By Sandeep Saxena 
MIUI 9: Lightning fast
MIUI has over 280 million users, in 56 languages, across more than 220 regions. Last year, MIUI 8 brought along innovative features, such as scrolling screenshots, SMS Caller ID, Dual Apps, Second Space, and more.
With MIUI 9, Xiaomi focused on faster app launches, and a smoother UI with reduced latency. MIUI 9 also brings split screen, an improved notification dropdown, as well as icon animations, and smart photo editing featuring object removal.
The improved notification dropdown includes multiple styles, bundled app notifications, as well as quick replies right from the dropdown.
MIUI 9 also brings support for the Panchang calendar, festival cards for over 26 festivals in India, as well as Horoscope, News, Cricket News, Cricket Schedule, Football Schedule, Health and Fitness, and ‘On this Day’ information.
The gallery app now features 12 sticker sets onboard, with four exclusively designed for India.
There’s also a new App Vault feature that is just a swipe away, and can be used to hail cabs, take notes, scan QR codes, and more.
MIUI 9 now includes a new Mi Video app, which now features automatic grouping, multilingual subtitles, as well as support for more video formats.
MIUI 9 also sees the launch of the Mi Calculator, Mi Explorer, and Mi Drop standalone apps on the Google Play Store.
Mi Drop allows for transfer of all file types via Wi-Fi Direct peer-to-peer sharing, and will be available to download from Nov 16.
MIUI 9 will be rolling out to the following Xiaomi smartphones:
2017 – Mi MIX 2 / Mi Note 3 / Mi 6 / Mi Max 2 / Redmi Note 4 / Redmi Note 4X / Redmi Note 5A / Redmi 4 / Redmi 4X / Redmi Y1 / Redmi Y1 Lite
2016 – Mi MIX / Mi Note 2 / Mi 5 / Mi 5s/ Mi 5s Plus / Mi Max / Mi Max Prime / Redmi Note 3 / Redmi 3 / Redmi 3S / Redmi 3S Prime / Redmi 4 / Redmi 4A
2015 – Mi Note / Mi 4i / Redmi 2 / Redmi 2 Prime / Redmi Note 4G Prime / Redmi Note 2
2014 – Mi 4/ Redmi Note 4G
2013 – Mi 3
2012 – Mi 2
MIUI 9 stable will begin staged rollout to Redmi Note 4, Mi Max 2, and Mi MIX 2 on Nov. 3, following which, other supported devices will get the update within a month.