Here are 5 reasons OxygenOS is the best version of Android, with its smooth performance and OxygenOS streamline optimizations for outstanding smoothness and responsiveness.
Not only is this version fast and smooth, every aspect of OxygenOS has been meticulously refined for an incredibly smooth experience. Innovative features and optimizations make things faster, smoother and more inspiring.
Unlock screen and live wallpaper, fresh new features, OxygenOS in-display fingerprint enhancement makes unlocking your device smoother and smoother, while all new live wallpapers add a charming personal touch.
How much it makes variety is the spice of life, and while there are tons of third-party skins on Android that offer the same core experience, OxygenOS is one, if not, the best out there.
Having options for your smartphone's UI and experience is one of the core strengths and indeed a drawback of buying or using an Android smartphone or tablet on an everyday basis.
If all Android phones come with what most people refer to as a "stock" mobile OS, you have to admit that it will be an overall trite experience. And we get it, regular Android isn't for everyone.
Samsung has One UI, Oppo has Color OS, Huawei has EMUI, Xiaomi has MIUI, even Pixel has different versions or branches of Android. All offer their own core experiences and unique experiences, but, at least in recent years, we think the benchmark has become OxygenOS.
With that in mind, here are five reasons we think OxygenOS is arguably the best way to experience Android and could potentially be the default experience for first timers.
1. Light skin
While other OEMs will completely overhaul the look and feel of the core Android OS, OnePlus prefers to keep changes minimal. At first glance, the changes are only cosmetic when compared to the experience on the Pixel phone. This is the main reason why many "purists" find the OnePlus smartphone so attractive.
This means it feels “clean” compared to the over-the-top changes that the likes of Huawei, Samsung et al. It's understandable that some people like to have extra features, OxygenOS packs a lot, but it manages to do so without sacrificing the look and feel or pre-loading bloatware. You'll find a few extra usability features and apps, but nothing to hurt device performance or ruin your overall experience.
On the surface, it looks a bit plain, but the experience is far from it.
2. Improved accessibility features
OxygenOS adds a ton of neat little accessibility and access features to Android, some of which are not available anywhere else, but all of which are superbly executed. A good example is the Quick launch function or screen-off gestures. The latter allows you to draw on the lock screen to activate things like the camera or turn on the flashlight.
On top of that, OxygenOS includes the ability to take a screenshot by tripling your screen, raise it to answer a call, flip to mute a call, and much more on top. While hardware doesn't have to be part of the software experience in the same way, you also have dedicated buttons for logging in and out of silent, vibrate, and ring modes too. OnePlus has really thought about how easily certain features can be accessed, which is a big plus.
We haven't even managed other awesome extras like Power Down Scheduling, App Lock, and Parallel Apps. All of these give you extra control you may not find anywhere else and really reaffirm the power and flexibility of Android.
3. Speed
Part of this depends on the hardware, but in almost every case the inertia and speed with OxygenOS are light years ahead of all Android phones. Obviously, being fast doesn't necessarily mean that your software experience is the best, but it does help ensure that the OnePlus phone really feels sharp all over the place.
Apps load fast, scroll feels sharper and a lot more responsive. OnePlus improved the animations and gestures to really make it feel as if OxygenOS was the fastest version of Android. The introduction of the 90Hz refresh rate takes the stakes even further. OnePlus's “Fast and Smooth” ethos is what really sticks out.
4. Deeper device customization
Android 10 on Pixel provides the most in-depth set of customization options for "stock" OS builds. But OnePlus has offered better control options for a longer time, letting you activate a system-wide dark theme, plus accent and toggle color changes. This is the tip of the iceberg, as even system fonts can be changed between the two options, if you want.
The special customization section gives you more control than the basic Styles and wallpaper options on Pixel devices running Android 10 as well. Adding to that, you can add or remove status bar icons, change the battery indicator, and much more, all without the need to study developer settings.
OxygenOS gives you nearly all of the controls of a Nova-like launcher, but right out of the box.
5. OxygenOS Open Beta Program
You could argue that this is a little unfair, as many other manufacturers offer developer beta and preview programs. However, the OnePlus Beta program is one of the best, as it often gives you a taste of the features and functionality that will be coming long before its stable release. You also get regular security patches and nifty bug fixes too.
Unlike the Android Developer Preview program, the beta tends to be much more stable from day to day and is open to all OnePlus owners. If you just need to have the newest features, then this is a fantastic way to try things out in front of the crowd too.
