- Fluid Cloud incorporates more real-time activities and compatible applications.
- Mind Space functions as a personal archive connected to AI tools.
- AI Writer, AI Scan and photo functions expand the creative section.
- Flow Motion and Parallel Processing improve animations and multitasking.
OxygenOS 16 This represents one of the biggest recent updates to OnePlus's operating system. Based on Android 16, this version combines a lighter design with new artificial intelligence tools, improved animations, and features designed to connect the phone to tablets and computers.
The update doesn't introduce all the technologies it features from scratch, as some were available in previous versions. Its main contribution is... expand and better connect features like Fluid Cloud, Mind Space, and Parallel Processingcreating a more coherent experience within the OnePlus ecosystem.
Fluid Cloud expands its real-time activities
Fluid Cloud It's the dynamic notification system that displays ongoing activities at the top of the screen. It's not a completely new feature in OxygenOS 16, but the update expands its compatibility and improves how it presents information.
From this space, you can access multimedia controls, sports scores, traffic information, food deliveries, and other live events without constantly opening their respective apps. The content changes depending on the available activity and can be expanded to show more information or controls.
Its functionality is reminiscent of Apple's Dynamic Island and other similar Android implementations, although adapted to OnePlus's visual language. Its actual usefulness will depend on the compatible apps in each country and device, so not all services will necessarily be available from day one.
Plus Mind and Mind Space organize user information
One of the central pieces of OnePlus's artificial intelligence strategy is Plus MindThis function allows you to capture information displayed on the screen and save it within Mind Space, a space intended to preserve ideas, images, dates, documents and other relevant content.
On devices equipped with the Plus KeyA single press saves content to Mind Space, while a long press records a voice note. The latter requires a mobile phone with a physical button and supports recordings of up to 60 seconds.
Mind Space also features a search assistant capable of locating saved information using natural language questions. This way, the user doesn't need to remember the exact name of a screenshot, note, or event to retrieve it.
Integration with Google Gemini It allows you to use stored information as context for planning trips, organizing tasks, or preparing projects. However, OnePlus warns that its availability depends on the model, country, language, and account settings. Plus Mind is also not available on OnePlus tablets in all markets.
AI tools for writing, scanning, and enhancing photographs
OxygenOS 16 brings together its main productivity features within the ecosystem OnePlus AIAmong them is AI Writer, which is not limited to writing texts or changing their tone, but can also convert information into mind maps, tables, and subtitles for social media.
AI Scan It's designed to digitize documents, presentations, and whiteboards, even when the photo is taken at an angle. The system corrects perspective, reduces shadows and distortion, and allows you to save the result as an image or PDF.
In the photography section, two tools stand out:
- AI Portrait Glow: It improves the lighting of faces in portraits captured in unfavorable conditions.
- AI Perfect Shot: It allows you to correct group photos in which a person appears with their eyes closed or with an unflattering expression.
There is also AI PlayLabThis is an area dedicated to testing experimental features. YumSee generates visual representations of dishes on a restaurant menu, while Party Up adds movement and effects to still photographs. Therefore, they should not be described simply as generic text-to-image and image-to-video tools.
New design, customization, and smoother animations
OxygenOS 16 adopts a lighter visual language called Breathe with YouThe interface uses more rounded corners, Gaussian blurs, and translucent surfaces to create a cleaner look and provide greater separation between elements.
Customization options have also been expanded. The lock screen supports moving videos and photos with depth effects, while the home screen allows you to resize icons, rearrange the app drawer, and use widgets in different formats.
In terms of performance, Flow Motion It modifies the opening and closing animations of applications to make the movements more seamless. Meanwhile, Parallel Processing is no longer limited to certain actions on the home screen and extends to other parts of the system.
This doesn't mean that every device will offer exactly the same performance. OnePlus has primarily conducted its demonstrations with models like the OnePlus 13, OnePlus 13s, and OnePlus Pad 3, so performance may vary depending on the processor, memory, and specific software version.
Private Cloud Computing and Data Protection
Artificial intelligence functions need to process personal information to provide contextualized responses. To protect this data, OnePlus uses an architecture called Private Computing Cloud.
According to the company, this infrastructure combines hardware-level encryption, CPU and GPU protection, and trusted execution environments to process information both on the device and in the cloud. OnePlus maintains that not even the company itself can access the protected content within this environment.
This technology does not mean that all AI functions work offline. Many tools need an internet connection to process requests, and their availability may depend on servers, region, and selected language.
OxygenOS 16 also incorporates protections from Android 16, such as advanced protection options and identity verification for certain sensitive operations.
OxygenOS 16 improvements for OnePlus tablets
Tablets receive specific changes to better utilize their larger screens. The home screen can display more apps, allows icons to be resized, and features an expanded dock for quick access to frequently used tools.
The function Open Canvas It allows you to work with up to five apps simultaneously: three in split-screen mode and two more in resizable floating windows. This feature is currently limited to the OnePlus Pad 3 and OnePlus Pad 2 running OxygenOS 16.
The connection with Windows and Mac computers is made through O+ ConnectDepending on the device, it allows you to drag and drop files, mirror your screen, and control the device remotely. The ability to use the tablet as a remote control is limited to the OnePlus Pad 3.
It also facilitates file sharing with other OnePlus mobiles, tablets of the brand and even iPhone devices, although in the latter case it is necessary to install the corresponding application.
Mobile phones and tablets compatible with OxygenOS 16
OnePlus includes the following devices in its reference compatibility list:
- OnePlus 13, OnePlus 13R and OnePlus 13s.
- OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R.
- OnePlus 11 5G and OnePlus 11R 5G.
- OnePlus 10 Pro 5G.
- OnePlus Open.
- OnePlus Nord 5, Nord 4 and Nord 3 5G.
- OnePlus Nord CE5, Nord CE4 and Nord CE4 Lite 5G.
- OnePlus Pad 3, Pad 2, Pad and Pad Lite.
The update is being rolled out in batches, so its arrival time may vary depending on the model, country, carrier, and regional variant. Furthermore, not all features are available on all devices, as some require specific components such as the Plus Key or a certain level of processing power.
OxygenOS 16 doesn't completely transform the OnePlus experience with a single revolutionary feature. Its true value lies in bringing together and refining different elements: dynamic notifications via Fluid Cloud, personal organization with Mind Space, AI tools, a more customizable interface, and more advanced multitasking.
The result is a more complete and connected system, although it is advisable to check the specific compatibility of each function before assuming that it will be available on any mobile phone or tablet of the brand.
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