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Add to SafariWhen comparing Mi Launcher (MIUI) vs Essential Launcher, the Slant community recommends Essential Launcher for most people. In the question“What are the best launchers for Android?” Essential Launcher is ranked 23rd while Mi Launcher (MIUI) is ranked 40th. The most important reason people chose Essential Launcher is:
In spite of being a basic minimal launcher, it supports widgets.
Specs
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Independent of Google services
Almost all Google services are removed from this Android-based UI in favor of creating a competing ecosystem of apps, games, themes and services.
China government prohibit the Google services
Pro Combines best of iOS and Android launchers
MIUI has visual similarities to iOS and TouchWiz and combines functionality from both iOS and Android OS and its variants. For example, MIUI has no apps drawer and instead puts all app on homescreen pages the same way iOS does.
Pro Runs faster than stock Android
MIUI includes performance tweaks that give it a edge in speed compared to stock Android.
Pro Detailed installation instructions for supported devices
Step by step instructions (with screenshots) for flashing MIUI ROM can be found for each of the supported devices on the companies website. For example, here is the flashing guide for Nexus 5.
Pro Fast development cycle
New features and updates are released regularly.
Pro Widget support
In spite of being a basic minimal launcher, it supports widgets.
Cons
Con Some bundled services are available only in Chinese
Xiaomi, the developers of MIUI are Chinese and their primary maket is China. As such primary language for most apps and services is Chinese and not all of them have yet been translated to English or any other language.
Con A Mi account is required for using bundled services
Various services and apps require a Mi account. For example, buying new themes requires spending Mi currency that can only be obtained if a Mi account is available.
Con No customization
In terms of total customization, it is even more spartan than KISS.
Con Only one widget
In spite of this, the widget chosen takes up all the desktop space.
