OxygenOS 12 lacks this edge. You'll still have a lot of customization but it's all taken from ColorOS. Private Safe, customizable dark mode, and all of the other new features, including the customizable safe, are also ColorOS. The only exclusive features are the Zen Mode, Canvas AOD and Shelf. The interface is essentially the same as before, with only a few exceptions. The launcher comes from ColorOS and this is what most demonstrates that OxygenOS has changed.
This is a good thing. I love ColorOS 11 and am excited about the direction OPPO is going with ColorOS 12. The Chinese manufacturer is improving the interface and adding features aimed to global users. OnePlus has decided to eliminate OxygenOS, its most important selling point. It was simple and set the standard for Android skins. This allowed OnePlus to have a clear advantage over its competitors.
OxygenOS 12 is not like that. The Android 12-based interface is basically just ColorOS 12 with an additional name. OnePlus managed to save a few features but the interface is exactly the same as what you will find on any OPPO smartphone today.
OnePlus's OxygenOS 12 plan is worse. OnePlus merged OxygenOS with ColorOS to speed up updates. OxygenOS 11.3 was a preview of the ColorOS-based future. It was fine, as many user-facing features such as the launcher, were still created by OnePlus.
Since the beginning of OxygenOS, I have been using it. I didn't like the OxygenOS 11 changes last year. The interface was a mess and felt like it was trying to imitate One UI.
On this note, I don’t see how OnePlus phones are any different from OPPO’s. Although both companies have been working together in the manufacturing aspect of things since the beginning, OnePlus has always had two advantages: a unique design and the best third party software available on Android. While I don't know how the latter will play out (we'll have to wait until the OnePlus 10 series), the former is disappearing. Sources within OnePlus say that OxygenOS has been decommissioned and the bulk of the OxygenOS team has merged with OPPO.
In a way, I'm happy that this is OxygenOS' final version.
OxygenOS has lost its identity and I am glad this interface will be finalized. OnePlus and OPPO are collaborating to create a unified OS, which will be launched with the OnePlus 10. According to what I know, it will simply be ColorOS 12 with a few tweaks.
OnePlus' entire business was built on a "Fast and Smooth” ideology, which is equally dependent on software and hardware. It was OxygenOS, however, that made the difference. With the hardware being identical across all Android phones it was the simple interface and customizability that made OnePlus a popular choice for power users. I can't imagine why anyone would choose OnePlus over OPPO. Only thing I can think of is North America. OPPO does not sell phones in North America, so it uses OnePlus to distribute ColorOS. This logic is evident when you take a look at OnePlus' Nord N series, which is budget-focused.
OnePlus is, in essence, to OPPO what POCO to Xiaomi is: a sub-brand that targets a niche audience. OxygenOS 12 should not be called OxygenOS. Friends and family have recommended OnePlus devices to me many times over the years. However, they were not keen to see the future of OxygenOS 12.
OnePlus is focusing on a mainstream audience and a shared software allows it to reduce its costs. If you are a power user who has used OnePlus phones due to the software, OxygenOS 12 will not be for you. I hope that Google delivers with the Pixel 6 series. There isn't much choice for enthusiasts right now.
