OnePlus handset owners are in agreement that the company's phones are beyond expectations, but when it comes to OS update speed, things could be better.
On the bright side, the company has put its back into offering faster updates for its Oxygen and Hydrogen operating systems. In a recent announcement, OnePlus said that both its separate Android software builds will become one.
Oxygen OS and Hydrogen OS are about to merge, making way for faster updates and a slew of chemistry jokes to take place.
Those who are not familiar with the OnePlus products should know that Oxygen originated as an Android Open Source Project (AOSP), and the first contributors to it were ex-members of the Paranoid Android team. Meanwhile, Hydrogen is the Chinese variant of the ROM, crafted so that it appeals to the taste of the general public. Some might see this as an attempt to actually listen to users when designing a new UI, while others will be quick to point out that Hydrogen is an iOS clone, at least with respect to its graphic appearance.
To get a better grasp at the two operating systems' visuals, check out the manufacturer skins Android delivered for manufacturers such as Lenovo, Meizu and Xiaomi.
The XDA blog talked to OnePlus about the intention to merge the two development teams, which should mean that more resources will be allocated to them, leading to updates landing faster on both ROMs. Having only one official software package presents another advantage, as it should yield enhanced support to users worldwide.
XDA reports that Oxygen OS 3.5, which was built taking quite a few leafs out of Android Marshmallow's book, already shows the benefits of the union, especially when it comes down to the feel and look of the OS.
OnePlus promises that all user feedback it receives will be heard, which could lead to some Oxygen UI modifications. If you are part of the AOSP purist team, the company's increased focus on skinned UI will be far from pleasing. However, XDA points out that such users can easily appeal to community alternatives such as "stock" ROMs and CyanogenMod.
Both the CyanogenMod and stock ROMs are easy to install and customize with an unlocked bootloader.
OnePlus's move toward a more streamlined update experience will force some users to ask themselves if they prefer faster updates in order to ensure a safer mobile environment. Some might be willing to stick with a pure Google-like experience, despite the fact that this means more vulnerabilities and lukewarm performance.
