Xiaomi Donates 8GB Storage Expansion Technology
Xiaomi Donates 8GB Storage Expansion Technology
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Xiaomi Donates 8GB Storage Expansion Technology
October 30th, Xiaomi made an official announcement last week regarding the release of Xiaomi 14. Apart from hardware upgrades, Lei Jun revealed a significant feature achieved with the powerful Pegasus OS—storage expansion.
Xiaomi has expanded storage chips from 256GB to 264GB (256GB+8GB) and 512GB to 528GB (512GB+16GB).
For the Xiaomi 14 Pro with 256GB, users can now enjoy an additional 8GB of storage, while the Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Pro with 512GB get an extra 16GB of space.
On Oct 30, Zhang Guoquan, the Director of Xiaomi’s Mobile System Software Department, explained this feature, stating that the “UltraSpace Storage Expansion” feature poses no risks to the UFS (Universal Flash Storage) lifespan, but it’s not supported on older models.
Furthermore, Xiaomi has contributed its standards to the UFS Association and, in respect of the original creators, Xiaomi has requested a brief time protection period for chip manufacturers. In the near future, it’s expected that various major smartphone manufacturers will adopt this feature.
Several Questions About Storage Expansion
Why Implement This Feature?
To be honest, MIUI has been criticized for being “bulky” in the past. In recent years, MIUI has been undergoing significant reforms, starting with the Razor Plan last year and continuing with this year’s storage expansion. The goal is to completely bid farewell to the perception of being bulky. Razor Plan 1.0 aimed to allow users to uninstall all system apps except for a few basic ones, while Razor Plan 2.0 focuses on minimizing the system firmware and adding storage expansion to ensure maximum user space.
By slimming down Xiaomi’s powerful OS and adding 8GB of hardware expansion, users can gain nearly 20GB of additional space compared to flagship models from competitors. Furthermore, file deduplication and dynamic compression features in the OS improve storage efficiency, making it not only more extensive but also more durable. With these enhancements, even after extended use, you can store more than 30 or even 40GB of data when your storage is full.
What’s the Technical Principle? Does UFS Have a Lifespan Risk?
Absolutely not! Everyone can use it with confidence. You should trust Xiaomi and chip manufacturers’ expertise and not be misled.
Let’s briefly explain bad block replacement management. Since storage devices can typically replace bad blocks using reserved space units, not having enough reserved space can render the storage chip entirely unusable. Xiaomi not only reserves ample space based on user habits but also optimizes cache management to reduce write and bad block generation. Additionally, Xiaomi supports cloud-controlled adjustment of bad block reserves based on user conditions after extended use, ensuring system stability. According to current assessments using a model of heavy users who write 40GB of data every day, the 256GB expansion chip can guarantee over 10 years of use, while the 512GB chip can last for more than 20 years. Rest assured.
To ensure the best storage experience, deep collaboration between the host file system and UFS is necessary. This concept was already demonstrated in the FBO Refreshed Storage feature. Xiaomi, following the same principle, has deeply integrated file management into UFS resource management on the host side, implementing “Do not write data unless necessary (UFS)” via software and “Do not migrate data unless necessary” through software and firmware. This reduces the write volume and improves wear-leveling and WAF optimized cache management.
Can Older Models Be Upgraded to Support This?
This requires cooperation between smartphone manufacturers and supply chain companies, and calibration during phone production. For safety reasons, older models are not supported.
Why Doesn’t Some Versions of the Same Xiaomi 14 Support This?
For supply chain security, Xiaomi procured storage chips from multiple suppliers. Although Xiaomi shared all the technology with suppliers, some of them were not able to adapt in time. In fact, there were opposing opinions just a few days before the launch. In the end, it was decided by the company’s leadership that good technology should be enjoyed by users, and an extra 8GB or 16GB should be seen as a bonus. It’s also normal if it’s not available. We hope everyone understands that, thanks to Xiaomi’s efforts, both domestic and international mainstream storage chip manufacturers have begun to adapt.
Can Other Companies Use This Technology?
Xiaomi has contributed its standards and technical solutions to the UFS association. In order to respect the original creators, Xiaomi requested a short protection period for chip manufacturers. In the near future, we believe that major smartphone manufacturers will adapt to this feature. Since its establishment, Xiaomi has always wanted to work together with all manufacturers to drive progress in the industry. This should be self-evident to everyone.
