OnePlus 9: ColorOS and Android 12 user interface and features in OxygenOS 12 beta

Now that OnePlus is a sub-brand of the Oppo family, the two companies not only merged their R&D departments in early 2021, but they are also consolidating the code for their two Android-based operating systems. While OxygenOS 12 will be used on global OnePlus phones, ColorOS 12 will only be used on Oppo and OnePlus phones only in China.

Along with the release of Android 12 on AOSP today, OnePlus is now releasing the first open beta of OxygenOS 12 on OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro, while those with older models will have to wait for a later update. Once that version is deemed stable, it’s likely that a full version will be released within a month, according to XDA Developers.

New look

The new and improved OxygenOS 12 is colorful and minimalistic like “James Turrell’s Light and Space artwork,” as explained in his forum post announcing this release. OxygenOS 12 shares some of the same design languages ​​as ColorOS 12 and Android 12 by extension. All three operating systems make generous use of white space, as well as large sans-serif typography to “improve readability and ease of use.”

OxygenOS 12 also follows the Material You aesthetic, where new icons use simple lines and new widgets use shapes to make information and actions more clear and accessible to a diverse group of users. Much like ColorOS 12, OnePlus software is enhanced with more shadows and subtle gradients to make OxygenOS 12 look more premium.

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New features

In addition to its new look, OxgyenOS 12 has also learned some new tricks to improve your experience with OnePlus phones. If you’ve played around with the Android 12 Developer Preview on the OnePlus 9 series, you’ll be happy to know that these features have made its way into the Open Beta of OxygenOS 12:

• Private safe: This feature isolates sensitive files in a secure part of your phone, where you can safely store and protect specific photos, videos, audios and documents.
• Updated OnePlus and OnePlus Scout Shelf: The practical shelf has been improved with even more widgets: notes, step counting, weather, calculator, according to XDA developers. You can even search for anything on your phone using OnePlus Scout, which is now part of the shelf.
• Zen & World Life Balance 2.0 mode: First popularized by Indian OnePlus users, both modes help you manage work-life balance by separating your personal and work accounts. You can set up different profiles with different Wi-Fi networks, with different app notifications and messages depending on the time of day.
• Dark mode: This allows you to choose between three levels of dark mode.
• Note on the application: This updated app now lets you jot down and type in your thoughts.
• AOD 2.0 canvas: The app allows you to create wireframe image on your lock screen, depending on your wallpaper, is back with more features. It now includes more brushes and lines to use, plus more photos and effects available to support your artistic vision.

It is possible that this is the end of the road for OxygenOS, as the two companies could more fully integrate their software into one, rather than maintaining two operating systems. If so, OnePlus will hopefully be able to bring some of its more popular features like Canvas AOD 2.0 mode and Work Life Balance 2.0 mode to future ColorOS updates.

If you have a OnePlus 9 or 9 Pro and want to try this open beta of OxygenOS 12, go to the Updates and downloads page of OnePlus to download it to your computer and follow the instructions to install the software. on your OnePlus phone.