- OnePlus has released Android 11 Developer Preview 3 with first access to Oxygen OS 11.
- The software adds an ever-present display, a new visual design and one-handed UI changes.
- It is only available for the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro for now.
As promised, OnePlus has released its definitive Oxygen OS preview for the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro – and there’s a lot in store for fans of the company’s customization on Android.
The version of Android Developer Preview 3 includes a “first look” at various Oxygen OS 11 features, most notably a long-awaited feature forever. In some cases, you will no longer need to wake up your OnePlus phone. The company is mother over the full functionality, but you will have access to 11 new clock styles.
The overall interface also gets a makeover. You’ll find a new layout better suited for one-handed use (important on ever-larger phones) as well as a new visual design for elements like the Launcher and apps like Gallery, Notes and Weather. There’s even a new OnePlus Sans font designed to improve readability.
You can also expect a Gallery feature that automatically creates weekly stories based on photos and videos. There is now live wallpaper that changes based on the time of day (similar to iOS 13), an optimized Dark Mode with automatic switching, and Zen Mode upgrades that include more timing options and share with friends.
See also: Five things I would change about OnePlus’ Oxygen OS
As usual with pre-release software, there are many risks. This will not work with T-Mobile and Verizon phone variants to begin with. OnePlus also warned that some third-party apps might not work properly, and you may encounter stability issues with both the OS and your network connection.
This is then not for everyone who absolutely needs a reliable phone. Even so, owning one is still beyond the reach of the average person. It shows that OnePlus is both addressing striking feature gaps and recognizing that the ever-increasing AMOLED screens of their phones interface require tweaks.
