Android
One UI 8.5 Beta 3 Update Is a Major Upgrade for Galaxy S25 With Critical Bug Fixes
One UI 8.5 Beta 3 brings a significant round of fixes and refinements to the Galaxy S25 series, making it one of Samsung’s most meaningful beta updates so far. Rolling out as a large 1.2GB download, this release focuses heavily on stability, performance, and battery efficiency, while also including the January 1, 2026 Android security patch.
Samsung has started pushing the update in the United States, South Korea, Germany, and the United Kingdom, where it appears as Beta 3. In regions like India and Poland, the same firmware may be labeled as Beta 2. Despite the naming difference, the software build is identical across regions and delivers the same improvements.
Battery drain issues finally addressed
One of the most important changes in One UI 8.5 Beta 3 is improved battery performance. Samsung has identified and fixed excessive power usage caused by certain apps running in the background. Users who noticed abnormal battery drain on earlier beta builds should experience noticeably better endurance after installing this update.
Gallery lag and Live Effects performance improved
The Gallery app also receives much-needed attention. Stuttering and lag related to Live Effects have been reduced, resulting in smoother scrolling, faster previews, and a more responsive editing experience. This improvement makes daily photo browsing and editing feel far more polished than before.
Lock screen, widgets, and UI glitches fixed
Several visual and functional bugs have been resolved in this beta. Lock screen clock glitches that affected alignment and display are now fixed, restoring a cleaner look. Widget behavior has also been improved, reducing refresh issues and unexpected layout changes.
With One UI 8.5 Beta 3, Samsung is clearly focusing on stability, fixing UI inconsistencies and performance issues reported by early Galaxy S25 beta users.
Samsung has additionally restored the Now Briefing feature, which was missing for some users in previous builds. Speed dial favorites in the Phone app should now remain stable, and the search button on the widget addition screen is easier to spot, making customization simpler.
Security patch gives Galaxy S25 an early edge
Alongside bug fixes, One UI 8.5 Beta 3 includes the January 1, 2026 security patch. This makes the Galaxy S25 series one of the first Android devices to receive the latest security updates, even ahead of some competing flagship phones.
How to install the update
If you are enrolled in the One UI beta program on your Galaxy S25, you can download the update by going to Settings, selecting Software update, and tapping Download and install. While still a beta, this release brings the software closer to a stable public version and shows Samsung’s strong start to 2026.
Image Credit: Samsung
Also Read: iOS 26.3 Update Introduces Powerful Features That Finally Open Up iPhones
OxygenOS Ending has officially become a reality as OnePlus announces a major software strategy change. While the news has sparked concerns among long-time fans, the transition does not mean the company is shutting down or exiting important markets like India. Instead, OnePlus is preparing to simplify its software ecosystem by gradually moving eligible devices to ColorOS.
OxygenOS Ending: Why OnePlus Is Replacing OxygenOS with ColorOS
For years, OxygenOS was one of the biggest reasons behind OnePlus’ popularity. Its clean interface, smooth performance, and minimal design helped the brand stand out in the Android market. However, after the codebase merger with OPPO several years ago, OxygenOS and ColorOS have become increasingly similar with every major update.
Now, OnePlus has officially confirmed that eligible global devices will have the option to upgrade to ColorOS after the release of ColorOS 17. The company believes that maintaining a single software platform will allow faster software updates, better optimization, improved stability, and more efficient engineering resources.
OxygenOS Ending Does Not Mean OnePlus Is Leaving India
The simple answer is no.
The company’s recent announcement regarding operational changes only affects future product launches in Europe and North America. OnePlus India continues to operate normally and has several upcoming smartphones, tablets, and audio products planned for the Indian market.
Product development in the smartphone industry begins years before launch. Continued investments, product planning, and ongoing community events clearly indicate that OnePlus remains committed to India.
OxygenOS Ending: What Existing OnePlus Users Should Expect
Current OnePlus users will continue receiving software updates and security patches according to the company’s existing update policy. Warranty coverage, customer support, and repair services will also remain unchanged.
OnePlus has also confirmed that the migration to ColorOS will be optional for eligible devices. Users who choose to switch and later prefer the previous experience will also have access to a rollback option to OxygenOS, providing additional flexibility.
Why OxygenOS Ending Makes Sense for OnePlus and OPPO
From a software engineering perspective, maintaining two nearly identical operating systems requires significant development resources. By focusing on a unified platform, OnePlus and OPPO can deliver updates more quickly, reduce software fragmentation, and improve the overall user experience.
Although the decision makes practical business sense, many long-time OnePlus fans will undoubtedly miss the OxygenOS brand, which represented the company’s “Never Settle” philosophy and became a defining part of its identity.
OxygenOS Ending Marks the End of an Era
The end of OxygenOS marks the closing of an important chapter in OnePlus history. While the branding may disappear, the company’s focus now shifts toward delivering a stronger and more efficient software experience through ColorOS. Most importantly, Indian users can remain confident that OnePlus is continuing its business, launching new products, and supporting existing devices for years to come.
