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5 HyperOS 3 features that make it better than stock Android
HyperOS 3 is one of the biggest upgrades to Xiaomi devices to date, bringing loads of new features and improvements across the system. It’s based on Android 16, but on top of that, Xiaomi has introduced several exciting and useful features in HyperOS 3 that make the stock Android feel like a less feature-rich update.
Here are the five HyperOS 3 features that make it better than stock Android.
1. HyperIsland with multitasking capabilities
Android 16 adds Live Updates to show ongoing tasks (delivery, ride, etc.) in the notification area and on the lock screen, but HyperOS 3 goes much further with HyperIsland. Xiaomi’s implementation features a dedicated pill-style hub at the top of the screen with the ability to show multiple live activities at once (up to three), letting users monitor several concurrent tasks simultaneously and interact with each individually.
HyperIsland offers rich inline controls (play/pause, call actions, accept/decline, navigation shortcuts, etc.) and supports gestures like tapping to expand and swiping to switch islands. What’s more interesting is that users can swipe down an island to open the related app into a floating window for instant multitasking. The Live Updates in Android 16 have fewer controls and don’t offer floating-window behavior for islands.
Xiaomi’s HyperIsland also offers better integration with system features and extends support to a wide range of third-party apps like WhatsApp, YouTube, and Spotify. At the same time, Android 16’s Live Updates work best with Google’s own apps and depend heavily on app developers to make the required changes.
2. Cinematic lock screen and AI dynamic wallpapers (with deeper editing)
HyperOS 3.0 focuses on offering a redefining lock-screen experience with new AI-assisted features and deeper customization, while stock Android 16 focuses more on core OS usability than on lock-screen creativity.
The new AI Cinematic Lock Screen feature in HyperOS 3 creates a story-like, cinematic effect each time you unlock, and the AI Dynamic Wallpapers feature transforms your photos into stunning cinematic visuals. HyperOS 3 also features smoother lock-screen transitions, like AOD to lock screen to home screen, making the lock screen feel more premium and lively.
In short, Android 16’s lock screen is clean and functional but less focused on creativity and personalization, but HyperOS 3 explicitly promotes personalized editing.
3. Much stronger cross-ecosystem features, including Apple integration
HyperOS 3.0 excels at cross-device connectivity, especially with Apple devices, while stock Android 16 mostly focuses on bridging gaps among Android devices.
The “Touch to share” feature on HyperOS 3.0 now works with Apple devices too. So, you can now share photos, videos, files, and Wi-Fi passwords with Apple devices simply by touching both devices. Users can also run Xiaomi phone apps on iPad using the Home Screen+ feature with full support for iPad multitasking. Plus, they can unlock their Xiaomi devices using Touch ID or Face ID.
Apple devices can connect to a Xiaomi hotspot with just one tap. Additionally, users can instantly locate their Xiaomi phones from Apple devices, further strengthening Xiaomi’s cross-ecosystem capabilities.
4. HyperAI for smarter writing, transcription, and translation
HyperOS 3.0 provides a suite of AI features as a part of HyperAI, while stock Android 16 relies on Google apps (Gemini, Translate, Photos, etc.) to deliver the most visible AI features.
The AI Writing feature in HyperOS 3.0 can rewrite text in multiple styles, generate captions for images, and features a “DeepThink mode” for longer content in Notes. The AI Speech Recognition helps reduce background noise, convert speech to text while recording, and generate an instant summary when the recording ends.
HyperAI also offers AI Search to search the web for instant answers, generate AI summaries of search results, and find on-device content quickly, while the AI Translate feature does live interpretation for calls/meetings, bilingual subtitles by transcribing and translating audio, and an offline mode for face-to-face conversation translation.
5. Stronger privacy and security layer
The stock Android 16 features Android Protection, which layers multiple protections, such as Theft Detection Lock, offline device lock, USB protection, and anti-scam safeguards. Many of them are also available on Xiaomi devices running HyperOS 3, but the software also includes several security features developed by Xiaomi that are not present in stock Android 16.
HyperOS 3 offers Quantum-level data protection for protection against future quantum attacks on communications. It also features Edge-to-cloud AI data security, ensuring data stays private with on-device and cloud privacy computing, and MiTEE‑powered security protocols for interconnectivity.
So, HyperOS 3.0, based on Android 16, is a pretty significant upgrade for Xiaomi devices, bringing plenty of additional features and improvements over stock Android 16.
Also read:
1. Xiaomi HyperOS 3.1 update: New features, smarter UI, & more
2. HyperOS 3.1 vs HyperOS 3: Every features, changes, & full eligible device list
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The post 5 HyperOS 3 features that make it better than stock Android appeared first on Gizmochina.
