OnePlus has officially unveiled OxygenOS 16, marking what might be the company’s biggest software evolution to date. Rooted in the philosophy of “Intelligently Yours,” the new OS combines deep AI integration with the brand’s hallmark fast and smooth performance — pushing the boundaries of what smartphone software can do.

According to Arthur Lam, Director of OxygenOS and AI Strategy at OnePlus, the update represents more than just an upgrade:

“OxygenOS 16 marks a paradigm shift in how smartphones interact with users. Our ‘Intelligently Yours’ philosophy represents our commitment to creating technology that doesn’t just respond to commands, but truly understands and adapts to each individual user.”

With this release, OnePlus aims to make your device an extension of your digital intuition — one that learns, adapts, and works seamlessly across devices.

Plus Mind: AI That Truly Understands You

At the heart of OxygenOS 16 lies Plus Mind, OnePlus’s new AI intelligence suite that learns from your behaviour and curates information intuitively. Think of it as your personal digital brain.

All your screenshots, notes, and saved snippets are now organised in a unified hub called Mind Space. Whether you swipe up with three fingers or use the newly introduced Plus Key, Plus Mind can instantly pull up relevant content, extract important details, and even help you take action.

For example, snap a photo of a concert poster, and Plus Mind will automatically detect the date and time, offering to add it to your calendar. Long screenshots can now capture entire conversations or web pages, all neatly indexed within Mind Space for quick retrieval.

The Plus Key itself is configurable — users can assign it to quick functions like the flashlight, voice recording, Do Not Disturb, or toggling between ring, vibrate, and silent modes.

Google Gemini Integration: Context-Aware AI Assistance

OxygenOS 16 takes things up a notch by tightly integrating Google Gemini — now directly connected to Mind Space. This means Gemini can pull personal data (securely stored and locally processed) to deliver context-aware responses and perform multi-step actions in a single prompt.

Ask something like:

“Based on my saved interior design ideas in Mind Space, help me create a home decor plan.”

Gemini will analyse your stored content, cross-reference your preferences, and generate a detailed, personalised plan. It’s a glimpse into how AI can turn inspiration into tangible results — blending your personal data with generative intelligence for smarter, faster outcomes.

AI Productivity Suite: Smarter Tools for Everyday Tasks

Productivity also gets a serious AI boost. OxygenOS 16 introduces a fully integrated AI Efficiency Suite, designed to help users create, organise, and communicate more effectively.

• AI Writer: A next-gen writing assistant that can generate mind maps, charts, and even social media captions with minimal input.

• AI Scan: Converts your camera into a smart scanner, capable of instantly digitising documents, receipts, and whiteboards into editable PDFs.

• AI Portrait Glow: Enhances portrait photos under any lighting condition, ensuring faces always look natural and well-lit.

• AI Perfect Shot: Analyses your scene in real time and optimises photo composition automatically.

Meanwhile, AI PlayLab offers access to experimental features such as:

• YumSee – turns text into creative imagery.

• Party Up – transforms static group photos into short, dynamic video clips with AI-generated motion effects.

These features underline OnePlus’s ongoing commitment to AI for creativity — not just automation.

Fast and Smooth, Now Smarter Than Ever

OnePlus has built its reputation on raw performance, and OxygenOS 16 continues that legacy with Parallel Processing 2.0, the most advanced implementation of this technology on Android.

In simple terms, animations and actions can now begin before the previous process completes. The result? Utterly fluid transitions, zero lag, and an interface that feels alive and anticipatory.

Cross-device connectivity has also received a major overhaul. Seamless Cross-Ecosystem Connectivity breaks traditional barriers between operating systems, letting you share files or sync data effortlessly across Windows and Mac PCs — and even Apple devices.

Notably, OnePlus now supports Apple Watch integration, enabling synchronised notifications, camera control, and basic health data tracking — a surprising but welcome move toward ecosystem openness.

Design Overhaul: Fluid, Personal, and Expressive

With OxygenOS 16, OnePlus introduces a transformative design language that reflects individuality through dynamic aesthetics.

The Flux Theme 2.0 system enables animated wallpapers, MotionPhotos, and adaptive depth effects that respond to your interactions. Lock screens and app drawers now feature fluid transitions and personalised layouts that move with you.

The Fluid Cloud — OnePlus’s interactive notification hub — has been completely reimagined. It now supports third-party apps like Spotify, food delivery services, and sports platforms, delivering real-time updates without leaving your home screen.

Across the interface, visual refinements such as Gaussian blur effects, rounded corners, and translucent layers create an airy, premium aesthetic. Even system apps like Clock and Calculator get a touch of polish with haptic and optical feedback for smoother interactions.

Private Computing Cloud: Next-Level Security

OxygenOS 16 introduces Private Computing Cloud, Android’s first full-chain security architecture that protects both CPU and GPU data.

This advanced framework ensures that sensitive information remains secure — whether it’s being processed locally or backed up in the cloud. By combining hardware-level protection with software encryption, OnePlus adds a crucial layer of security for the AI age, where data privacy is paramount.

Optimised for Tablets: OxygenOS Goes Big

OxygenOS 16 isn’t just for phones. The update has been optimised for OnePlus tablets, bringing the same “fast and smooth” experience to larger screens.

The redesigned home screen supports scalable icons and an expanded dock for up to 18 apps, ensuring efficient access to your most-used tools. Open Canvas multitasking lets users run up to five apps simultaneously — three in split view and two floating windows — making productivity on tablets smoother than ever.

Integration with Windows PCs has also been deepened. You can now use your tablet as a virtual trackpad, drag and drop files directly, and even mirror apps seamlessly.

The upgraded Photos app introduces built-in video editing tools — trim clips, add captions, insert music, or turn videos into MotionPhotos, all without leaving your gallery.

Availability and Rollout

The OxygenOS 16 Open Beta Program kicks off on October 17th, allowing early adopters to experience the new features ahead of the general release.

The first device to ship with OxygenOS 16 pre-installed will be the OnePlus 15, OnePlus’s upcoming flagship smartphone. The update will later roll out to existing OnePlus devices in phases.

Bonus Drop Offer: Early Access Perks

To celebrate the launch, OnePlus is running a €1 / £1 Bonus Drop on OnePlus.com. Fans who subscribe to updates can unlock a €139 / £139 Bonus Drop Bundle for just €1 / £1 — available in two rounds.

The bundle includes:

• OnePlus Everyday Sling Bag with built-in charging cable (€69.99 / £69.99 value)

• OnePlus SUPERVOOC 120W Dual Port GaN Charger (€69.99 / £69.99 value)

It’s a limited-time offer tied to the OnePlus 15 launch — and a pretty tempting incentive for anyone looking to upgrade.

Final Thoughts

OxygenOS 16 isn’t just a version bump — it’s a statement. OnePlus has effectively fused AI intelligence with human intuition, setting the stage for smartphones that don’t just perform tasks but understand intent.

From the personalised capabilities of Plus Mind to the seamless integration with Google Gemini and enhanced cross-device experiences, OxygenOS 16 feels like the evolution OnePlus fans have been waiting for — and a strong signal that the brand’s software is catching up to, and perhaps even surpassing, the hardware brilliance it’s known for.