That is where OxygenOS 12 is at the moment. The switch to a ColorOS foundation sparked much criticism, and OnePlus is now seeking to reverse some of those changes, implying that OxygenOS 13 will return to the UI that existed in previous years. Here’s everything you want to know about the upcoming OxygenOS 13 based on Android 13.
Instead, we’ll likely see a slightly modified version of ColorOS with a few UI adjustments and exclusive features, similar to what Realme does with its Realme UI. Given that the first OxygenOS 13 beta won’t be available for a few months, it’s too early to speculate on what new features will be included in the UI. But it’s almost certain that additional ColorOS features will find their way across, so keep an eye out for floating windows, smart sidebars, etc.
OxygenOS 13 Release Date
Although OnePlus has an Android 13 beta build for the 10 Pro, it is the vanilla Android skin without OxygenOS. If history is any guide, we won’t be able to get our hands on the first OxygenOS 13 beta until later in Q3.
OnePlus stated that one of the main objectives for the ColorOS integration was to provide speedier software upgrades, but that didn’t work out for the Chinese maker last year. OxygenOS updates for older phones went longer than usual, with the first-generation Nord receiving the stable OxygenOS 12 build in June 2022 – eight months after Google released Android 12.
OxygenOS 13 New Features
OnePlus held an open-ear forum in which it demonstrated an early build of OxygenOS 13 to a select group of users to seek input, and based on that engagement, it has identified the following areas of focus:
- Enhance the personalization and uniformity of the user interface.
- Improve system consistency and optimize the path of some functions
- AOD should have additional features (like Music Player)
- Improve Zen Mode to give users a more immersive and efficient experience.
- Maintain positive communication with you (for example, by optimizing CBT initiatives, increasing OEF, and so on).
Because OxygenOS 13 lacked a consistent visual aesthetic, it’s encouraging to see OnePlus addressing this issue with the upcoming upgrade. OnePlus states that OxygenOS 13 will not depart from the “core product concept” of providing a “fast and smooth, burdenless experience,” but that’s what it’s said for the last two years, so we’ll have to wait and see how OxygenOS 13 performs to determine whether that is the case.
What’s important here is that OxygenOS 13 will continue to use ColorOS as its core – OnePlus no longer has a software team devoted only to OxygenOS. Following the announcement of the OnePlus-OPPO unification last year, OnePlus’ software teams absorbed into the broader ColorOS team; thus, a return to the glory days of OxygenOS is not conceivable.
Supported Phone List
OnePlus has not provided a list of phones that will receive the OxygenOS 13 update, and I will make the necessary revisions once we obtain that information. However, with the manufacturer releasing so many phones in the last 18 months, a large portion of its portfolio will transition to Android 13.
Given that the first OxygenOS 13 beta won’t be available for a few months, it’s too early to speculate on the new UI features. But it’s almost certain that additional ColorOS features will find their way across, so keep an eye out for floating windows, smart sidebars, etc.
Here is a Preliminary List of OnePlus Phones that will be Available.
- OnePlus 10 Pro
- OnePlus 9 Pro
- OnePlus 9
- OnePlus 8T
- OnePlus 10R
- OnePlus 9RT
- OnePlus 9R
- OnePlus Nord 2T
- OnePlus Nord 2
- OnePlus Nord CE 2
- OnePlus Nord CE
- OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite
The OnePlus 10 Pro will be the first to receive the upgrade, followed by the 9 Pro, which maintains its status as one of the greatest Android phones available today. First-generation Nord was released with Android 10. Hence, it will not update the OxygenOS 13 based on Android 13. Similarly, the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro will not be upgraded, but we’ll have to wait and see if OnePlus decides to give its 2023 flagships one more platform update.
