After activating the update to Android Oreo for Xiaomi Mi A1, from the Chinese company they saw forced to stop her a few days later. A series of bugs detected by users This caused a temporary halt in the rollout, but with a new build the update resumes and reinforces the role of the Mi A1 as one of the program's benchmarks. Android One.
Xiaomi resumes the update to Android Oreo of the Mi A1, is the second time the charm?
After a pause of just a few days, Xiaomi has resumed the Android 8.0 Oreo update for Xiaomi Mi A1 users. The new software build arrives as a Main OTA of just over 1 GB for those who were still in Nougat, and as a minor update of a few megabytes for those who had already installed the first version of Oreo. In both cases, the goal is twofold: to incorporate the what's new in Android 8.0 and correct the errors present in the first wave.
In addition to including a advanced security patch (more recent than the first Oreo build, with fixes for critical vulnerabilities like Meltdown and Spectre), this new version is intended to polish the key sections of the system which had caused the most headaches. Specifically, consumers encountered problems in areas such as the batterywhose consumption increased significantly compared to Nougat; the bluetooth, which once connected further increased energy consumption; Ambient Displaywhere the screen displayed notifications but did not allow interaction with them; random reboots without apparent cause; loss of the gestures on the fingerprint sensor when the corresponding setting disappears; or problems with the application of Google Phone, with shutdowns and unstable behavior.
These failures were compounded by other minor bugs that some users reported, such as small lag in certain apps, battery panel malfunctions and occasional errors with the do not disturb modeAlthough not all Mi A1s were affected, the combination of incidents was enough to warrant worsen the daily experienceespecially for those who used the phone intensively.
Taken together, even though they didn't affect all users, these problems were enough to worsen the experience. Xiaomi did the right thing by withdrawing the update until it was fixed, although errors like the fingerprint sensor issue demonstrate that they shouldn't have released it in the first place without a more thorough testing phase, especially considering it's a device intended to showcase Android One.
The second wave of Oreo for the Mi A1 arrives as a corrected version that restores lost functions (such as gesture settings on the fingerprint reader), optimizes energy consumption With Bluetooth enabled and in standby mode, it improves overall system stability and relies on the latest available security patches. With this, Xiaomi aims to make Oreo a truly reliable operating system. competitive advantage compared to other mid-range phones that are still on older versions of Android.
The Mi A1, Android One, and the importance of updating quickly… but well
Xiaomi promised that the Mi A1 would have Android Oreo within a very tight timeframe, and the brand pushed as hard as possible to deliver. This already hinted at the ambitious nature of the promise, even for a phone under the Xiaomi initiative. Android Onewhere, in theory, updates are faster thanks to the absence of heavy layers like MIUI.
However, experience shows that It's not enough to just arrive first If the initial version isn't as polished as it should be, a buggy release damages the... positive word of mouth that the device had been achieving: the Mi A1 had established itself as one of the most recommended phones in its range for its excellent quality / price ratio and for offering Pure Android with guaranteed updatesThe stumble of the first Oreo build served as a wake-up call for both Xiaomi and the Android One program itself.
Despite this, the brand's quick reaction in withdrawing the OTA and releasing a new, more stable build reinforces the idea that Xiaomi can respond quickly to software problems. This move also serves to consolidate Android One as a real solution to the version fragmentation In Android, indirectly putting pressure on other manufacturers, even high-end ones, who are still taking too long to offer the latest versions of the system.
The Xiaomi Mi A1, by receiving Oreo ahead of many flagship phones, demonstrates that a mid-range, reasonably priced It can be updated before much more expensive models. This situation helps to highlight the usual delays of some manufacturers and encourages the user to increasingly value the software support when choosing a mobile phone.
Should you update your Xiaomi Mi A1 now?
Xiaomi promised to release Oreo on the Mi A1 within a very specific timeframe, and they barely made it. Judging by the initial results, it's clear that many users would have appreciated it. wait for something else and receive a much more stable version from the start. Even so, with the resumption of OTA updates and bug fixes, the decision to update or not largely depends on each user's individual situation.
Should you update your Xiaomi Mi A1 to the latest version of Android? It largely depends on your situation and what you value most: absolute stability or immediate access to the new arrivals of Android 8.0.
- If you are still on Android NougatIt's probably best to first consider the most recent opinions from other users with the new Oreo firmware. Nougat is a stable version on the device, with smooth performance and very solid battery life, so it won't give you any problems if you prioritize peace of mind. However, upgrading to Oreo brings improvements such as Picture-in-Picture, autofill forms, notification points, intelligent text selection and changes to the battery management system, all of which are more refined after the second build.
- If you already updated to Oreo in the first waveYou will receive a minor update that will fix the issues mentioned (Bluetooth usage, restarts, loss of gestures, Ambient Display and phone app crashes, among others). If you have been affected by these errors, the recommendation is update as soon as possible to stabilize the system.
