Hands-on with all the new OxygenOS 11 features

Google released Android 11 earlier this week, and – a welcome change – quite a few smartphones are compatible with beta versions of the update. OnePlus announced a preview for Android 11 developers earlier this month, but has now joined the party with an open beta for Oxygen OS 11 for OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro.

I ran the beta on a OnePlus 8 for the past week. This gave me a feel for all the changes that come with Android 11 and Oxygen OS 11. However, after running the Developer Preview released earlier this month, I had a good idea of ​​what to expect.

However, the open beta adds an extra layer of polish to the release. Here is a quick overview of all the new features from Oxygen OS 11 with Android 11 on OnePlus 8.

A new look Oxygen OS: familiar yet fresh

I’ll be honest, the redesigned interface in Oxygen OS 11 blew my mind at first. As a longtime OnePlus user, I’ve gotten used to the stock-like approach.

It turns out, most the changes are for the better. The OnePlus Sans font is the most obvious change, and quite a departure from Roboto. The thinner and cleaner font uses significantly more spacing to reduce visual clutter.

As a fan of minimalism, the font suited me very well and I got used to it quickly enough. I was skeptical about readability from a distance, but that wasn’t a problem.

Most of the changes to the user interface are intended to make one-handed use easier.

The other major change is the copious use of spaces. In our behind-the-scenes interview with Sam Twist, Senior Product Manager at OnePlus, he explained that this should improve one-handed operation.

I didn’t see a big advantage with the regular OnePlus 8. On the other hand, an even bigger phone like the OnePlus 8 Pro would absolutely benefit from the user interface improvements. With the initial touch point roughly in the middle of the larger display, it’s much easier to quickly tap and scroll through the settings screen.

The same design idea applies to the updated magazine-style gallery app, although the effect isn’t quite as pronounced. OnePlus also claims that Oxygen uses OS 11 AI to get the best photos for a larger size.

If you’re not taking that many photos, the wasted space may seem a bit off-putting. The ability to quickly share images from the camera app without having to dive into the gallery is a nifty addition to Oxygen OS 11.

Likewise, I’m not really convinced of the changes to the weather app. It’s the kind of app that users want to stop by, view information, and get on with their work. OnePlus has done a good job of maintaining design consistency across the board, but this comes at the cost of usability.

Ironically, my favorite design change is perhaps the most subtle of them all. No longer do you have to pull down the full notification shade to access the brightness bar. With a single swipe, you can toggle the buttons and adjust the screen brightness. Perfect.

The built-in dark mode, which changes from light to dark, can now be scheduled to trigger at sunset or at a user-defined time.

New functions for Android 11

For other important changes, OnePlus at last introduced an Always On Display. It’s coupled with the 11 different design options so you have plenty of options to customize it. I chose one of the more information-rich options.

Unfortunately, the Always On Display – at least in the beta version – is a battery hog and takes away a significant percentage of the charge overnight.

In the meantime, OnePlus has partnered with the Parsons School of Design for an option that will show how many times you’ve unlocked your phone. There’s also a visual indicator of how long you’ve been using your phone.

It’s a nifty connection to Zen mode and digital wellbeing. But for someone like me – whose day includes the expanded use of the smartphone – this wasn’t the most intuitive option.

Speaking of Zen mode, improvements have also been made here. I often use the digital detox feature when there is a deadline and I really don’t want to be disturbed by app notifications. The productivity function blocks access to all apps except the camera. No notifications other than phone calls will not be allowed.

Continue reading: OnePlus interview – behind the scenes with the controversial Oxygen OS 11 update

This time, Zen mode can be configured for a range of intervals starting at one minute and going up to 120 minutes. In addition, OnePlus phones let you create a room and invite friends for a detox session together.

While the former worked as expected, I can’t imagine using the latter that much – if at all. In addition, OnePlus has added three new themes to the app.

In addition to all of the custom improvements to Oxygen OS, the upgrade also gets some – but not all – of the features that Google introduced with Android 11. Example: OnePlus has not yet activated the new Quick Settings Music Player. However, you will get chat bubbles for supported apps.

Oxygen OS 11 comes with some useful upgrades thanks to Android 11.

Oxygen OS 11 is just getting started. Further changes and fine-tuning are expected in the final version. Still, I like most of the improvements here. Aside from leaving out the new music player in the notification shadow, publishing becomes a step in the right direction.

Despite the concerns of a group of enthusiasts, the changes in Oxygen OS 11 are largely for the better. It strikes a fine balance between introducing new features and subtly tweaking the user interface to make it easier to use.

What are your favorite Oxygen OS 11 features? Let us know in the comments.