OnePlus will introduce a new OS by integrating OxygenOS with ColorOS
A few months ago, OnePlus and Oppo announced that they were merging the codebase of their custom Android skins, OxygenOS and ColorOS respectively. This would reduce the burden on the developers, and streamline the process. Many OnePlus fans raised their eyebrows at the time.
OnePlus' co-founder Pete Lau downplayed the concerns, and re-assured users that this move was beneficial for both brands. He had also clarified and that the OnePlus phones sold globally will continue to run on OxygenOS, while the company's devices sold in China would shift to ColorOS. The ColorOS 12 web page (in China) lists several OnePlus devices as eligible for the upcoming firmware.
Well, it turns out the fans who were worried about the merger, weren't paranoid after all. Lau took to the company's forums today, to announce some developments. The post talks about the product strategy and pricing, and how the company is focusing on the camera experience on its devices. But more importantly, one of the things that it addresses is the future of OxygenOS. It turns out that the stock-like operating system that drew tech enthusiasts toward the brand, is indeed changing, for better or worse.
OnePlus' next flagship phone, which will be released in 2022, will be the first to ship with the new operating system. This probably means the rumored OnePlus 9T won't be released this year, though that can be attributed to the chip shortage that is affecting the production of electronic devices Worldwide.
But there is something else that's interesting here, OnePlus says it will roll out a major Android update in 2022, with the new integrated OS. So, devices that are currently on OxygenOS will migrate to the new Android skin. A release date for the update has not been revealed.
But if the brand has already merged the development teams as the announcement indicates, it seems unlikely that an OxygenOS update with Android 12 will ship first, followed by another update for the new integrated OS. That seems like a lot of hassle for the developers, and would be in contrast with easing the burden on the OS team. As a matter of fact, the previous announcement confirms that the new OS will arrive with Android 12.
So, what's the name of the new integrated OS? What are the features we can expect in it? OnePlus hasn't revealed any of those details yet. All that the statement says is that the new OS will be "fast and smooth, clean and lightweight, reliable, smart and feature-rich". The wording is cryptic, so we can't say for sure what it would be. In the best case scenario, we could be looking at a stock-like experience with OxygenOS with some additional features added on top. Hopefully, it won't have ads or bloatware. Let's wait and see how this one turns out to be.
On the bright side, OnePlus says it will still allow users to unlock the bootloader, so you could flash a custom ROM if you don't like the new OS.
Are you a OnePlus user? How do you feel about the change?
Not a OnePlus user, but always knew it is BBK thing. OnePlus started out as niche company and through it BBK succeeded in eliminating competition. LG, HTC and more went out of business. Smartphones used to be interesting 7-8 years ago. HTC M7 was a legendary phone. Then with this BBK nonsense they slowly took huge market share. OnePlus once was about Flagship killer, clean UI(not OS) but now it is just another company. Most smartphones were clones of OPPO smartphones anyway, now same has happened to software which started about 4 years ago. Heck now even Samsung phones are better in every department, including software updates which was once unthinkable.
Not OnePlus user here, and generally I’m not a very concious android user either, but could anyone tell me whether this os is google-services free? Like for some of Huawei’s phones?
I’m assuming Google services free in your comment means you want to say – Not dependent on Google Services Framework. If that’s the case then NO, it is not Google services free. Infact it is a UI change(interface layer on top of Core Android plus Google Apps) though these companies name them as OS, typical useless marketing words.
No smartphone is Google free unless it is an iPhone. Huawei phones also have Android at its core coupled with their UI. However they don’t have Google apps preinstalled including Google Play Services, same thing done by many Custom ROMs.
Lineage OS with no google side loading. Done.
Can be said so but one difference in LineageOS and Huawei OS or whatever they name it is – Huawei includes proprietary bits as well.
@Yash
thx for response.
GrapheneOS is a privacy and security focused mobile OS with Android app compatibility developed as a non-profit open source project.
GrapheneOS will never include either Google Play services or another implementation of Google services like microG.
Best OS for android users (only Pixel phones supported).
I’ve heard somewhere GrapheneOS have plans(or maybe they’ve done it already – IDK since I don’t own a Pixel) to include Google Play Services. Not saying this to discredit GrapheneOS as developers will no doubt take all security and privacy measures.
No it’s got Google apps and services as well as ever increasing number of Oneplus bloatware.
Bundling their own app store, Netflix ext …
I though Android was the OS, this is just tech gibberish?
I have a google phone with the “pure android experience” and still had to disable/remove/replace more than half of the supplied junk. Not very pure. I don’t have a clue what this article refers to beyond the typical skins, extensions, add ons, whatever!
Its not skins, extensions, add-ons but Launcher stuff, different notifications and main settings, all this is best summarised as UI, which as you said is not OS.
Nice thing about OnePlus is that you can easily unlock the bootloader, wipe and install a custom ROM (with or without google apps).
There goes the neighborhood. Sorry Chyna I’m done with you!