The official release of ThePaper OS on October 26, 2023 marks that the MIUI system that Xiaomi has used for many years will be fully upgraded to ThePaper OS. In order to experience this brand new system, I also bought Xiaomi Mi 14 for the first time. OPPO’s ColorOS 14 will also be officially released on November 16, 2023. This is ColorOS’s ten-year work. As a user of Green Factory for many years, I also bought the OnePlus Ace3 for the first time to experience the new ColorOS 14.
After this period of back and forth experience with the two mobile phones, let me talk about my feelings about the two systems. The system version on OnePlus Ace3 is ColorOS 14.0, and the system version on Xiaomi Mi 14 is ThePaperOS 1.0.28. The following function comparison is more about the user’s choice tendency. Just like some people like sweet and some like salty, there is no right or wrong function, it can only be said whether it has this function and whether the function is suitable for you.
Both mobile phones are equipped with Snapdragon 8Gne3 processors in terms of hardware. Whether it is daily use of mobile phones or high-load gaming scenarios, the overall smoothness is comparable. Let’s talk about the interaction differences of multitasking. Multitasking is also a very high-frequency operation. Generally, there are two ways to switch multitasking: Method 1: Swipe up at the bottom of the screen to pause, and switch in the background of the task. Method 2: Swipe left and right at the bottom of the screen to switch between different background tasks. Let’s first look at the difference between method 1,
In addition to displaying thumbnails of apps running in the background, ColorOS 14 also displays a separate icon. When multiple apps are running in the background, you can easily find the app you want to switch through the icon. However, ThePaper OS only has a thumbnail image of an app running in the background, which is very inconvenient to search when running multiple apps. In particular, many apps use the same interactive layout such as waterfall flow, making it impossible to see the content differences between apps at a glance. Here: ColorOS 14 plus 1 point, Pengpai minus 1 point;
Regarding the extended functions of the multitasking page, both OSs support operations such as locking, small windows, split screen, and small windows. What is strange is the management of ColorOS 14. According to Android development standards, clicking the management button on a certain app on a multitasking page should directly enter the application details of the app, but ColorOS 14 has entered the multitasking management. set up. Here: 1 point is deducted for ColorOS 14 and 1 point is added for The Paper; look at the difference in “Method 2: Swipe left and right at the bottom of the screen to switch between different background tasks”:
Both OS defaults will display a white horizontal bar at the bottom of the app running in the foreground. You can quickly switch apps by placing your finger on the horizontal bar and sliding left or right. Both OSs also support showing or hiding this horizontal bar. After hiding the horizontal bar in ColorOS 14, you can still switch between multitasking by sliding left or right at the bottom of the screen.
After ThePaper OS hides this bar, it turns off this multi-tasking quick switching function. It is very unfriendly for users who don’t like to display horizontal bars but want to use quick switching multitasking.
In terms of multi-task switching interaction, I prefer ColorOS 14, which can not only display the icons of background apps, but also freely close the “little white bar” and use the multi-task quick switching function. The OnePlus Ace3 I use has memory gene recombination 2.0 technology, which allows apps to be opened faster and kept alive for a longer time. With the large 16G memory, it can also achieve “second opening” and “immortality” of background apps. Here: ColorOS 14 plus 1 point, Pengpai minus 1 point;
Both OSs support the screen-off display function, and both support customized display settings for pictures and text. Here I want to talk about the ColorOS system’s unique screen-on-screen message display function. I personally like and even rely on this function very much! For other mobile phones, when a WeChat message comes in when the screen is turned off, only a WeChat icon will be displayed on the screen turned off page, but ColorOS can directly display the text content, allowing me to quickly read without having to unlock the phone. I personally like it very much. Love this feature. I often use it in the following two scenarios: When working in the company, I put my phone flat on the desktop. When a WeChat message vibrates, I will directly glance at the phone to check the specific content of the WeChat message to determine whether I need to reply immediately. If it is a non-urgent message, I will continue working and reduce the interruption to my work. While driving, I put my phone on the car cradle. When a message comes from WeChat, I can quickly understand the details of the message and view the message without unlocking the phone, which greatly improves driving safety.
