ColorOS 13 features a design language called ‘Aquamorphic’. Oppo claims that the design is inspired by water. The jargon sounds good for marketing. But what users need to know is that the new design is mostly similar to that of ColorOS 12 with some tweaks here and there to offer an overall better experience.

By default, the color palette is blue and it changes its shade throughout the day, just like water during sunrise and sunset. You can change the system color based on wallpaper but the implementation is just as poor as it is in ColorOS 12. There’s still no ‘Material You’ but the company says that it is working on introducing it.

The interface follows a card-style layout. Settings app and first-party apps feature different-sized cards showing information based on the type of content.

Finally, there are stunning empty state illustrations across the software, which gives a unique look.

ColorOS 13’s home screen is almost similar to that of ColorOS 12, except that users can now enlarge folders. Though it sounds like a simple feature, it is so much useful. 

Because you don’t need to open a folder to access the desired app anymore. All you have to do is simply click on the required app’s icon present inside the large folder to quickly access it.

As with previous iterations of ColorOS, users can opt for the app drawer if they don’t prefer the iOS-esque home screen filled with all the installed applications.

Most importantly, ColorOS 13 arrives with a redesigned control center. The top portion is populated by two large toggles on the left and a media playback widget on the right. By default, the large toggles are WiFi and Bluetooth but users can change to whatever they want.

Further, the mid-section includes the remaining toggles, followed by the bottom part featuring the brightness slider. Lastly, the header consists of a clock, settings icon, and edit toggles option.

The notifications area resides below the control center in portrait view. However, in landscape view, like during playing a game or watching a video, the notification pane shifts to the right side, while the control center remains on the left. This makes it easier to access quick toggles and respond to notifications.

ColorOS has one of the best always-on display (AOD) implementations. With ColorOS 13, it gets even better with more AOD styles and integration with third-party apps.

Oppo has introduced a new AOD style series called ‘Home’. It showcases how the earth is affected by global warming. Users can choose from three styles featuring polar bears, penguins, and a coral with clown fish.

Talking about third-party applications, Oppo has partnered with Spotify and Indian food delivery companies Zomato and Swiggy for always-on display. Apps offered by these companies will be displayed on AOD.

Spotify AOD shows the music that’s currently playing along with controls and icons of the four most-played playlists. On the other hand, the India-exclusive Zomato and Swiggy AOD will show useful information like ‘Order accepted’, ‘Meal picked up’, ‘Distance to destination’, and ‘Delivered’.

Oppo introduced PC Connect with ColorOS 12. As of now, there are no new changes in the beta build I used but the company has revealed plans to add more features in the later releases of ColorOS 13.

The firm says that it will be adding functionalities like natively answering calls and sending/receiving messages on the computer. In other words, PC Connect will become more of a Microsoft Phone Link rather than simply mirroring the screen.

Hence, apart from the upcoming new features, users can also make use of the existing features like notifications sync, clipboard sync, and file transfer.

With more refinements like these, PC Connect may become richer in features like Huawei Multi Screen Collaboration and Samsung DeX in the near future.

ColorOS has had Kid Space for a while with no new additions. After years, it finally gets a useful new feature in ColorOS 13.

The new feature relies on the phone’s hardware to protect the eyesight of kids. It gives three different types of reminders pertaining to sitting position, viewing distance, and ambient light.

Parents can also go through all the reminders issued by the phone during the Kid Space session. Hence, they can teach their kids to use smartphones properly.

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