Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
OnePlus is known for its excellent smartphone hardware, but it also has a reputation for software. Although there will be some changes in 2021 in terms of its software, Oxygen OS is still one of the most respected Android skins on the market.
You can also take a look: The history of every OnePlus phone to date
In this article, we will provide you with all the information you need about OnePlus’ Android skins. If you are considering entering the OnePlus ecosystem, this is essential reading. Even if you are already a fan of OnePlus, there may be some information you can use here!
Editor’s note: This article is updated to August 2021. We will add/remove content because OnePlus will reveal more information about Oxygen OS.
Oxygen operating system is clear at a glance
Robert Triggs/Android Authority
When Oxygen OS first came out, it was a breath of fresh air—a pun that OnePlus lavished on. In 2015, many Android skins were bloated and ugly. However, the OnePlus skin is simple and delicate, which makes it popular.
Over the years, OnePlus has added more features to the skin, which in turn reduced its simplicity. Nevertheless, if you want an Android skin that not only maintains the overall feel of Android, but also brings a lot of features to advanced users, this is a good choice.
You can also take a look: What is Android?
The success of Oxygen OS is an important factor in the company’s brand loyalty. Many OnePlus fans refuse to buy from other companies not because of the hardware, but because they don’t want to give up Oxygen OS.
However, OnePlus will significantly change its Android skin starting in 2021. Looking to the future, the core code of Oxygen OS will be integrated with Oppo’s Color OS code (Oppo is a sister brand of BBK Electronics). On the one hand, this integration should lead to faster, more stable and more durable updates. On the other hand, it may change the look, feel and function of Oxygen OS at some point in the future.
The latest version of the oxygen operating system
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
Unlike some other companies, such as Samsung and its One UI, OnePlus pushes different variants of Oxygen OS to its different phones. Therefore, the operating system version number on OnePlus 9 will be slightly different from that on OnePlus 8, and the operating system version number on OnePlus 8 will also be different from that on OnePlus Nord 2.
However, all these variants belong to the same core version, which is Oxygen OS 11. The number that appears after your version number is only meaningful for your specific phone line, but the number 11 should be the first number you see.
The latest stable version of Oxygen OS is v11, based on Android 11.
The software version of OnePlus now matches the version of Android they are bundled with. For example, OOS 11 is based on Android 11. The Oxygen OS version we will see later in 2021 will be based on Android 12, hence the name OOS 12. It is not possible to mismatch the version, for example with Oxygen, for example, OS 11 on Android 10 phones.
We provide steps on how to check your version number in the next section.
How to use Oxygen OS to check your version and updates
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
If you don’t know which version of Oxygen OS you are using on your OnePlus device, you can easily check it. Here are the steps:
- Go to Android set up Find the shortcut in your application drawer or notification bar.
- Scroll to the bottom of the list and click About phone part.
- inside About phone Part, you will see your Internal version number, This is your Oxygen operating system version.
If you are running an older version of Oxygen OS, there may be updates waiting for you. You can use the following steps to check for software updates:
- Go to Android set up Find the shortcut in your application drawer or notification bar.
- Scroll to the bottom of the list and find system part.
- within system, Find and click System Upgrade At the bottom of the list.
- If you are running the latest version, Oxygen OS will notify you. If not, it will provide you with instructions on how to download and install the update.
If your software is up-to-date, but you do not have the latest version of Oxygen OS, it means that your phone has not received the update. Your phone may also be too old to get new updates.
A brief history of Oxygen OS
In 2014, OnePlus launched its first smartphone-OnePlus One. One is a unique device because it comes with a commercial version of the Android port called CyanogenMod created by the community. The commercial version is called Cyanogen OS. The fact that One’s operating system is directly connected to Android tinkers and enthusiasts is an important reason for the initial hype of the phone.
However, the people who run Cyanogen Inc. messed up the company. As the company collapsed, OnePlus needed a new Android skin — and it was fast. Thus, Oxygen OS was born.
You can also take a look: Oxygen OS and a UI
The first version of the software was launched in 2015. It is basically an Android system with only minor changes. This makes sense when you understand the speed at which OnePlus creates skins. For each new version, OnePlus has added more features and visual adjustments. By 2017, the company had made considerable progress, with Oxygen OS receiving rave reviews and persuading consumers to try OnePlus phones.
It is worth noting that OnePlus has only designed a skin called Hydrogen OS for its Chinese local area before. In 2021, OnePlus brought Color OS (Oppo’s Android skin) to its mobile phones in China. Soon thereafter, the company announced that it would merge the core code of Color OS with Oxygen OS. This is part of the greater ambition of the two companies to integrate more to strengthen their position in the market. Over time, this may cause the two skins to become more and more similar.
What is the oxygen operating system
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
This is a gallery of screenshots that will let you know what to expect from Oxygen OS.
5 unique features of Oxygen OS
Robert Triggs/Android Authority
Each Android skin has its own mark on the software. Here are five things Oxygen OS can do that most other skins cannot.
Zen mode
In our technological age, it is very difficult to put a mobile phone away. This is why the Zen mode exists. This mode is unique to OnePlus phones. It essentially locks you out of the phone for a period of time. Even restarting cannot stop it. The result is that you cannot use your mobile phone at all (except for emergency calls and taking pictures) until Zen Mode stops. This is something that OnePlus fans really accept, and it is also a big selling point of Oxygen OS.
Insight AOD
OnePlus introduced the Always On Display (AOD) feature on its phones, which is very late. However, when it finally put AOD into Oxygen OS, it did a great job, launching a variety of AOD formats. One of the custom AODs you can choose is called Insight. It always displays your unlocked timeline on the screen. This should make you aware of how much you use your phone and may discourage you from checking Instagram again. But don’t worry: if you don’t care about the number of times you unlock your phone, there are many other AOD options.
Enhanced dark mode
At this point, almost every Android skin has a dark mode. However, OnePlus has an enhanced dark mode, which can dynamically change the contrast and re-adjust the color tone for easier reading. You can also schedule the dark mode to start at sunset or any time of your choice.
dynamic wallpaper
Changing phone wallpapers is always fun. But what if it changes automatically throughout the day? With Oxygen OS, you can introduce a lot of diversity to your phone through dynamically changing wallpapers. At certain times of the day, your wallpaper will become something new. You never know what you will get.
Custom font
Most Android skins allow you to change the system font. This can make your phone look and feel very different, while making the page easier to read. However, Oxygen OS provides a custom font created by OnePlus called OnePlus Sans. As one might expect, the font is very simple, straight and similar to the famous Helvetica. But don’t worry: if you don’t like OnePlus Sans, you can stick to Android’s standard fonts.
Other information that may be of interest to you
This is everything you need to know about the OnePlus Oxygen Operating System! Be sure to bookmark this page as we will update it when OnePlus changes the Android skin.