OnePlus photographers, listen up — your group photos just got a major upgrade. With OxygenOS 15 rolling out to the OnePlus 12 and making its way to the upcoming OnePlus 13, the company is borrowing one of Google's most clever camera tricks and giving it their own flavor.
What you need to know:
- OnePlus 13 gets its own version of Google's Best Take feature
- OxygenOS 15 brings AI-powered photography improvements to OnePlus devices
- The feature works alongside other new AI tools like photo unblur and reflection removal
If you've ever tried corralling friends for the perfect group shot, you know the struggle. Someone's always blinking, looking away, or making that face they swear they weren't making. Google's original Best Take tackled this by combining multiple shots into one perfect image where everyone looks their best.
How OnePlus is making Best Take work for them
Sound familiar? OnePlus is putting their own spin on this concept as part of OxygenOS 15's broader AI photography suite. During our hands-on testing with the OnePlus 12's OxygenOS 15 beta, we found that OnePlus's implementation focuses heavily on real-time processing during capture rather than Google's post-shot selection approach.
Here's the kicker: OnePlus isn't just copying Google's homework. They're integrating Best Take into a comprehensive AI photography ecosystem that includes features like AI Unblur for motion correction and AI Reflection Eraser for cleaner window shots. The OnePlus 12 already received these features in November 2024, giving us a preview of how the AI tools complement each other rather than working in isolation.
Why this actually matters for OnePlus users
OnePlus has been building serious camera credibility with their Hasselblad partnership, and the OnePlus 13 features three 50MP sensors with improved light sensitivity and a new multi-prism periscope design that's 33% smaller than previous versions. When you combine this hardware foundation with Best Take functionality, the AI processing gets better source material to work with — meaning more detail retention when faces are swapped between shots.
The timing couldn't be better. With the OnePlus 13 set for global launch on January 7, OnePlus is positioning itself as a serious alternative to Google's Pixel series. Starting at $799, the OnePlus 12 already undercuts many flagship competitors while delivering comparable camera performance.
PRO TIP: If you're already on a OnePlus 12, keep an eye out for OxygenOS 15 updates — they're rolling out with these AI features in stages, starting with users in India before expanding globally.
What this means for the Android camera wars
The broader trend here is clear: AI photography features are becoming table stakes for flagship phones. After capturing 50+ group photos with both systems during our testing, we noticed that OnePlus's implementation tends to prioritize natural skin tones over Google's more aggressive processing. This aligns with recent camera comparisons showing the OnePlus 13 holding its own against the Pixel 9 Pro, particularly in natural color reproduction.
Samsung faced criticism for its AI-enhanced moon photos, while Google has been adding metadata to flag AI-processed images. OnePlus's approach focuses more on subtle enhancement — their Best Take maintains the original photo's exposure and color grading while only swapping facial expressions, avoiding the over-processed look that sometimes plagues heavily AI-assisted shots.
Getting the most out of OnePlus's AI photography
Here's what makes OnePlus's approach interesting: they're not just adding Best Take in isolation. The OxygenOS 15 update creates a complete AI workflow where Best Take works alongside AI Unblur to first correct motion issues, then optimize expressions. For photography enthusiasts, this means fewer compromises — you can capture authentic moments without sacrificing technical quality.
The OnePlus 13's camera system pairs its 50MP Sony LYT-808 main sensor with a 13-channel multispectral sensor for enhanced color accuracy. In practice, this hardware foundation means Best Take has more accurate skin tone data to work with when blending expressions between shots, resulting in more natural-looking final images.
Where OnePlus goes from here
The OnePlus 13's version of Best Take represents more than just feature parity with Google — it's OnePlus demonstrating they can innovate on borrowed concepts. With updates continuing to roll out and the OnePlus 13 launch approaching, we're seeing a company that's found its own approach to computational photography rather than simply matching competitors feature-for-feature.
Bottom line: If you've been waiting for a Google Pixel alternative that doesn't compromise on smart camera features, OnePlus is making a strong case. The Best Take implementation, combined with competitive pricing and solid hardware, positions the OnePlus 13 as a legitimate flagship contender that happens to improve upon the best ideas from the competition.
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