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Out with the old, in with the new: LineageOS cut support for Android 9 Pie earlier this year, and to make up for the loss, the open-source project has just released version 18.1 based on Android 11. It comes with official support for about 60 phones and tablets.
OnePlus 7/7T series and Nord are next in line for OxygenOS 11
It's also the end of the road for the OnePlus 5 and 5T
OnePlus used to be known for speedy Android updates, but those days have long since passed. While Samsung has already started updating most of its recent flagships to Android 11, the same update has only arrived on two OnePlus phones (the 8 and 8T). OnePlus has now shared a status report on the OxygenOS 11 rollout, providing a rough timeline for the months ahead.
OnePlus finally resumes updates to the OnePlus 5, with Oxygen OS 10.0.1 rolling out now
The 5T will be updated 'soon'
The OnePlus 5 and 5T haven't received any software updates since May, and that update inexplicably removed image stabilization. We had to wait until September for the company to explain itself, revealing that a critical bug had been found in the communication module and that fixing it involved discussion with carriers, further delaying things. Almost two months after the revelation, OnePlus is finally rolling out a new update to the OnePlus 5, fixing the big bad bug, updating the security patch, and restoring stabilization to the camera.
LineageOS 17.1 arrives on the OnePlus 5T, Galaxy S5, Fxtec Pro¹, and others
Fresh off the build servers
LineageOS is the most popular custom ROM around, bringing new Android updates to abandoned phones, and a stock-like experience (with or without Google software) to newer devices. The last time we covered the project, it added support for a handful of phones from Huawei, Sony, Xiaomi, and OnePlus. Since then, many more devices have made their way to the official roster.
OnePlus explains why OnePlus 5 and 5T updates have been delayed
Owners will have to wait a little longer for less shaky video
When the OnePlus 5 had 4K electronic image stabilization (EIS) added shortly after launch back in 2017, we were pretty amazed with the results. Unfortunately, OnePlus disabled EIS for the OP5 and OP5T back in May due to a bug. Four months later, OnePlus is clarifying why exactly owners are stuck with shaky video and a dated security patch.
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LineageOS is the most-used custom Android ROM around, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for others. Paranoid Android was a popular choice back in the KitKat days, and while the ROM returned in full force with Nougat builds in 2017, there hasn't been much news since. Now the project is back (again), touting Android 10 builds for nine phones so far.
OxygenOS 10 update brings Android 10 to OnePlus 5 and 5T — download links now available
Not everyone is getting the build just yet, but you can sideload it
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We knew that the Android 10 update for the OnePlus 5 and 5T was just around the corner as the company has been conducting beta trials over the past month. The third Android 10 build came out last week with a long list of fixes and improvements, and now it looks like that was the final beta. A few users took to online forums to report that the two 2017 flagships have started receiving their stable Android 10 OxygenOS builds, though only in small numbers.
OnePlus 5 and 5T get Open Beta 3 on the path to stable Android 10
With a slew of fixes and optimizations
OnePlus has been working on a stable Android 10 release for the OnePlus 5 and 5T for some time now, and the company had already rolled out two Open Beta previews. Now with the third build, OnePlus is shipping fixes to some pesky bugs introduced in previous releases, along with other optimizations.
The OnePlus 5 and 5T get their first Android 10 Open Betas
Right on track with their rollout schedule
OnePlus’s entire lineup of phones released in the last couple of years is now running Android 10 with an updated version of OxygenOS. With that job done, the company is now shifting its focus to the previous-gen 5-series phones. Within days of halting the Open Betas for the OnePlus 6 and 6T for good, the company has opened the program for the OnePlus 5 and 5T, keeping up with its original release plan for the two 2017 flagships.
As 2019 ends and we enter a new decade, I felt the story of OnePlus deserved a bit more examination. In an email interview with CMO Kyle Kiang, I probed the history of a company that is often as shocking in its successes as it is in its marketing misfires. As it crests its sixth year as a smartphone vendor, it's more competitive than ever, coming a long way from the days when it could barely manage to build enough $349 OnePlus Ones using a tightly controlled and very annoying invitation system.
The official rollout of Android 10 has already started for the OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro, but older OnePlus devices are still without the latest software. That won't be the case for too much longer, though, at least for some phones. OnePlus has shared a tentative schedule of when the OnePlus 6T, 6, 5T, and 5 will see the update, and it's as soon as this month.
[Update: OnePlus 6/6T, new settings] OnePlus publishes Zen Mode app to Play Store for faster updates
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OnePlus introduced Zen Mode together with its latest flagship device, aiming at helping users take a break from technology and spend more time interacting with the real world. The company just published the app on the Play Store, making it easier to update it for the 7 and 7 Pro, but also to release it for older devices.
Not to be left out today, the OnePlus 5 and 5T are also getting a new update. OxygenOS 9.0.7 is starting to roll out for the company's 2017-era flagships, bringing last month's security patches, the company's snazzy screen recorder, a landscape quick reply feature (which isn't quite as simple as it sounds), and a handful of other tweaks.
We're coming to the end of another road, everyone. OnePlus has started rolling out the last Open Beta for the 5/5T. At least it brings Zen Mode to the phones, a feature the 6/6T got not too long ago. There are some other improvements, too, as usual, but for a final beta, it has only one highlighting feature.
In addition to providing fast and frequent updates, OnePlus is becoming one of the most communicative Android phone manufacturers: It's actually hearing and responding to requests for new features. Back in May, the company spoke out about reported issues and a handful of community requests for the 7 Pro — things like wide-angle video support, and an always-on display — and today it's providing further updates about those requests, as well as others.
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June is already almost half over, but that hasn't stopped OnePlus from pushing out new Open Betas for its past devices. Both the 5 and 6 family just received Digital Wellbeing, the June patch, and OnePlus' Fnatic mode.
The OnePlus 5 and 5T are still under two years old, as the 5 was released in June 2017, and the 5T came out in November of the same year. If you were still a bit concerned that either phone would miss out on Android Q, you can rest easy — OnePlus has confirmed that both devices will (eventually) get the update.
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When OnePlus announced its latest flagship phone, there were some interesting software features introduced alongside the impressive new hardware. Not all of them will be coming to older OnePlus devices but many of them will, including Zen Mode and the native screen recording function.
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- OnePlus has issued an official statement explaining that although this file works on older-gen devices, there are issues such as some notifications still coming in while the mode is activated. This is because the app isn't fully optimized yet for these models. Zen Mode will make it into next week's open beta build for the 6/6T and should also come later to the 5/5T.
If you have one of OnePlus' older devices, you may be a little jealous of the new 7 Pro and its updated hardware and software. We can't do anything about the former, but for the latter, we've started discovering, one after one, that the APK files on the new device do indeed work on older models. Last week, we went through Camera and Gallery, then today we covered the new Screen Recorder, but we just tested Zen Mode's APK file and as it turns out, it too works on older devices.
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- OnePlus has issued an official statement explaining that although this file works on older-gen devices, there are issues such as audio from games or music not playing. This is because the app isn't fully optimized yet for these models. Screen Recorder will make it into next week's open beta build for the 6/6T and should also come later to the 5/5T.
Every time a company launches a flagship with useful software additions, users start wondering whether these would make it to the previous gen that they already have in their hands. For the OnePlus 7 Pro, we recently learned that the screen recorder and Zen Mode would come to older models, but it turns out you don't need to wait to get the first one working. An APK of the 7 Pro's Screen Recorder was uploaded to APK Mirror and it works great on the 6T and older devices too, possibly.