Skip to main content

OnePlus 13 users can finally experience Android 16

The OnePlus 13 and OnePlus Watch 3.
Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

OnePlus 13 users eager to try Android 16 can do so now. An announcement on the official OnePlus Forums states that users of OnePlus’ newest phone can download Android 16 Beta 2 on their devices. According to the note, the beta won’t be made available to OnePlus 13R users, at least to yet.

Whether OnePlus 13 users should download the Android 16 beta is another story. As 9to5Google rightly notes, early releases of OxygenOS, which sits on top of Android on OnePlus devices, haven’t always played nice with beta versions.

Recommended Videos

Many early releases of OxygenOS in the past have been rife with issues, and the experience can be barebones when compared directly to the stable version. As such, especially if your OnePlus 13 is your primary phone, it might be wise to wait for a later Android 16 beta version.

First revealed late last year, Android 16, codenamed “Baklava,” introduces several new features and improvements that build upon the foundations established in Android 15, also known as “Vanilla Ice Cream.” Confirmed features of Android 16 include enhancements to the photo picker, improved adaptive refresh rate support, and compatibility with the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec. Additionally, new Health Connect APIs will support health records, and there will be improvements in resizing and scaling applications for larger screens, such as foldables and tablets.

Other anticipated features include live updates for ongoing activities, a predictive back button, and the capability for applications to block AI writing tools. Notably, Android 16 expands the Linux Terminal feature, allowing users to run Linux applications within a virtual machine on their devices.

Android 16 is expected to have its first stable, public release later this year. The OS’s arrival schedule for Android devices will depend on the manufacturers.

The OnePlus 13 was launched globally earlier this year. This latest flagship features a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display, is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, and includes several camera upgrades compared to its predecessor, the OnePlus 12 .

Bryan M. Wolfe
Former Mobile and A/V Freelancer
Bryan M. Wolfe has over a decade of experience as a technology writer. He writes about mobile.
The best Android smartwatch is coming in a smaller size, with minimal compromise
OnePlus Watch 3 43mm promises "a fully-featured smartwatch experience" in a compact package
The OnePlus Watch 3 43mm on a man's wrist

The OnePlus Watch 3 is getting a new, smaller size which will be music to the ears of those wanting to experience the best Android smartwatch, but who are wary of the original's size and heft - and we now have more information on it.

OnePlus previously confirmed it would be launching a smaller, 43mm Watch 3 as part of its bumper July 8 event - but it was light on details about the wearable then.

Read more
My Android 16 update made me jealous of iOS 26… but it shouldn’t
Deep down, I know my disappointment is irrational
The Android 16 logo on the screen of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold

I've just downloaded Android 16 on my Pixel 9 Pro Fold. As someone who’s a sucker for a software update this should be a momentous occasion - so why am I feeling flat?

Whether it's an update for one of my favourite apps, or a complete operating system overhaul, I love pouring over change logs to see what's new and diving into features.

Read more
Android 16 is now available to download, and here are 3 reasons why you should
Android 16 logo on Google Pixel 6a kept on the edge of a table.

The wait for Android’s next big platform update is finally over. Google has released the stable build of Android 16 for the masses, and it is now available to download publicly on all devices, starting with the Pixel smartphones.

Android 16 introduces a whole new design language called Material 3 Expressive, which reimagines the animations and gestures alongside a fresh color take on color theming and haptic response to touch inputs.

Read more