- If you updated to Oreo and aren't having problemsThe situation is more flexible. The new OTA update refines internal details and strengthens security, so it's still recommended to install it, but it's not as critical an update as the jump from Nougat to Oreo. Therefore, it's entirely up to you whether you want to keep your phone on the latest version. latest available build.
Once the most serious flaws were fixed, Oreo became the missing piece that made the Mi A1 one of the Android One more well-rounded of its category, adding the advantages of clean software, fast updates and very well-balanced hardware for the price it has.
How Android Oreo affects daily use with the Xiaomi Mi A1
Upgrade to Android Oreo 8.0 The Xiaomi Mi A1's updates aren't limited to internal changes; it also introduces a set of visual and usability improvements that are noticeable from the first boot. System startup time is reduced thanks to optimizations in the boot process and background app compilation, allowing users to start using the phone sooner without waiting for everything to stabilize.
In terms of aesthetics, the Mi A1 receives the new quick settings panel and clear notification barwith dark-colored icons that improve contrast in brightly lit environments. The Settings menu is reorganized, grouping options into more logical categories and adding a section for Advanced which hides less frequently used functions, making it easier to find the most common settings without wasting time browsing through endless lists.
Other key Oreo features that can be enjoyed on the Mi A1 are the adaptive iconswhich allow you to standardize the shape of the icons (square, round, circular, teardrop, etc.) to achieve a more coherent home screen, and the notification points The app icons show at a glance which apps have pending updates. Pressing and holding on the icon opens a small context menu with shortcuts and the latest relevant notification.
The long-awaited one also arrives Picture-in-Picture (PiP) modeThis feature allows some compatible apps to appear in a floating window on top of the rest of the system. It's useful, for example, for following a route in Google Maps while using another app or for keeping a video call active in a minimized window. Although support isn't yet universal and many apps don't take advantage of it, it's a feature with high potential that is gaining traction over time.
Oreo also incorporates less flashy but very practical improvements, such as the Autofill Framework to autofill forms with data saved in the Google account, the ability to reschedule individual notifications to reappear later, the mode Night light to reduce eye strain by changing the screen's color temperature, rich multimedia notifications with watch faces and expanded controls, a smart text selection that recognizes phone numbers, addresses, or emails and offers direct actions, new, more recognizable emojis, and a native file manager called Files, which finally allows you to move and manage documents without resorting to third-party apps.
Regarding battery life, Oreo's improvements revolve around stricter management of background apps. The system detects processes that consume too many resources when the phone is idle and restricts their activity to extend battery life. On the Mi A1, which already had very good battery life in Nougat, the jump to Oreo offers a slight increase in some scenarios and, after the initial bug fixes, at least maintains the standard without worsening the user experience.
An interesting change from a security standpoint is the new system of permissions for apps from unknown sourcesInstead of a single global switch, it is now possible to allow or deny the installation of APKs per application (for example, only from the browser or from a specific file manager), which reduces risks if open settings are forgotten.
Finally the new battery menu It consolidates all battery-related options in one place, displays a clearer consumption graph, and visually shows how much screen time has been used since the last charge. This panel is especially useful for advanced users who want to fine-tune the energy efficiency of their Mi A1.
Areas for improvement and what to still expect from the Mi A1 with Oreo
Despite the numerous improvements it brings Android Oreo While there are aspects of the Xiaomi Mi A1 that still have room for improvement, one of them is the utilization of the FM radio hardwareThe feature is present on the device but lacks a native app for direct listening. While the phone can access this function through the engineering menu, it would be desirable for Xiaomi to include an official app to take full advantage of it without resorting to workarounds.
A greater lack of [something] is also needed screen customization Regarding color calibration, while there is a Night Light mode, there isn't a dedicated panel for manually adjusting the color temperature or screen profile according to user preferences, something other manufacturers do offer in certain models.
In the field of cameraOreo hasn't brought all the changes some were expecting. The Mi A1 still isn't taking advantage of the Camera2 API A more advanced system would allow for finer control of parameters and facilitate the use of features like Google Camera's HDR+ or better-implemented electronic stabilization. However, electronic video stabilization isn't enabled by default in all modes, so there's still significant room for improvement in this area.
In addition, small ones still survive bugs and unpolished detailsFor example, the option to pull down the notification panel from the fingerprint sensor has disappeared from the settings, although it still works for those who had it enabled before the update. These are elements that don't break the experience, but they serve as a reminder that there's still work to be done for the Mi A1's software to fully realize its potential.
Despite these outstanding issues, the overall assessment is that the update to Android Oreo This makes the Xiaomi Mi A1 an even more complete device within its segment, combining well-balanced hardware with modern, clean, and constantly evolving software, and reinforcing its position as one of the best-supported phones in its price category.
