We’re getting an early take a look at how the subsequent model of Android will look on numerous 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 can be rolled out for testing publicly later this month, and I bought my palms on the primary beta construct just a few days in the past.
Visually, OxygenOS 14 does not introduce any new options; the UI continues to be closely custom-made and resembles ColorOS 13. The truth is, I did not see any adjustments on this space in any respect 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 recent ringtones and notification tones. This is a rundown of seven new options I discovered in OxygenOS 14.
OnePlus is aware of methods to 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 yr, 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 based mostly on the quantity of distance walked — 100% is 8,000 steps — and it adjustments the look of the AOD fairly considerably.
The concept is to chop down in your each 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 exhibits 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 instantly within the dwelling display screen
A brand new addition within the OxygenOS 14 dwelling display screen is a search pillbox that is positioned on the backside of the house display screen, simply above the dock. OnePlus examined plenty of methods to floor international search, together with a pull-down gesture anyplace on the display screen, and whereas that gesture continues to be energetic 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 telephone, 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 in the event you do not care a lot for international search, you may flip off this characteristic completely from the settings.
Lock display screen will get even higher
OnePlus is making just a few tweaks to the lock display screen in OxygenOS 14, rolling out two further controls: QR and flashlight. Now you can arrange a shortcut for a QR code reader or flashlight on the lock display screen and floor both utility with out having to unlock the telephone.
OxygenOS 13 launched a persistent media participant on the lock display screen that is obtainable in always-on mode, supplying you with the flexibility to manage music playback with out waking the display screen. This characteristic was hidden within the customization web page, and has been moved to the lock display screen settings in OxygenOS 14, giving it significantly better visibility. I take advantage of this explicit characteristic 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 on occasion, and OxygenOS 14 has dozens of recent ringtones based mostly 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 obtainable, by the best way. In the same vein, you get an entire vary of recent notification tones.
Unified safety dashboard provides you an outline of your telephone’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 obtainable, 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 structure that is extra cohesive with the remainder of the OxygenOS 14 styling. The one new change on this entrance is the app permissions that help you grant picture and video permissions as a substitute of full system entry, a characteristic that is baked into Android 14.
Sensible Recommendations surfaces contextual data
One in every of my favourite software program options on Pixel telephones is the At A Look widget; it does an incredible job surfacing related data as and when wanted, together with calendar occasions, upcoming flights, site visitors and climate data, and so forth. OxygenOS 14 is getting the same characteristic that is dubbed Sensible Recommendations.
As a substitute of a widget, Sensible Recommendations will floor data on the lock display screen, notification shade, and standing bar. The characteristic pulls in knowledge from ride-hailing and meals supply providers (for now), and parses that knowledge within the type of a card that is viewable on the lock display screen or notification pane.
Change languages on the fly with ease
One other new characteristic in OxygenOS 14 is the flexibility to alter the language on a per-app foundation. The characteristic is obtainable within the Extra 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 obtainable inside Android 14, so all telephones working the subsequent 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 should always see further options with subsequent builds. If historical past is any indication, the steady construct of OxygenOS 14 ought to roll out earlier than the top of the yr to the very best OnePlus telephones, beginning with the OnePlus 11.