Will displaying WeChat details on the lock screen increase battery consumption? After so many years of using this function on green factory phones, turning it on will not increase any power consumption. Moreover, OnePlus Ace3 has a large 5500mAh battery, so there will be no battery life anxiety at all.
The SMS experience is divided into two parts: Verification code filling SMS management When receiving the SMS verification code, both SMS apps can recognize the verification code information and prompt it at the top of the screen.
ColorOS 14 can directly locate the text input box of the verification code. Click the button of the SMS icon to fill in the verification code with one click. At the same time, the process of filling in the verification code also simulates the user’s actual manual input process, word by word, and experience very good. At the same time, you can also directly reply, copy the verification code, and mark as read on the SMS notification. When ThePaper OS receives the verification code text message, a banner will appear and a copy button can be clicked. The Paper OS is not as convenient as ColorOS 14 for the operation of verification code text messages.
In the SMS management page, ColorOS 14 divides SMS into two categories: messages and notifications. The messages are text messages that interact with real mobile phone numbers, while notifications are text messages sent by machines such as SMS verification codes and promotional advertisements.
The Paper OS divides text messages into main and promotion. As the name suggests, promotional text messages are advertising text messages, which can basically be deleted directly. The main text messages are further subdivided into notifications, verification codes, and text messages that interact with real mobile phone numbers. The verification code SMS supports scheduled and one-click deletion. Notification text messages can also be classified by bank and other types. In the SMS management function, ThePaper OS is more convenient and detailed. I personally prefer the SMS management function of ThePaper OS. Here: 1 point is deducted for ColorOS 14, and 1 point is added for The Paper;
The small window function is also one of the most commonly used functions on mobile phones. ColorOS 14 and Thermal OS also have different understandings of small windows. Let’s first look at the triggering method.
Both systems support two ways to enter a small window: In the app, slide up from the bottom of the screen and drag the small window into the multitasking page to trigger the window, and click on the small window in the more menu of the app. After actual use, I prefer Interact with the small window of ColorOS 14. The first is to slide up and drag in the small window trigger window. The area of the small window trigger window in ColorOS 14 is larger. The trigger window is located in the middle position on the screen, making the drag-in operation more convenient. Then in the multitasking background, ColorOS 14 uses the click more (three dots) button to expand the small window button, while ThePaper OS requires a long press on the app thumbnail to display it, and there may be accidental touches.
After the app switches to small window mode, the small window mode has two forms: “mini window” and “ordinary small window”. In both modes, the small window supports the operations of zooming in, zooming out, and dragging. The difference is that in small window mode, if ColorOS 14 clicks the desktop icon of the app, the app will exit the small window mode and display in full screen. Under ThePaper OS, click the desktop icon of the app, and the app will appear in the form of an ordinary small window until the user manually exits the small window.
Apps in small window mode will be hidden as icons when dragged to the left or right side of the screen. ColorOS 14 supports hiding up to 1 app, and dragging it to both sides will replace it. ThePaper OS supports hiding up to 2 apps, one on the left and one on the right. In the case where there are hidden apps, ThePaper OS handles this and does not show the hidden apps when taking screenshots. Therefore, ThePaper OS above is obtained by taking screen shots on mobile phones.
In small window mode, the interaction buttons of ColorOS 14 are full screen in the upper left corner, dragging the middle horizontal line, and close in the upper right corner. For ThePaper OS, you need to click on the three dots in the middle to expand more operations (full screen, top and bottom split screen, mini window and close). Personally, I don’t use split-screen operations very much, so I prefer the small window operation of ColorOS 14.
There is another detail point. In other apps, such as Bilibili, when sharing a link with others, ColorOS 14 pops up a full-screen sharing page, while ThePaper OS presents it in the form of a small window. This is the same as Meizu’s design. , I personally like this aspect of ThePaper OS. In terms of small window interactive experience, both of them have their own advantages. I don’t know which one do you prefer?
Each large folder function also has its own unique interaction method. ColorOS 14 edits on the basis of small folders and switches to large folders. ThePaper OS also edits in a small folder state, and you can choose a 4-square grid or a 9-square grid for display.
