OnePlus
OnePlus 13 Receives Android 16 Beta 3 Update: Here’s What’s New
Following the release of Android 16 Beta 2 under the OxygenOS Developer Program, OnePlus has rolled out Android 16 Beta 3 for the OnePlus 13. This update is specifically targeted at developers and advanced users who want early access to Android’s upcoming features. Since this is a developer preview, it is not recommended for daily use. Users should be prepared for bugs, instability, and data loss, and are advised to back up their data before proceeding with the installation.
Key Android 16 Features
1. Predictive Back Navigation
Android 16 enhances gesture navigation with predictive back animations. Developers can implement callbacks like onBackInvoked, finishAndRemoveTaskCallback(), and moveTaskToBackCallback() using OnBackInvokedDispatcher, giving users smoother and more intuitive navigation transitions.
2. Progress-Centric Notifications
With the new Notification.ProgressStyle API, developers can build rich, progress-focused notifications. These are ideal for real-time tracking apps, like delivery or ride-hailing, where users can monitor ongoing progress and milestones directly from the notification shade.
3. Enhanced Photo Picker
The photo picker now offers more secure, limited access to media. Apps can embed the photo picker within their layouts, and users can search for both local and cloud-based images. Integration will be simplified through Jetpack libraries in future updates.
Developer Considerations
Health Permissions Update
Android 16 introduces a new permission group called Health Data Sharing, replacing the older BODY_SENSORS permissions. Developers must switch to android.permissions.health for apps dealing with fitness or biometric data.
Elegant Fonts Deprecation
The elegantTextHeight attribute is deprecated in Android 16. It was previously used to improve font rendering for scripts like Arabic or Tamil. Apps must now adapt their UI to handle text alignment and spacing without relying on this setting.
Adaptive Layout Requirements
Devices with a minimum screen width of 600dp now enforce adaptive layouts. Android 16 overrides app-level screen orientation and aspect ratio settings to improve compatibility with large screens. Although this override is temporary, it will become mandatory in Android 17. Games are exempt from this requirement.
Privacy and Security Enhancements
Selective Photo Permissions
Users now have more granular control over media permissions. When apps request access, only photos directly associated with the app are selected by default. Users can manually deselect them, giving more transparency and control.
Safer Intent Handling
To reduce security vulnerabilities, Android 16 enforces stricter rules for intent handling. Intents must match defined filters or include specific actions; otherwise, they’ll be ignored. This prevents misrouted or malicious intent calls.
Keystore Key Sharing
The new KeyStoreManager API enables secure sharing and revoking of keystore keys across apps by UID. This enhances secure communication and credential handling between trusted apps.
Performance and Battery Improvements
Automatic Performance Profiling
System-triggered profiling now captures app launch and ANR traces automatically, helping developers debug and optimize their apps more efficiently.
CPU & GPU Headroom APIs
Two new APIs—getCpuHeadroom() and getGpuHeadroom()—allow performance-heavy apps to adjust in real-time based on available system resources. This is especially beneficial for gaming or resource-intensive applications, helping extend battery life and improve performance under load.
Known Issues
- System apps may crash occasionally.
- The camera may go black in certain situations.
- No sound via some connected devices during video playback.
- Notifications may display abnormally.
- Some third-party apps may be unstable or incompatible.
Compatibility and Requirements
This update is only available for the OnePlus 13 and is not compatible with carrier-locked variants such as T-Mobile (TMO) or Verizon (VZW). Additionally, your OnePlus 13 must be on software version 15.0.0703 or lower. If you’re on a higher version, you’ll need to use the official rollback package to downgrade before updating.
OnePlus has advised this version is mainly meant for developers and advanced users, not for daily use.
How to Install
Users interested in trying out Android 16 Beta 3 on their OnePlus 13 can head to the OnePlus Community Forums for official download links, flashing instructions, and known issues list. Make sure to back up all data as this is a developer preview and may require a clean flash.
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.