OnePlus has taken the wraps off the OxygenOS 12 update, its next major update that is based on Android 12 which features much tighter integration with Oppo’s ColorOS custom interface. This is the first major step that OnePlus has taken in its transition to ColorOS after the company announced that it is merging its research and development department with the latter.

Some of the highlights of the new OxygenOS 12 update include reduced information density and bolder text to make it easier to read menus. OnePlus has also subtly reworked the iconography across the operating system, including app icons, indicators like clock, data, Wi-Fi and more.

If you’re concerned about OnePlus changing things up too much than you may be right because, the Android 12-based interface is essentially just ColorOS 12 with a different name. OnePlus has managed to salvage a few features, but otherwise, the interface is identical to what you’ll find on any OPPO phone today.

Now, that’s not a bad thing; I like ColorOS 11 quite a bit, and I’m excited for the direction OPPO is taking with ColorOS 12; the Chinese manufacturer is cleaning up the interface and adding features aimed at global users. What’s bothersome is the fact that OnePlus decided to get rid of its biggest selling point; OxygenOS set the standard for Android skins thanks to its simplicity, and that allowed OnePlus to gain a distinct edge over its rivals.

That edge is missing in OxygenOS 12; sure, you’ll still find a decent amount of customization, but that’s taken from ColorOS. All of the new additions — like Private Safe and customizable dark mode — are also from ColorOS, and the only “exclusive” features are the Shelf, Canvas AOD, Work Life Balance, and Zen Mode. Other than these additions, there’s nothing original left in the interface. Even the launcher is now from ColorOS, and that more than anything else drives home the point that OxygenOS isn’t what it used to be.

On that note, I don’t see how a OnePlus phone is any different to what OPPO is offering. Both companies have worked together on the manufacturing side of things from the very beginning, but OnePlus always had two factors going for it: a distinctive design, and the best third-party software on Android. Although, OnePlus is working with OPPO to introduce a unified OS that will launch with the OnePlus 10, and from what I understand, that will just be ColorOS 12 with nothing but a few tweaks and new branding.

OnePlus is working with OPPO to introduce a unified OS that will launch with the OnePlus 10, and from what I understand, that will just be ColorOS 12 with nothing but a few tweaks and new branding. Now, it’s really a debatable question for tech enthusiasts that they really wanna buy the oneplus or not in near future.

Users with OnePlus 9, 9 Pro OnePlus 8, OnePlus 9R 5G, OnePlus 8 Pro, OnePlus 8T, OnePlus 7 Pro, OnePlus 7, OnePlus 7T, OnePlus 7T Pro, Nord 2 5G, Nord 1 and Nord CE 5G will receive the Android 12-based OxygenOS 12 (open beta) in future.