The integration of OnePlus into the Oppo company as a large part of BBK Electronics should mean improvements for users, especially in terms of software. The cooperation is now bearing its first fruits with the release of the first open beta of OxygenOS 12 based on Android 12 for the OnePlus 9 (Pro) (test).
With OxygenOS 12 pulls the code base from ColorOS, which Oppo uses on its own smartphones, into the operating system for the OnePlus smartphones. OnePlus mentions a more stable and energy-saving system with “solid backend support” as improvements. The first beta version also features a revised user interface and a number of new functions.
The new design should be more understandable
The use of light and shadow within the user interface should clarify hierarchies within menus and applications and improve readability and user-friendliness. The most important messages addressed to the user should be better accentuated through the use of simplified typographies. The intelligibility in different cultures and regions should also benefit from this. New morphism instead of skeuomorphism determines the new app symbols, which should also be more recognizable with shadows and subtle color gradients.
OnePlus Shelf gets more features
The OnePlus Shelf, i.e. the first page on the left of the home screen, which can optionally be deactivated or replaced by the Google start screen, offers a larger selection of customization options under OxygenOS 12. For example, feature cards of different sizes and background images can be stored there. Functions can be grouped and areas such as the pedometer card have been upgraded to a complete health card and now also display statistics from the OnePlus Watch Smartphone serves.
Dark mode in three levels
A new note-taking app with new editing functions and formatting tools as well as a new work-life balance mode as the successor to the previous Zen mode have also found their way into the operating system. Notifications and other notifications from apps can be categorized in two modes and sorted by priority. For example, it is possible to switch between the “work” and “life” modes depending on the location, WLAN network or a time specified by the user. The dark mode has also been revised, which can now be set to three levels of darkening. From “Gentle” to “Medium” to “Enhanced” you can switch between a slight darkening with rather gray accents to dark gray and ultimately black.
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New Notes App (Image: OnePlus)
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New Notes App 
Dark mode in three stages Toolbox for players changes the voice
First introduced with the OnePlus Nord 2, OxygenOS 12 brings the toolbox for gamers to the OnePlus 9 series. The Toolbox in version 2.0 already adopts well-known features such as the floating FPS window or settings for the frame rate, but also provides a new function with the voice modulator, which supports players in PUBG, Call of Duty Mobile, League of Legens Mobile, FreeFire and Fortnite can adjust their voice to make the interaction more fun, but also to protect privacy.
More options for always-on display
Further adjustments concern the canvas always-on display, with which abstract images can be created based on your own photos for the lock screen. Version 2.0 brings new brush and line colors into the system and is intended to make the design options more flexible overall. Users can now also delete lines that do not fit properly in order to achieve a more realistic and at the same time personalized overall result. OnePlus is also committed to protecting the user's data. In the “private safe” personal data should be isolated from the installed apps. Files such as photos, videos, audio and other documents should be safely stored there.
Canvas Always-on-Display (picture: OnePlus) OnePlus plans
Smartphones for more smartphones
The Open Beta of OxygenOS 12 is initially available for download for the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro, but other smartphones will also receive the offer in the future. OnePlus names the OnePlus 9R, OnePlus 8 (Pro), OnePlus 7T (Pro), OnePlus 7 (Pro), Nord 2 and Nord 1 as well as the Nord CE as supported devices. However, there is no date for the release of these smartphones yet.