OnePlus 7, 7 Pro get a taste of Android 11 with OxygenOS 11 Open Beta 1 update

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

Earlier this month, OnePlus revealed that it was working on fixing issues encountered while porting the Android 11-based OxygenOS 11 update for the OnePlus 7 series. Well, it appears that OnePlus has finally managed to overcome the hurdles, as the company has started the rollout of OxygenOS 11 Open Beta 1 update for the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro.

The Android 11-based OxygenOS 11 Open Beta 1 update for the OnePlus 7 and its Pro sibling brings a design overhaul and a tonne of new features such as HEVC codec support, new Canvas feature for Ambient display, shortcut key for Dark Mode, story function in the Gallery app among others. You can read the entire changelog below:

System
1. Update to OxygenOS 11 version
2. Fresh new UI visual design brings you a more comfortable experience with various optimizations of details
3. Optimize the stability of some third-party applications and improve the experience
Camera
1. Updated the camera UI and optimized some of the function paths to offer more convenient operation
2. Newly added HEVC codec to reduce video storage size seamlessly, capture and shoot more without compromising on quality
3. Newly added access to a third-party app to share the picture by pressing and holding it in preview
4. Newly added the quick access to recording mode by pressing and holding the shutter button and by sliding the button, you can easily zoom in or zoom out
5. Newly added the playback display in Time-lapse mode to show the actual filming time
Ambient Display
1. Newly added Insight clock style, a joint creation with Parsons School of Design. It will change according to the phone usage data ( To set: Settings > Customization > Clock Style)
2. Newly added Canvas feature that can automatically draw a wireframe picture based on a lock screen photo on your phone（Path：Settings-Customization-Wallpaper-Canvas-Choose photo preview and it can be generated automatically）
3. Always-On-Display feature is under internal test and will be released in subsequent versions. In this build, you can use the “Ambient Display” by picking up your phone or tapping the screen, it can be turned on in the Settings.
Dark Mode
1. Added the shortcut key for Dark Mode, pull down the quick setting to enable.
2. Supporting automatically turn on feature & customize time range. path: Settings – Display – Dark Mode – Turn on automatically – Automatically enable from sunset to sunrise / Custom time range
Shelf
1. Newly shelf interface design, the interface is clearer
2. Added weather widget, animation effect smarter
Gallery
1. Supporting Story function, automatically form weekly videos with photos and video in storage
2. Optimize the loading speed of the gallery, and the image preview is faster

But do keep in mind that the update is only available for unlocked OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro units. Also, be warned that the update comes with a host of issues such as system instability, higher than usual power consumption, slow-loading in the Gallery app, and intermittent connectivity issues with Bluetooth accessories to name a few. However, if you’re willing to take the chance, you can download the update files from the official forum post here. 

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OnePlus smartphones running Android 10 get Android 11’s Zen Mode

Posted on by Prakhar Khanna

OnePlus introduced Zen Mode – aimed at helping users put down their phones to focus on important tasks – last year with the launch of its OnePlus 7 series. The meditation-focused app was updated with new changes in OxygenOS 11, which is in open beta phase as of now. The latest version of the app was available only on OnePlus 8 series running the Android 11 version of its OxygenOS. Now, the company is bringing the latest Zen-Mode update to the phones running Android 10.

The latest development was first reported by our friends at XDA-Developers. Basically, Zen Mode is to bring the company’s proprietary digital detox and meditation solution. It is OnePlus’ take on Google’s Digital Wellbeing initiative.

For reference, the updated Zen Mode app enables the option to create a virtual room and invite friends to join and start a focus challenge together. It also introduced a variety of themes to enhance the user’s immersive meditation experience. It also comes with the ability to let you record your daily Zen moments and review your progress towards concentration and focus.

The new Zen Mode was first showcased by the company with HydrogenOS 11, which is a Chinese version of OxygenOS 11. It is also available globally for the users testing OxygenOS 11. You can read about all the new features in OxygenOS 11 here.

You can check out the new update through the Google Play Store. Further, one can also sideload the APK from APKMirror.

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OxygenOS 11 initial impressions: Room for improvement

Posted on by Prakhar Khanna

OnePlus rolled out the first OxygenOS 11 preview with its Android 11 beta 3 update for the OnePlus 8 series. With OxygenOS 11, OnePlus is making visual changes to its OS for the first time in few years. It adds the much-awaited Always-on Display feature. Further, the dark mode has received some changes as well.

