OxygenOS
OnePlus Nord 3 Picks Up Its First OxygenOS 14 Alpha Build, Features Android 14
OnePlus Nord 3 users are in for a treat as the device starts receiving the first alpha build of OxygenOS 14. Although most of the updates are under the hood, there are some interesting tweaks that will surely enhance user experience.
Highlights:
- The update is being rolled out to Closed Beta Test (CBT) users.
- Changes in this version closely resemble the updates seen on OnePlus 11’s OxygenOS 14 alpha builds.
- Android 14 is accompanied by the August 5th, 2023 security patch.
The software version for this alpha build is CPH2491_14.0.0.43(EX01) and the size is 5.94 GB. This will take you ample time to install it, so we suggest you connect to a high-speed internet connection.
Detailed Insights:
UI and Settings: While major UI overhauls aren’t part of this update, there are minor enhancements. The Quick Setting tiles appear unchanged from OxygenOS 13.1. The lock screen now flaunts a refreshed dial pad with number buttons inside a circular backdrop. The charging animation has also been refined, showcasing an elegant fade-out effect. A novel feature named “predictive back gesture” is introduced, although it currently works only with Google Dialer.
Camera Updates: Camera aficionados will appreciate the modifications in the camera UI. The “retouch” and “filter” options have been shifted for easier access. The additional settings menu offers a more streamlined design, prioritizing visuals over text-heavy interfaces.
App Drawer: A subtle tweak in the app drawer sees a transformation in the scrolling mechanism alongside the alphabetical list. The pill size has been reduced and sports a more minimalist design.
Alert Slider: Unlike the previous OxygenOS version where the alert slider’s position determined the pop-up’s location, the latest update keeps the pop-up static, providing a consistent user experience.
Privacy Enhancements: Android 14 brings the ability to selectively grant app permissions, allowing users to specify which photos or videos an app can access.
About Section: The storage section in the ‘About’ menu has been streamlined. Instead of a text display, a progress bar now visually represents storage usage.
OnePlus Pad Users: If you’re using a OnePlus pad, this update might not be for you. The multi-screen connect feature, present in 13.1, is absent in this alpha build. Moreover, services like mobile data sharing and app relay are incompatible with the latest update.
Special Audio Feature: This sought-after feature hasn’t made its way to the alpha build, and its future availability remains uncertain.
Notifications: A noteworthy addition is the “smart suggestion” feature, giving users live previews of rides and food deliveries. For the latter, compatibility has been confirmed for apps like Zomato and Swiggy.
Battery Optimizations: The battery health section introduces a redesigned image for the battery booster. The “voice charging” feature is now rebranded as “smart charging”, adapting to users’ charging patterns and even offering an option to cap charging at 80%, thus potentially extending battery longevity.
Currently, this update is rolling out to a limited number of users who opted for the OxygenOS 14 closed beta program for the OnePlus Nord 3.
OnePlus is preparing to roll out new software updates for several of its smartphones in May 2025. These updates will bring the latest OxygenOS 15, offering improved performance, new features, and better security.
OnePlus 11R
- Expected Version: OxygenOS 15.0.0.812
- Status: Yet to be received
- Security Patch: 1 May 2025
A new version has been detected for the OnePlus 11R. However, the rollout has not yet begun. There is also a possibility that OnePlus might release intermediate versions before the final build.
OnePlus Nord 4
- Expected Version: OxygenOS 15.0.0.820
- Status: Yet to be received
- Security Patch: 1 May 2025
Similar to the OnePlus 11R, the OnePlus Nord 4 is also expected to receive a fresh OxygenOS 15 update this month. A new version has been spotted, and like before, intermediate updates may be released before the stable version arrives.
OnePlus has released a major new software update for the OnePlus 11 smartphone. The update, named OxygenOS 15.0.1, comes with the build number CPH2447_15.0.0.820(EX01) and has a file size of 6.58 GB. This update introduces several useful features, design improvements, and important security enhancements to improve the overall user experience.
One of the main highlights of this update is the improved visual design for notifications on the lock screen. Individual notifications, notification stacks, and user interactions have all been refined for a smoother experience. A new Lock Screen Magazine feature has also been added, which can be accessed by swiping right on the lock screen.
Another major addition is the new Drag & Drop gesture feature, which allows users to easily move text and images in third-party apps. This can be turned on or off from Settings > Accessibility & convenience > Drag & drop. The update also improves multitasking by saving the size and position of floating windows, so users can pick up where they left off more easily.
