OnePlus and Oppo's new unified OS delayed, may not be released until later this year [Update: Early development started]

Since we announced our integration with OPPO, I’m sure that many of you are eager to know more about what’s next, both for OnePlus and for you. We have been working hard over the past few months to map out our future strategy for how to better leverage our increased resources and create better products, and a better experience, for our users. Today, I would like to share with you some updates on the future for OnePlus.With the integration, I would like to say that OnePlus has entered the OnePlus 2.0 phase. I believe we are now a more mature and reliable technology brand that continues to bring top-quality products to users around the world with the same Never Settle spirit as before.Since I took up the role as Chief Product Officer of OPPO last June, I have overseen product strategies for both OnePlus and OPPO software and hardware products for almost a year now. I’m happy to see the product philosophy that you all are familiar with – fast and smooth, and burdenless – can be applied to all OPPO and OnePlus product lines as well as both OxygenOS and ColorOS.I have always appreciated the unique and global identity of the OnePlus brand. And as a product guy myself, I really appreciate that so many of our users love technology and like to try out new technology as early as possible. This is what makes OnePlus who we are, so when coming down to product planning, I always want to make sure we create fast and smooth, burdenless products that are tailored to meet the needs of our core users.Product StrategyIn terms of product portfolio strategy, we introduced some new product series at the regional level beginning last year, which received really good feedback from the market. Based on the growth and success we achieved last year, we will continue offering users a high-quality experience at multiple price points, together with even more competitive pricing.Most importantly, going forward, our more affordable product ranges will become more localized, while continuing to offer our premium and ultra-premium flagship smartphones globally.

Camera Experience

Next, as you know, starting last year we began focusing more on developing a truly premium camera experience both through our strategic investment in camera technology, as well as with our partnership with Hasselblad for our flagship series. Moving forward, we are doubling down on our commitment to our camera, specifically in 3 areas.

Creating a great and burdenless user experience at the very fundamental level.
Continuing to focus on improving color performance together with Hasselblad, the industry-leader in color, as well as with customized sensor and lenses.
Investing in the research and development of a range of new and improved technologies that will take the camera experience to new heights for our users.

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Future of OxygenOS

And last but not least, I want to update you on the future of OxygenOS.

I would like to start by sharing more background about the codebase integration of OxygenOS 12 and ColorOS 12. When planning for Android 12 last year, the two teams already began sharing a more similar pursuit for the software experience: fast and smooth, simple and stable. With the codebase integration, OxygenOS 12 build quality has been improving and software updates are becoming more timely. And more broadly speaking, over time we have seen that the two operating systems have been gradually converging in terms of the fundamental user experience.

Creating the best possible product experience for our users has always been our goal in everything we do, and with more resources as a larger and more integrated organization, we feel that we can offer even more to our users by adapting our approach to software. Therefore, after careful consideration, we have decided to integrate the OxygenOS and ColorOS teams to plan the future software experience together. @Gary C. , Head of OxygenOS whom a lot of you have known for many years, is now also overseeing the global unified operating system.

By combining our software resources to focus on one unified and upgraded operating system for both OnePlus and OPPO devices globally, we will combine the strengths from both into one even more powerful OS: the fast and smooth, burdenless experience of OxygenOS, and the stability and rich features of ColorOS.

For some of you, this news might give you some doubts. Believe me, I read many of your comments online every day. But I would like to tell you confidently that after overseeing the product development of both systems for a year, I believe that the unified operating system will keep the DNA of OxygenOS that many of you love so much, while also giving you an upgraded experience overall. And of course, OnePlus has a unique group of users, therefore we will customize the unified OS specifically for OnePlus devices to make sure it meets your expectations, for example by keeping it as clean and lightweight as before, and continuing to support unlock bootloaders.

In terms of timeline, for global OnePlus devices, we will first introduce the integrated OS with the launch of our next flagship series in 2022. The integration will be fully completed together with the next major Android update in 2022. We will share more details about when specific devices will receive the new OS at a later date.

I know a lot has been going on for each of you over the past couple of years. The fact that you are on the OnePlus forums, reading these important updates and engaging with our team and with each other, makes me believe that there is still so much we can achieve together. I have faith that the next step of the OnePlus journey – OnePlus 2.0 – will be a positive change for us as a brand, but also for each of you as users and tech lovers. Thanks for staying with us through it all.

Pete