OnePlus has always done an excellent job with their software. So much so, that Oxygen OS has become a selling point for their smartphones. It is clean, bloatware-free, and close to stock Android. OnePlus has also done a respectable job with software updates; their devices usually get three years of software support. They are also quick to deliver the latest version of Android, the OnePlus 8 series was one of the first to get Android 11 Beta as a part of the Developer Preview Program. As you can gather from the name, this build of Android 11 is meant for developers and other advanced users.
And now the company is rolling out Android 11 Developer Preview 3 for the OnePlus 8 series. This release brings in some visual changes that might not sit well with all OnePlus fans. Now Oxygen OS is known for being awfully close to stock Android, but with this release, OnePlus is moving in the direction of Samsung’s OneUI. The UI has more of an emphasis on one-handed usage, with large headers and elements being shifted to the bottom of the screen.
Other notable features include a new dark mode, always-on-display, and new Zen Mode features. We have provided the complete list of key updates and known issues below. While we are certainly excited to get our hands on the latest build, it is going to be interesting to see how the OnePlus community reacts to the new visual design.
Key updates
- New visual design (including Weather app, Launcher, Gallery, Notes)
- New layout for more comfortable and convenient one-handed operation
- Always-on display function, including 11 new clock styles
- Live wallpaper that changes according to the time of day
- New OnePlus Sans font that improves readability
- Optimized Dark Mode, including the ability to automatically turn on and off and a shortcut in Quick Settings
- 3 new Zen Mode themes, more timing options, and new Group feature to let you experience Zen Mode with your friends
- New Gallery function that automatically creates a weekly story based on your photos and videos
Known Issues
- Some third-party applications may not function as expected
- System stability issues
- Network stability issues in some scenarios
Android 11 Developer Preview 3 Download Links
