THE OPPO Have on Color OS 13 the answer for smartphones and tablets awaiting the arrival of android 13 gives Google. The latest version of the interface of this brand adds value to pure software, as it was made available in mid-August 2022 by the search giant. So let’s see what the Chinese manufacturer has prepared for the latest version of its user interface.
4gnews had early access to beta versions of this interface, ColorOS 13 Beta, testing it on an OPPO Find X5 Pro smartphone. Over the course of two weeks and several incremental updates, we’ve seen one of the best user experiences ever. created with this user interface that goes beyond Google. Now, we share our conclusions.
ColorOS 13 perfects the best aspects of Android 13
New users of ColorOS on OPPO smartphones and tablets will find here a user interface that is not overloaded and has strong roots in Google’s “pure” Android. Indeed, there are multiple customizations and tools added by the Asian brand, but we quickly felt at home.
It’s a relatively light and elegant interface, without any unnecessary animations or flourishes. It is similar to the previous version, ColorOS 12, with some improvements to the already extensive customization capabilities of the overall appearance of the smartphone.
ColorOS 13 can be kept very close visually to “pure” Android, or completely customized by the user. Indeed, it is in the design where the new version of the UI presents more novelties, respecting Google’s You Material, but without depriving itself of introducing its own approach.
The result? The Aquamorphic design, or design inspired by the movements of water, in the organic and dynamic that surrounds us, in the beauty that permeates Nature.
Aquamorphic Design complements Google’s Material You
ColorOS 13 is more fluid, even in this beta version, compared to the previous version. There is a primacy for the performance and general fluidity of the system that has not left us indifferent. We find all the key elements of Android 13 perfected here.
We have, for example, Themes adapted to the system, one of Google’s strongholds introduced in Android 12, already present in ColorOS 12 and now reinforced in the new version. There are even more customization options with Aquamorphic Design.
As soon as you can, try the accent colors chosen by the system based on the hues of the wallpaper. It’s a great way to quickly personalize your OPPO smartphone, giving it a unique touch.
Go beyond Android 13 with custom app icons
We found several interface elements that go beyond Android 13, especially in terms of customization. The most immediate is the ability to adjust the size of folders with shortcuts to applications (central panel).
We also find, more improved, the possibility of adjusting the application icons to the applied theme. See, by the way, the ART+ icons, an option present in this UI that helps fill spaces in a more organic, fluid and natural way.
The same can be said for animations between menus, when opening and closing apps, when moving between sections of the phone. Everything is apparently more fluid, with extremely discreet animations. They are there, but they never dare to distract the user.
More control for OPPO Control Center
The control elements present at the top of the notification bar, that is, in the Control Center, are more dynamic and customizable. This is the slogan of all ColorOS, giving a lot of freedom to the user of the devices.
In addition, with Android 13 this functional element is greater. That is the first impression we get when using this trial software. The interactive images, the control widgets in the Control Center, are larger.
In addition, the widgets themselves have more management and control options by the user, noting a coherence that permeates the Aquamorphic Design.
Always-on screen with more OPPO options beyond Android 13
The Always-On Display is a plus on devices with AMOLED screens, and it’s even more useful in ColorOS 13. We can now see the “highlights” of app info, little information cards with a summary of what’s important.
In particular, we highlight the partnership between OPPO and Spotify to bring control and information of what is being played to this always-on screen. We also have more animations, with more featured bitmojis, with more information presented.
Ultimately, this screen becomes more useful by allowing you to control certain applications without having to unlock the mobile device either.
Contextual information makes AoD more useful in ColorOS 13
Featured information is something to explore when you get this update, but there is more to come. See OPPO Multi-Screen Connect mode, a feature that allows you to connect mobile devices to your Windows PC, which has also been improved.
More specifically, we can open 3 applications at the same time, in addition to being able to edit files on our PC without having to transfer them. In short, depending on the workflow, we can have significant productivity gains here.
Also highlighted is Blossom Wallpaper, a wallpaper from OPPO that monitors the usage time of the smartphone or tablet. Representing a plant whose growth culminates in the user-defined time for the daily usage limit.
In short, a wallpaper as a timer or stopwatch to be configured by the user to (try) not to abuse daily use.
Screenshots do not show sensitive information
When taking a screenshot, if ColorOS 13 detects sensitive data on it, such as banking information or user’s personal data, it can automatically blur these parts. That is, to crystallize/censor fields of information that could otherwise be shared without much care.
This is just one of the examples that highlights OPPO’s commitment to respect and prioritize user privacy. I hope that it is well implemented in the various smartphones receiving ColorOS 13, as through AI it can be useful in daily life.
The privacy “suite” has several controls and indicators that, for an interested user, can make a difference. However, the novelty with the most immediate impact will be the ability to hide sensitive information in screenshots.
This reinforcement, in addition to the user’s private area that enjoys a reinforced degree of protection, also accompanies the arrival of the space for children. That is, the Kids Mode that even gives us recommendations for a healthier use of the device.
Finally, with the official announcement of ColorOS 13, now it’s time to wait for its effective arrival on selected smartphones. In this sense, due to the arrival of news to the different OPPO smartphones.
In short, we find in ColorOS 13 an interface that respects that of Google’s Android 13, with its own identity and especially useful additions. A (very) positive note.