The integration of the OnePlus brand into the Oppo company should result in faster and more stable software updates, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau announced two weeks ago. The code base of OxygenOS from OnePlus and ColorOS from Oppo will be the same in the future, and flagships will receive four years of updates from now on.
In the OnePlus forum, OxygenOS Product Lead Gary C. spoke about OnePlus' future update strategy. Almost exactly three years ago, OnePlus committed itself to two years of Android updates and three years of security updates (every two months) for the first time as part of the “OnePlus Software Maintenance Schedule”.
Up to four years of security updates
In the future, software support should last up to four years, provided it is a flagship smartphone from the OnePlus 8 series or newer, including T models and the R models not offered in this country. Two years of Android updates are no longer promised, but three main Android versions. Whether security updates should still only be distributed every two months is not clear from the article.
In detail, the following new update strategy is planned:
- Flagship products (including T and R): From the OnePlus 8 series and newer, three main Android versions and four years of security updates.
- North and North CE: From the first OnePlus North and North CE and newer two Android main versions and three years of security updates.
- Nord N series: From the OnePlus Nord N10 and N100 and newer, one Android main version and three years of security updates.
Only an update for the Nord-N models
Accordingly, two main Android versions and three years of security updates are planned for the cheaper Nord and Nord CE smartphones and only one new Android main version and three years of security updates are planned for the entry-level class of Nord-N smartphones. The company plans to supply flagship smartphones prior to the OnePlus 8 series in accordance with the previous update strategy.
Uniform code base from Android 12
The longer support will make a uniform code base for OxygenOS from OnePlus and ColorOS from Oppo possible in the future. In addition, the development team is now larger and there are more resources available for research and development. Future OnePlus smartphones should come from the factory with a uniform code base, with currently available devices this step will take place with the update to Android 12. OxygenOS should, however, remain an independent operating system for all OnePlus smartphones outside of China