Also Read: OnePlus Price Hike 2026: Is It Still Worth Buying OnePlus Phones After the Latest Price Increase?
OnePlus
OnePlus Price Hike 2026: Is It Still Worth Buying OnePlus Phones After the Latest Price Increase?
The OnePlus Price Hike has become one of the biggest talking points among smartphone buyers in 2026. Over the past few months, OnePlus has repeatedly increased the prices of several popular smartphones, making many users question whether these devices still offer good value for money. While smartphone prices have generally gone up across the industry, OnePlus appears to have raised prices more frequently than most competitors.
OnePlus 15R Price Has Increased Significantly
One of the biggest examples is the OnePlus 15R. The smartphone originally launched at a much lower price, but after multiple revisions, the base variant now costs close to Rs. 60,000. At this price point, buyers have several flagship alternatives available.
Although the OnePlus 15R continues to deliver excellent gaming performance, flagship-level hardware, a large battery, and a smooth AMOLED display, its current pricing makes it less attractive. If you can find the OnePlus 13 during sales at around Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 52,000, it offers better overall value, especially with its superior camera system and flagship experience.
Is the OnePlus Nord 6 Still Worth Buying?
Unlike the 15R, the OnePlus Nord 6 remains a strong recommendation despite its price increase. Powered by a flagship-grade Snapdragon chipset, fast UFS storage, LPDDR5X RAM, a massive battery, and an AMOLED display with a high refresh rate, it continues to offer excellent performance for gaming and daily use.
However, buyers should avoid purchasing it at the maximum retail price. Waiting for bank offers or online sales can help reduce the effective price, making it a much better deal.
Should You Skip the OnePlus Nord CE 6?
The OnePlus Nord CE 6 has also become more expensive compared to its launch price. While it offers good battery life and a clean software experience, its hardware and limited software update policy make it harder to recommend at the current price.
For buyers shopping in this segment, Samsung’s Galaxy M47 offers longer software support and competitive specifications, making it a better long-term choice for many users.
Final Verdict on the OnePlus Price Hike
The latest OnePlus Price Hike has undoubtedly reduced the value proposition of several smartphones in the company’s lineup. The OnePlus 15R is difficult to recommend at its current price when better alternatives exist. The OnePlus Nord 6 still stands out as a solid purchase if bought with discounts, while the Nord CE 6 faces tougher competition from rival brands.
If you’re planning to buy a new smartphone, comparing prices carefully and waiting for promotional offers could save you thousands of rupees.
Also Read: OnePlus 13 OxygenOS 16.1 Update Brings Major Battery and Performance Improvements Before July Patch
OxygenOS
OnePlus 13 OxygenOS 16.1 Update Brings Major Battery and Performance Improvements Before July Patch
OnePlus 13 OxygenOS 16.1 Update is finally delivering the improvements many users have been waiting for. After receiving a recent software update of around 400MB, the flagship device now offers noticeably better battery life, improved thermal management, and enhanced overall performance. While the official changelog mainly mentions system stability enhancements, real-world testing reveals that the update includes much more behind the scenes.
OnePlus 13 OxygenOS 16.1 Update Improves Battery Life
One of the biggest improvements after installing the latest OxygenOS 16.1 update is battery performance. Earlier software builds delivered approximately five hours of screen-on time during normal daily usage. However, after updating to the latest version, battery endurance has increased to around six hours and thirty-seven minutes, even with heavy benchmarking and stress testing.
The update also appears to optimize power consumption during demanding tasks such as CPU throttling tests, benchmark applications, and graphics stress tests. Users looking for longer battery life on the OnePlus 13 should notice a meaningful difference after upgrading.
OnePlus 13 OxygenOS 16.1 Update Enhances Performance
Another noticeable improvement is heat management. Previous software versions caused the device to warm up even during regular use. After installing the latest build, heating has reduced significantly, including while charging the phone.
Performance has also received a welcome boost. Benchmark testing shows slight gains in Geekbench single-core and multi-core scores, while AnTuTu scores increased by nearly one lakh points compared to the previous build. GPU stability during graphics-intensive testing also improved, indicating that OnePlus has optimized the device for sustained performance rather than simply increasing benchmark numbers.
July OxygenOS 16.1 Update Expected Soon
The current update focuses mainly on stability improvements, but another software release is expected shortly. The upcoming July OxygenOS 16.1 update is likely to include the July 2026 Android security patch along with additional customization features, including new fingerprint animations that have already started appearing on newer OnePlus devices in other regions.
Although there is a slight increase in overnight battery drain compared to the previous version, the overall user experience is considerably better thanks to stronger battery endurance, cooler temperatures, and smoother day-to-day performance.
Should You Install the Update?
If the latest OxygenOS 16.1 update is available for your OnePlus 13, it is recommended to install it. Despite being a relatively small update, it delivers meaningful improvements that users can notice in everyday usage. Better battery backup, improved thermal efficiency, and enhanced system performance make this one of the more worthwhile OxygenOS updates released for the OnePlus 13 so far.