OxygenOS 16 Update Roundup: Release Timeline, Eligible Phones and Features

OxygenOS 16 Rollout and Features

OnePlus is advancing OxygenOS 16 across its device lineup following the software’s official unveiling on October 16, 2025. The rollout is being executed in stages, with a schedule published by the company indicating that flagships began receiving the update in late 2025 and older models will follow into early 2026. The information comes from OnePlus’ published release schedule on its website and Community portal, which outlines which devices get OxygenOS 16 and when.

If you’re wondering whether your device qualifies, the schedule lists the specific batches for flagships, Nord series, and the Pad line. The November 2025 window covers the flagship models OnePlus 13, 13R, 13s, along with OnePlus 12, 12R and OnePlus Open. The OnePlus 11 and 11R will be available in December 2025, while the OnePlus 10 Pro will be available in January 2026 and onward. The Nord Series will have the Nord 5, Nord 4, Nord 3, Nord CE 4, and Nord CE 5 available in December 2025; January 2026 and onward will include the Nord CE 4 and Nord CE 4 Lite. The Pad (tablet) Series will be supported by OxygenOS 16 in November 2025 for the Pad 2 and Pad 3; January 2026 and beyond will include support for the OnePlus Pad, the OnePlus Pad Lite, and the Nord CE 4 Lite where applicable.

Those devices that have already received OxygenOS 16 include a broad selection across the flagship, Nord, and Pad families. In the flagship category, OnePlus 15, 15R, 13, 13R, 13s, 12, 12R, Open, 11 and 11R are listed as updated. In the Nord family, Nord 5, Nord 4, Nord 3, Nord CE 4, Nord CE 5, Nord CE 4 and Nord CE 4 Lite have already received the update. The Pad series updates cover OnePlus Pad Go 2, Pad 3, Pad 2, and Pad devices as applicable.

To check your current OxygenOS version, users can open Settings, go to About device, and look at the top banner. If it shows OxygenOS 15, the device has not yet updated to OxygenOS 16. Eligible devices should follow the official steps to download and install the update once available on the server and will require a restart after the installation completes, as the system finishes the process in the background.

How to update a OnePlus phone to OxygenOS 16

For devices that have received OxygenOS 16, the update process remains straightforward. Start by opening the Settings app, then navigate to System & update. After the system checks for updates, tap Download and Install when OxygenOS 16 appears. A restart will follow, with the device rebooting into OxygenOS 16 once the installation completes. The restart may take longer than a typical reboot because the update runs in the background while the system applies changes.

This document provides you with a clear process for upgrading the firmware on your supported device once the firmware has been made available for you to download. If you don’t see this update for your supported device, the update will be delivered as part of the staged rollout process that will occur over the next few days to weeks.

What are the new features and changes that you should be aware of in OxygenOS 16?

OxygenOS 16 is an update that focuses on improving overall performance and usability through a variety of updates to design and user experience as well as connectivity. A major design shift involves refined light, shadow, and blur effects visible on elements such as the lockscreen PIN pad, Calculator, and the phone call interface. Flux Themes 2.0 provides extensive customization options for the lock screen and home screen, including new clock styles and wallpaper-responsive icon theming on the home screen. In dark mode, icon backgrounds turn grey to align with the overall theme.

With the introduction of Live Alerts on OxygenOS 14, they were improved upon in the release of OxygenOS 16. There’s also an extended amount of services included on the status bar’s pill (including orders tracked with Blinkit, Google Maps directions, and match results through the Google app). The app drawer and photos app will receive an update - incorporating new progressive Gaussian blur effects, along with an immersive style view of a bottom tab (with the same type of function). A new video editor is included with advanced tools and features for Photos, alongside a revamped App Drawer that offers two default views: All and Categories.

AI capabilities have been expanded in OxygenOS 16. A dedicated AI section in Settings groups available AI features for quick access, and AI Writing tools are accessible from any text input field, not just Notes or browsers. In Photos, AI Portrait Glow and AI Perfect Shot help improve facial tones and expressions. Mind Space can now be linked with Google Gemini to synchronize saved information. Connectivity enhancements include the O+ Connect app’s support for casting between a laptop and phone, and even pairing an Apple Watch to view notifications and call alerts on a OnePlus device.

For those weighing an upgrade, reviewers have noted OxygenOS 16 as one of the more fluid Android skins, closely matched by other players in the space. While it has room for improvement—such as refining the Do Not Disturb experience—overall the update brings a refined, more polished experience with a focus on productivity, creativity, and content curation. The software remains visually similar to its predecessor in appearance for some users, with the most visible changes concentrated in lighting effects, animations, and new AI-enhanced tools.

Key dates remain: OxygenOS 16 was officially unveiled on October 16, 2025. The rollout began in late 2025 for the newer flagships and continued into 2026 for older devices, with the message that the schedule is device-specific and subject to availability. You can downgrade from OxygenOS 16 back to OxygenOS 15 by using official OnePlus Community guides for your specific model. This will risk losing data, and you should make sure you have proper backups and that you have carefully followed the instructions before proceeding.

With the new update of OxygenOS 16, OnePlus is taking a measured step forward with many refinements in regards to design, additional AI possibilities, and improved interoperability between devices for ALL users of supported devices. If you own a supported OnePlus model, the update will provide you with an improved overall user experience. Due to the staged rollout of updates, please note that it may take several months for you to receive the update notification through your device's update center.