The new ColorOS 13 has been out for a while now and it still seems to be a hot UI in the tech platforms. It is popular for its sleek and fluid-like UI with a focus on simplicity, usability, and customizability. But can you just trust what you hear? In this article, we will discuss the key features of ColorOS, including its new features in ColorOS 13, how to update your OPPO/Realme phone to ColorOS 13, and how it compares to other popular Android UIs.
What is ColorOS?
ColorOS is a custom-made User interface (UI) made by OPPO that uses the Android operating system as its core. Android is an open-source Operating system that powers most smartphones. The latest ColorOS, ColorOS 13, is made for its OPPO Andriod smartphones and OPPO foldables. However, it does run on stock Android but adds tons of new features to the operating system. Also, it adds tons of customization features that are not available on stock Andriod. It is popular for its sleek and fluid-like UI with a focus on simplicity, usability, and customizability.
What Smartphones Use ColorOS?
Currently, ColorOS is the default UI on all Oppo smartphones, since it was made by OPPO, for OPPO. Also, it is available on some OnePlus smartphones sold in China. But many more smartphone brands are actively using ColorOS. Here are some of the brands apart OPPS that use ColorOS:
- OnePlus (in China)
- Realme (until 2020)
- Vivo (in some regions)
- Some Realme Smartphones (Global)
It is important to note that the features and customization options may vary depending on the brand and model of the smartphone. Also, OnePlus is actively using OxygenOS on its devices, which is based on ColorOS.
ColorOS 13
ColorOS 13 is the latest version of OPPO’s UI. It is an Android 13-based UI. This means that it runs on Android 13 but adds some features and customization features to the operating system. It launched on Oppo Find X5 and Find X5 Pro on August 18, 2022. It brought in a new privacy dashboard that enhances your smartphone’s privacy.
What Are The New Features Of ColorOS 13?
We mentioned before that ColorOS has tons of features and customization options on its devices. Well, here are some of the key features of ColorOS:
- Aquamorphic Design.
- Smart Alway On Display Integrated with Spotify.
- Smart Homescreen Design.
- Multi-Screen Connect.
- Smart Meeting Assistant.
- Privacy And Security Protection.
All these are features that OPPO has integrated into the ColorOS. With the ColorOS 13, the UI has gotten better optimization and customization. The most impressive feature is the smart always-on display, which is integrated with Spotify. The new smart always-on display reduces the screen down to 1Hz which uses less power. It is also integrated with Spotify which displays the song you are listening to on the always-on display without unlocking your phone.
New Customization Features in ColorOS 13
The Aquamorphic Design that is used is basically for a smooth and fluid experience. From its name “Aqua”, which means water. Means that is a water-like UI with a more rounder and bubbly design. The ColorOS 13 is definitely an upgrade from the predecessor, the ColorOS 12. So, here are some new customization features on this new upgrade:
1. Omoji
This is an emoji feature that gives you the ultimate customization for your emojis. it allows you to create personalized 3d emojis. You can add messages or calls. you can also add it to your contact’s profile picture. It works similarly to the iPhone’s Memoji. It uses and face capture algorithm to make a 3d emoji. So, in place of the TrueDepth scanner or the iPhone, this one uses OPPO’s face capture algorithm.
2. Special Features
There is a list of special features that are available in the setting app on the ColorOS 13. The features make your interaction with your app very fluid. Among these is the split screen feature which allows you to split your smartphone screen into 2, where your app can run separately. You can activate this by swiping up with 3 fingers on the screen.
Another feature is the flexible Windows feature. This is a feature that makes apps into smaller capsules on the screen. This makes the app a window that can run over another app, which makes it easier to multitask. There is also Quick Launch, which opens a selection of apps when you touch and hold the under-display fingerprint sensor. There are more special features on the ColorOS 13, which are:
- Quick Return
- Smart Sidebar
- Kid Space
- Simple Mode
3. Multi-Screen Connect
This feature allows you to simultaneously display up to 3 windows from your phone on a Windows PC or an OPPO tablet seamlessly. It also allows you to transfer files and your clipboard across devices seamlessly.
4. Digital Wellbeing
The new feature added to the digital well-being setting is the blossom wallpaper. It is designed like a plant but isn’t a plant. It works as a timer or reminder. When you set a screen time limit on your phone, the wallpaper will wither and die to indicate that you have reached the limit.
For a more detailed article with more images, go to GSMArena’s review on ColorOS 13.
How To Update Your OPPO/Realme To ColorOS 13
There are 2 methods by which you can update your OPPO or Realme devices to the latest ColorOS 13. Either automatically or manually with OPPO System Upgrade Tool. We will provide the steps to update to the latest software update.
Automatically Upgrade To ColorOS 13
This is the most simplified method for Updating your OPPO phone to ColourOS 13. It needs no external device. To be able to successfully update your phone, make sure that it is fully charged or plugged into a power source. So, to update to ColorOS 13 on an OPPO smartphone, here are the steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down to About Device and select it.
- Tap the ColorOS version tab.
- You will see ColorOS 13, then click the Download Now button.
- Then, click the install button. However, in some cases, it will automatically install on your smartphone.
The installation will now proceed. It might take 30 minutes for the software update to finish the installation. So, make sure that the OPPO phone is either fully charged or plugged into a power source.
Manually Upgrading To ColorOS 13 With OPPO System Upgrade Tool
To upgrade using the OPPO system upgrade tool, download the tool on your PC, connect your phone, install the OTA assistant on your phone, check the new version, and download and update the new version
- Go to the OPPO System Upgrade Tools application page to download the app and install it on your Windows computer.
- Connect your OPPO device to your computer via USB.
- Click on the Check the Latest Version button.
- Click on the Update Now button on your computer.
The app will send a pop-up, notifying you that the update has been sent to your phone and is ready to install. Then, your device should now be on the latest version of the ColorOS if you have followed these steps successfully.
Comparing ColorOS With Other Android UI
Android is a popular mobile operating system that millions of people around the world use. We will be comparing ColorOS with three other popular Android UIs: One UI, OxygenOS, and MIUI. Here is the comparison:
1. ColorOS VS OxygenOS UI
There are no lots of differences between the both of them. The oxygenos is a UI that is based on coloros. It is just that the oxygenos has zero bloatware. The oxygenos is for Realme devices. The oxygenos is a little bit faster than the colors since it does not have bloatware. Here are some of the differences in features between these two UIs.
2. ColorOS vs MIUI
Both of these UIs are based on the Android operating system. The MIUI is developed for Xiaomi devices. The Design is comparable, it’s just that the MIUI has a wider range of customization. They are both developed by Chinese companies. Everything comparable is all similar in one way or another. So, there is no actual difference except for its UI design. The
3. ColorOS vs One UI
One UI is a more popular Android UI that is developed by Samsung. In design, the ColorOS is more customizable than the One UI. One UI also has a virtual assistant, Bixby, that is embedded into the UI’s interface. Samsung also has features like location sharing and many more.
Which Is The Best UI?
Ultimately, the best UI depends on your taste and your personal preferences. You may like a phone with tons of features and customization options. Then, you should consider the ColorOS or MIUI. If you are looking for a UI that is user-friendly and focused on performance and battery life, then One UI or OxygenOS is a good option.