OnePlus has officially unveiled OxygenOS 16, a sharp turn in design that nudges the Android experience closer to iOS territory. With the OnePlus 15 launch approaching in just a few months, as officially confirmed for both China and global markets, this update represents OnePlus's most ambitious software redesign yet. The timing lands right as Android 16 has settled into the market, making this OxygenOS 16's official debut moment.
What stands out is OnePlus's willingness to lean into Apple's design cues while keeping Android's flexibility intact. The company calls it the "Breath with You" design language, intended to create a light and airy visual experience. It reads like a bet that people care more about polish and cross-platform harmony than keeping old Android versus iOS lines in the sand.
The iOS inspiration runs deeper than you'd expect
The resemblance is not subtle, and OnePlus is not pretending otherwise. The new look borrows heavily from pre-Liquid Glass iOS, with practically every element reminiscent of Apple's earlier design philosophy. The weather app feels practically indistinguishable from Apple's relaunched version, while Quick Settings picks up rounded translucent circles and oval-shaped sliders that look straight out of Control Center. Sound familiar?
The app drawer can now be configured into a category-based layout that's a dead ringer for Apple's App Library. The lock screen goes even further, using ultra-tall numbers for the clock right next to iOS-styled widget icons. What initially set off alarm bells for some reviewers turned out to be an optional toggle rather than a full replacement, which keeps choice in the mix.
This visual sweep also tidies up OnePlus's historically inconsistent UI elements by leaning on proven Apple patterns. Instead of chasing differentiation for its own sake, OnePlus is adopting what works and smoothing the edges that needed smoothing.
Apple Watch support breaks new ground
OnePlus is pushing cross-platform support further than we are used to seeing, with dedicated Apple Watch integration through the OHealth app. The setup enables notifications, messages, call handling, and exercise data synchronization, supporting notifications, messages, synced exercise records, and even phone call support.
It builds on the company's earlier cross-ecosystem moves. OnePlus previously built an AirDrop-like client into OxygenOS, allowing file sharing between OnePlus and iPhone users. Touch to Share now works seamlessly between OnePlus devices and iPhones with the O+ Connect app installed. Taken together, this year's update goes much farther with cross-ecosystem connectivity than any Android manufacturer has attempted before.
That Apple Watch bridge is a calculated risk. Many Android users like Apple accessories but hate being boxed in. If OnePlus eases that pain, it could win switchers and stand apart from rivals who keep everything locked down.
AI integration reaches new depths
OxygenOS 16 marks a sharp pivot toward AI-centric features, a near 180 from launching the OnePlus 12 less than two years ago with barely any AI focus. The star is Mind Space, a hub for screenshots and saved content that now includes Gemini support, letting Google's chatbot access on-device saved content. It is the first app of its kind to directly integrate into Gemini, which gives it a leg up on similar tools like Pixel Screenshots.
The AI suite shows up in everyday tasks. AI Writer and AI Scan features streamline work, and the productivity suite adds AI Scan for scanning screens and presentation slides alongside enhanced AI writing tools. Photography gets a boost from AI Portrait Glow and AI Perfect Shot that clean up images in tough lighting. There are even experimental features, letting users test unreleased AI capabilities like YumSee and Party Up.
The move to plug Gemini into Mind Space is the tell. It is less about flashy demos and more about context, letting the system understand what you have saved and why it matters.
Enhanced customization meets improved performance
Despite the iOS-inspired sheen, OxygenOS 16 keeps Android's customization muscle and tightens up the system. The update provides extensive UI customization options and focuses intensely on beautifying the entire user experience. The home screen is more capable too, supporting more app icons and a dock that can accommodate up to 18 apps.
Performance steps up. Battery life shows significant gains over OxygenOS 15, delivering over 8 hours of screen time and 2.5 days of use. Security gets a lift from the Private Computing Cloud, which uses advanced encryption with both GPU and CPU protection to guard sensitive data. Multitasking remains a OnePlus stronghold, with ultra-fast overview screens and the Open Canvas feature that makes juggling apps feel effortless.
The bottom line, OxygenOS 16 looks better without giving up speed, control, or the tinkering that Android fans expect.
What this means for OnePlus's future
OxygenOS 16 is a pivot point for OnePlus, combining iOS-style refinement with Android flexibility in a way that could reset expectations. The OnePlus 15 will be the first device to ship with OxygenOS 16 pre-installed, launching globally later this year. For existing users, the rollout begins in November 2025 and continues through Q1 2026.
This update positions OnePlus uniquely in the Android ecosystem, embracing Apple's design philosophy while maintaining the customization and cross-platform integration that Android users value. OxygenOS 16 represents just the first of five major updates scheduled for the OnePlus 13, a signal that this direction is not a one-off experiment.
If users respond, the ripple effect could be big. OnePlus is challenging the idea that platforms need hard borders, focusing instead on the best possible experience, inspiration be damned. Whether others follow or dig in on old lines will depend on how this bold bridge-building plays out.
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