ColorOS 16.1: Oppo adds AirDrop support and a bottom-mounted Live Space
Oppo has released ColorOS 16.1, a software update that lets Android users send files directly to iPhones — no messaging app required. The rollout started May 10 on the Find X9 and Find X9 Pro, with the Reno 15 and Find X8 series following in the coming weeks. If you're buying an X9s or X9 Ultra, the update ships out of the box.
The look
The headline visual change is Live Space, a dynamic notification strip placed at the bottom of the screen rather than the top. On large phones where reaching the status bar is awkward, the placement makes practical sense. It shows active timers, music controls, food delivery tracking, and Google Maps navigation — all accessible from the lock screen via swipes and taps.
Oppo also added Contour Glow, a soft lighting effect around UI elements that adds subtle depth to the interface. The camera app gets semi-transparent layers and floating panels so you can adjust settings without blocking your composition. All of it runs on a refreshed ColorOS rendering engine that Oppo says makes animations smoother.
The AI suite
MindPilot AI pulls together ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity into a single assistant that can answer questions using context from your own device data. The more practical additions sit underneath that umbrella:
- AI Bill Manager scans receipts and invoices automatically, then tracks income and spending to help with budgeting. - AI Menu Translation uses the camera to translate restaurant menus in real time, identifies dishes, and converts prices to your local currency. An 518 MB offline pack means it works without a data connection.
Cross-platform file sharing
The most significant feature for everyday use is an updated Quick Share that supports Apple's AirDrop protocol. Oppo Find X9 and X9 Pro owners can now send files directly to iPhones without routing them through a messaging app. Per 9to5Google, Google built this capability independently — and is expanding the same support to OnePlus, Vivo, Xiaomi, and Honor devices later in 2026. The feature currently requires compatible hardware, so older or budget Android phones may be excluded.
ColorOS 16.1 also adds Audio Sharing, which splits audio output to two pairs of Bluetooth headphones simultaneously, and an app drawer that auto-sorts by category or icon color.
Price and availability
The Find X9 starts under £650 in the UK, while the Find X9 Ultra sits at £1,449 — the same price as the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, per Tech Advisor. US pricing has not been confirmed. The AirDrop-compatible Quick Share is limited to the X9 and X9 Pro for now, with no firm date for older models.