Recently, a report claimed that OnePlus is merging the development of its two custom Android ROMs, OxygenOS and HydrogenOS. While the report suggested this is to unify the operating systems to ensure faster updates, there is more than meets the eye here.
A new report by Android Central, says that the reason the OxygenOS and HydrogenOS merger is happening because OnePlus is understaffed.
Apparently, the Chinese OEM, had both of its developer teams working for long hours leading uo to the launch of the OnePlus 3, and this took a toll on OnePlus’ staff, who terminated thier contracts and exited the company after the phone was launched. And some members of the new merged team, are only contracted to work with the company till the end of the year.
And the worst part is that, OnePlus’ chief designer, responsible for the Nexus-like interface for OxygenOS, has quit the company, which means that there is a chance that OxygenOS could leave its Stock-ish UI behind, in favour of (brace yourselves) a custom UI akin to Xiaomi’s MIUI and Huawei’s EMUI. It makes sense considering that such “Custom Android skins” are something the Chinese demographic are used to, but what the rest of the world consider’s bloaty and non Android-esque.
Hopefully, OnePlus will listen to user feedback and stick to its stock-ish UI. Or there are always custom ROMs to turn to.
Update:
According to a thread on Reddit, where a user has translated text from a German news website Golem, OnePlus stated that OxygenOS and HydrogenOS will stick to their designs, and won’t suddenly start to look the same.
But, considering the fact that the recent community builds have indeed changed parts of the UI in OxygenOS, this could mean that there is still a possibility that an eventual transition in the UI might happen.
