Xiaomi releases a beta update to Android 10 for the Mi 9 SE

The Mi 9 SE can now update to MIUI 11. (Source: Mesra Mobile)

The Xiaomi Mi 9 SE now has an upgrade to MIUI 11, which is based on Android 10. It confers various upgrade-specific features such as gesture-based navigation and system-wide dark theme. This build also adds MIUI's new Focus Mode, which is suspiciously similar to OnePlus' Zen Mode.

Deirdre O Donnell, 10/18/2019

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MIUI 11 is Xiaomi's latest mobile-device OS, and is based on Android 10. A number of devices, including many of the Mi 9 series, are slated to receive stable versions of this software in October 2019. An early indication that this schedule is on track has emerged, in the form of the discovery of a beta for the SE variant.

The build in question is a closed nightly beta, although all users of this phone may be able to download and install it. It is termed "closed" as Xiaomi no longer maintains a more public program to test updates with its customers. The beta in question is called MIUI 11 9.10.17 for the Mi 9 SE, and adds a new UI to the early 2019 device.

It integrates Android 10-style navigation and dark theme. This OS also includes a completely new feature - well, new to Xiaomi devices, at least. It allows a user to disable their phone's functions, with the exception of call acceptance, emergency calling and the camera. This goes on for 20 to 60 minutes in 10-minute intervals, and is intended to help users cut down on screen use.

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