OPPO has officially released their latest Android-based operating system, ColorOS 13, to global users. The rollout starts today with the update available to OPPO Find X5 and Find X5 Pro users.
ColorOS 13 is one of the first major operating systems to be built upon the Android 13 platform. OPPO have incorporated key features from Google’s new ‘Tiramisu’-flavoured offering.
Read more: OPPO Find X5 Pro 5G review – Divine Design Meets Charging Wizardry
OPPO are also introducing their ‘Aquamorphic Design’ concept. The tech giant is aiming for a “concise and comfortable visual experience” married to a user-friendly UI.
In addition, ColorOS 13 introduces a raft of new features for inter-device connectivity with the intention of serving a growing market of multi-device users.
Aquamorphic Design
OPPO say the Aquamorphic Design of ColorOS 13 was inspired by water. The intent for the company was to “create a fluid, vibrant, and inclusive UI”.
To these ends, ColorOS 13 features a new Theme Palette. OPPO say the palette is “inspired by the changing colour of light between sunrise and sunset at sea level”.
Color OS 13 features a new core font to improve the readability of system text in any language.
OPPO have also implemented a ‘Card-style’ layout to offer users more concise and comfortable visual experience.
Color With ‘U’ in the Middle
ColorOS 13 aims to deliver a more intuitive user experience by integrating various Aquamorphic Effects into the system animations, UI, and Quantum Animation Engine. This is paired with a new Behavioural Prediction model based on a user’s control intentions.
The process is founded upon OPPO’s human-centric inclusive design language. The OS update introduces Empty State Illustrations and Adaptive Layouts for different screen sizes. Highly recognisable icons enhance readability and overall ease of use.
Home Style
ColorOS 13 also brings features like Large Folders, Shelf, and a Home Screen Widget. The Home Screen Widget is designed to help users easily and quickly access the information they want in a format they want.
Dynamic Computing Engine
ColorOS 13 also introduces the ‘Dynamic Computing Engine’, OPPO’s system-level upgrade for a smoother and more stable system. The company also promises “all-round improvements to the fundamental user experience”.
Dynamic Computing Engine’s most notable contributions to the everyday ColorOS 13 UX is likely the increased battery life and the ability to keep more apps open in the background.
Dynamic Computing Engine (DCE) extends battery life with improved scheduling of hardware resources.
DCE also allows for more apps to be kept alive in the background. This should minimise lag when switching as well as keep page place and status more reliably.
Always On
ColorOS 13 can now display information related to music and food delivery apps. This gives AOD users quicker access to information as well as more convenient control over music playback and other functions.
OPPO has partnered with software and service providers, including Bitmoji and Spotify, to provide a wide range of convenient and personalised experiences through the Smart Always-On Display.
A new series of Always-On Display images called “Homeland” has been added to the OS. These depict scenes of wild animals in nature. The Always-On Display animations highlight changes to these animals’ habitats are temperatures and weather conditions change.
Power Saving Display
OPPO leverages the LTPO2.0 technology of Find X5 Pro to reduce the Always-On Display refresh rate to just 1Hz. This can save up to 30% on power consumption with AOD.
Meeting Time
OPPO has developed the industry’s first smartphone Meeting Assistant designed specifically for online meetings. Meeting Assistant automatically prioritises wireless data packages to provide a more stable connection during online meetings.
Meeting Assist offers simpler banner notifications aimed minimising distractions. The system also allow users to add an OPPO Notes shortcut to take meeting minutes via Notes in a small pop-up window.
‘Multi-screen Connect’ reduces the barrier between smartphone and PC with a File Transfer system that supports more file formats without hardware limitations. PC users display multiple mobile apps simultaneously on the computer via Multi-screen Connect,
Privacy and Security Updates
ColorOS 13 adds several security and privacy features to the OS. Some are user facing like system automatically deleting the clipboard history after a short period of time. Another, a new Nearby Wi-Fi feature allows users to use a wireless connection without revealing specific location information.
Auto Pixelate can recognise and blur out the profile photos and names in chat screenshots automatically with one tap.
Behind the scenes, a new Private Safe is encrypted with the widely-used Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to provide high levels of security.
ColorOS 13 Rollout Plan and Upgrade Policy
OPPO plans to update nearly 35 smartphone models to ColorOS 13 within the year. The release covers more than 60 countries and regions.
OPPO say their 160 million device rollout is their biggest update plan ever in the history of ColorOS. The rollout begins with OPPO Find X5 Pro and Find X5 today with the official release of ColorOS 13. OPPO plans to bring ColorOS 13 to over 20 more devices starting in 2023.
