OnePlus, OPPO reportedly building lock screen feature similar to Samsung Now Bar

OnePlus and OPPO appear to be working on a lock screen feature that closely mirrors one of Samsung’s newer software additions. According to posts shared by OnePlus Club on X, both brands are developing a widget similar to the Now Bar seen on recent Galaxy devices.

Samsung introduced the Now Bar with its One UI 7 update. It’s a pill-shaped, interactive widget that sits at the bottom of the lock screen and surfaces live information such as media controls, timers, navigation updates, and more. The feature has been expanded over time to include things like missed calls and richer notifications, making it one of the more practical additions to Samsung’s software in recent cycles.

The update is expected to arrive with ColorOS 16.1 and OxygenOS 16.1. A rollout in China is tipped for April 16th, with global availability likely to follow.

OnePlus, OPPO testing ‘Lockscreen Island’ concept

The leak suggests that OnePlus and OPPO are building their own version, reportedly called “Lockscreen Island,” although the final name may differ. Early images show a similar layout, with a widget anchored at the bottom of the lock screen displaying media playback and call details.

If implemented fully, the feature could extend beyond that. Samsung’s Now Bar already supports a wider range of use cases, including sports scores, Do Not Disturb status, voice recording, and Google Maps directions. Leaks suggest OnePlus and OPPO may aim for similar breadth, potentially including messages, clock updates, and navigation prompts.

Alongside this, both brands are also said to be working on a redesigned lock screen media player with larger album art, playback controls, and lyrics support. OPPO’s update may further include UI changes such as a refreshed camera app, clearer notification grouping, and more consistent use of transparency across the interface.

This kind of feature crossover is not new. Samsung itself has iterated on ideas that resemble Apple’s Dynamic Island, adapting them into its own UI language. Now, competitors appear to be taking cues from Samsung’s implementation. Vivo did the same with its Origin Island.

If OnePlus and OPPO deliver a comparable experience, the gap in lock screen functionality between these brands and Samsung could reduce. At the same time, this is still an early leak. Samsung’s implementation is already live and evolving, while OnePlus and OPPO’s version remains untested. For users prioritising cutting-edge lock screen functionality, waiting for the official rollout and reviews of ‘Lockscreen Island’ on OnePlus and OPPO devices might be prudent.