OnePlus has officially confirmed that its proprietary operating system, OxygenOS, will be phased out globally and replaced by Oppo's ColorOS. The transition will begin with the Android 17 update, affecting most active OnePlus devices. This decision ends a beloved chapter for fans, who valued OxygenOS's distinct features, but it is a necessary logistical step following the deep integration between OnePlus and Oppo.
OxygenOS disappears: streamlining OnePlus software
According to the official announcement, OnePlus will no longer release standalone versions of OxygenOS for global markets. All devices eligible for the Android 17 update will have the option to switch to ColorOS, while older models will remain on OxygenOS with limited security patch support. The company stated that this move will accelerate update delivery and improve overall software quality by leveraging synergies with Oppo. In fact, OxygenOS had already shared much of its code with ColorOS for years, differing only in details like background app management.
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A long-expected change after the Oppo merger
The software unification had been anticipated since OnePlus and Oppo began a path of increasing integration, culminating in shared R&D and supply chain departments. In China, OnePlus devices already ran ColorOS, while OxygenOS remained a global identity hallmark. However, with Oppo's recent decision to gradually scale down the OnePlus brand worldwide, converging on a single interface was nearly inevitable. OnePlus clarified that users can roll back to OxygenOS, but the rollback versions will be limited.
Meanwhile, Realme, another Oppo brand, has also announced it will adopt ColorOS with Android 17. This further consolidates the software ecosystem of the Chinese conglomerate, aiming to reduce fragmentation and optimize development resources. The decision comes amid growing European regulatory scrutiny over competition: just recently, the EU ordered Google to give rival AI apps the same Android access as Gemini, a move that could also affect how manufacturers customize their skins.
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For OnePlus users, the switch to ColorOS might not be traumatic. The two interfaces are now very similar, but ColorOS tends to be more aggressive in background app management, which could alter the experience for those accustomed to OxygenOS's smoothness. OnePlus has assured it will continue to provide security updates and support for all devices as originally promised, at least for their expected lifecycles.
Market impact and future outlook
The demise of OxygenOS symbolically marks the end of OnePlus's independence, which started as a “flagship killer” brand with a strong community identity. Now, absorbed into Oppo, only a few flagship models will remain, while the software becomes a standardized product. Enthusiasts can still expect faster updates but will lose the customizations that made the system unique. According to rumors, the transition could begin in the coming months, with the first Android 17 betas based on ColorOS.
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For further reading, a related article covers how the EU ordered Google to open Android to competing AI systems, a development that could influence skin development. Additionally, the HiveLegacy exploit for Windows illustrates why timely updates are critical for smartphone makers as well. OnePlus seems to have chosen the path of stability and compliance, accepting to standardize with Oppo.
For more information on OnePlus and ColorOS, you can visit the Wikipedia page for OnePlus.
Source: https://9to5google.com/2026/07/16/oneplus-software-updates-android-17-coloros
