Xiaomi recently removed the popular 4×7 icon grid layout from the latest update of its HyperOS System Launcher. This grid layout was favored by many users, especially on large-screen devices like the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and Xiaomi 14 Ultra, as it balanced icon density with ergonomic ease. The removal sparked curiosity and concern among Xiaomi fans worldwide.
This decision, however, is not a mere design preference. It forms part of a strategic architectural overhaul aimed at unifying Xiaomi’s HyperOS ecosystem. This ecosystem spans smartphones, tablets, smart cars, and IoT devices. The change aligns with Xiaomi’s new vision of a seamless, consistent user experience across all devices running HyperOS.
New Design Philosophy: Alive Design
Xiaomi’s transition from MIUI to HyperOS introduced a fresh design philosophy called "Alive Design." This approach emphasizes harmony among visual elements, animation rhythms, and interface responsiveness. Each pixel, spacing, and gesture must fit within a mathematically consistent grid system.
The 4×7 grid conflicted with this principle because it produced fragmentation. For example:
- Widgets often displayed disproportionally.
- Folder animations were sometimes jerky.
- Screen coordinates became hard to standardize.
To solve this, Xiaomi simplified grid options to two main configurations: a standard 4×6 grid and a dense 5×9 grid. Both structures integrate perfectly with new widgets, interactive folders, and the signature Super Island feature of HyperOS around notches or punch-hole cameras.
Technical Incompatibility with Widgets
A significant technical limitation is that the 4×7 grid does not align well with HyperOS’s modular widget system. Widgets are built around a base grid unit of 2×2. This design requires rows to be divisible by either 2 or 3 for proportion and symmetry.
Since 7 is a prime number, it cannot be evenly divided by 2 or 3. This causes:
- Possible widget cropping at the seventh row.
- Visually unbalanced layouts.
- Uneven empty spaces at the screen bottom.
Conversely, grids with 6 rows or 9 rows allow more stable, mathematically harmonious widget placement. For instance, Xiaomi can position:
- Large weather widgets at the top.
- App folders in the center.
- Shortcut icons near the bottom.
This maintains a consistent and clean visual arrangement across devices without manual adjustments.
Performance Optimization
Removing the 4×7 grid also helps reduce CPU load and prevents frame drops, especially on mid-range and budget devices like the Redmi 13C or POCO X6. HyperOS 3’s streamlined launcher cuts CPU utilization by approximately 4%, partly by limiting grid complexity.
When using non-standard layouts such as 4×7, the system requires more calculations during effects like blur, enlarged folders, and Super Island animations. This can cause occasional lag or stutter particularly on devices with limited GPU and RAM resources operating at high refresh rates (90Hz to 120Hz).
Standardizing grid choices to 4×6 and 5×9 ensures:
- Smoother animations.
- Conflict-free layout transitions.
- More efficient memory use.
This approach mirrors strategies by Apple and Google to prioritize stability over excessive customization.
Impact on POCO Devices
POCO users face specific challenges because POCO Launcher still runs on different code than Xiaomi’s official System Launcher. As a result:
- The 4×7 grid option is no longer supported in POCO Launcher.
- Integration with the Recents module and gesture navigation is suboptimal.
- The Super Island feature may malfunction or be disabled.
Removing 4×7 at the system core limits POCO Launcher flexibility, frustrating users who preferred this layout.
Despite this, Xiaomi insists on ecosystem uniformity, emphasizing consistent experience over minority preferences.
Options for Users Missing 4×7 Grid
Users wanting to restore the 4×7 layout have limited alternatives:
- Install third-party launchers like Nova Launcher or Lawnchair, which still allow custom grids.
- Downgrade back to MIUI versions with 4×7 (though this sacrifices security updates and new features).
- Adapt to Xiaomi’s supported 4×6 or 5×9 grids designed for long-term usability.
Note that third-party launchers lack full support for HyperOS-exclusive widgets and the Super Island interface.
By revising grid layouts, Xiaomi aims to strengthen design consistency and system performance across all devices using HyperOS. This trade-off sacrifices some user flexibility but ultimately supports a more unified, smoother, and scalable ecosystem.
