'Blatant Ripoff': Android Maker Under Fire For iOS-Like Features And Design
- OPPO’s newest operating system looks a little too familiar.
- Customizable lock screens, Dynamic Island—wait, haven’t we seen this before?
- Is OPPO’s ColorOS 15 blurring the line between innovation and straight up copying?
In a move that's already sparking controversy, OPPO—imagine Apple with a quirky accent—today announced the next major update for its Android-based operating system. But as tech enthusiasts and industry watchers scrutinized the new features, one question kept surfacing: Has OPPO gone too far in taking inspiration from Apple’s iOS?
Watch this video and don't tell me you can't see more than a few similarities to iOS...
Unveiled at an event in China, ColorOS 15 brings a slew of changes—some exciting and others suspiciously familiar. It’s packed with smooth animations and new AI-powered features, but many are accusing OPPO of blatantly copying Apple's iOS design, particularly elements introduced with the iPhone 14 and iOS 16.
Photo via ColorOS // ColorOS 15 is a blatant ripoff of Apple's iOS design, sparking controversy on the English-speaking web.
Features You’ve (Maybe) Seen Before
At the heart of this new controversy are several striking resemblances between ColorOS 15 and iOS. Chief among them is OPPO’s new take on Apple's Dynamic Island. Much like its iPhone counterpart, OPPO’s version appears around the punch-hole camera and offers seamless integration with apps like music or order statuses. It’s hard not to see the parallels.
Then there’s the lock screen. OPPO has introduced a lock screen design that feels almost identical to Apple’s, complete with customizable configurations and dynamic wallpaper adjustments. One feature even lets you store multiple lock screen setups—a near carbon copy of what iOS users have been enjoying for the past year.
"It’s hard to watch the promo videos for ColorOS 15 and not think you’re looking at iOS," said one observer. "The similarities are just too blatant to ignore."
New Animations or Apple Impressions?
Beyond the lock screen and Dynamic Island-like features, OPPO has overhauled animations in ColorOS 15, implementing what it calls the “Aurora and Tidal Engine” to make switching between apps feel smoother. This update allows for parallel animations across multiple apps, creating a more fluid user experience. But even here, the improvements seem to mirror the silky-smooth transitions iPhone users have long enjoyed.
There are new AI-driven functionalities as well. ColorOS 15 introduces an upgraded version of OPPO’s XiaoBu Assistant, which now accepts natural language commands and can analyze on-screen content to provide users with relevant information. Again, this enhancement feels eerily similar to Apple’s Siri and its growing integration with Apple's AI-powered suggestions.
"iOS for Android?"
Critics aren't pulling any punches. "It’s as if OPPO and OnePlus have decided that iOS is the gold standard, and instead of innovating, they’re imitating," wrote one reviewer from SmartPrix. Early beta tests of ColorOS 15, leaked earlier this month, have drawn the same comparisons. A report by GSMArena highlighted that ColorOS 15 introduces a split between the notification shade and Quick Settings—something Android competitor Samsung has already done in One UI, and which Google itself is expected to adopt soon.
These familiar design choices, however, have led to accusations of copycat behavior. While some see it as a natural evolution for Android manufacturers to adopt best practices, others argue that OPPO has gone too far in mimicking Apple's proprietary systems.
Photo via ColorOS // That's not iOS 18. That's ColorOS 15, a Chinese Android replica of Apple's propietary operating system.
Real Improvements or Just Copying?
It’s not all a direct copy, though. OPPO has made real strides in app performance with ColorOS 15. The company claims that app installation speeds have increased by 26%, while general app responsiveness is up by 18%. Additionally, a new Always-On Display transition effect has been introduced, and the system now features a revamped control panel with advanced blurring techniques—yet another nod to iOS design language.
While the performance enhancements are a positive step forward, it’s the cosmetic similarities that have drawn the most attention.
A Sign of Things to Come?
The unveiling of ColorOS 15 has reignited a broader conversation around Android and iOS convergence. As manufacturers like OPPO and OnePlus move to bring the best of iOS to Android users, they risk accusations of stifling true innovation.
Is OPPO crossing a line, or are they merely taking inspiration from the best in the business? Either way, ColorOS 15 is shaping up to be one of the most polarizing software releases of the year. As it rolls out in November, users will soon get to decide for themselves whether OPPO’s approach is genius—or just a blatant ripoff.
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