Oppo's Color OS 12 goes official: A glimpse of what's coming to OnePlus phones?

OPPO has finally announced its Color OS 12 software. In doing so, the company is the second OEM after Samsung to unveil its Android 12 skin. It previously rolled out an Android 12 beta for the OPPO Find X3 back in May. However, the same wasn’t based on Color OS 12. Now, the firm has confirmed the global availability of the update, as well as the key features users can expect.

See also: Hands-on with OPPO’s Color OS 12

Color OS 12 key features

Simplifying UI design

Color OS 12 headlines an all-new new UI language. The company has focussed on uncluttering, with more spaced-out page layouts, increased text contrast, and distinguishing color shades. The icons also get a new, softer look.

OPPO has added new animations to Color OS 12, more than 300 to be exact. The company says it used its “Quantum Animation Engine” to “imitate physical habits of resistance, inertia, and rebound,” making interactions with the UI more realistic, intuitive, and smoother.

Wallpaper-based theming

Taking advantage of Android 12’s smarts, Color OS 12 brings a new wallpaper-based theming system to OPPO phones. The feature allows users to change their color themes to suit their wallpaper. The UI automatically suggests four colors for the user, but fine-tuning is also available. The feature only supports static wallpapers.

Omoji —Animated emojis

The new operating system also introduces 3D animated emojis called Omoji. They use OPPO’s face capture algorithm to let users create their personalized emoji avatars. Omoji can mimic facial movements and expressions in real time, just like Apple’s Animoji. Users will be able to customize their Omojis by adjusting parameters like skin color, hair, eyes, nose, accessories, and more.

Always-on Display 2.0

Color OS 12 users with certain AMOLED phone models can access an expanded AOD content library with designs from global artists. Additionally, Omoji can also be used on AOD screens if users so desire. Notably, the latter feature will only debut on Color OS 12.1.

Smart Sidebar 2.0

Oppo’s is also revamping its Smart Sidebar — the menu that can be pulled up from the side of the phone for quick access to file transfers, apps, messages, and more. Smart Sidebar 2.0 incorporates six new tools. For example, while browsing for a preferred song online, users can open it in the Music Player app. The Smart Sidebar can also now help users compare prices while shopping online.

PC Connect

Color OS 12 also brings a new PC Connect feature that allows users to operate their phones through their laptops. Additionally, it offers transfer speeds of 45Mbps, meaning you can send roughly 500 photos from your phone to your PC in just a minute. The feature supports a majority of laptops from mainstream brands that come installed with Windows 10 or a higher version. However, the feature will only be available from February 2022 at the earliest.

Privacy features from Android 12

Android 12’s new privacy features also make it to Color OS 12. This means you’ll get permission reminders when third-party apps use your mic, location, and camera. You’ll also get access to Android 12’s Privacy Dashboard, allowing you to manage and authorize app permissions.

Color OS 12 also comes with a secure photo-sharing feature that can erase sensitive information or data from original images. This feature also supports the secure sharing of videos.

Power consumption improvements

OPPO has made power consumption a priority with Color OS 12. This includes a one-tap power-saving feature that allows users to automatically optimize the power draw on their devices. It scans for potential power hogs, unnecessary features switched on, and other nifty tips. Power consumption notifications will also alert users if an app is draining power in the background.

Color OS 12 availability

OPPO announced its global rollout which includes more than 50 models on its roster. The first device to gain the Color OS 12 update will be the Find X3 Pro. Users of this device can download the update as soon as October 11, 2021. Availability for the other devices can be found below.

Read more: When will your OPPO smartphone receive the Color OS 12 update?

In China, Color OS 12 is launching on the Find X2 series and the Reno 6 series in November, and for the Reno 5 series, the K9, A95, A93, Ace2 series, and the OnePlus 8 series in December.

OPPO and OnePlus had also recently announced a codebase integration for Oxygen OS and Color OS. At the time, OnePlus said that the fruits of this partnership would be seen on current devices with the release of Android 12. It’s highly likely that we’ll see elements from Color OS 12 also appear on OnePlus devices when they’re upgraded to Android 12. Just how much influence will OPPO’s software have over Oxygen OS going forward? We’ll have to wait and watch.