OnePlus OxygenOS 16 review: Smarter, faster, more personal
OnePlus has lifted the curtain on OxygenOS 16, its most ambitious software update yet. It’s packed with AI smarts, design overhauls, and deeper ecosystem links. But does it strike the right balance between intelligence and identity? Here’s a 8-point review breaking down what works — and what still needs polish.
Plus Mind: OnePlus’s personal AI brain At the heart of OxygenOS 16 lies Plus Mind — a central AI hub that recognises on-screen content and organises it in a “Mind Space.” It’s smart enough to extract context from screenshots or posters and suggest calendar entries. It’s genuinely useful but will need consistent accuracy to avoid feeling gimmicky.
2/8
Deep Google Gemini integration Gemini’s tie-in with Mind Space could be OxygenOS 16’s killer feature. By letting Google’s AI access your saved content for contextual answers, it creates a “personalised assistant” feel. The privacy-conscious might be wary, but it’s a peek into how personal AI could work day to day.
3/8
AI Productivity Suite ups the utility Features like AI Writer, AI Scan, and creative tools such as AI Portrait Glow and Perfect Shot give users practical, everyday value. They’re not revolutionary, but they make OxygenOS feel more like a productivity platform than just a phone skin.
4/8
AI PlayLab: A playground for early adopters PlayLab’s experimental tools like YumSee (text-to-picture) and Party Up (photo-to-video) are delightful for creators. Expect uneven results — but that’s the charm of being first in line to test what’s next.
Design: Subtle, not showy The visual refresh feels more mature. With Flux Theme 2.0, dynamic wallpapers, and translucent panels, OxygenOS 16 strikes a nice balance between colour and calm. It’s modern, responsive, and distinct — without losing its Android roots.
6/8
Fluid Cloud: Notifications done right This reimagined live hub now integrates third-party apps like Spotify and food delivery services. It’s not just eye candy; it genuinely reduces the need to constantly switch apps.
7/8
Security and privacy take centre stage The new Private Computing Cloud claims to be Android’s first “full-chain security” solution for both GPU and CPU tasks. Whether it lives up to that bold promise remains to be seen, but the direction is reassuring.
8/8
What we think OxygenOS 16 feels like OnePlus rediscovering its mojo — fast, functional, and fun again. The AI push gives it a forward-looking edge, though execution will decide how well it holds up in daily use. It’s a confident step into the AI age, without losing the simplicity that made OxygenOS popular
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