Exclusive: First Look at the OnePlus 15 Running ColorOS 16

By Aryan Vyas • Updated On 13 Aug 2026

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Last month, OnePlus dropped a bombshell that left long-time fans feeling nostalgic: the brand is officially retiring OxygenOS in favor of OPPO’s ColorOS. It was a major software pivot, but we certainly didn’t expect to see it in the wild this soon.

Thanks to an anonymous tip from a reader, we’ve obtained exclusive photos showing the highly anticipated OnePlus 15 already running a beta build of ColorOS 16.

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What the Leaked Photos Reveal

For years, tech enthusiasts have debated how a pure ColorOS experience would feel on a OnePlus flagship. Based on the images sent to us, the software shift is visually striking yet highly polished.

The standout change is the adoption of “liquid glass” UI elements scattered throughout the system, a sleek, translucent design language that feels heavily inspired by iOS. Alongside this, the interface features newly redesigned app icons and a completely overhauled “About Phone” page that looks cleaner and far more modern than its predecessor.

Additionally, our source highlighted that the system’s animation mechanics have been entirely reworked. Gestures, multitasking, and app launches now carry a fluid, bouncy momentum that noticeably departs from the traditional OxygenOS snap.

Familiar Under the Hood

If you’re anxious about losing the classic OnePlus identity, don’t panic. Our source indicates that this beta build doesn’t actually introduce any drastic structural changes. Let’s be honest, OxygenOS iterations beyond v11 were already running ColorOS at their core.

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Because the foundational code was already shared, the jump to ColorOS 16 on the OnePlus 15 is primarily about cosmetic tweaks and design philosophy rather than a complete functional rewrite. You’re still getting the snappy, flagship-tier performance you expect, just wrapped in a fresh aesthetic.

The Bottom Line

While Android purists might mourn the official end of the OxygenOS era, this early glimpse of the OnePlus 15 is very promising. The ColorOS 16 beta looks refined, feels modern, and manages to keep the device’s speedy DNA intact. We’ll be watching closely as OnePlus prepares for the final public rollout.

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Aryan Vyas

Aryan is the youngest tech enthusiast at Smartprix, with a deep passion for technology, automobiles, cricket, and Bollywood. He is a meticulous researcher and writer who write on a wide range of tech topics, including smartphones, laptops, wearables, and smart home device.

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