MIUI (HyperOS) vs. OxygenOS: A Comprehensive Comparison 2025

In the dynamic world of Android, custom skins play a crucial role in shaping the user experience. Among the most prominent of these are MIUI (HyperOS), developed by Xiaomi, and OxygenOS, the creation of OnePlus. Both originated as enhancements over stock Android, aiming to provide users with distinctive experiences tailored to their brand's philosophy.

Over the years, these operating systems have evolved beyond mere customizations, becoming central to their respective brands' identities. MIUI is known for its rich feature set and vibrant visuals, while OxygenOS has long been praised for its clean, near-stock Android feel and speed. Each has cultivated a loyal following, influencing user preferences and device choices.

This article offers a detailed, side-by-side comparison of MIUI and OxygenOS across design, performance, features, and overall user experience—helping users decide which skin best suits their needs.

Design and User Interface

Overall Aesthetic

MIUI is visually rich, with a highly customized interface that often resembles iOS. It offers colorful icon packs, dynamic animations, and an extensive theme engine. The design leans towards a bold and flashy look, catering to users who enjoy visual flair and personalization.
OxygenOS, in contrast, maintains a minimal and elegant appearance that closely mirrors stock Android. The interface is subdued, with clean lines, subtle animations, and an overall focus on simplicity. It's designed for those who value a sleek, distraction-free experience.

Home Screen and Navigation

MIUI by default places all apps on the home screens, iOS-style, though newer versions offer an optional app drawer. It supports widgets, the App Vault (a card-based info hub), floating windows for multitasking, and gesture-based navigation.
OxygenOS sticks to a more traditional Android layout with a dedicated app drawer and Google feed integration. Navigation is intuitive, with fluid gesture controls and a customizable launcher that balances functionality with ease of use.

Notification Panel and Quick Settings

MIUI splits the notification shade and the control center (similar to iOS), with one swipe showing notifications and another revealing toggles. While this dual approach is visually impressive, it can feel inconsistent at times. However, it offers deep customization, including toggles layout and style.
OxygenOS uses a unified pull-down shade for notifications and quick settings. It's straightforward and efficient, ensuring users can access everything in one place. Features like the Shelf (custom widgets, notes, step counter) add utility without clutter.

Themes and Customization

MIUI is arguably the king of customization. With its built-in Theme Store, users can change wallpapers, icons, fonts, lock screens, and even system animations. Always-on display (AOD) styles are abundant, with options to add personalized elements.
OxygenOS provides moderate customization: system-wide accent colors, dark/light modes, font choices, and basic icon pack support. AOD options are available on supported devices, though less varied than MIUI’s.

Performance and Optimization

Resource Management

MIUI is known for aggressive background app management, which can hinder multitasking but helps conserve battery life. This behavior may affect notifications or app consistency unless tweaked manually.
OxygenOS offers balanced memory usage. Apps remain active in the background longer, and multitasking feels smoother, particularly on devices with ample RAM. Its lightweight nature ensures efficient performance.

Speed and Responsiveness

MIUI has improved over the years but can occasionally feel bogged down by animations or bloatware, especially on mid-range devices. Lag is rare but not unheard of.
OxygenOS shines in this area, often described as one of the fastest Android skins. Transitions are swift, animations are buttery smooth, and the overall responsiveness is top-tier, even on older hardware.

Battery Optimization

MIUI offers robust battery-saving tools, including Ultra Battery Saver mode and power consumption stats. However, its background app restrictions can sometimes lead to delayed notifications.
OxygenOS uses intelligent battery optimization techniques that adapt to user behavior. It avoids overly aggressive restrictions while supporting fast charging technologies like Warp Charge.

Features and Functionality

Pre-installed Apps and Bloatware

MIUI comes with numerous pre-installed apps, including Xiaomi utilities, security tools, and sometimes promotional content. While some apps can be removed, others remain permanent, which may bother users preferring a clean setup.
OxygenOS offers a leaner approach with fewer built-in apps. Essential tools like File Manager, Weather, and Notes are included, and there’s minimal bloat, contributing to the OS’s light feel.

Unique Features

MIUI packs a ton of value-added features:
- Second Space: A separate profile for privacy.
- Dual Apps: Run two instances of social apps.
- Game Turbo: Enhances gaming performance.
- Floating Windows: For true multitasking.
- Privacy Protection: Includes permission monitoring and virtual IDs.
OxygenOS brings its own set of useful tools:
- Zen Mode: Forces digital detox by locking the phone temporarily.
- Work-Life Balance: Profile-based notification control.
- Quick Launch: Shortcut access from the fingerprint scanner.
- Camera Enhancements: Especially on newer Hasselblad-branded models.

Software Updates

MIUI update frequency varies by device tier and region. While feature updates are frequent, major Android version rollouts and security patches can be delayed or inconsistent.
OxygenOS used to be known for fast and reliable updates, though recent transitions (merging with ColorOS) have led to slower rollouts and mixed reactions from long-time users. Still, its high-end devices often receive better support.

Security and Privacy

MIUI provides extensive privacy controls, including app behavior tracking, clipboard protection, and permissions alerts. However, Xiaomi has faced scrutiny over data collection practices, raising concerns among privacy-conscious users.
OxygenOS offers a transparent privacy policy with strong encryption, minimal tracking, and Google's Play Protect integration. It aims to provide security without intruding on user trust.

