OnePlus is doing all the best issues on the {hardware} aspect of issues; the OnePlus 12 continues to be top-of-the-line telephones you should buy as we speak, and the Open is holding its personal a yr after launch. Software program, nonetheless, is a degree of rivalry; the final two OxygenOS releases have been buggy — even the steady variations — and it took a number of updates earlier than they grew to become usable.
OnePlus is trying to handle these points as soon as and for all with the introduction of OxygenOS 15. The Android 15-based launch contains loads of new options, much-needed design tweaks, new privateness options, and higher general optimization. The interface is not fairly as fluid as OxygenOS 9.5, however at this level, I do not assume OnePlus — or anybody else — can get to that stage.
That stated, there is a clear distinction when utilizing OxygenOS 15 subsequent to a tool operating OxygenOS 14, and that alone is purpose sufficient for pleasure. Whereas OxygenOS 15 remains to be clearly in beta, it’s far more steady than the final two beta cycles, and that additionally bodes nicely for the UI as an entire. I used OxygenOS 15 on my OnePlus 12 for the higher a part of per week, and this is what I like concerning the Android 15-based interface.
New notification pane
Whereas it is not a ground-up overhaul, OxygenOS 15 features a few new design tweaks that make it look polished. The icons have gotten a contemporary coat of paint, and so they’re dynamic — they alter based mostly on mild or darkish mode.
A much bigger change has to do with the notification shade, with the interface now utilizing a cut up pane with the toggles on one part and notifications in their very own pane. That is just like how Xiaomi does issues, and OnePlus indicated that it could be going this route final yr.
What I like is you can change to a unified notification pane. I want each toggles and notifications in the identical pane, and that characteristic remains to be accessible within the OxygenOS 15 construct — one thing you aren’t getting with ColorOS 15.
Lock display customization
Lock display is getting an overhaul, with OxygenOS 15 introducing the power to change up the look of the design to a substantial diploma. The characteristic is just like what you get in iOS 18 and One UI 6, and also you get new kinds as nicely, with cleaner transitions to the house display.
What I like about that is that you just get preset kinds that look actually good. OxygenOS all the time had good customizability, and the tweaks to OxygenOS 15 prolong that benefit.
Smoother (and lighter) than ever earlier than
OnePlus went heavy on the buzzwords when speaking about all of the modifications it made to optimize the UI, however what you will truly find yourself noticing in each day use is that OxygenOS 15 has a lot better fluidity than earlier releases.
Most animations are smoother, and there is a stage of immediacy that has been lacking following the change to the brand new interface. Briefly, the UI feels nice to make use of, and identical to with the Pixels on the Android 15 launch, the optimization makes a transparent distinction.
One other optimistic change is that OxygenOS 15 would not use as a lot storage, and the set up is 20% lighter. Which means you get again some area to make use of for images and different knowledge on the system, and that is all the time a very good factor.
Whereas OxygenOS 15 makes use of Android 15, it’s lacking the predictive again gesture. The producer says it’s working with Google in bringing the characteristic to the pores and skin, and that it needs to make sure it’s usable with most apps — one thing that simply is not the case now. Google would not mandate using the gesture, and never many companies use it — even Chrome would not have it.
All of the AI options you want — after which some
All producers are getting in on the AI motion, and OxygenOS 15 comes with a slate of options that leverage a combination of on-device and cloud-based fashions.
AI Unblur is an fascinating addition as it’s just like what Google presents on its Pixels. In my restricted testing, I discovered the characteristic to be simply as dependable at cleansing up images, and identical to the Pixels, you should use any images — together with these taken on different units.
AI Element Enhance and Reflection Eraser do a very good job eking out particulars, and the latter is especially helpful; I’ve a whole lot of images of objects behind glass cupboards (I like going to museums), and this characteristic is fairly helpful at eradicating reflections.
Clever Search is intriguing because it searches by way of all of the system saved on-device. It makes use of Gemini to index knowledge saved domestically — whether or not that is paperwork, images, or audio — and it provides you the power to go looking something you want. This characteristic is not accessible simply but, however ought to debut shortly.
When will your cellphone get OxygenOS 15?
OxygenOS 15 shall be accessible as a public beta beginning October 30, and it is going to be initially restricted to the OnePlus 12. The beta window often lasts for as much as six weeks, so meaning we must always get a steady construct earlier than the top of the yr.
That stated, there isn’t any telling when the steady construct may change into accessible. OnePlus shared a tentative rollout schedule as to when OxygenOS 15 shall be accessible on its units, and the greatest OnePlus telephones ought to get the construct comparatively quickly.
