OnePlus 2.0: OxygenOS and ColorOS to merge into a unified OS starting 2022

• The next OnePlus flagship smartphone will come with the new unified OS installed out of the box.
  
• Select OnePlus phones currently available will also be upgraded to the new OS.
  
• Pete Lau also said that the unified OS will be customised for OnePlus devices.
  

OnePlus is revamping itself as it gears up for its journey as a standalone brand under Oppo, and there’s some news for fans of OxygenOS – it is being killed in favour of a unified operating system that will combine the codebase of OxygenOS and Oppo’s ColorOS.

The company’s co-founder Pete Lau and the current Chief Product Officer of Oppo made the announcement. Lau also shed more light on OnePlus’ product line-up going forward, stating that while the flagship phone strategy will continue, the company will launch more “localised” models in the budget segment, as we have already seen with the OnePlus Nord N200, which is only available in the US and Canada.

OxygenOS is going away

OxygenOS has its fans, and there’s bad news for them – OnePlus is going to kill it come 2022. Lau revealed that both OxygenOS and ColorOS (used in Oppo phones) will now be merged into a single operating system going forward. This update will be rolled out to existing OnePlus smartphones as well, migrating them to the new unified OS.

“I would like to tell you confidently that after overseeing the product development of both systems for a year, I believe that the unified operating system will keep the DNA of OxygenOS that many of you love so much, while also giving you an upgraded experience overall,” said Lau in a blog post.

Earlier this year, OnePlus announced the merger of its software team with Oppo’s and stated that OxygenOS will continue to be the global operating system on their phones. This has changed now.

As far as existing OnePlus devices are concerned, a select few will be upgraded to the new unified OS in 2022. OnePlus has not specified which phones will get this update, though.

The new OS will be launched alongside the 2022 flagships, so we’re likely 6-8 months away from the launch.

To assuage concerns of existing OnePlus users, Lau said that the company will customise the new unified OS specifically for OnePlus devices. He also stated that the bootloaders of OnePlus phones will continue to be unlockable, something that should address concerns of enthusiasts as well.

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