What I want to see from Android in 2024

What I like probably the most about Android is the variety; each producer has its distinct tackle the interface, and this makes issues thrilling. While Samsung and Xiaomi provide an identical caliber of {hardware}, they’re basically totally different in the best way they strategy software program.You additionally get quite a lot of selection in customizing the feel and appear of your telephone, and there is the choice to root your telephone and set up a completely totally different UI for those who’re not glad with what comes out of the field. We did not get a lot in the best way of pleasure with Android 14 — the replace was tame even by Google’s requirements, however it was far more steady out of the field, and it led to modest battery life positive factors.In that context, 2024 guarantees to be very attention-grabbing. Samsung ought to roll out sizable positive factors to One UI, and Xiaomi’s overhauled interface is slated to make its world debut. I used all the main Android interfaces extensively in 2023, and here is what I wish to see in 2024.Google continues to be taking part in catch-up(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Google is sluggish so as to add options which can be customary in different interfaces into its imaginative and prescient of Android, however to its credit score, it’s getting higher on that entrance. An enormous addition in Android 14 is lock display customization, and whereas you aren’t getting as many options as One UI 6, it’s a respectable begin. With Android 15, I wish to see the flexibility so as to add widgets to the lock display, identical to iOS.And with reference to customizability, Google must do extra with regard to icon sizing and shapes, together with fonts. And it actually must type out themed icons; it has been over two years now, and the characteristic nonetheless would not work seamlessly. Google wants to begin imposing the characteristic as a substitute of constructing it optionally available.On that notice, Google wants to present customers the flexibility to decouple Wi-Fi and mobile knowledge into particular person toggles. The mixed Internet toggle that exists immediately simply would not make a lot sense, and I need to have the ability to swap off knowledge with out having to enter the settings. I get that these are all small tweaks, however they make a giant distinction in every day use.Another space the place Google must do extra is the predictive again gesture. I’m glad that it’s accessible in Android 14, however it’s restricted in its usability and would not work exterior of Google’s personal apps — or on different Android skins. Talking about annoyances, Google wants to begin facilitating exterior show help on its gadgets; I do not know why the corporate limits this characteristic, however it wants to vary.One UI wants higher optimization(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)Samsung has probably the most feature-rich interfaces on Android, and whereas One UI 6 did not carry a drastic visible refresh, it seems to be a bit cleaner than in earlier years. The largest challenge with Samsung’s software program efforts is the advertisements; the model continues to be aggressive at sending push notifications peddling its gadgets, and probably the most annoying half is that they usually present up on the very best Samsung telephones — the gadgets being marketed.One UI 7 additionally wants higher optimization. The Galaxy S23 Ultra has one of many quickest {hardware} packages accessible immediately, however it would not have the identical fluidity because the OnePlus 11 and even the Xiaomi 13, and that’s right down to software program optimization. Samsung must tweak the interface — much like what Xiaomi did with MIUI 14 — to make it smoother in every day use.There are loads of annoyances with Samsung’s software program — the shortage of a vertical scrolling app drawer continues to be irksome — however most of those will be addressed with Good Lock, the highly effective customization utility that is accessible on all Galaxy gadgets. Honestly, Samsung ought to set up Good Lock out of the field, because it serves significantly better utility than many of the bloatware that is pre-installed on its gadgets immediately.OPPO and OnePlus have to step it up with gaming(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)I’m going to make use of ColorOS and OxygenOS interchangeably on this part, as there’s just about no distinction between the 2 as we head into 2024. OxygenOS 14 is equivalent to ColorOS 14, and whereas I might level to a couple software program options that have been unique to the previous in earlier iterations, that isn’t the case now.My largest frustration with OxygenOS proper now could be that it would not permit excessive refresh price gaming. I bear in mind the time when OnePlus made a giant deal of unlocking 120fps gaming in titles like Call of Duty: Mobile a number of years in the past, however following the swap to the ColorOS codebase, gaming has been restricted to 60fps. As finest as I can perceive it, that is executed to handle thermals and make sure the gadget would not overheat, however that is not the case on all different gadgets that allow you to play video games at their supposed framerates, so I do not actually see the issue.I’ve actually bugged the ColorOS software program workforce about this sufficient occasions and was advised that the model is contemplating permitting 120fps in choose video games beginning subsequent yr, however I’ll include my pleasure till it really turns into accessible.Other than that, I’d wish to see ColorOS provide higher lock display customizability, up to date icons, and for OPPO to proceed the work it began on the foldable entrance. Oh, and well timed updates — significantly on OPPO telephones.Xiaomi’s HyperOS ought to retain the very best of MIUI(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)I haven’t got a lot to say about Xiaomi as a result of the model is switching from MIUI to a “human-centric” ecosystem that can energy its telephones, good dwelling merchandise, and vehicles. HyperOS sounds thrilling, and Xiaomi says it determined to overtake the UI to repair errors made with MIUI. As a outcome, it’s designed to be lighter, sooner, and far more environment friendly.While the visuals that Xiaomi has shared to date counsel the brand new interface will not be too totally different from MIUI, the under-the-hood adjustments must be attention-grabbing. With a world rollout slated for Q1 2024 on gadgets just like the Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Xiaomi 13 Pro, we do not have to attend too lengthy to see what Xiaomi has to supply on this space subsequent yr.That stated, I do not need Xiaomi to depart out one of many defining options of MIUI: unlockable bootloader. Xiaomi telephones all the time stood out amongst energy customers for the relative ease with which the model allowed the bootloader to be unlocked, and this paved the best way for intensive customization by way of distinctive skins. This might go away following the transfer to HyperOS, and that will be a disgrace.