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 However, the security patch is outdated, dated April 5, 2025.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.

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.

Introduction

Android 16 Developer Preview has officially arrived for two Xiaomi flagships—Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 14T Pro—and it’s sending waves across the Android ecosystem. Announced on April 9, 2025, this release marks a major step forward for Xiaomi, placing it at the forefront of early adopters embracing Google’s next-generation Android OS.

This isn’t just another beta release—it’s a strong signal that Xiaomi is serious about timely updates, even on devices powered by different chipsets. Whether you’re a tech-savvy user or a developer eager to explore Android 16 before its stable release (expected as early as May or June 2025), here’s everything you need to know.

Xiaomi 15 and 14T Pro Join the Android 16 Fast Track

The Android 16 Developer Preview Beta 3 is now live for two of Xiaomi’s latest and most powerful smartphones:

• Xiaomi 15, which launched with Android 15 and runs on the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.

• Xiaomi 14T Pro, featuring the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processor and originally shipped with Android 14.

Xiaomi is breaking new ground by including both Snapdragon and MediaTek-powered devices in the early beta cycle—something that hasn’t been common in the past. MediaTek devices often lagged in receiving developer previews or timely updates, but this inclusion suggests Xiaomi is working hard to erase that gap.

How to Install Android 16 Beta on Xiaomi 15 and 14T Pro

If you own a Xiaomi 15, make sure your device is updated to HyperOS version 2.0.109.0.VOCMIXM or later. For the Xiaomi 14T Pro, the required version is HyperOS 2.0.103.0.VNNMIXM. Once your device meets the version requirement, here’s how to proceed:

1. Head to Xiaomi’s Android Beta Program page.

2. Download the appropriate Android 16 Beta ROM for your device.

3. Install the ROM locally through the device’s settings.

4. Follow on-screen instructions carefully.

Important Note: This is a developer preview, not a stable release. Expect potential bugs, app compatibility issues, and unfinished features. If things go sideways, Xiaomi offers rollback ROMs to help you return to Android 15 safely.

What’s New in Android 16?

While Google hasn’t revealed the full changelog, early testers have noted some key enhancements:

• Improved performance and background task handling

• Smarter scaling for different screen sizes (especially helpful for foldables)

• New privacy controls for enhanced user data protection

• Refined Material You animations and system fluidity

Xiaomi’s own HyperOS skin is layered on top of Android 16, bringing even smoother transitions, more personalization options, and better integration across Xiaomi’s ecosystem of phones, tablets, and smart devices.

Why This Beta Release Is a Big Deal

It’s no secret that Xiaomi was once criticized for delayed updates and inconsistent support—especially for its mid-range and MediaTek-powered phones. But this launch is a clear indicator of change. By supporting the Android 16 Developer Preview on both the Xiaomi 15 and 14T Pro, Xiaomi is making a statement: they’re ready to compete with Google Pixel and Samsung when it comes to software leadership.

And for developers? This is a golden opportunity to test new apps, optimize existing ones, and understand changes in API behavior ahead of the stable rollout.

Should You Install It?

If you’re a developer or Android enthusiast who doesn’t mind a few hiccups, this is your chance to explore Android 16 before everyone else. But if you rely on your phone for daily tasks or can’t afford bugs and instability, it’s wise to wait for the official stable release.

Also Read: Android 16 Beta 2 for OnePlus 13: Early Access Unveiled for Developers and Enthusiasts

Final Words

Xiaomi’s rollout of the Android 16 Developer Preview Beta 3 is more than a tech upgrade—it’s a shift in the company’s software culture. Including the Xiaomi 15 and 14T Pro this early in the Android 16 cycle puts Xiaomi on the map as a serious player in the Android update game. And if early rumors about the stable launch window are true, the full release isn’t far away.

Stay tuned as we bring you more updates and in-depth looks at Android 16’s features, quirks, and performance improvements in the coming weeks.