OnePlus is doing all the fitting issues on the {hardware} facet of issues; the OnePlus 12 continues to be probably the greatest telephones you should buy in the present day, and the Open is holding its personal a 12 months after launch. Software program, nevertheless, is a degree of competition; the final two OxygenOS releases have been buggy — even the secure 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 consists of loads of new options, much-needed design tweaks, new privateness options, and higher total 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 degree.
That stated, there is a clear distinction when utilizing OxygenOS 15 subsequent to a tool working OxygenOS 14, and that alone is motive sufficient for pleasure. Whereas OxygenOS 15 continues to be clearly in beta, it’s rather more secure 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 every week, and here is what I like in regards to 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 modify based mostly on gentle or darkish mode.
An even 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 might be going this route final 12 months.
What I like is that you would be able to swap to a unified notification pane. I favor each toggles and notifications in the identical pane, and that function continues 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 flexibility to change up the look of the design to a substantial diploma. The function is just like what you get in iOS 18 and One UI 6, and also you get new types as nicely, with cleaner transitions to the house display.
What I like about that is that you simply get preset types that look actually good. OxygenOS at all times 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 may truly find yourself noticing in every day use is that OxygenOS 15 has significantly better fluidity than earlier releases.
Most animations are smoother, and there is a degree of immediacy that has been lacking following the swap to the brand new interface. Briefly, the UI feels nice to make use of, and similar to with the Pixels on the Android 15 launch, the optimization makes a transparent distinction.
One other constructive 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 house to make use of for pictures and different knowledge on the system, and that is at all times 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 function 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 the usage of the gesture, and never many providers 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 mix of on-device and cloud-based fashions.
AI Unblur is an fascinating addition as it’s just like what Google gives on its Pixels. In my restricted testing, I discovered the function to be simply as dependable at cleansing up pictures, and similar to the Pixels, you should utilize any pictures — together with these taken on different gadgets.
AI Element Enhance and Reflection Eraser do a very good job eking out particulars, and the latter is especially helpful; I’ve tons of of pictures of objects behind glass cupboards (I like going to museums), and this function is fairly useful 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 regionally — whether or not that is paperwork, pictures, or audio — and it provides you the flexibility to look something you want. This function is not accessible simply but, however ought to debut shortly.
When will your telephone get OxygenOS 15?
OxygenOS 15 can be accessible as a public beta beginning October 30, and it is going to be initially restricted to the OnePlus 12. The beta window normally lasts for as much as six weeks, so meaning we should always get a secure construct earlier than the tip of the 12 months.
That stated, there is no telling when the secure construct would possibly grow to be accessible. OnePlus shared a tentative rollout schedule as to when OxygenOS 15 can be accessible on its gadgets, and the greatest OnePlus telephones ought to get the construct comparatively quickly.