ColorOS 17 update roundup: expected release timeline, eligible phones, features and more
The ColorOS 17 release will be an interesting one this year, since the update will be rolled out not only to OPPO devices but also to OnePlus and Realme devices. This comes as part of OPPO’s efforts to offer a unified software experience across all its brands by combining resources to build and maintain a single mobile software platform. As a result, OxygenOS and Realme UI are being axed in favour of ColorOS 17 on OnePlus and Realme devices. Furthermore, as the name suggests, ColorOS 17 will be based on Android 17.
This update is expected to be announced soon, since several players, such as Google, Samsung, Motorola and a few others, have already announced or released their Android 17-based skin. On that note, here’s everything you need to know about ColorOS 17’s expected device list, features and improvements, implications for OnePlus and Realme users, and more.
Table of Contents
ColorOS 17 release timeline
Since OPPO, along with OnePlus and Realme, will adopt ColorOS 17 as part of their Android 17 rollout, the official announcement could be made soon. The first official hint of the skin’s presence came in the form of the ColorOS 17 closed beta recruitment announcement, which began on August 6th for multiple OPPO, OnePlus, and Realme models in China, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
While the closed beta application page didn’t explicitly state it’s the ColorOS 17 update, such rollouts are generally reserved for major updates. If past track record is anything to go by, the closed beta testing could last for four to five weeks, after which the open beta programme could begin. The closed beta update is limited to just 300 users on a specific device, while the open beta update is available for all to download directly.
The first set of devices receiving the ColorOS 17 closed beta update includes:
- OPPO: OPPO Find X9 Pro, OPPO Reno 15 Pro, OPPO Reno 15 Pro mini
- OnePlus: OnePlus 15, OnePlus 15R
- Realme: Realme GT 8 Pro
ColorOS 17 unified design and features across OPPO, OnePlus, and Realme devices
Since the eligible phones from all three brands will run ColorOS 17, one can certainly expect the smartphones to feature a shared design language and features. However, as was the case with OxygenOS 16 and Realme UI 7, which featured their own sets of homescreen icons, different quick settings sliders, and a distinct About Phone page compared to ColorOS 16, it remains to be seen whether the same will apply to OnePlus and Realme devices on ColorOS 17.
That being said, the core design of ColorOS 17 is likely to be implemented across all smartphones. Meaning the design of every first-party app, menu, setting, and core visuals will be the same.
OPPO devices eligible for ColorOS 17 (expected)
Since ColorOS has been the proprietary custom skin for OPPO devices, ColorOS 17 could be released for the following devices:
| Series | Models |
|---|---|
| Find X series |
|
| Find N series | OPPO Find N6, Find N5, Find N3, Find N3 Flip, Find N2, Find N2 Flip |
| Reno series |
|
| OPPO F series |
|
| OPPO K series |
|
| OPPO A series | OPPO A6, OPPO A6 5G, OPPO A6s, OPPO A6s 5G, OPPO A6x, OPPO A6x 5G, OPPO A6 Pro, OPPO A6 Pro 5G, OPPO A6t, OPPO A6c |
| OPPO Pad series | OPPO Pad 5, OPPO Pad 3, OPPO Pad SE |
OnePlus devices eligible for ColorOS 17 (expected)
With OnePlus officially declaring that OxygenOS is being sunset in favour of ColorOS going forward starting with Android 17, the list of expected devices set to get ColorOS 17 are as follows:
| Series | Models |
|---|---|
| Flagship series | OnePlus 15, OnePlus 15R, OnePlus 13, OnePlus 13R, OnePlus 13s, OnePlus 13T, OnePlus 12, OnePlus 12R, OnePlus 11, OnePlus Open |
| Nord series | OnePlus Nord 6, Nord 5, Nord 4, Nord CE 6, Nord CE 6 Lite, Nord CE 5 |
| OnePlus N series | OnePlus N6, OnePlus N6x |
| Pad (tablet) series | OnePlus Pad 4, OnePlus Pad 3, OnePlus Pad 2, OnePlus Pad Lite, OnePlus Pad Go 2 |
The company has also noted that users will be able to switch back to OxygenOS 16 if they don’t find ColorOS 17 up to the mark, whether in terms of design or specific features that may be removed in the upcoming ColorOS iteration.
Realme devices eligible for ColorOS 17 (expected)
With most promising at least two OS upgrades, particularly on the entry-level and budget models, here’s the expected list of Realme devices set to receive ColorOS 17:
| Series | Models |
|---|---|
| GT series |
|
| Number series |
|
| P series |
|
| C series |
|
| Narzo series |
|
| Pad series | Realme Pad 3 |
ColorOS 17 new features and improvements (expected)
Since OPPO, OnePlus, and Realme have just launched the closed beta programme for ColorOS 17, there isn’t much official information available about the new features and improvements for the upcoming ColorOS iteration. However, based on the hints dropped by ColorOS’ Director and a few leaks that have popped up recently, here’s what to expect on ColorOS 17:
Core experience improvements: Per Chen Xi, the Design Director of ColorOS, the new update will focus on improving the core experience, resulting in faster performance, greater efficiency, and improved system stability. From what we can tell, since ColorOS 15 and 16 already introduced a variety of new features across AI, customisation, and productivity, it makes sense for ColorOS 17 to further refine the UI.
Brand new Software Update screen: Right after ColorOS 17 closed beta went live for the OnePlus 15, Smartprix exclusively posted the ‘Software Update’ screen found on the new ColorOS version. The page will include a transparent section with the changelog for the latest update.
Rounder elements across the UI: ColorOS 17 is tipped to carry more rounder elements in several parts of the UI. From pop-up menus to buttons to section menus within first-party apps, one can expect the UI to flaunt rounder corners.
More prominent glass and light aesthetics: ColorOS 16 introduced the Luminous Rendering Engine, which enabled the UI to display hints of glass and glowing light elements in key areas, such as homescreen folders, lockscreen clock, buttons within first-party apps, and more. ColorOS 17 could further improve upon this engine to make the effects more prominent and visually appealing.
FAQs
When will ColorOS 17 be released?
OPPO, OnePlus, and Realme could announce ColorOS 17 by mid-October 2026 at the latest, as ColorOS 16 was unveiled during the same timeframe last year.
Will ColorOS 17 bring a major visual redesign?
OPPO’s ColorOS Design Director has confirmed that ColorOS 17 will focus on refining the core experience and improving stability, performance, and smoothness, rather than introducing a major UI overhaul or adopting a “Liquid Glass”-like design in a heavy way.
Will it be possible to downgrade from Android 17-based ColorOS 17 to Android 16?
As has been the case with ColorOS in the past, users are likely to be offered the option to downgrade from Android 17-based ColorOS 17 to Android 16. In fact, OnePlus has assured that it’ll provide the procedure for users willing to switch back to OxygenOS 16 if they don’t find ColorOS 17 to be on par with OxygenOS’ signature design and look or specific features.
Which devices are expected to get ColorOS 17 first?
Early priority is expected for recent flagships such as the OPPO Find X9, Find X9s, Find X9 Pro, Find X9 Ultra, OnePlus 15, OnePlus 15R, and Realme GT 8 Pro. Besides that, the OPPO Find X10 series and OnePlus 16 could boot ColorOS 17 out of the box at launch.
