OnePlus held an event in London this week where it revealed the news that certain phones released in 2023 and onwards would benefit from the brand’s new commitment. It sees an increase from the previous commitment to three major Android OS updates and four years of security updates with selected models. The promise also effectively brings the OnePlus brand level with major rival Samsung on software updates, and lifts it above the rest of the Android crowd – including Google itself. The make of Android and the platform’s signature Pixel phones only offers the promise of three years of major software updates, though it also provides five years of security updates. OnePlus will be rolling out the next version of its custom UI, OxygenOS 13.1, during the first half of 2023. This will almost certainly be accompanied by the launch of the OnePlus 11 line of flagship phones. OxygenOS 13 only began rolling out earlier this month, with a refreshed design. OxygenOS 13.1 will apparently focus on “enhanced safety” through an improved version of the Private Safe function that was introduced in OxygenOS 13. The company’s digital health efforts will also get some attention with the release, as well as greater accessibility options. The company also revealed that it is working on the future direction of OxygenOS after holding an in-person European Open Ears Forum, which took feedback from the local community. OxyGenOS has been criticised in recent years as its clean, crisp OS has taken on more elements of Oppo’s heavier ColorOS. The OnePlus brand is now owned by Oppo, and the two companies have combined the underlying code of their operating systems.
