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Free Fire by Garena to relaunch in India on September 5
Almost a year and a half after being removed from Indian app stores due to national security concerns, Garena’s Free Fire is making its anticipated return on September 5, promising an amazing gaming experience with new features and iconic sports personalities.
Singaporean game developer Garena made the announcement on Thursday, revealing a strategic collaboration with Yotta, a subsidiary of Hiranandani Group, to offer localized cloud hosting and storage solutions for the Indian version of the game. This partnership also aims to ensure gameplay is aligned with local norms by introducing features like parental control, gameplay time limits, and reminders encouraging players to take breaks.
MS Dhoni in Free Fire’s Relaunch
Garena took the excitement up a notch by announcing that former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni will be the game’s brand ambassador. As if that weren’t enough, Dhoni will also be integrated into the game as a playable character named “Thala.” He will be in good company, joined by a gallery of Indian sports stars like Sunil Chhetri, Saina Nehwal, Leander Paes, and Rahul Chaudhari.
Before it was banned in February of last year, Free Fire had been making waves globally. According to Sensor Tower, a research and consultancy firm specializing in the internet economy, the game had accumulated 24 million downloads in January 2022 alone, marking an increase of 51.6% from the same month in the previous year.
Esports on the Rise: Free Fire India Championship
In a move that signifies the growing importance of esports in India, Garena has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Uttar Pradesh government to launch the Free Fire India Championship (FFIC). This competition will be open to teams across India and serve as a qualifying event for the Free Fire World Series slated for this November in Thailand.
The announcement comes on the heels of another popular battle royale game, BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India), making its return in May, following its ban under Section 69A of the IT Act 2000. The government had given BGMI a three-month trial approval, emphasizing the need for continual assessment of any potential risks to users, including addiction and other forms of harm, during this period.
The Road Ahead
Free Fire’s relaunch in India comes with significant implications for the gaming industry and the regulatory landscape. The game’s three-month trial approval is conditioned upon meeting stringent data security norms, demonstrating that authorities are taking an increasingly proactive approach to both user safety and national security.
With such a star-studded lineup, technological alliances, and government support for its esports endeavors, Garena’s Free Fire is well-positioned to reclaim its title as one of the most downloaded mobile games in India, if not the world. As we count down the days to its relaunch, one thing is clear: the game has levelled up, both in features and in star power.
OnePlus ColorOS Update is becoming one of the biggest changes in the brand’s history. With OnePlus expected to transition completely from OxygenOS to ColorOS, many users are wondering whether it’s time to switch brands or embrace the new software. The good news is that the experience may not change as much as many people expect.
OnePlus ColorOS Update: Features That Will Stay the Same
OnePlus users can expect the overall user experience to remain familiar. Core elements such as the lock screen, home screen customization, app drawer, icon packs, Shelf, camera interface, and Smart Sidebar are nearly identical between OxygenOS and ColorOS. Most day-to-day tasks will continue to feel the same, making the transition easier for existing users.
OnePlus ColorOS Update: New Features Coming to OnePlus Phones
The move to ColorOS could actually introduce several useful improvements. One of the biggest expected advantages is faster software updates, as OPPO devices often receive updates ahead of their OnePlus counterparts.
Users may also gain access to features such as:
- Native stock dialer with call recording support.
- Additional lock screen themes and wallpapers.
- More AI-powered features through OPPO AI.
- Extra widgets, including IR Blaster controls.
- Better AI assistant integration with multiple language models.
- More flexible battery percentage display options.
OnePlus ColorOS Update: What OnePlus Users Might Miss
While the overall experience remains familiar, a few OxygenOS-exclusive elements could disappear.
The signature red accent used throughout OxygenOS, Never Settle clock styles, Calculator Easter Egg, and some exclusive themes may no longer be available. Quick Settings tiles could also lose their rounded appearance, while a few OnePlus-branded apps and visual elements may be replaced with OPPO branding such as OPPO Share and Snap Key.
OnePlus ColorOS Update: AI Features and Performance Improvements
One area where ColorOS appears to have an advantage is artificial intelligence. OPPO AI introduces more advanced AI capabilities while retaining popular tools like AI Eraser, AI Portrait Glow, AI Image Enhancement, and smart assistant features. These additions could make the software more feature-rich than the current OxygenOS experience.
Final Thoughts
The transition from OxygenOS to ColorOS may sound significant, but in reality, most OnePlus users are unlikely to notice major differences in daily usage. The familiar interface remains largely intact, while faster updates, improved AI capabilities, and additional software features could actually make the overall experience better.
For longtime OnePlus fans, the branding may change, but the core user experience is expected to remain surprisingly familiar.
Also Read: OxygenOS 16.1 vs One UI 9: Which Android Skin Offers Better Customization in 2026?
