[Mobile][Android] Haptic feedback is too strong — make UI haptics more subtle

[iliasgws]

Summary

On the Android client, the haptic feedback the app produces is noticeably strong — it feels like a full notification buzz rather than a light confirmation. Every haptic-triggering interaction (message send, completions, approvals, etc.) lands with the same heavy vibration, and over a session it feels jarring rather than helpful. It would feel much better if the haptics were more subtle.

Long press is the worst offender. The long-press haptic is a harsh, full-strength buzz that makes the interaction feel cheap — exactly the crude-buzz haptics quality premium Android apps have moved away from. Long press should be the softest haptic in the app: a short, low-amplitude tick, not a shake.

Why it matters

• A strong buzz reads as an alert/error, not a quiet confirmation of an action the user just took.
• Android platform guidance for UI feedback favors short, low-amplitude ticks (e.g. VibrationEffect.EFFECT_CLICK / EFFECT_TICK or composited primitives like PRIMITIVE_TICK / PRIMITIVE_LIGHT_TICK at low amplitude) instead of full-strength vibrations.
• Crude full-amplitude buzzes are what makes an app "feel cheap" on modern flagships — refined, subtle haptics are a big part of perceived quality (Xiaomi 15's motor is capable of much better feel than what the app currently produces).
• Most well-polished Android apps keep UI haptics light and let them get stronger only for things that genuinely need attention (e.g. an approval waiting on the user).

Suggested improvements

1. Reduce haptic amplitude to a subtle tick for routine interactions (send, success states) — and especially for long press, use a light click (EFFECT_CLICK or a low-amplitude PRIMITIVE_TICK-style primitive) rather than a raw buzz.
2. Consider reserving stronger haptics for attention-worthy events (approvals, errors).
3. Respect the system haptics/vibration-strength setting where Android exposes it.
4. Optionally: a Haptics toggle or intensity setting in mobile settings, so users can dial it down further.

Environment

• Device: Xiaomi 15 on HyperOS 4 beta 3 (CN ROM)
• Platform: Android client (current build as of 2026-09-20)

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🤖 GLM 5.3 Flash on behalf of iliasgws

[iliasgws]

Device info: Xiaomi 15 on HyperOS 4 beta 3 (CN ROM) — haptics feel too strong on this device specifically. Other Xiaomi/HyperOS users may notice it more since HyperOS tends to run vibration motors at higher default strength.

🤖 GLM 5.3 Flash on behalf of iliasgws