Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
When Google released Android 16 this past June, many users were disappointed by its lack of new features. Fortunately, the open nature of Android allows OEMs like OnePlus to add their own changes on top of Google’s releases. That’s exactly what OnePlus has done with its latest OxygenOS 16 update. It not only brings many of Android 16’s key features to OnePlus phones but also adds a host of additional features to improve your productivity, touch up your photos, make your phone feel faster, and more. Here’s everything new in OxygenOS 16!
Do you like what OnePlus has done with OxygenOS 16? 71 votes I love it! 62 % I hate it! 11 % Meh, it's not my cup of tea 27 %
A new look and feel for OnePlus phones in OxygenOS 16 The biggest change in OxygenOS 16 is the new design. While not as extensive as Google’s Material 3 Expressive overhaul in Android 16, OxygenOS 16 is still a significant refresh. OnePlus divided the design changes into two categories: “Breathe With You” for visual refinements and “Thrive with Free Expression” for new customization options.
Visually, OxygenOS 16 has a more “airy” vibe, as OnePlus describes it, though it shares a similar visual foundation with OxygenOS 15. The new version employs Gaussian blur in more places, giving buttons a Liquid Glass-like appearance. This is most evident in the home screen search bar, the home screen editor, and the recents screen.
Recents screen in OxygenOS 15 Recents screen in OxygenOS 16 Home screen editor in OxygenOS 15 Home screen editor in OxygenOS 16
A more customizable Quick Settings panel OxygenOS 16 introduces subtle changes to the notifications and Quick Settings panels. Notification icons are now larger, and OnePlus has enlarged the clock as well.
Notifications panel in OxygenOS 15 Notifications panel in OxygenOS 16
In the Quick Settings panel, the clock now sits above the date, while the buttons to edit the panel and open the settings menu have moved from the bottom to the top right corner. More importantly, the Quick Settings panel is now more customizable. OnePlus divided the panel into two sections: a top section for larger, 2×1 Quick Setting tiles and a bottom section for smaller 1×1 tiles. The preset media control and brightness/volume slider tiles are still there, but you can now remove them entirely or simply rearrange them within the top section.
Quick Settings panel in OxygenOS 15 Quick Settings panel in OxygenOS 16 Quick Settings panel editor UI in OxygenOS 15 Quick Settings panel editor UI in OxygenOS 16
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