The new design changes are said to be inspired by Samsung’s OneUI. I have the preview installed on my OnePlus 8 Pro and it gives me a first look at the upcoming features in OxygenOS. Now, I’ve used it for nearly 7 hours, and I already have some thoughts.

Dark Mode: Why fix what isn’t broken?

OnePlus has gone ahead and made some unasked changes to its Dark Mode on OxygenOS 11. The UI is now much more on the gray-side rather than being stark black, which used to suit the AMOLED panels of OnePlus devices. I’ve been using my phone in dark mode for the past 12 hours and every time I swipe down to see the notification panel, I gasp. It seems to be in some sort of middle ground between dark mode and light mode. The accent in Notification panel is lighter too, but it can be fixed from the Customization option in the Settings. I hope the company reverts to its original take on dark mode.

Also, you can now schedule the system-wide dark mode. You have three presets: Disabled, Automatically enable from sunset to sunrise, and Custom time range. All are self-explanatory.

Visual changes: Unoriginal but feasible

Like Harish from Android Central mentioned, OnePlus’ OxygenOS 11 visual changes seem to have been inspired from Samsung’s OneUI. And that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

There’s a new design for OnePlus’ first-party apps, including Weather, Notes, Gallery, Settings, and more. It includes is a bold typeface at the top and large icons that make it easier to view information. The menu elements now sit in the lower 2/3rd section of the screen. You must have experienced it if you happen to be a Samsung user.

While it is getting a lot of criticism saying OnePlus is going away from its roots of “stock Android”, I appreciate the company for trying something new. It is like OxygenOS finally has an identity of its own despite being inspired from Samsung. And it is feasible too!

For example, I had to callback a certain person and the contact was at the top of the menu. On previous OxygenOS versions, I’d have to reach out to the name to call him, but not now. With new visual changes, the contact is right there at the 2/3rd of the screen, which makes the overall one-handed use easier. Moreover, the notification panel also has a big clock at the top now, so you can reach the top-left icon easily.

While phones are getting bigger and the average screen size is increasing every year, this could help people with relatively small hands. For reference, I’ve got big hands, and I still appreciate the ease of one-handed use. The new design overhaul is more convenient in my opinion.

Always-on Display: Not much is new

OnePlus devices have had AMOLED displays for a long time. However, one feature the was missing from OxygenOS and the one users were requesting OnePlus to introduce is finally here. OxygenOS 11 comes with Always-on display (AOD). The feature is identical to what Samsung has been doing for years.

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Moreover, there’s the option to schedule it or have it enabled throughout the day. Further, there are 12 clock faces that can be implemented on the AOD. One of the clock faces is Insight style, which changes dynamically as you use the phone. The longer the usage, the wider the groove. Moreover, there’s a counter present over the groove shows the number of times you’ve unlocked the phone.

Apart from this, there’s not much that’s unique or special about OnePlus’ AOD implementation. You can’t interact with notifications in any way, which is disappointing for me. I was expecting a Moto Display-kind implementation from OnePlus.

More Customization

Live Wallpaper: OnePlus is bringing more dynamic wallpapers with OxygenOS 11. The new live wallpapers can change based on the time of day. There is a large globe that changes position across the screen throughout the day.

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Quick media share from camera app

Quick media share from camera app: OxygenOS 11 makes it even easier to instantly share the images after clicking. You need to hold the image preview at the bottom right, which is present in a circle. It brings four options: three of them are apps that you’ve used recently and people you’ve interacted with, and the forth is ‘More’ that opens the regular share menu.

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Swipe down gesture

Swipe down gesture: OnePlus has enabled you to access the notification panel by swiping down from the homescreen. With OxygenOS 11, it is now giving you options for the gesture. You can choose to access the Shelf or notification panel by swiping down on the homescreen.

OxygenOS 11: More to come

These are all the features I could experience/find with my first 7 hours on OxygenOS 11. Overall, after spending a few hours with it, I feel that the new OS has room for improvement. We’ll write an in-depth piece after a few days and hopefully, we’ll have much more to share on the OxygenOS 11.

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