OxygenOS 16: AI Power, Refined Design, Ultimate Smoothness

OnePlus has unveiled OxygenOS 16, its latest major software update based on Android 16, which focuses on delivering a more intelligent, fluid, and personalized user experience under the philosophy of “Intelligently Yours.” The update represents a significant step forward in blending OnePlus’s signature speed with cutting-edge AI.

Here is a breakdown of all you need to know:

1. Smarter AI Integration

The core of OxygenOS 16’s intelligence is a powerful new AI ecosystem:

• Plus Mind & Mind Space: This is OnePlus’s new personal intelligence system. Plus Mind learns user habits and collects important content—like screenshots, notes, reminders, and articles—into a centralized digital hub called Mind Space. Users can access it with a dedicated Plus Key (on supporting models) or a three-finger swipe. It can contextually recognize data, for example, reading a date from a photo and suggesting a calendar entry.
• Google Gemini Integration: The update features a deep partnership with Google’s Gemini AI. Gemini can access data stored in your private Mind Space to provide context-aware assistance. For example, you can ask Gemini to “Plan a dinner menu using my saved recipes” and it will generate a personalized plan based on the content in your Mind Space.
• AI Productivity Suite: New tools include AI Writer for quick content generation, mind maps, and charts; AI Scan for digitizing documents and whiteboards; and AI Recorder for automatic transcription and summaries of voice notes.
• AI Photo Enhancements: Features like AI Portrait Glow enhance low-light photos, and AI Perfect Shot can combine multiple photos to ensure everyone’s eyes are open.

2. Refined Design and Fluid Performance

OxygenOS 16 polishes the visual experience and dramatically enhances system speed:

• “Breath with You” Design: A new design language brings a lighter, more fluid interface with softer gradients, adaptive Gaussian blur effects, and updated iconography for a clean, cohesive look. The system also introduces live weather animations that mirror real-world conditions.
• Flux Theme 2.0: Customization is enhanced with dynamic Flux Themes that allow for highly personalized lock screens, including setting Motion Photos or videos as wallpapers with deep-depth effects.
• Zero-Lag Performance: The system boasts significant performance improvements:
  • Parallel Processing 2.0: Expands beyond the home screen to ensure faster app opening, closing, and smoother multitasking.
  • Flow Motion: A new animation framework that makes all transitions—from opening an app to pulling down Quick Settings—feel more fluid and responsive.
• Advanced Customization: Users gain greater freedom with resizable app icons, widgets, and folders, along with a more customizable Quick Settings panel.

3. Cross-Ecosystem Connectivity & Security

The update strengthens connectivity and privacy measures:

• Seamless Cross-Ecosystem Connectivity: The new O+ Connect app enables effortless, cable-free file transfers between OnePlus phones, tablets, Windows PCs, and Macs.
• Apple Watch Support: An unexpected addition is support for Apple Watch connectivity, allowing users to sync notifications, manage calls, and track health data across platforms.
• Private Computing Cloud: A new security framework provides hardware-level encryption (CPU & GPU protection) for sensitive data, ensuring that computationally heavy AI tasks do not compromise privacy.
• Optimized for Tablets: The tablet experience is significantly improved with a scalable home screen, an expanded dock, and Open Canvas multitasking that supports up to five apps simultaneously (three in split-view, two as floating windows).

Availability

• Debut Device: The upcoming OnePlus 15 will launch with OxygenOS 16 pre-installed.
• Rollout: The Open Beta Program is scheduled to begin on October 17, 2025, with a stable public rollout expected to follow soon after for eligible devices.
• Eligible Devices (Initial Wave): The update is slated for a wide range of devices, including the OnePlus 13 series, OnePlus 12 series, OnePlus 11 series, OnePlus Open, and select Nord and OnePlus Pad models. The rollout will be phased, starting with the latest flagship devices.