ColorOS 13 makes a splash with new thematic, always-on display, performance-boosting and privacy-related features

OPPO has formally unveiled ColorOS 13 (COS) as its most "evolutionary" and effective version of Android yet, packed with features users might most want to see. To be frank, this might be because some of them might expect to see them in a build of OxygenOS (OOS) instead, the updated Private Safe, home-screen Shelf and Insight AOD included.

On that note, OPPO has also announced a number of additional, novel always-on display (AOD) options available with COS 13. Eco AOD leverages LTPO technology (when applicable) to stay as low as 1Hz as much as possible, and can also show an edifying animated polar bear on a melting glacier.

Alternatively, there are AODs that can show either Bitmojis or OPPO's own Omojis, which can of course be customized to resemble the user and be set to change their behavior as the day goes on.

Finally, there is Spotify AOD, a new and officially licensed lockscreen animation based on a user's playlist. Once the UI is unlocked, however, the user will encounter a plethora of highly detailed customization and UX options, down to the little active spinning sun in the brightness slider.

There are also more potentially "professional" tweaks, such as the updated and potentially more efficient Control Center and Large Folders (which minimizes multiple app icons within said folder, yet can allow the user to get at them without opening anything else) included.

OPPO has also introduced a Dynamic Computing Engine with COS 13, which can apparently smartly conserve and distribute battery life and processing resources in accordance with tasks of greatest, potentially work-related import. For example, its Meeting Assistant aspect kicks in to do so when an app such as Zoom is opened.

Multi-Screen Connect is another marquee screen-sharing feature that now works with first-party devices such as the OPPO Pad Air as well as Windows PCs. It is rated to duplicate, replicate and sync work across the displays in question for what might be an improved external-monitor experience. 

There is nothing brand new about that, however; then again, the Auto Pixelate function for screenshots that can automatically kick in to blur contact info in captures from apps such as WhatsApp may be a welcome new addition.

COS 13 ties all this together with the new Aquatic Design theme, which also comes with a new "comfortable" font and re-done app icons. It has also been developed with settings such as the Blossom, a new active wallpaper in which its eponymous shape can be set to 'grow' in sync with a screen-on time limit, thereby providing a handy prompt to put the phone in question down occasionally.

On that note, OPPO has revealed that stable COS 13 will hit international units of the Find X5 series first from later in August 2022, with the Reno8 series to be the next devices to see it thereafter. However, the OEM also intimated that this schedule might be subject to change, a fairly reasonable caveat to make in 2022.

Then again, for those truly hungry for the new, honestly 'more OOS than OOS itself' Android 13-based upgrade, there is also a Beta Version rollout time-line that might allow for access to those new builds slightly earlier depending on one's device.

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