# OxygenOS
**OxygenOS** is an Android-based operating system developed by OnePlus for its smartphones and tablets. OnePlus describes it as a fast and smooth system based on Android, refined by removing unnecessary distractions, adding selected features, and applying software optimizations.[1](https://service.oneplus.com/content/dam/support/user-manuals/common/OnePlus_6_User_Manual_EN.pdf) It has been positioned as a near-stock Android skin with added customization, and since 2026 it is being phased out in favor of Oppo's ColorOS.[2](https://cincodias.elpais.com/smartlife/smartphones/2026-07-21/el-final-de-oneplus-es-una-realidad-sus-telefonos-ya-estan-recibiendo-una-actualizacion-a-coloros.html)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | OnePlus Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., a consumer electronics subsidiary of Oppo[3](https://serviceelectric.ca/userfiles/file/38084388876.pdf) |
| Basis | Android, with a custom interface layer; OxygenOS 15 is based on Android 15 and OxygenOS 16 on Android 16[4](https://www.techradar.com/phones/android/which-is-the-best-android-wrapper-you-decide) • [5](https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/oneplus-phones/ive-been-using-the-oneplus-15-for-over-a-month-and-these-are-the-hidden-features-all-android-phones-need-to-copy) |
| Design character | Stock-like appearance reminiscent of Google Pixel or Android One devices, with OnePlus additions such as a custom font and toggles[6](https://www.androidcentral.com/one-ui-vs-oxygenos) |
| Relationship to ColorOS | OxygenOS 15 is described as very similar to ColorOS 15, developed by OnePlus' sister company Oppo[4](https://www.techradar.com/phones/android/which-is-the-best-android-wrapper-you-decide) |
| Update policy | No more than four years of Android updates, trailing the seven-year guarantees from Samsung and Google[7](https://www.androidauthority.com/oneplus-winning-2025-everything-fell-apart-3626843/) |
| Status | In July 2026 OnePlus confirmed OxygenOS will disappear; eligible devices can voluntarily update to ColorOS 17[2](https://cincodias.elpais.com/smartlife/smartphones/2026-07-21/el-final-de-oneplus-es-una-realidad-sus-telefonos-ya-estan-recibiendo-una-actualizacion-a-coloros.html) |
## Design and features
OxygenOS has been characterized by a clean, stock-like design. Reviewers at Android Central describe the interface as reminiscent of what you would find on a [Google Pixel](https://www.edgepedia.org/google-pixel) or [Android One](https://www.edgepedia.org/android-one) device, with OnePlus additions such as a custom font and toggles that make it its own.[6](https://www.androidcentral.com/one-ui-vs-oxygenos) Compared with Samsung's One UI, OxygenOS offers fewer built-in features but allows enlarging home screen folders for easier use, something [One UI](https://www.edgepedia.org/one-ui) does not offer; the home button action can launch Google Assistant or Gemini depending on the user's choice.[8](https://www.androidauthority.com/oxygen-os-vs-one-ui-1090176/)
Version releases have tracked Android's own. OxygenOS 12 was built on [Android 12](https://www.edgepedia.org/android-12) and required OnePlus 8 phone models and above, adding streamlined visuals, notification profiles that toggle by time, location, or Wi-Fi hotspot, and clipboard toast notifications.[9](https://www.oneplus.com/global/oxygenos12) OxygenOS 13 added HyperBoost and AI System Booster for system-level performance and gaming, and continued the Always-on Display feature.[10](https://www.oneplus.in/oxygenos13)
**Recent releases.** OxygenOS 15, based on [Android 15](https://www.edgepedia.org/android-15), emphasizes speedy animations and OnePlus AI tools, with parallel processing for animations as a notable feature.[4](https://www.techradar.com/phones/android/which-is-the-best-android-wrapper-you-decide) An Android Authority hands-on called Oxygen OS 15 a refined experience, noting that Oxygen OS 14 was already one of the smoothest Android skins available and that version 15 took it a small step further.[11](https://www.androidauthority.com/oxygen-os-15-review-3493444/)
OxygenOS 16, running on [Android 16](https://www.edgepedia.org/android-16), introduced the Plus Key, a semi-customizable button that replaced the Alert Slider, the three-way toggle switch that had appeared on nearly every major OnePlus phone since the OnePlus 2.[5](https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/oneplus-phones/ive-been-using-the-oneplus-15-for-over-a-month-and-these-are-the-hidden-features-all-android-phones-need-to-copy) • [12](https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/oneplus/should-you-buy-the-oneplus-15) It also added the Flux Themes engine and Mind Space, a personal noticeboard for saving images, links, AI breakdowns of webpages, and voice notes, integrated with Google Gemini; long-pressing the Plus Key captures an audio memo of up to 60 seconds into Mind Space.[12](https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/oneplus/should-you-buy-the-oneplus-15) • [13](https://www.gamesradar.com/hardware/oneplus-15r-review/) • [14](https://www.oneplus.com/uk/launch/oxygenos16) Multitasking includes Open Canvas, which supports split-screen layouts such as a 90/10 split for swapping between two mostly full-screen apps.[15](https://www.techradar.com/phones/oneplus-phones/oneplus-15r-review)
## Reception
OxygenOS has generally been reviewed as a fast, fluid, low-bloat Android skin. TechRadar places it alongside One UI and Google's stock Android as free of bloatware and clunky design choices.[15](https://www.techradar.com/phones/oneplus-phones/oneplus-15r-review) Android Central's comparison credits OnePlus with creating something that looks polished and moves smoothly, with thoughtful additions.[6](https://www.androidcentral.com/one-ui-vs-oxygenos)
