OnePlus and Oppo merge OxygenOS with ColorOS

The first effects of the closer collaboration between OnePlus and Oppo have now been announced on the official OnePlus forum. The operating systems OxygenOS and ColorOS will be merged. But there’s no need to panic. This only affects the code in the background. As a user, you shouldn’t notice anything different when using your smartphone. OxygenOS will still be OxygenOS and ColorOS will still look like ColorOS.

While the existing user interfaces will remain unchanged externally, more development resources will be available internally as a result of the merger.

Extended update promise

These increased resources have had a real effect on OnePlus’ update promise. For example, the flagship models will be getting software updates for longer. All smartphones starting from the OnePlus 8 series are expected to receive three major Android updates and four years of security updates. This includes the T and the R models that aren’t available in Europe. It’s a longer period than Google provides for its Pixel smartphones. For the OnePlus 7 series and older devices things remain unchanged with two years of Android and three years of security updates.

Shorter periods apply for the cheaper OnePlus models. OnePlus North and North CE are to receive two major Android updates and three annual security updates. For the Nord N series starting with the N10 and N100, there will be just one major Android update but three annual security updates.

Two brands, one group

Although OnePlus has the image of a small start-up company, it has always belonged to BBK Electronics – just like Oppo and, for that matter, Vivo and Realme. In June 2021, OnePlus announced that the two brands would be merged internally, but would remain separate externally.