Google released Android 16 on June 10th far earlier than anyone expected, and it’s packed with changes and countless new features. A similar update is coming soon for your OnePlus phone in the form of OxygenOS 16. With OnePlus busy releasing Android 16 betas, here’s what you need to know and what to expect.
Thanks to Android 16’s earlier-than-usual arrival, other manufacturers are working hard to do the same for their users. If you’re a proud OnePlus owner, OnePlus is already running beta tests and will hopefully release OxygenOS 16 faster than in previous years.
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When Will OnePlus Release Android 16?
While OnePlus didn’t release a “version 1” beta and skipped it entirely, the second Android 16 beta arrived for the OnePlus 13 in April, with a third release rollout in May. Android 16 (OxygenOS 16) delivers an improved and faster software experience, tons of customization, lock screen improvements, better security, a bunch of AI goodies, and changes tailored for OnePlus phones. Considering the beta program started in April, we anticipate a global launch soon. By soon, I mean late July or early September.
Before those with the OnePlus 13, 13R, OnePlus 12, OnePlus Open, budget Nord models, and several other phones get the next version of Android, they’ll need to complete the beta testing phase. Not every device will get a beta, as the company focuses on its latest and greatest phones first. Once the OxygenOS 16 update is ready for primetime, it’ll arrive for phones other than the all-new OnePlus 13.
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OnePlus is one of the best regarding software updates, typically releasing them shortly after Google and often ahead of Samsung. That isn’t the case this year, and while the brand hasn’t announced an OxygenOS 16 release date yet, one should be unveiled in the coming weeks. For now, we’re waiting for more betas, availability on more devices, or an official release.
It’s important to note that while some owners in specific regions can try the OnePlus 13 Android 16 beta right now, it’s not very stable or recommended for daily use. However, we’re anticipating a fourth and more stable update any day now, not to mention an official OnePlus Android 16 (OxygenOS 16) update in Q3 or Q4.
What to Expect From OxygenOS 16 and Android 16?
While OxygenOS 16 is still actively being developed and designed, OnePlus has already released several betas, giving us a good idea of what to expect in the changelog. The update will offer a combination of new features from Google and countless changes by the developer teams at OnePlus.
With that in mind, you can expect many of the changes already present in Android 16 on Pixel phones. I’m talking about a redesigned notification shade and quick settings menu, more customization, improved security, better privacy, new home screen and lock screen controls, stacked notifications, new clock designs, and more.
Two of the most notable new features in Android 16 are the stacked (aka auto grouping) of notifications, with an app icon for ease of use and even a little counter showing how many notifications are in the group. Then, there are Live Updates, which will be extended and blended into Live Alerts on OxygenOS.
Other changes include an improved camera experience, predictive back gestures for quicker navigation, tons of customization, and, naturally, a bunch of AI tools and goodies. We’ll update this list as OnePlus shares more information or integrates more features into future betas.
Which OnePlus Phones Will Get the Android 16 Update, and When
OnePlus hasn’t shared a complete list of which devices will (or won’t) get the update to Android 16, but we expect a list soon. The company usually details its upgrade plans or follows previous release cycles.
That said, the company will likely start with its flagship, the OnePlus 13, and then continue down the line with other high-end phones, newer Nord models, and so on. Once you see official OxygenOS 16 updates arriving for the OnePlus 13, expect others to follow suit quickly. Here’s an early, unconfirmed list of supported devices.
OnePlus Phones:
- OnePlus 13, OnePlus 13s, OnePlus 13R, 13T
- OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R
- OnePlus 11 and OnePlus 11R
- OnePlus Nord 3
- OnePlus Nord 4, Nord CE 4, CE 4 Lite
- OnePlus Open
As you can see, some of its older popular models, like the OnePlus 10 Pro, 10T, the OnePlus Nord 2, Nord CE 3, Nord N models, etc., aren’t on this list. While we could see some of these get an upgrade, it’s not likely based on how old each model is or the upgrade promises made by OnePlus during the initial launch of said products.
OnePlus Tablets:
- OnePlus Pad, OnePlus Pad 2
- OnePlus Watch 3 (Getting the latest Wear OS)
For what it’s worth, OnePlus usually supports its phones and tablets with four major OS updates and five years of software and maintenance updates. So, if you have something starting to age out, it likely won’t get Android 16 and OxygenOS 16. For example, Android 16 will be the last major Android OS update for the older OnePlus 11.
Again, this is only an estimated list, and we’ll confirm more devices once OnePlus makes it official.
In closing, now that Google has officially released Android 16 for Pixel phones, Samsung is busy pushing it out to the Galaxy S25 series, and OnePlus is busy beta testing, it’s only a matter of time. Considering how early Android 16 arrived and how early manufacturers like OnePlus started internal and external testing, we anticipate the global rollout to begin much earlier than it did with Android 15 last year.
And finally, remember that these updates will come out in waves. Just because the OnePlus 13 gets updated in one region doesn’t mean your location will get it the same week. That’s especially true for carrier models, like any OnePlus phone on T-Mobile, as carriers can delay updates by several weeks. Either way, the update is coming, and it’s coming sooner rather than later. Be patient, and we’ll update as we learn more.
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