User Experience and Ecosystem

Ease of Use and Learning Curve

MIUI may feel overwhelming at first due to its vast array of features and settings. Once learned, it becomes a power-user’s paradise, but casual users might find the interface busy.
OxygenOS is easy to pick up and navigate, even for Android newcomers. Its clean layout and logical settings make it one of the most accessible Android skins.

Ecosystem Integration

MIUI integrates seamlessly with Xiaomi’s broader ecosystem—smart home devices, fitness bands, TVs, and more. The Mi Home app ties everything together, offering centralized control.
OxygenOS supports OnePlus accessories like earbuds and watches, though its ecosystem is not as expansive or tightly integrated as Xiaomi’s.

Target Audience

MIUI is ideal for users who enjoy deep customization, rich features, and don't mind a learning curve or some bloatware.
OxygenOS suits users who want a fast, clean, and hassle-free Android experience with essential features and a focus on performance.

Community and Support

MIUI boasts a massive global community with forums, themes, and custom ROMs. However, user feedback sometimes struggles to drive meaningful change in the system.
OxygenOS also has a passionate user base, especially among tech enthusiasts. Its forums are active, and feedback often informs beta features and updates.

MIUI vs. OxygenOS: Feature Comparison Table

Aspect	MIUI (Xiaomi)	OxygenOS (OnePlus)
Overall Aesthetic	Vibrant, heavily customized, iOS-like elements	Clean, minimal, close to stock Android
Home Screen	No default app drawer (optional now), App Vault, floating windows	App drawer by default, Google feed, clean layout
Notification Panel	Split: Notifications & Control Center	Unified panel with quick settings and Shelf
Customization	Extensive theme store, fonts, icons, AOD styles	Limited but elegant: accent colors, fonts, basic icon packs
Performance	Feature-rich but heavier; sometimes inconsistent on mid-range	Lightweight, smooth, responsive
RAM Management	Aggressive app killing for battery optimization	Balanced multitasking, better background retention
Battery Optimization	Ultra Battery Saver, strict background controls	Smart battery use with fast charging support
Pre-installed Apps	Many system + promotional apps; some bloatware	Minimal bloatware, mostly essential utilities
Unique Features	Second Space, Dual Apps, Game Turbo, Floating Windows	Zen Mode, Work-Life Balance, Quick Launch
Software Updates	Frequent MIUI updates; slower Android version rollouts	Previously fast; recent delays post-ColorOS merger
Security & Privacy	Good controls, but data collection concerns exist	Transparent policies, Play Protect, fewer concerns
Ecosystem Integration	Strong with Xiaomi smart devices (Mi Home, AIoT)	Basic, limited to OnePlus accessories
Target Audience	Customization lovers, feature-heavy users	Clean experience seekers, speed-focused users
Ease of Use	Steep learning curve, rich options	User-friendly, intuitive interface

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which is better: MIUI or OxygenOS?

There’s no definitive answer—it depends on user preference. MIUI is better for those who love deep customization and tons of features. OxygenOS is ideal for users who prefer a clean, fast, and near-stock Android experience.

2. Is MIUI heavier than OxygenOS?

Yes, MIUI tends to be heavier due to its extensive features and visual elements. It uses more system resources, which can affect performance on low-end devices. OxygenOS is generally lighter and more optimized.

3. Which interface is better for gaming?

MIUI offers dedicated gaming features like Game Turbo, which can enhance performance and block distractions. OxygenOS also provides a smooth gaming experience but with fewer gaming-specific features.

4. Can I remove bloatware from MIUI?

Some bloatware can be uninstalled or disabled in MIUI, but many system apps are permanent without root access. OxygenOS comes with significantly less bloatware by default.

5. Which OS gets faster updates—MIUI or OxygenOS?

Historically, OxygenOS had a better track record for timely updates, but recent changes have slowed it down. MIUI provides frequent feature updates, but Android version and security patch rollouts can be inconsistent.

6. Does MIUI look like iOS?

Yes, MIUI borrows some design cues from iOS, such as the split notification and control center, and the default lack of an app drawer. However, it still retains Android’s flexibility.

7. Is OxygenOS still the same after merging with ColorOS?

OxygenOS has integrated some elements from Oppo’s ColorOS, especially in backend development. While the core interface remains clean, long-time fans have noticed changes in design and update policy.

8. Which UI is more secure?

Both MIUI and OxygenOS offer solid security features like app permissions, private folders, and system protection. However, some users express privacy concerns about data collection in MIUI.

9. Which OS is better for battery life?

MIUI tends to be more aggressive in background app management, often improving battery life but at the cost of delayed notifications. OxygenOS offers a more balanced approach to battery optimization.

10. Which is easier for a first-time smartphone user?

OxygenOS is generally more intuitive and easier to navigate, especially for users familiar with stock Android. MIUI, while feature-rich, can feel overwhelming for beginners.

MIUi (HyperOS) vs Realme UI: A Detailed Comparison in 2025

Conclusion

Both MIUI and OxygenOS offer compelling experiences, each tailored to a different kind of user. MIUI excels in customization and features, appealing to users who love tweaking every aspect of their device. OxygenOS shines in speed, simplicity, and elegance, making it perfect for those who want a polished, no-nonsense interface.

There’s no one-size-fits-all winner here—the better operating system depends on what you value most. If you're a power user who thrives on options and personalization, MIUI might be your pick. If you prefer a clean, fast, and focused experience, OxygenOS will likely feel more at home.

As Android skins continue to evolve, the line between feature-rich and bloat-free grows thinner. No matter which path you choose, both MIUI and OxygenOS prove that Android’s strength lies in its diversity.