The first look at Xiaomi’s HyperOS 4 home screen has surfaced online, giving us an early glimpse at what could be one of the biggest visual upgrades since HyperOS debuted. While the overall layout remains familiar, Xiaomi appears to be introducing a cleaner, more modern aesthetic inspired by glass-like visuals and subtle depth effects.
The leaked comparison highlights several design changes over HyperOS 3.1, suggesting Xiaomi is focusing on polish and visual consistency rather than a complete redesign.
Liquid Glass effects arrive on folders
One of the most noticeable changes is the introduction of Liquid Glass effects for home screen folders.
The new folders feature a translucent appearance with realistic refraction effects, creating the illusion that app icons sit beneath a glass surface. The effect adds more depth to the interface and gives HyperOS 4 a premium, layered look.
Unlike the flatter folder design in HyperOS 3.1, the new implementation appears smoother and more dynamic, especially against colorful wallpapers.
New 2.5D app icons
Another major visual upgrade is the addition of 2.5D app icons.
Rather than using completely flat iconography, HyperOS 4 introduces icons with subtle highlights, rounded edges, and improved depth. The refreshed design makes icons appear more vibrant while maintaining Xiaomi’s recognizable visual style.
The updated icons also contribute to a more cohesive interface when combined with the new glass-inspired folder animations.
Refined status bar and gesture bar
The leaked screenshots also reveal several smaller UI refinements.
These include:
- Thicker status bar icons for improved visibility
- A shorter gesture navigation bar at the bottom of the display
- Better spacing throughout the home screen
- A cleaner overall appearance
Although these changes are relatively minor individually, together they create a noticeably more polished user experience.
HyperOS 4 vs HyperOS 3.1
A side-by-side comparison between HyperOS 4 and HyperOS 3.1 highlights Xiaomi’s design direction.
HyperOS 4
- Liquid Glass folder effects
- Refraction animations
- New 2.5D app icons
- Thicker status bar icons
- Shorter gesture navigation bar
- More premium visual styling
HyperOS 3.1
- Traditional flat folders
- Standard app icons
- Slimmer status bar icons
- Longer gesture bar
- Simpler overall design
Rather than reinventing the interface, Xiaomi appears to be refining nearly every visual element to deliver a more modern experience.
Could this be Xiaomi’s biggest UI redesign yet?
The leaked images suggest Xiaomi is embracing the broader trend of glass-inspired user interfaces while maintaining the familiar HyperOS layout users already know.
If these changes make it into the final release, HyperOS 4 could offer one of the most visually polished Android experiences available, with improved depth, smoother animations, and a cleaner overall design.
As always, these screenshots are based on early builds, meaning some elements could change before HyperOS 4 is officially announced.
Final thoughts
While HyperOS 4 doesn’t appear to dramatically change how users interact with their devices, its visual refinements could make a significant difference in day-to-day use. The addition of Liquid Glass folder effects, refreshed 2.5D icons, and a more polished system UI suggests Xiaomi is placing a strong emphasis on aesthetics and usability.
With more leaks expected in the coming weeks, we’ll likely get an even better look at HyperOS 4’s new features ahead of its official debut.
Key highlights
- First HyperOS 4 home screen leak has surfaced.
- New Liquid Glass folder effects feature realistic refraction.
- Xiaomi is introducing 2.5D app icons.
- Status bar icons are thicker, while the gesture bar is shorter.
- Side-by-side comparison shows a more polished design than HyperOS 3.1.
We’ll continue tracking official announcements, eligible devices, feature reveals, and rollout schedules as Xiaomi, vivo, OPPO, and HONOR prepare to unveil their next-generation Android experiences. For ongoing coverage, be sure to bookmark our Android News page.
