OxygenOS 16 is the next big update for OnePlus smartphones, and it's expected to bring a host of new features and improve the user experience. While OnePlus has yet to reveal everything that's coming to OxygenOS, we have a fair idea about what the release could bring, thanks to leaks and rumours. Therefore, here are all the OxygenOS 16 features we know so far.
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Smooth and improved animations
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One of the highlights of OxygenOS 15 was the new and improved animations, and OxygenOS 16 looks to further improve upon the same. Since OxygenOS 16 would be heavily based on ColorOS 16, one of the ColorOS 16 features that could arrive on OnePlus smartphones could be extra smooth and consistent animations across the UI.
From unlocking your device to exiting or re-opening apps and swiping down to view Quick Settings, OxygenOS 16 could make the user experience extra smooth. Besides, the release is also expected to bring predictive back gestures throughout the UI with its own set of animations.
2
Full-screen Always-on Display
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One of the most-requested features that could make its way to OxygenOS 16 is the full-screen always-on display. When enabled, the AOD feature will show you the currently set wallpaper alongside the lock screen clock and elements, albeit by dimming it down extremely.
Regardless of how well OnePlus optimises it, the feature might eat more battery than the usual AOD. Which makes us wonder if the feature would roll out to OnePlus phones that don't have LTPO displays. Regardless, it should be a great feature to have for those who want to show off unique wallpapers all the time.
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Extended lock screen customisations
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Last year's OxygenOS 15 introduced a ton of customisation options on both lock and home screens, with the ability to add text at the back of the subject in a wallpaper. It also featured many lock screen clock styles and a couple of widgets, like steps and weather. OxygenOS 16 could kick these features up a notch by bringing more customisation options.
For starters, a major complaint with the text on the lock screen was the inability to add personalised text. Well, OxygenOS 16 could finally bring the same. Besides, the customisation could also bring dynamic text, which could match and adapt to the subject of your wallpaper. Lastly, the release is also expected to bring Lock Screen widgets, but we don't know much about them yet.
4
Better Live Alerts support
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Live Alerts on OnePlus phones are supported only in a handful of apps, including Zomato and Spotify. However, with Android 16 adding the Live updates API, Live Activities is expected to expand to more apps like YouTube Music, Uber, or any application that supports time-sensitive notifications.
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Deeper AI integration across apps
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It cannot be a 2025 launch without OnePlus bringing a host of AI shenanigans. The OxygenOS 16 is expected to bring improved AI integration in Global Search and its system apps. One of the features the brand has confirmed is deeper Gemini integration in Mind Space.
This could further extend into apps such as OnePlus Notes and Recorder. Lastly, we expect OxygenOS 16 to bring a host of AI features in the Gallery app and photo editing. Some of the features could be borrowed from ColorOS 16, which is expected to bring Live Photo Collage and AI Light features. OnePlus may choose to call them by different names.
And that's everything we know about OxygenOS 16 and its features. Besides OnePlus-developed features, since OxygenOS 16 is based on Android 16, it is expected to get a host of Android 16 features and improvements. Some of them include Advanced Protection Mode and the Search feature in Photo Picker.
OxygenOS 16 India launch date is set for October 16, 2025, right after ColorOS 16's launch. The OnePlus 13 will be the first of the OxygenOS 16 supported devices to receive the update, likely before the end of 2025. We expect more details and leaks to surface until then, so stay tuned.
