Xiaomi phones are known for their different features. But there is one feature that the brand leaves a lot to be desired. Check it out here!
There is a feature that almost all modern phones have, except Xiaomi. This has been a source of controversy for years and Xiaomi still doesn't seem to know what to do about it. We are talking about a small piece of hardware that turns off the screen when you hold the phone close to your ear while making a call or listening to audio.
More popularly known as the “proximity sensor”, this sensor has been featured in almost all Xiaomi phones, up to the latest Xiaomi 12 and Redmi Note 10 series. Read on and better understand the controversy Xiaomi finds itself in.
Faulty sensors
Several complaints about malfunctions have led the brand to explore other ways to reverse the situation. Even though it has gone off-screen and is now complete (no more sensors), it still doesn't seem to be working properly.
How to know which one is yours and if it works well
As we said before, Xiaomi replaces the physical distance sensor with a virtual sensor. The former uses infrared light to determine when to turn off the screen, while the latter uses ultrasound waves emitted by the upper earlobe (invisible to humans) to know when to turn it off. If you want to know which one is yours and if it is working correctly: Dial ##6484## on your phone or download the hidden MIUI settings app and click on “Check hardware” in the menu. Find the “Proximity Sensor” item and check the values below depending on whether you have a sensor or not. If a sensor is found, the number 5 (not necessarily 5.0) should appear. If you tap on it and the value does not change to 0, the sensor is virtual (ultrasonic).
On the other hand, if you bring your hand closer to the selfie camera and the values change, the sensor is physical. If you notice that you have an ultrasonic sensor and encounter an error, try updating your phone and restarting it. Since you are running software, it may be configured incorrectly. With these tips, your sensor should respond properly when receiving a call or listening to audio on WhatsApp. Previously, MIUI 12 had the option to disable the sensor, but unfortunately, the latest versions of MIUI 12.5 or MIUI 13 no longer have this feature.
Hidden tricks on Xiaomi
When buying a Xiaomi or POCO phone, know that there are hidden “tricks”. And this, as the name suggests, is the case of the configuration that we will show you below. The tip was originally published on Mundo Xiaomi, a website specialized in Chinese brands. This configuration can significantly speed up the opening and closing of animations on your Xiaomi device. And the best thing is that activation is not complicated.
With just a few taps on the general menu screen, you can speed up MIUI 13 or MIUI 14 without any problem.
Easy Way to Speed Up Animations on Xiaomi Phones
System animations are one of the key elements that make mobile phones feel fluid in everyday life. These transitions represent the speed at which apps open and close, and are more likely to be visible on phones with high screen refresh rates. Therefore, we recommend setting these types of animations to play as quickly as possible. This can be easily done by following the steps below.
By the way, this method works for both MIUI 13 and MIUI 14, and this may not change when MIUI 15 is released, so regardless of which Xiaomi mobile phone or POCO you have on hand, you will still be able to access it without any problems. Once explained, here are the steps to customize MIUI animations on Xiaomi or POCO:
- On Xiaomi's MIUI desktop, pinch and tap the Settings icon in the bottom right corner of the screen.
- Then, tap on the “More” option to open the home screen settings.
- Once inside, click on “Animation Speed” and select the “Fast” option to use the system’s maximum animation speed.