In terms of large folder interaction, ColorOS 14 is displayed in the form of a nine-square grid. After the number of apps in the folder exceeds 9, you can slide to switch and click the icon to directly launch the app. In ThePaper OS, the first 8 apps in the nine-square grid can be opened directly. Click on the last palace grid to open the folder. In fact, ColorOS 14 can open all apps without opening the folder, while ThePaper OS can only open 8. Other interactions are the same as small folders. Personally, I prefer the large folder interaction method of ColorOS 14.
ColorOS 14 large folders also have some exclusive features. For example, I especially like the “disband” function. If you want to move the icons in the folder out of the folder, you don’t need an icon. Manual dragging of an icon is very convenient when organizing. If you want to merge two small-file apps, you don’t need to drag them one by one. You just need to merge the two folders. ThePaper OS does not have this function. When the app in a folder is moved or deleted until only one is left, ColorOS 14 will automatically cancel the folder and allow the app to be displayed on the desktop. This is not the case with ThePaper OS. When there is only one app left in the folder, the folder still exists. You have to manually drag the remaining app to the desktop before the folder disappears.
Let’s talk about the features that I prefer when using the two phones. Let’s first talk about Xiaomi Mi 14’s ThePaper OS.
The Xiaoai call assistant on Xiaomi 14 is a feature I like very much. When I receive calls from strangers or banks, I always use Xiaoai Call to connect them. The whole process of answering will be recorded and the other party’s questions will be automatically answered. The entire process will be converted from voice to text and presented in the form of a conversation. I use this function to filter out annoying bank financial management promotional calls.
ThePaper OS also supports in-app call recording. For example, I turned on WeChat call recording by default, so that even if I use WeChat to call, I don’t have to worry about quarrels later. I prefer some of the efficiency-focused features of ColorOS 14 on OnePlus Ace3.
The portable workbench function on OnePlus Ace3 is one of the functions I must use every day. To put it simply, it is a work suite for connecting a mobile phone to a computer. Files can be transferred between the mobile phone and the computer in the workbench. The connection method is wireless, supports connection within the local area network, and transfers large files very quickly. The most important thing is that it is compatible with all platforms of PC, Mac, and web pages. It is currently the most convenient mobile Internet tool on Mac in my opinion. The connection method is also very simple. After connecting once, click Connect on the portable workbench. A pop-up window will pop up on your phone. Click to confirm.
The new fluid cloud function in ColorOS 14 is also a very practical function. The function and effect are similar to the dynamic island function on the iPhone. When we switch to other applications during a call, recording, etc., the current call or recording background will switch to the top status bar. Click the icon on the status bar to quickly return to the status bar. In application, it is very convenient. The smart text service will identify e-commerce links, video sharing links, express delivery and geographical location. After copying, it will prompt you to open Taobao links, open Douyin, open express delivery, open maps and other prompts at the top.
The one-click cutout function of ColorOS 14 is a very practical and fast function. You only need to long press the character or subject content of the picture, and it will automatically cut out the picture with one click. You can put this in the transfer station and then It is very convenient to put it into editing tools, such as putting it into splash images, cutouts, etc.
Windows Link is also one of the key features on ColorOS 14. In addition to being like a portable workbench, you can manage files and pictures on your mobile phone at any time. I mainly use notifications and the function of opening mobile apps on Windows. In terms of notifications, Windows Link can accept all information from the phone, so that I can view IM notifications, text messages, mobile app notifications, etc. directly through Windows, eliminating the need to unlock the phone to view them. Apps on mobile phones can be opened directly on Windows through Windows Link. During the opening process, OnePlus Ace3 can also be used with the screen turned off, which is very convenient. When you receive a notification from a mobile app on Windows, you can directly click the notification on your Windows computer to open the app.
During the period of using OnePlus Ace3 and Xiaomi Mi 14, ColorOS 14 and Thermal OS have their own advantages and disadvantages, and their stability and smoothness are both good. On the premise of ensuring smooth operation of the system, each has its own practical functions. I personally prefer ColorOS 14’s on-screen message display, portable workbench and other functions. And the WeChat voice recording function of ThePaper OS.
