On October 15th, at the 2025 OPPO Developer Conference (ODC25), OPPO officially launched ColorOS 16. This time, OPPO brought a system-wide evolution from underlying architecture to interactive experience: three key smoothness technologies reshape performance boundaries, and the in-house developed Fanxing compiler enables flagship-level performance even on budget phones. AI capabilities have been comprehensively upgraded, with Xiaobu Memory becoming a "personal assistant" that better understands the user. The all-new light field design and cross-ecosystem connectivity extend the mobile experience beyond the device itself, extending to every detail of life. ColorOS 16 is more than just a system update; it represents OPPO's redefinition of the future mobile operating system—one that is smarter, smoother, more natural, and more user-friendly.
Three key smoothness technologies reshape the underlying experience: ColorOS 16 makes Android "seamless and smooth."
"Dove in the mobile world, smoothness takes a step further." This is how OPPO described ColorOS 16 at the launch event, a declaration of ambition. ColorOS 16's smooth experience stems from three core technologies: Aurora Engine, Tide Engine, and Star Compiler. These represent the upper, lower, and lower limits of smoothness, respectively, and together form a brand-new smooth technical architecture.
The Aurora Engine is the core of ColorOS 16's smooth experience. It restructures Android's traditional modular architecture to achieve "integrated and seamless rendering" of the system.
In the past, different modules in the Android system (such as the negative one screen, control center, and home screen widgets) had independent rendering mechanisms, which often resulted in lag and a sense of disconnection when switching. The Aurora Engine, however, utilizes "distributed response scheduling" to enable simultaneous rendering and synchronous response across all system interfaces, achieving a truly seamless experience.
This means that when you swipe from the home screen to the negative one screen, open global search, or drag home screen icons, all animations maintain a consistent rhythm and visual continuity. Even more impressively, this seamless animation applies not only to the system UI but also to third-party apps, achieving dynamic logic that "goes where it comes from and where it goes."
ColorOS 16's visual smoothness isn't just about a high frame rate; it's about logical and perceptual coherence—making every scroll feel as natural as flowing water. Smoothness isn't just about appearance; it's also about performance. ColorOS 16's Tidal Engine introduces "chip-level dynamic frame tracking technology" to the underlying system for the first time—a system-level animation optimization technology that dynamically adjusts frame rate and computing power allocation based on real-time load.
This mechanism improves ColorOS 16's system smoothness under heavy load by 37%, while reducing power consumption by 13%. Whether running multiple tasks simultaneously (gaming, video, calls, recording), or undergoing prolonged, intensive use, the system maintains consistent and stable responsiveness. Even more groundbreaking, Tidal Engine offers an industry-leading "6-year continuous smoothness" guarantee—meaning ColorOS 16 not only delivers "smooth performance now," but also "lasts like new" for years to come.
If the first two technologies define the upper limit for flagship devices, the Star Compiler raises the bar for mass-market devices. The Fanxing Compiler is OPPO's first self-developed "Android cross-level fusion compilation technology." It connects the entire compilation chain from the Java layer to the hardware layer, enabling deep system adaptation and unleashing performance on low-computing chips. Thanks to the Fanxing Compiler's optimizations, even entry-level models achieve higher code execution efficiency and more stable interactive responses. OPPO considers this "technology accessibility" the mission of ColorOS—to ensure every user enjoys a flagship-level smooth experience.
ColorOS 16's three key smoothness technologies cover everything from the highest level to the lowest level, ultimately achieving a single goal: a comprehensive, lasting, and universally smooth experience.
AI is deeply integrated into life: Xiaobu Memory becomes a "personalized smart assistant."
In ColorOS 16, OPPO's AI is no longer just a plug-in feature; it's the "soul" of the system.
The core AI capability is embodied in "Memory." ColorOS 16 integrates Xiaobu Memory system-wide, forming an AI service matrix centered around memory search, memory Q&A, and memory recommendations.
AI One-Click Flash Memo, one of ColorOS's most popular AI features, has undergone a comprehensive upgrade. In ColorOS 16, AI One-Click Flash Note not only extracts long text and images and organizes notes, but also automatically analyzes long videos and generates structured chapter summaries. Users no longer have to drag a progress bar to find key points; the system proactively helps you "finish and summarize."
AI One-Click Flash Note also covers more daily scenarios: scanning order codes, automatically recording bills, generating shopping collections, and even recording inspiration and organizing ideas through voice interaction. With just a simple "note for me," ColorOS 16 intelligently archives, categorizes, and organizes information, turning AI into a true "life assistant."
Notably, Xiaobu Memory earned a Guinness World Record for this innovation – "AI phone with the most accurate answers in 3 minutes." This truly demonstrates the practical application of AI capabilities.