OxygenOS
OnePlus 12 OxygenOS 16.1 July Update: Missing Features, Hidden Changes, Battery & Performance Improvements
OnePlus 12 OxygenOS 16.1 July Update Brings Improvements But Misses Several Expected Features
OnePlus 12 OxygenOS 16.1 July Update is finally rolling out to eligible users with the latest July Android security patch. While the update delivers noticeable improvements in battery life, system performance, and a few hidden UI refinements, OnePlus has also removed or skipped several features that users were expecting. If you own a OnePlus 12, here’s everything you need to know before installing the latest software update.
Better Battery Backup and Improved Performance
Early testing suggests that the latest update offers slightly better battery efficiency compared to the previous build. Even after benchmark testing, the device shows less battery drain and lower heat generation, indicating improved optimization.
Performance also receives minor enhancements. Benchmark scores remain largely similar, while overall day-to-day responsiveness feels smoother. Although synthetic benchmark stability shows mixed results, regular usage appears more refined with faster app transitions and better system fluidity.
Features Missing in the OnePlus 12 July Update
Despite the improvements, several features available on newer OnePlus devices are still absent on the OnePlus 12 series.
Some of the notable missing features include:
- Call identification support for devices using the Google Phone app.
- New camera filters introduced on the latest flagship models.
- Gaming Dashboard additions such as Sound Boost and Custom Equalizer.
- Other software enhancements that are currently limited to newer OnePlus smartphones.
This indicates that OnePlus is gradually differentiating software features across its product lineup instead of offering identical experiences on older flagship devices.
Hidden Changes Not Mentioned in the Changelog
Interestingly, the update includes several improvements that were not officially listed.
Users can once again expand notifications using the familiar swipe gesture, a feature that many requested after it disappeared in previous builds. The Control Center also now adopts a proper dark theme when Dark Mode is enabled, creating a more consistent interface.
The Gallery application has also been redesigned with a dedicated “Create” section that brings AI-powered tools like AI Eraser, AI Detail Boost, AI Portrait Glow, collage creation, and video editing into one place.
Another welcome addition is the redesigned fingerprint customization page. Users can now separately choose fingerprint icons and animations, while also creating personalized fingerprint icons using characters and numbers.
Final Verdict
The OnePlus 12 OxygenOS 16.1 July Update focuses more on optimization than introducing major new features. Better battery life, smoother performance, and several hidden interface improvements make it a worthwhile update. However, the absence of newer camera, gaming, and calling features may disappoint users expecting complete feature parity with the latest OnePlus smartphones.
Overall, if stability and performance are your priority, this update is recommended, even though a few premium software features remain exclusive to newer devices.
ColorOS
OnePlus ColorOS 17 Eligible Devices List Leaked: Is Your Device Ready for the Next Major Update?
OnePlus ColorOS 17 Eligible Devices have now been revealed through a post on the OnePlus Club, giving users an idea of which smartphones and tablets are expected to receive the company’s next major software update. The list includes flagship smartphones, Nord series devices, foldables, and OnePlus tablets, showing that the company continues to offer software support across a wide range of products.
OnePlus ColorOS 17 Eligible Devices
According to the information shared on the OnePlus Club, the following devices are eligible for the ColorOS 17 update:
OnePlus Flagship Smartphones
- OnePlus 15
- OnePlus 15R
- OnePlus 13
- OnePlus 13R
- OnePlus 13s
- OnePlus 12
- OnePlus 12R
- OnePlus 11
- OnePlus Open
OnePlus Nord Series
- OnePlus Nord 6
- OnePlus Nord CE 6
- OnePlus Nord CE 6 Lite
- OnePlus Nord 5
- OnePlus Nord CE 5
- OnePlus Nord 4
OnePlus Tablets
- OnePlus Pad 4
- OnePlus Pad 3
- OnePlus Pad 2
- OnePlus Pad Lite
- OnePlus Pad Go 2
What to Expect from ColorOS 17
ColorOS 17 is expected to bring several improvements aimed at delivering a smoother and more refined user experience. The update is likely to include a refreshed interface, enhanced system animations, better battery optimization, improved privacy features, and new AI-powered capabilities. Users can also expect performance enhancements that improve app responsiveness and multitasking.
As with previous software releases, OnePlus is expected to begin rolling out the update in phases, with newer flagship devices likely receiving it before older smartphones and tablets.
OnePlus Continues Its Software Support
The inclusion of flagship phones, Nord devices, foldables, and tablets highlights OnePlus’ continued commitment to supporting its ecosystem with timely software updates. While the rollout schedule has not yet been announced, users whose devices appear on the list can look forward to receiving ColorOS 17 once the update becomes available for their region.
Final Thoughts
The OnePlus ColorOS 17 eligible devices list gives users an early look at the devices that are expected to receive the company’s latest software experience. If your OnePlus smartphone or tablet is listed above, you can expect to enjoy the new features and improvements introduced with ColorOS 17 when the official rollout begins.
Also Read: OxygenOS 16.1 July Update Battery & Performance Test: Is the Latest Update Worth Installing?