OnePlus announces its first ColorOS beta, kicking off the transition from OxygenOS

On OnePlus, a significant shift is underway as the company unveils its inaugural ColorOS beta, signaling a departure from the OxygenOS skin that has been its hallmark for over a decade. This move comes in the wake of OnePlus pulling out of North America and Europe. The closed beta program is presently confined to the Indian variants of the OnePlus 15 and OnePlus 15R, a limited rollout that excludes users in the US and Europe.

To participate, applicants must possess an active OnePlus Community account, sign a non-disclosure agreement, and be prepared to engage in a Telegram group and collaborate with OnePlus' software team. The application window is brief, opening on August 6 and 7. While the Android version beneath remains undisclosed, Android 17 is a strong contender, given OnePlus' internal testing of it on the OnePlus 15 since March.

Notably, the last OxygenOS 16 beta mirrored this limited rollout, exclusively targeting Indian devices prior to the stable release reaching other regions. OnePlus has made its rationale clear, emphasizing that this transition will facilitate the amalgamation of engineering resources with its parent company, Oppo, and expedite forthcoming updates.

With Google's Pixel 11 series encountering graphical issues that render popular mobile games unplayable, the transition to ColorOS on OnePlus devices might prove to be a swift endeavor. Similarly, Samsung is rumored to be contemplating distinct sizes for its upcoming Ultra flagship, potentially leading to a larger Galaxy S27 family.

Meanwhile, Apple's September event is expected to introduce two significant product drops - the iPhone 18 Pro and Ultra foldable, alongside the regular iPhone 18, Air 2, and 18e, adding to the premium lineup.