ColorOS 16 integrates Xiaobu Memory throughout the entire system, forming the AI assistant's "long-term memory." Users can directly retrieve past records, such as medical examination reports and flash notes, through global search, and can also conduct memory Q&A sessions with Xiaobu via voice. With each interaction, Xiaobu will better understand user preferences, gradually forming a "personal AI impression," enabling a personalized intelligent Q&A experience.
Xiaobu also recommends adding "Memory Recommendations," which proactively recommends more suitable stores, services, or events based on user habits. This proactive intelligence transforms AI into more than just a cold tool, but rather a partner that understands you.
ColorOS 16 also empowers AI capabilities within core system applications. AI recording summarization supports real-time transcription and summary generation based on different roles, making it easy to extract key points from meetings. Global AI writing generates context-sensitive copy, PowerPoint presentations, and even mind maps, transforming the phone into a creative productivity tool. Features like AI portrait fill-in and AI block editing seamlessly integrate the intelligent experience of imaging and office scenarios. ColorOS 16's AI is not only intelligent, it also understands how to save you time.
Light Field Design × Cross-Ecosystem Interconnection: A More Natural and Freer Experience
Another major upgrade in ColorOS 16 is in the realm of vision and ecosystem. On the visual level, ColorOS 16 introduces a new "Light Field Design" concept. The system simulates the reflection and refraction of light in real-world environments, giving interface elements a soft, three-dimensional texture.
OPPO has also introduced AI-inspired themes and AI Live Wallpapers, which automatically generate a depth-of-field effect based on user photos and match them with emotionally appealing text, turning the lock screen into a "story cover" that captures life's highlights. Furthermore, the ability to freely drag and drop desktop icons, folders, and cards, as well as AI color selection, allows users to create their own unique desktop style. The aesthetics of ColorOS 16 are no longer a uniform template; they are a form of "evolving individuality."
ColorOS 16's breakthroughs in ecosystem connectivity are equally astonishing. For the first time, the system supports communication with iPhones: answer calls, text messages, and app notifications from your iPhone on your OPPO phone, and enjoy the native experience of AirPods with instant connection, spatial audio, and noise cancellation. This is undoubtedly a revolutionary update for users who own both iPhones and OPPO devices.
ColorOS 16 also supports Apple Watch's "Fluid Cloud Seamless Login," making cross-brand device collaboration more natural than ever. On the PC side, cross-screen connectivity has received a major upgrade. Users can mirror their phone to their computer, drag and drop files, open up to five app windows simultaneously, and hide all windows with a single click, making their workflow more efficient. OPPO's proprietary "One-touch Share" feature has also expanded its functionality, supporting the sharing of notes, playlists, shopping links, and more, delivering an integrated experience across ecosystems and applications.
Fully Smooth on Large and Small Screens: ColorOS 16 Empowers the OPPO Ecosystem
ColorOS 16 is more than just a mobile operating system; it has become the intelligent foundation for the entire OPPO ecosystem.
On tablets, ColorOS 16 leverages a smooth dual-engine design to deliver the same smooth performance as a phone, ensuring seamless multitasking and heavy workloads. For learning and office use, the system supports features like intelligent highlighting, floating split-screen dragging, and handwriting beautification, transforming the tablet into a true productivity tool.
OPPO Watch also features a new ColorOS watch face design and, for the first time, "Dual Connection"—simultaneously connecting two phones to one watch, providing a convenient solution for dual-wiring users. From smartphones to tablets to wearables, ColorOS 16's smooth experience and intelligent interaction build a truly interconnected OPPO "family bucket."
Over the past year, ColorOS has earned widespread user recognition with its frequent monthly updates. ColorOS 16 will continue this cadence, delivering optimizations that are more tailored to user needs through continuous updates. OPPO has also officially launched its "Intelligent Privacy and Security Protection System," providing developers with a safe and compliant growth environment. For the global market, the OPPO Open Platform has launched the "One-Click Globalization" service, allowing developers to distribute their apps to 108 countries and regions with a single upload, truly achieving the goal of "develop once, release globally."
Conclusion: Bringing "Smoothness" to a Warmth, "Intelligence" to a Memory
ColorOS 16 is a systemic revolution in "experience." It elevates smoothness beyond speed to a smooth and natural sensation; it elevates intelligence beyond functionality to a "life memory" that understands you.
From the Aurora Engine to the Star Compiler, from AI One-Click Flash to Xiaobu Memory, from light field design to cross-ecosystem connectivity, ColorOS 16 sets a new benchmark for the Android ecosystem with its full-stack proprietary technology and deep understanding of user experience.
ColorOS 16 launched its internal beta on October 15th and will be first featured on new products such as the OPPO Find X9 series and OnePlus 15. When "smoothness" meets "intelligence," ColorOS 16 is more than just a system update; it represents OPPO's vision for the future.
