The OnePlus 15 is seemingly a brief few months away, because it’s already been formally introduced for each China and world markets. In an effort to launch a brand new cellphone, although, OnePlus additionally wants a brand new software program construct, and with Android 16 having been round for some time now, it’s time for OxygenOS 16’s official debut.
OxygenOS 16 looks like a giant replace for the corporate, persevering with a push into all issues AI-focused after the same initiative final 12 months whereas additionally throwing in a contemporary redesign for good measure. In case you have been hoping for one thing impressed by Materials 3 Expressive, nonetheless, I’ve some dangerous information. Reasonably than beating across the bush, it’s value coming proper out and saying it: OxygenOS 16 appears to be like virtually precisely like trendy builds on iOS, taking a method normally reserved for China-exclusive units and setting it up for a launch within the US in contrast to something we’ve actually seen.
OnePlus says its new design language is named “Breath [sic] with You,” and virtually each aspect jogs my memory of pre-Liquid Glass iOS. The climate app, already comparatively just like Apple’s relaunched model, is virtually indistinguishable. Fast settings appears to be like proper out of Management Heart (even moreso than final 12 months), with rounded translucent circles and oval-shaped sliders. The app drawer might be remodeled right into a category-based structure that’s a lifeless ringer for Apple’s App Library. The lock display is likely one of the few locations the place Liquid Glass inspiration actually does seem, with OnePlus using those self same ultra-tall numbers for one in all its clock stylings, proper subsequent to iOS-styled widget icons.
OxygenOS actually is loaded with good concepts, however it’s troublesome to see past simply how blatantly stolen the general design is, and the stuff that isn’t immediately impressed by Apple — like elongated residence display icons — simply doesn’t look excellent. I’ll be curious to see how longtime followers react. On the very least, among the extra ridiculous components like an App Library-esque app drawer might be ignored.
The obsession with Apple doesn’t cease there, although, as OnePlus has additionally continued including “Cross-Eco Connectivity” to its platform. Final 12 months, the corporate successfully constructed an AirDrop shopper into OxygenOS, permitting OnePlus and iPhone customers to commerce recordsdata forwards and backwards. This 12 months, although, the corporate’s going a lot farther, including the power to pair an Apple Watch with their OnePlus gadget by OHealth. OnePlus says this permits notifications, messages, synced train data, and even cellphone name help, although I’ll be shocked if Apple doesn’t snuff this function out within the coming weeks.
Lastly, after launching the OnePlus 12 lower than two years in the past with barely a give attention to AI, the corporate has accomplished a whole 180, loading OxygenOS 16 with as many AI-focused instruments as potential. A few of these are enhancements to present apps. Thoughts Area — an app for organizing screenshots and different saved content material out of your display — now contains Gemini help, permitting Google’s chatbot to see what you’ve saved on-device. The corporate’s productivity-focused suite will get issues like AI Scan for scanning screens and presentation slides, alongside extra AI writing instruments for customizing your language.
For as overwhelming because the give attention to AI may really feel, it’s additionally comparatively shallow. Writing instruments, recorders with AI transcriptions, even an AI-based menu translator — none of it feels notably distinctive, which is type of the story of OxygenOS 16. There’s loads of new right here, if that’s all you’re in search of, however virtually all of it has been seen earlier than. Even Plus Thoughts’s capability to save lots of content material in Thoughts Area in your behalf feels overly imprecise, and contemplating its {hardware} shortcut key might be modified to activate different instruments, I wouldn’t be stunned if most customers find yourself lacking it solely.
I’ll actually must attempt OxygenOS 16 for myself earlier than totally cementing my opinion; sadly, I used to be unable to go hands-on with an early preview earlier than at the moment’s announcement. Fortunately, it’s not far out from launch. OnePlus kicks off an open beta program beginning tomorrow, October seventeenth, whereas the upcoming OnePlus 15 will launch with this replace out of the field. Anticipate plenty of legacy units to get this improve within the coming months.
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