The reception of OxygenOS 16 was more mixed. Android [Authority](https://www.edgepedia.org/authority) wrote that the update buried what used to be a fantastic Android skin under a series of bad decisions.[16](https://www.androidauthority.com/oneplus-15r-review-3625040/) Reviewers noted an iOS-inspired direction: GamesRadar observed a floating island, a glassy design language, and an app drawer that felt designed with Apple in mind,[13](https://www.gamesradar.com/hardware/oneplus-15r-review/) and Android Central criticized the defaulting to several iOS-style UI options on the OnePlus 15 as well as bugs absent in OxygenOS 15.[12](https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/oneplus/should-you-buy-the-oneplus-15) 9to5Google called the update "annoyingly weird," suggesting Oppo was doing things the "Apple way" rather than doubling down on what had made ColorOS and OxygenOS good.[17](https://9to5google.com/2025/12/17/oxygenos-16-is-an-annoyingly-weird-update-video/) The rollout itself was staged: the official schedule put the first batch, including the OnePlus Open, in November 2025, with more devices following in December 2025 and Q1 2026.[18](https://piunikaweb.com/2025/12/12/oxygenos-16-rolling-out-us/)
## Relationship with ColorOS and discontinuation
OxygenOS and Oppo's ColorOS share a codebase, a merger that followed the 2021 consolidation of OnePlus into Oppo's operations; users have noted that OnePlus phones in China shipped with HydrogenOS, the Chinese-market counterpart, rather than a stock-Android feel.[19](https://community.oneplus.com/thread/1179294684439642114) • [3](https://serviceelectric.ca/userfiles/file/38084388876.pdf) TechRadar describes OxygenOS 15 as very similar to ColorOS 15.[4](https://www.techradar.com/phones/android/which-is-the-best-android-wrapper-you-decide)
In July 2026 OnePlus confirmed that OxygenOS will disappear and that eligible devices can voluntarily update to ColorOS 17, the customization layer used by OPPO, the company absorbing OnePlus's operations.[2](https://cincodias.elpais.com/smartlife/smartphones/2026-07-21/el-final-de-oneplus-es-una-realidad-sus-telefonos-ya-estan-recibiendo-una-actualizacion-a-coloros.html) The change also extends to realme UI, which is being discontinued on future devices globally in favor of ColorOS.[20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25CpPs0MzWM)
## References
1. [OnePlus 6 User Manual, OnePlus support](https://service.oneplus.com/content/dam/support/user-manuals/common/OnePlus_6_User_Manual_EN.pdf)
2. [El final de OnePlus es una realidad: sus teléfonos ya están recibiendo una actualización a ColorOS, Cinco Días (El País)](https://cincodias.elpais.com/smartlife/smartphones/2026-07-21/el-final-de-oneplus-es-una-realidad-sus-telefonos-ya-estan-recibiendo-una-actualizacion-a-coloros.html)
3. [OnePlus Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. company profile](https://serviceelectric.ca/userfiles/file/38084388876.pdf)
4. [Which is the best Android wrapper? You decide, TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/phones/android/which-is-the-best-android-wrapper-you-decide)
5. [I've been using the OnePlus 15 for over a month, Tom's Guide](https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/oneplus-phones/ive-been-using-the-oneplus-15-for-over-a-month-and-these-are-the-hidden-features-all-android-phones-need-to-copy)
6. [One UI vs. OxygenOS: Which is the better Android version?, Android Central](https://www.androidcentral.com/one-ui-vs-oxygenos)
7. [OnePlus was winning 2025. Then everything fell apart, Android Authority](https://www.androidauthority.com/oneplus-winning-2025-everything-fell-apart-3626843/)
8. [Oxygen OS vs One UI: A thorough comparison, Android Authority](https://www.androidauthority.com/oxygen-os-vs-one-ui-1090176/)
9. [OxygenOS 12, OnePlus](https://www.oneplus.com/global/oxygenos12)
10. [OxygenOS 13, OnePlus India](https://www.oneplus.in/oxygenos13)
11. [Oxygen OS 15 hands-on review, Android Authority](https://www.androidauthority.com/oxygen-os-15-review-3493444/)
12. [Should you buy the OnePlus 15?, Android Central](https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/oneplus/should-you-buy-the-oneplus-15)
13. [The OnePlus 15R makes some smart sacrifices, GamesRadar](https://www.gamesradar.com/hardware/oneplus-15r-review/)
14. [OxygenOS 16 FAQ, OnePlus UK](https://www.oneplus.com/uk/launch/oxygenos16)
15. [OnePlus 15R review: software, TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/phones/oneplus-phones/oneplus-15r-review)
16. [OnePlus 15R review: Where did it all go wrong?, Android Authority](https://www.androidauthority.com/oneplus-15r-review-3625040/)
17. [OxygenOS 16 is an annoyingly weird update, 9to5Google](https://9to5google.com/2025/12/17/oxygenos-16-is-an-annoyingly-weird-update-video/)
18. [OnePlus OxygenOS 16 update begins rolling out in the US, PiunikaWeb](https://piunikaweb.com/2025/12/12/oxygenos-16-rolling-out-us/)
19. [OxygenOS 13 review by a hard core AOSP user, OnePlus Community](https://community.oneplus.com/thread/1179294684439642114)
20. [End of OxygenOS | OxygenOS 17, Oppo ColorOS New Update for OnePlus phones, YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25CpPs0MzWM)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Technology and the built world › Computing and digital systems › Software and programming › Operating systems › Unix-like and Linux › Android and mobile variants*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 15, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Oct 15, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license