For over a decade, OxygenOS has been at the heart of the OnePlus experience, evolving from a niche, enthusiast-driven project into the powerful, mainstream operating system it is today. Its journey is a compelling story of strategic pivots, community influence, and controversial mergers that mirrors the growth of OnePlus itself. From its “stock-like” origins born from the ashes of a failed partnership to its modern identity built on the ColorOS codebase, the identity of OxygenOS has been in constant flux.
This deep dive from Faceofit.com provides the definitive story of OxygenOS. We explore its unlikely genesis with the help of the Paranoid Android team, chart its evolutionary course through every major version, and provide a complete, filterable list of every OnePlus device to ever run the software. Finally, we dissect the pivotal ColorOS merger that fundamentally reshaped the OS and analyze its current position in a competitive Android landscape. Welcome to the OxygenOS Saga.
The OxygenOS Saga
An interactive deep dive into the history, evolution, and identity of OnePlus's iconic Android skin.
1. The Genesis of an Enthusiast's OS
The origin of OxygenOS is not a story of proactive innovation but one of strategic necessity, born from the abrupt collapse of a critical partnership. When OnePlus launched its first phone with the community-driven Cyanogen OS, it was a masterstroke to attract Android modders. However, a conflict with Cyanogen Inc. over an exclusive deal in India forced OnePlus to accelerate its own software development.
Forced to pivot, OnePlus engaged its community with a "Name the ROM" contest. "OxygenOS" was chosen for the global market, with "HydrogenOS" (a version without Google services) for China. The guiding philosophy was a "back to basics" approach, promising a clean, fast, and bloatware-free experience. To deliver, OnePlus hired key developers from the acclaimed Paranoid Android custom ROM team, embedding an enthusiast DNA into the very core of its new OS.
From Ashes to Oxygen: A Timeline
2014: The Partnership
OnePlus One launches with Cyanogen OS, targeting the enthusiast community.
Late 2014: The Conflict
Cyanogen Inc. signs an exclusive deal in India, creating a "total disaster" for OnePlus.
Jan 2015: A New Name
"OxygenOS" is chosen via a community contest. The philosophy: "back to basics."
Early 2015: The "A-Team"
Paranoid Android co-founders Aaron Gascoigne and Jesús David Gulfo Agudelo are hired to build the new OS, lending instant credibility.
2. The Evolutionary Trajectory
The evolution of OxygenOS mirrors OnePlus's journey from a niche startup to a global brand. The "Early Years" (OOS 1-3) focused on finding stability. The "Golden Age" (OOS 4-9) saw the OS establish a mature, beloved identity. The "Pre-Merger Era" (OOS 10-11) represented peak refinement, before the "Modern Era" (OOS 12+) began with the controversial shift to the ColorOS codebase.
| OS Version | Base Android | Debut Device(s) | Key Features & Shift |
|---|---|---|---|
| OxygenOS 2.0 | Android 5.1 | OnePlus 2 | Dark Mode, App Permissions. Stock-like but buggy. First out-of-the-box release. |
| OxygenOS 3.0 | Android 6.0 | OnePlus 3 | Major focus on stability, solidifying the "fast and smooth" identity. |
| OxygenOS 5.0 | Android 8.0 | OnePlus 5T | Face Unlock, Parallel Apps, Reading Mode, praised Navigation Gestures. Mature, unique identity. |
| OxygenOS 9.0 | Android 9 | OnePlus 6T | Skipped versions 6-8 to align with Android. Introduced Zen Mode, Gaming Mode 3.0. |
| OxygenOS 11 | Android 11 | OnePlus 8T | Major UI redesign for one-handed use, Always-On Display. Last "classic" version. |
| OxygenOS 12 | Android 12 | OnePlus 9 Series (Update) | First version on shared ColorOS codebase. Adopted ColorOS launcher, settings, and camera app. |
| OxygenOS 13 | Android 13 | OnePlus 10 Pro | Refined ColorOS-based experience with "Aquamorphic Design". |
| OxygenOS 15 | Android 15 | OnePlus 13 Series | Focus on AI, performance, and mainstream UI trends like optional iOS-style notifications. |
3. The Definitive Register of OxygenOS Devices
OxygenOS is an Android skin developed by OnePlus *exclusively* for its own hardware. It has never been licensed for use by any other brand, ensuring software is optimized for the hardware on which it runs. The following table catalogs every device in this exclusive ecosystem.
| Device Model | Series | Original Shipped OS | Latest Official OS |
|---|
4. A Tale of Two Systems: The ColorOS Merger
In 2021, OnePlus announced its R&D teams would merge with sister-company Oppo, leading to a plan for a single "Unified OS" combining OxygenOS and ColorOS. This was met with widespread backlash from fans who cherished OxygenOS's unique identity. In response, OnePlus cancelled the unified OS plan, but with a crucial caveat: OxygenOS would continue to be built on the shared ColorOS codebase, a reality that defines the software today.
OxygenOS
The "Burdenless" Experience
- Fast & Smooth
- Minimalist UI
- Enthusiast Focused
Shared Codebase
ColorOS
The "Stable & Rich" Platform
- Feature Rich
- Stable & Reliable
- Broad Market Appeal
The Result: Modern OxygenOS
While the "Unified OS" was cancelled, OxygenOS continues to be built on the ColorOS foundation, blending the DNA of both systems. This provides development efficiency but alters the original "stock-like" identity.
5. The State of OxygenOS Today
vs. Google Pixel UI
Customization vs. Simplicity
OxygenOS is no longer "stock-plus." Where Pixel prioritizes AI-driven simplicity and a clean interface, OxygenOS offers a deep toolkit for power users who want to tweak and control every aspect of their device.
vs. Samsung One UI
Battle of the Feature Kings
OxygenOS now competes directly with One UI. It has less bloatware, but One UI boasts a more mature ecosystem with features like DeX and the Knox security platform. The choice is now one of nuance, not philosophy.
vs. Nothing OS
The New Enthusiast Darling
The market vacuum left by OxygenOS's shift has been filled by Nothing OS. Its minimalist aesthetic and clean software have inherited the mantle of the "enthusiast's OS," appealing to users originally drawn to classic OxygenOS.