Many users have wondered about the connection between Google’s flagships and budget devices like the Xiaomi Mi A3. At first glance, these smartphones seem to be completely different in price, specs and target audience. However, they have a fundamental common feature that unites their software stuffing and philosophy of use: participation in the Android One program, which guarantees the purity of the operating system and the absence of third-party shells.
For a smartphone owner, this means getting the experience as close as possible to what Google engineers offer on their Pixels: You get access to exclusive features, fast interfaces and most importantly, guaranteed security updates. Understanding this connection helps Xiaomi users better manage their device and know what to expect from its software in the long run.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the technical and software aspects that connect these devices, how the update system works, what features the camera has migrated from the Pixel to the Mi A3, and whether there are hidden features that ordinary users do not know about, which will allow you to make the most of your gadget.
Android One: Cleanliness vs MIUI
The main unifying factor is the software platform. While most Xiaomi smartphones are based on the MIUI shell, which is rich in features but often overloaded with visual elements, the Mi A3 model was an exception. It entered the global program Android One, which made it a software "brother" to the Google Pixel line. It is not just a marketing ploy, but a profound change in the architecture of application launch and system processes.
Android One devices, like the Pixels, use Google's standard launcher.The interface is devoid of unnecessary widgets, dual taps (though they can be added by third-party means), and aggressive battery optimization, which often kills background processes.The system hardware requirements are lower here, allowing even the budget Snapdragon 665 processor in the Mi A3 to run smoothly like more powerful siblings.
⚠️ Note: Users who are moving from MIUI Android One may be experiencing a lack of familiar features, such as advanced notification management or system-level app cloning.
It is important to note that Google strictly controls the certification of Android One devices.The smartphone must meet certain performance and security standards to get this status.That is why the Xiaomi Mi A3 and Google Pixel have almost identical settings menu and operating logic.
Update system: how Google dictates the rules
One of the most painful issues for Android smartphone owners is getting updates. In this aspect, the link between the Xiaomi Mi A3 and Google Pixel is most obvious: Both devices receive operating system updates and security patches directly from Google, bypassing the long chains of approvals with carriers or chip makers that are common to other brands.
The update process is unified on these devices. The user receives a notification of the release of a new version of Android or a monthly security patch at the same time as the owners of Google flagships. This provides a high level of protection against viruses and vulnerabilities, which is critical for modern mobile devices. However, it is worth considering that the Mi A3, being a budget device, can receive fewer major Android updates compared to the Pixel.
To check for updates, go to Settings → System → System Update. If the device is certified and has not been modified, it will receive current versions of the software. Pixel owners get priority, but the Mi A3 follows them with minimal delay.
☑️ Check before system upgrade
There’s an important caveat: if you unlock the Bootloader on the Mi A3 to install custom firmware, you’ll lose access to official Google updates, which makes the experience of using it different from the boxed state, where the phone updates itself, as conceived in the Android One ecosystem.
Camera: Google algorithms on board Xiaomi
The most famous common feature that has been a legend in enthusiastic communities is the camera, which is that the sensors in the Xiaomi Mi A3 are average by modern standards, but thanks to Android One, these devices have access to the software algorithms for photo processing developed for the Google Pixel, a phenomenon made possible by the ports of the Google Camera (GCam) application.
By installing an official or modified Google camera app, the Mi A3 owner gets access to the Night Sight feature, which works wonders in low light, and has a portrait mode with high-quality background blur and astrophotography mode, which were originally exclusive to the Pixel, but thanks to the openness of the Android One platform, it has become available on budget phones.