We’re getting an early have a look at how the following model of Android will look on varied telephones; Samsung confirmed off One UI 6 with a brand new visible design and feature-set, and OnePlus is subsequent consistent with OxygenOS 14. The Android 14-based OxygenOS 14 might be rolled out for testing publicly later this month, and I obtained my palms on the primary beta construct just a few days in the past.
Visually, OxygenOS 14 would not introduce any new options; the UI continues to be closely custom-made and resembles ColorOS 13. Actually, I did not see any adjustments on this space by any means within the 4 days I used the beta, and if there any visible tweaks deliberate, we’ll have to attend for future builds.
Whereas the interface is essentially the identical, there are new options and value adjustments, and a boatload of latest ringtones and notification tones. Here is a rundown of seven new options I discovered in OxygenOS 14.
OnePlus is aware of how you can design an AOD fashion that stands out, and that continues to be the case in OxygenOS 14. The brand new Carbon Footprint AOD is builds on the Homeland AOD that debuted final 12 months, and it’s designed to showcase the impression carbon emissions have on our planet. There are 5 modes to this fashion, going from 0%, 25%, 45%, 75%, and 100%. Every mode adjustments primarily based on the quantity of distance walked — 100% is 8,000 steps — and it adjustments the look of the AOD fairly considerably.
The thought is to chop down in your day by day carbon emissions by strolling as a substitute of taking different types of transport, and that is visually highlighted within the AOD. A 0% change in CO2 emissions reveals a barren planet, with 100% discount surfaces a lush inexperienced world, with the AOD fashion altering dynamically as you make progress in your exercise objectives all through the day.
You can too select between a forest or island lagoon, and the animation switches up dynamically in both case the extra you progress.
Use international search immediately within the dwelling display
A brand new addition within the OxygenOS 14 dwelling display is a search pillbox that is situated on the backside of the house display, simply above the dock. OnePlus examined loads of methods to floor international search, together with a pull-down gesture anyplace on the display, and whereas that gesture continues to be lively in OxygenOS 14, the search field is a much less intrusive technique.
Because the identify suggests, international search means that you can search by way of your cellphone, together with contacts, paperwork, and even the net. What I like about this implementation is that the pillbox fades away once you’re scrolling between dwelling screens. And when you do not care a lot for international search, you may flip off this function totally from the settings.
Lock display will get even higher
OnePlus is making just a few tweaks to the lock display in OxygenOS 14, rolling out two extra controls: QR and flashlight. Now you can arrange a shortcut for a QR code reader or flashlight on the lock display and floor both utility with out having to unlock the cellphone.
OxygenOS 13 launched a persistent media participant on the lock display that is out there in always-on mode, supplying you with the power to regulate music playback with out waking the display. This function was hidden within the customization web page, and has been moved to the lock display settings in OxygenOS 14, giving it a lot better visibility. I exploit this explicit function quite a bit, and it is good to see OnePlus giving it a bit extra consideration.
Unlock a brand new world of ringtones and notification sounds
This is not an enormous deal as options go, however I like switching up my ringtone every now and then, and OxygenOS 14 has dozens of latest ringtones primarily based on the Aquamorphic design aesthetic. The ringtones are objectively higher than the legacy tones that had been bundled with earlier variations of OxygenOS — that are nonetheless out there, by the best way. In an identical vein, you get an entire vary of latest notification tones.
Unified safety dashboard provides you an outline of your cellphone’s standing
OnePlus began consolidating all the safety and privateness settings right into a unified dashboard in OxygenOS 13.1, and OxygenOS 14 continues that push. There’s now a single web page that lists all safety and privateness choices out there, and the dashboard provides you a high-level overview of the varied options.
The dashboard has picked up a visible refresh; it has distinct Materials You influences in OxygenOS 13.1, however switches to a clear format that is extra cohesive with the remainder of the OxygenOS 14 styling. The one new change on this entrance is the app permissions that will let you grant photograph and video permissions as a substitute of full system entry, a function that is baked into Android 14.
Sensible Ideas surfaces contextual info
One in all my favourite software program options on Pixel telephones is the At A Look widget; it does an important job surfacing related info as and when wanted, together with calendar occasions, upcoming flights, site visitors and climate info, and so forth. OxygenOS 14 is getting an identical function that is dubbed Sensible Ideas.
As a substitute of a widget, Sensible Ideas will floor info on the lock display, notification shade, and standing bar. The function pulls in knowledge from ride-hailing and meals supply companies (for now), and parses that knowledge within the type of a card that is viewable on the lock display or notification pane.
Change languages on the fly with ease
One other new function in OxygenOS 14 is the power to alter the language on a per-app foundation. The function is on the market within the Further Settings sub-menu, and you’ll simply choose a language for a person app with out having to alter the system language. This is not simply restricted to OxygenOS 14 as Google is making it out there inside Android 14, so all telephones working the following model of Android will embrace it.
We’re simply getting began
OnePlus is simply rolling out the primary beta construct of OxygenOS 14, and we must always see extra options with subsequent builds. If historical past is any indication, the steady construct of OxygenOS 14 ought to roll out earlier than the tip of the 12 months to the best OnePlus phones, beginning with the OnePlus 11.