The app drawer has been redesigned to offer a more consistent and user-friendly visual style across the interface. Along with this, the update also brings refreshed icon designs and user interface improvements. Floating windows have also been optimized to provide a smoother experience. On the security front, the update includes the latest Android security patch for May 2025, which helps protect the device against potential threats.
In terms of privacy features, OnePlus now allows users to secure recently deleted items in the My Files, Notes, and Photos apps with a password. The Phone Manager app has also been updated to show detailed storage usage by apps and the system when freeing up space. A new Screen Sharing Protection feature lets users block selected apps and notifications during screen sharing. This can be found under Settings > Security & privacy > Screen sharing protection.
The update also addresses a bug where some third-party apps might accidentally delete photos. In such cases, users will now receive a notification to review and recover the deleted images from the “Recently Deleted” folder.
Lastly, the Camera app has received a creative boost with the addition of three new portrait effects – Misty, Glowing, and Dreamy. These effects give users more options to enhance their portrait shots with different artistic styles.
Overall, the OxygenOS 15.0.1 update brings a fresh and more secure experience to OnePlus 11 users, with thoughtful improvements across the system, privacy, and camera.
OnePlus has started rolling out the Android 16 Beta 3 update for the OnePlus 13, and it brings some noticeable visual and functional improvements. This update is based on OxygenOS 15, and although it looks promising, it is still a developer preview, which means you might face bugs and glitches. So, it’s better not to install it on your main phone just yet.
After updating, the OnePlus 13 still shows OxygenOS 15.0.0.03 in the system information, but if you check the Android version, it now says Android 16. You can also find the Android 16 Easter egg by tapping the version number multiple times. However, the security patch is outdated, dated April 5, 2025.
One of the noticeable improvements is the stacked notification style, which works in both classic and split view modes. You can now choose how notifications appear on the lock screen, and the app icon is also shown beside the notification count. Unfortunately, watermarks are still visible across the entire user interface. These are especially noticeable when using dark mode, and they haven’t been fixed since the earlier beta builds.
The lock screen itself hasn’t seen any major updates. The design remains the same, with no new music player or customization options directly from the lock screen. But a major change has been made to the Control Center, especially when using split view. In this mode, tiles like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth now show text labels below the icons, making them easier to understand. You can also add up to four horizontal tiles instead of just two.
Another new feature in the Control Center is a plus (+) button in the top right corner. When you tap it, a popup appears that looks similar to iOS 18, allowing you to add tiles. These are organized into categories such as “Recommended”, “Connection & Sharing”, “Display & Brightness”, and more. This new layout is only available in split view mode and not in classic mode.
A small but exciting change is the addition of six new clock styles in the Shelf section. Earlier, there were only two options. For now, these clock styles can’t be added to the home screen, but future updates might bring that option.
Another useful feature is the AI Voice Call Recorder. It allows you to record internet-based voice calls on apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, and Google Meet. The recorder can also generate summaries of the conversations and even enable captions, which is helpful during meetings or important calls.
The app drawer also received a minor update. Previously, there were “All Apps” and “Manage” texts at the top. Now, these are removed, and a three-dot menu is available instead. From there, you can uninstall apps, add them to your home screen, or sort apps by name, usage, or install time.
In the Home Screen settings, the preview design now shows colorful icons instead of the old white and grey look, giving it a fresher appearance. Another subtle improvement is the introduction of predictive back gestures. These gestures now work in areas like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Security & Privacy settings, but not everywhere yet. For example, in Wallpaper & Style settings, the feature is still missing.
The volume slider has also been changed slightly. It is now thicker, making it easier to see and adjust. In the Battery Health section, there’s a new option to set a custom charging limit between 80% and 100%, unlike before when you could only limit it to 80%.
There’s also a new Special App Access UI. Previously, permissions were split across multiple tabs like “Allowed” and “Not Allowed.” Now, all the information is inside slidable tabs in a single view, which is easier to use.
One more thing to mention is the Gaming Dashboard, which appears to be directly taken from ColorOS. It has many useful features, but it’s likely that this version will not make it to the global builds or final updates of OnePlus’s software.
In summary, Android 16 Beta 3 on the OnePlus 13 brings many visual upgrades and a few useful features. The new Control Center, clock styles, AI voice recorder, and predictive gestures are great additions. However, since it’s still a developer version, it may not be fully stable. It’s best to wait for a more refined update unless you enjoy testing new features early.