OnePlus is turning to ColorOS, a variant of Android, used by Oppo smartphones, for its new OnePlus 9 series in China. The move was announced on the OnePlus platforms by product lead Gary C on OxygenOS, which uses OnePlus phones in the rest of the world.
“As a global technology company, we are always looking for ways to keep in mind the different usage habits and preferences of our users worldwide,” says Gary C. “We are confident that this customized new operating operating system will bring our Chinese users a software experience that is more tailored to their interests.”
Nothing will change for this global OnePlus 9 series that will be fully unveiled tomorrow – it will still run xygen xigen xygen s. But that Hydrogen OS OS, a China-specific version of Android that OnePlus previously used on all of its phones that have been shipped to the mainland, shows its end spell.
ColorOS has already been used by many more people in China than hydrogenOS; Oppo has recently become the largest smartphone brand in its country for the first time. I’m using it full time right now when I’m reviewing Oppo’s new Find X3 Pro flagship (pictured above), and I generally find it sleek and showy. There is no denying that hydrogenase (and oxygenOS) provide the most minimal experience, however – if that’s your thing.
Both Oppo and OnePlus are owned by Chinese conglomerate BBK Electronics, share supply chain and often critical technology. Realm, another brand of BBK, also used ColorOS before developing its own software called Realm UI. Companies tend to publicly reduce the connection between themselves, but OnePlus, which decided to make full use of Apple’s software, is a clearer example of collaboration to date.
