Everything about ColorOS 13, Oppo’s mobile interface

Oppo continues to roll out the software interface dedicated to its smartphones year after year. This is the 12th version of the Android skin (ColorOS 4 is not available, this number is a bad sign in China), marking the 9th year of ColorOS existence, since the first version dates back to 2013. So 2023 could be a key year for the interface, which could explain why ColorOS 13 doesn’t pretend to be a major update.

ColorOS 13 has been available in beta version on the brand’s latest high-end devices since October 2022, and the end of the year was marked by the arrival of the latest version on the Find X5 Pro and other flagships of the Chinese manufacturer. . The release schedule is quite tight and many models are eligible for upgrade.

The Made by Oppo interface is designed to be closer to the “stock” version of Android, a slimmer version that is increasingly neutral and without excessive interference from unwanted apps. A phenomenon that can still be observed in some manufacturers, including Samsung – even if the latter has made an effort in the right direction with the last two versions of One UI.

An update under the heading of productivity

Already successful last year with ColorOS 12, the new version takes productivity a step further. Muti-Screen Connect, launched on smartphones in 2022, is now available on tablets. That way, you’ll be able to open multiple apps from your phone on your computer or tablet. Multitasking between these different devices, such as copying and pasting, is made much easier. An option that has become increasingly popular on Android over the past two years. Oppo says that this functionality is not intended for its latest terminals, which is good news for owners of older models.

ColorOS 13 also introduces a smart assistant that activates when it detects you’re in a meeting via your smartphone. The AI ​​will take care of making your notification distribution more discreet (for example, by showing alerts in smaller characters) or silencing certain alerts. Once the feature is enabled, a floating taskbar can be made available for you to access quick notes, important documents and even the calculator.

Always-on interface is improved with this new version. It gets a little smarter by accepting real-time notifications, the same functionality as Live Actions available in iOS 16. When ColorOS 13 is launched, Oppo reveals that Spotify is already a client of this option and that other entities should use it. feature. It’s hard to say that Uber and consortia won’t like this type of innovation. As with OxygenOS (OnePlus), Bitmoji and Insight are also coming to Oppo’s interface. Two new additions to Omoji launched with ColorOS 12.

Ocean inspired design

If aesthetics are not the main concern of ColorOS 13, Oppo is still improving this component. Embrace a water inspiration this year. Blue becomes the dominant color; we note the ocean blue, with warm tones and some reflections reflecting the variations of the water. Using what it calls an aquamorphic design, Oppo has updated the lines of its typography and the layout of settings in the settings app, adding smooth effects for certain animations. This is the same for charging or unlocking with fingerprint.

New illustrations also find their place. More modern and inclusive, they will be placed in previously empty spaces in previous versions of the interface. Each one serves a function and is therefore not placed there by accident.

OS to support the hardware

This year, Oppo has chosen to focus primarily on the performance of its smartphones, which can support version 13 of the interface. Thus, the firm explains that under ColorOS 13, the Find X5 Pro can enjoy better autonomy without showing a gain in use. It seems that CPU load has also been considered, with the firm saying that it is possible to open more apps in the background.

Google had its magic eraser, Oppo also wants its small flagship feature. With ColorOS 13, automatic pixelation of confidential information is visible. The program can detect names, surnames or profile pictures in your screenshots. Whether you want to avoid damaging one of your sources or just want to hide your contacts, Auto Pixelate will hide it all.