layers of customization that show great differences and some similarities. We compare both to know everything that EMUI 10 offers us compared to MIUI 11 and draw a conclusion about which personalization layer is better and more complete.
Each one has its peculiarities, configurations and more advanced aspects, but maintaining a continuous aesthetic line. We show you face to face each section that we can find in the phones of Huawei and Xiaomi so that you know first hand, comparing its software and aesthetics.
Lock screen, the first glance
The first thing we see when taking our mobile phone is its lock screen, where we will see notifications, the time and some more information such as the telephone company. In both layers of customization we find a quick access to the camera on the right side of the screen and in the case of EMUI 10 we add along with the time and date the steps that we have taken throughout the day.
We can highlight the great similarities that we see in the state of the battery and the alarm icon, although in the case of Huawei this space is cleaned even more by not showing coverage . In the case of Huawei we are in the center where we must place the fingerprint to unlock the smartphone through a fingerprint reader integrated in the screen, something that we also see in MIUI 11 in terminals with this functionality.
Home screen, what we see most
When unlocking the terminal we have access to this section that is essential, especially in the layers such as EMUI 10 and MIUI 11 that base their applications on this section. In the home screen of both terminals we find the clock and the date, adding the temperature in MIUI 11, although it is an option that we can also activate in EMUI 10, it will depend on the type of widget chosen.
In the case of MIUI 11 we see the buttons on the screen, although in devices with the possibility of using gestures, they will be identical to what we see in EMUI 10.
Icons and folders, more than aesthetic
In the previous images we have been able to see the icons, although it will be in this section next to their folders where we will see the similarities that they keep within each layer of customization. In both cases the icons take the geometric forms as a starting point, with a square of rounded corners and integrating the apps with vectors , following the aesthetic material design created by Google.
In the case of Huawei, we are aware when entering a folder of what we are inside of it by the semi-transparent form that protects them, while in Xiaomi these icons take all the leading role. In both cases we see the description of the folder at the top and the text or name of each app below the icons.
Settings, an essential section
Within the terminal settings we have the possibility of developing several processes, although we show only the main part and which marks the line that we find in all sections. In EMUI we find right at the top the identifier of where we focus next to the search bar that allows us to quickly reach the accesses, something that in MIUI we find practically traced although occupying a greater space.
Just below in EMUI we see the information about our account and in MIUI we find the access to the phone information along with the updates, giving prominence to what EMUI places at the end. EMUI bets on rounded shapes in the icons next to the text, separated into blocks, while MIUI uses only the object vector in colors and without blocks, making the text the only visual divisor.
Battery
Within the adjustments we will be able to see the aesthetics of the adjustments reflected, following a continuous line where if we change to the dark mode , we can see how EMUI applies it by changing the tones directly with somewhat strident results. In both cases we can see in the upper part the remaining percentage and below the time of use that would remain following an automatic calculation.
Both EMUI and MIUI show quick access to optimization options that make it impossible to improve the performance of the device and below we see the other options following the same aesthetics of the main section of the settings.
Applications
Within the many aesthetic sections that we find in both layers of customization, applications play a fundamental role, since we use them very often, as is the case with the music or telephone app. These apps usually maintain a common aesthetic in all situations, allowing us to remember that our mobile does not have independent apps and that they all play in the same league.
Music
The first of the apps that we find is music, where both companies give prominence to the buttons of the player and the album cover if it is available. EMUI integrates the entire cover with the tone of the player, creating an immersive effect where at the bottom just above the player we see advanced tools to cut a clip, mark the song as a favorite and other options.
In turn, MIUI 11 offers a cleaner design with the player controls on top of the added options that we can see that are fully traced to those of EMUI 10.
Health
Within health applications, utilities go beyond the steps and reach up to the calories burned in our day to day. Huawei integrated it before and Xiaomi is starting to do it now to offer users an alternative that allows them to combine the results of the Mi Band with its official mobile app.
The aesthetic section is kept very clean in both, showing us graphically all our progress although in a more polished way in Huawei to have a greater route.
Phone
The last app that we are going to know is the telephone, dedicated to call but that can be hidden. In EMUI we see how in a way they forget about geometric shapes and give us only the important thing, meanwhile in Xiaomi we see even a small rounded line that differentiates the contact marker.
In the case of MIUI 11 it allows us to show a photo in each contact and in the upper part go to the contacts. EMUI 10, on the other hand, places those accesses to contacts or favorites at the bottom, interestingly they alternate the delete and hide the telephone dialer buttons, something that each company decides.
Notifications, the reflection of aesthetics
Something that Google has given much importance in recent years are notifications, allowing us to interact with them without entering , for example, replying to messages or using it as a player. In Huawei and Xiaomi we can see how the cards have a lot of relationship and even the controls have the same accesses, on the other hand we can see how the time is present in both cases as well as the direct access to the settings and some of the most important shortcuts , in addition to brightness.
Shortcuts
If we slide again we find all the shortcuts, with a greater number in Huawei that leaves no space for notifications and in the meantime Xiaomi shows them more simplified with two tabs so that we can slide and go to the others.
Both layers of customization offer a bluish tone to identify those that are active than those that are not and in Huawei we can edit them from the pencil at the top, while in Xiaomi we have to go to the second access screen to do so.
Multitask
When accessing multitasking we can find two very different aesthetics, the first one of EMUI is organized horizontally, while that of MIUI is in vertical format. Both allow us with an icon to close them all at once and divide the screen although in EMUI 10 with a button on each one and in MIUI 11 with a general button on the top. In both cases they are accompanied by the app icon and the name of the app.
Left display
If we swipe on the home screen to the left, we will have access to different functions that manufacturers choose, curiously Huawei offers us Google Discover and nothing else, while Xiaomi adds its own shortcuts and some widgets that may be useful, these are separated into large Cards that we can edit.
Application drawer
We reached the final section of the application drawer that is beginning to integrate into Xiaomi and seems to be in diapers, because it shows us in an unattractive way and nothing related to MIUI 11 all apps. Meanwhile EMUI allows us to activate or deactivate it for a long time with a careful design and trying to organize these apps with the suggestions above and then in alphabetical order.
What customization layer is more complete?
By summarizing the qualities and capabilities of EMUI 10 and MIUI 11, we realize that Huawei has a more polished personalization layer in its hands, with a clear design idea. In turn, Xiaomi is integrating many new sections, still deciding what it will do with others and with an aesthetic that is very functional but does not stop changing in different sections.
The performance of both layers is very good and we do not miss almost anything, so our decision will be based more on what attracts us aesthetically or the additives they can offer us, where for now Huawei has to win, less if we mention the complete Xiaomi security app where the company does not stop investing a lot of time, but without maintaining the aesthetics of MIUI 11.
